The Top Mistakes Men Make with Hair Styling Products
Most men use hair styling products at some point—whether it’s pomade, gel, wax, clay, or cream. But using these products correctly is an entirely different story. The wrong application, the wrong type of product, or simply using too much can leave your hair greasy, stiff, flaky, or flat.
At In The Cut Barbershop in Vancouver, we see the same common mistakes over and over again, and most of them are easy to fix. If you’ve ever wondered why your hairstyle doesn’t look the same at home as it does after leaving the barbershop, this is exactly why.
Here are the biggest styling mistakes men make—and how to avoid them.
1. Using Way Too Much Product
This is the number one reason your hairstyle isn’t working the way it should. Men often scoop out way more product than they need, which leads to heavy, greasy, or crunchy hair.
Why too much product is a problem:
Weighs your hair down
Eliminates natural volume
Makes your hair look oily
Creates an unnatural shine
Forms flakes when mixed with old product
What barbers recommend:
Start with a small amount—usually pea-sized—and add more only if needed. You can always build up, but you can’t undo too much without washing your hair.
2. Applying Product to Soaking Wet or Bone-Dry Hair
Both extremes make styling much harder. Applying product to soaking wet hair dilutes the hold, while applying it to completely dry hair can make the finish stiff or uneven.
For best results:
Towel-dry your hair until it’s damp, not dripping
Warm the product in your hands before applying
Work evenly from roots to ends
Damp hair allows even distribution and gives products the right balance of control and movement.
3. Using the Wrong Product for Your Hair Type
Not all products are designed for every style or texture. Many men grab whatever’s on sale or whatever they used in high school—but your hair may need something completely different.
Wrong product = wrong results:
Fine hair becomes flat with heavy waxes
Thick hair becomes frizzy with weak gels
Curly hair dries out with matte clays
Straight hair gets stiff with heavy creams
Simple barber-tested guidelines:
Clay: Matte finish, texture, medium hold
Pomade: Shine and smoothness, ideal for slick looks
Cream: Lightweight, natural movement
Wax: Strong hold without crunch
Sea salt spray: Volume and natural waves
The right product enhances your hair. The wrong product fights it.
4. Forgetting to Distribute Product Evenly
Many men slap product on the front of their hair and stop there—which creates clumps, uneven shine, and missing spots.
The right technique:
Spread product across both palms
Start at the back and work forward
Run fingers through the roots
Use leftover product for finishing touches on top
Even distribution makes the style look natural instead of forced.
5. Layering New Product Over Old Product
If you style your hair every day but don’t wash frequently, product will build up. Adding more product on top of yesterday’s residue creates flakes, stiffness, and a dirty feel.
Signs of product buildup:
Flakes that look like dandruff
Heavy, dull hair
Sticky texture
Scalp irritation
Barber’s recommendation:
Use a clarifying shampoo once a week to reset your hair. This keeps your scalp clean and gives your product a fresh canvas.
6. Expecting the Product to Fix a Bad Haircut
No amount of pomade or clay can save a poorly shaped haircut. Styling products enhance a good cut—they don’t replace one.
If your hair won’t cooperate:
Your cut may not suit your hair type
The shape may be growing out unevenly
You may need texturizing or layering
The fade or blend may not complement your style
A great haircut should require minimal product to look good.
Conclusion
Most styling frustrations come from simple, fixable mistakes—using too much product, using the wrong type, applying it incorrectly, or trying to make up for a cut that doesn’t suit your hair. With the right habits and barber-approved techniques, your hair will look cleaner, sharper, and more natural every day.
At In The Cut Barbershop in Vancouver, we don’t just give great haircuts—we teach you how to style them properly. If you want personalized product recommendations or a cut that works perfectly with your natural hair type, our barbers are here to help.
Book your appointment today, and let us help you master your style—one product at a time.
