How to Use Hair Styling Cream for a Natural, Low-Shine Finish
If you want hair that looks like you barely tried, styling cream is the tool for the job. It's a lightweight, water-based product that gives light-to-medium hold with a natural, low-shine finish, nothing like the high shine of a pomade or the stiff, crunchy hold of a gel.
Styling cream is built for guys who want an easy, everyday look with soft, natural movement. It's also a go-to for fine or thinning hair that needs texture without added weight, and for wavy or coarse hair that needs frizz control and a little softening. In this guide, we'll cover what styling cream actually does, how much to use, wet hair versus dry, a step-by-step application method, and how cream stacks up against pomade, clay, and gel. Whatever you're working with, from fine hair to a thick head of waves, you'll walk away knowing exactly how to use it.
Ready to browse the lineup? Check out our full range of men's hair styling products.
Who Should Use Styling Cream (and Who Should Skip It)
Styling cream isn't a one-size-fits-all product, but it comes close. Here's who gets the most out of it:
Great for:
- Fine or thinning hair that wants texture and volume without getting weighed down
- Wavy or curly hair that needs frizz control and a softer, more manageable feel
- Coarse hair that needs taming without going stiff
- Short-to-medium casual cuts like a crop, a textured quiff, or a side part worn loose
Skip it or pair it up for:
- High-hold sculpted styles like a tall pompadour or sharp spikes. That's a job for a clay or a firmer pomade.
- Very oily hair. Cream can be used, just go light so you don't end up with a greasy look.
If you've got fine hair, start with less than you think you need. You can always add more, but you can't take it out once it's in.
How to Use Hair Styling Cream, Step by Step
Getting styling cream right comes down to technique as much as product. Here's the method:
- Start with clean, towel-dried damp hair, or lightly dampen dry hair with a bit of water.
- Scoop a pea-sized to fingertip amount. Fine or short hair needs less, thick or long hair can take a bit more.
- Rub the cream between your palms to warm and emulsify it so it spreads evenly.
- Work it through from roots to ends, then rake through again to make sure coverage is even.
- Style it your way: comb it for a defined side part, or tousle it with your fingers for texture.
- Air-dry for a relaxed look, or blow-dry from the roots for extra body and a softer finish.
- Add a touch more only if you need it. Build slowly so you don't end up greasy or weighed down.
That's it. No heavy layering, no fighting with product that won't spread. If you want extra hold and definition while you dry, our Grooming Tonic Texture Cream is built to give you texture with built-in heat protection for the blow dryer.
Wet or Dry Hair, and Common Mistakes to Avoid
Styling cream works best on damp, towel-dried hair. That's when it spreads evenly and does its best work controlling frizz. You can also apply it to dry hair for a more textured, restyled finish. Just add a little water to your hands first so the product doesn't sit on top of dry strands instead of working into them.
A few mistakes worth avoiding:
- Applying it straight from the tub without emulsifying it first. Rub it in your palms before it touches your hair.
- Using too much. This is the number one cause of greasy, flat-looking hair.
- Ignoring the roots. Volume starts there, not at the ends.
- Layering it under a heavy gel or wax. That cancels out the soft, natural finish you're going for.
- Skipping heat protection before blow-drying. If you're reaching for the dryer, protect your hair first.
For guys who want a leave-in that hydrates while it styles, our Hydrating Styling Cream tames frizz and conditions at the same time, so you're not choosing between styled hair and healthy hair.
Styling Cream vs. Pomade vs. Clay vs. Gel
Not sure if cream is the right call? Here's how it compares to the rest of the lineup.
| Product | Hold | Finish | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Styling Cream | Light to medium | Natural, low shine | Everyday casual looks, fine hair, frizz control |
| Pomade | Medium to strong | Shiny, slick | Combed classic styles, side parts, slick backs |
| Clay | Medium to strong | Matte | Textured, voluminous styles that stay put |
| Gel | Strong, stiff | Wet-look shine, hard | Sharp hold, short styles, all-day lockdown |
Want the full breakdown on how these products differ and when to reach for each one? Read our guide on pomade vs. wax vs. gel.
FAQs
Do you put styling cream on wet or dry hair?
Styling cream works best on clean, towel-dried damp hair, which spreads it evenly and locks in frizz control. You can also apply it to dry hair for a more textured, restylable look. Just add a little water to your hands first and use slightly less product.
What does styling cream do to your hair?
Styling cream shapes and smooths hair with a light, flexible hold and a natural, low-shine finish. It tames frizz and flyaways, adds soft texture and subtle volume, and many formulas hydrate as they style, so hair stays touchable and movable rather than stiff or crunchy.
How much styling cream should you use?
Start with a pea-sized to fingertip amount, then build up only if needed. Fine or short hair needs less, thick, coarse, or long hair can take a bit more. Overloading leaves hair greasy and flat, so it's always easier to add product than to wash it out.
Can you use styling cream every day?
Yes, styling cream is gentle enough for daily use, and water-based formulas rinse out easily. Use a light amount, wash your hair regularly to avoid buildup, and pick a hydrating formula if you style daily so your hair stays conditioned rather than dried out.
Do you apply styling cream before or after gel?
Apply styling cream first, on damp hair, to prep, smooth, and add a natural base. If you want more hold, follow with a small amount of gel once the cream is worked through. Most cream users skip gel entirely, since cream already gives flexible, low-shine hold.
Is styling cream good for fine or thinning hair?
Yes, styling cream suits fine and thinning hair well because it adds texture and subtle volume without the weight of heavier pomades or waxes. Use a small amount at the roots and mid-lengths, and avoid overloading, which can flatten fine strands and make thinning more visible.
What is the difference between styling cream and pomade?
Styling cream gives a light-to-medium, flexible hold with a natural, low-shine finish, ideal for casual everyday looks. Pomade gives a stronger hold and a shinier, slicker finish built for combed classic styles like side parts and slick backs. Choose cream for effortless texture, pomade for polished shine.
Find Your Everyday Styling Cream
Styling cream is about looking put-together without looking like you tried too hard. Once you've got the technique down, natural, low-shine hair with soft movement takes about thirty seconds a morning.
Ready to find your everyday go-to? Try our Grooming Tonic Texture Cream for a lightweight, natural finish, or shop the full hair styling range to find the right product for your hair type.
