The slow grind of COVID lockdown means 2020 has been a year for many guys to experiment with their hair—whether that means DIY kitchen buzz cuts, going wild with a tub of Manic Panic, or just letting it grow all the way out. Through it all, these nine products were our favorites for keeping our hair clean, conditioned, trimmed, and pointed in the right direction.
The Best Hair Products of 2020
A Better Way to Wash Your Hair: Scotch Porter Hydrating Hair Wash
Don’t call it shampoo: This sulfate-free wash is the gentler, healthier alternative. We’re usually partial to fragrance-free cleansers, but have to make an exception for this woody blast of lavender, cardamom, and bergamot.
The Best Conditioner: Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Conditioner
Briogeo stripped out anything even potentially irritating from their newest conditioner: it’s free of dyes, fragrance, essential oils, sulfates, phthalates, parabens, you name it. What’s left? A super-gentle and very effective balm for dyed or fried hair.
Guaranteed Good Hair Day: Rahua Smoothing Hair Balm
This super-gentle styling wax is made with naturally-derived oils—not only do they smell good, but they also work to keep frizz at bay and your hair in place with a super-soft, light hold. If you like keeping things natural with just a little bit of polish, this one’s for you: It’s product for anyone who doesn’t want to look like they’re wearing product.
The Scalp Savior: Sisley Hair Rituel Serum
We know: You just started using serum for your face, now we’re saying you need one for the scalp? But if dryness, flakes, or even hair loss is a concern for you, then this vitamin-packed, lightweight formula is a worthwhile investment. Simply apply a pipette to your head right after the shower, and then go about your styling routine as usual—it won’t interfere with your other products or leave a gross residue, but it will keep things nice, calm, and hydrated up top, all day.
A Better Pomade: Head & Shoulders Anti-Dandruff Shaping Pomade
Many of the styling products in the drugstore tend to leave a chalky residue behind, which slowly builds up on the scalp and irritates the skin—this can have some gnarly side effects. Head & Shoulders, the anti-flake pros, entered the styling game with this efficient and lightweight pomade, which delivers a matte finish for an effortless, easy look.
For DIY Buzz Cuts: Andis Master Cordless Lithium Ion Clipper
If you, too, have committed to the at-home haircut this year, it’s time to step up your game. The Andis Master Clippers are what your barber uses (or wishes he were using), and the cordless version is the perfect solution for anyone wrestling with their mirror at home. Be sure so also pick up a set of matching guards, which snap on with a genius magnetic system and will enable you to achieve a whole range of styles and mow down your beard, too.
The Soother: F. Miller Hair Oil
This lovely-looking vial is full of a deliciously heady mixture of 15 different oils. Two drops is an immediate remedy for frizzy hair—it’s kind of like a supercharged conditioner that you can apply on the go.
For Clean Curls: Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Wash
Ask any stylist who knows what they’re talking about and they’ll tell you: Guys wash their hair too much. But whenever we tell guys to cut back on shampooing, they always ask the same thing: What do I do then? If you can’t do the easy thing (nothing), then try investing in gentle sulfate-free cleanser, like this one from upstart Bread. It was designed to work while maintaining the integrity of curls, but it’ll deliver a lightweight and nourishing clean for any hair.
Makes Your Hair Cooperate: Axe Texturizing Cream
The medium-hold cream will get your hair smoothed out without a greasy, shiny pomade feel. It’s more of a choose your own adventure situation: Mess it up, slick it back—there’s no way to use this stuff that won’t look good. (Though maybe not spikes.)
