American Crew Matte? What's a better product?

[p.o.t.u.s]

I've been using American Crew Matte (the orange label) hair product for a good while. I'm moderately pleased with the results, but am interested in knowing if you all have any recommendations on a better product.

Ideally, I want something with moderate hold, that is not greasy and does not make it look like my hair is loaded with product i.e., not crunchy, overly sticky, etc.

Any thoughts?

I have fairly short hair styled in a traditional "ivy league" cut with a side part.

 

[Fat-Elvis]

I"m kinda looking for something similar. I've been using American Crew Forming creme which I think is somewhat similar, but I want something that leaves less stiffness.

 

[Bradford]

I use American Crew Texture Creme.

It has good hold and is soft, not stiff, crunchy or sticky.

 

[mikej77]

I recently started using the Aveda Grooming Clay. I love this stuff, it has a matte finish, provides good hold and is not heavy at all. Might be worth a try.

 

[lpresq]

Originally Posted by mikej77

I recently started using the Aveda Grooming Clay. I love this stuff, it has a matte finish, provides good hold and is not heavy at all. Might be worth a try.

Exactly what I was going to recommend....smells great too.

 

[Fat-Elvis]

Is it 'light'? The two products I've been using are AC Forming Creme and AC Texture Cream. I want something with a hold that's inbetween those, and little to no shine.

 

[mikej77]

Well, it's more of a clay, not a cream. You do not need to use much and it does have a light feel.

 

[wqvong]

What about KERASTASE products? I see that they are pretty expensive but has anyone ever have any experiences with them?

 

[pritesh]

lock stock and barrel make pretty nice stuff, not sure if its available in the u.s. though

 

[Spencer Young]

LSB is available in America. I've been using Ruck by them... I like it more than my American Crew matte, but it might just be personal preference. Worth checking out, though.

 

[tjcam]

A great product I recently discovered is Skinn Hair Wax. It's from Australia and created by a dermatologist. It's a bit pricey but it's been the best product I've used in years.

 

[sydneycentric]

I use the American Crew Tea Tree defining paste which is very good. It doesn't give your hair the wet look that gel and some wax will give but it still holds well.

 

[ChicagoJohn]

Jonathan Dirt is hands-down the best product I've ever used. I spent years with Crew products, then moved on and tried a handful of others. Nothing smells as good, has the soft consistency, and non-greasy look of Dirt.

 

[rioni]

I use the Gatsby Moving Rubber off ebay (from Hong Kong) and love it. I have the gray one (grunge mat) but also dig the er, pink one. I was using American Crew/Tea Tree and the many others before and there is really no comparison.

 

[amnesiac]

I'm biased because I go back to dallas to get my hair cut at a salon that's partnered with TIGI, but I've been using Bedhead Manipulator and more recently, Hard To Get.

Manipulator is more of a goopy deal, smell's like coconut, and works better when my hair's shorter, but it holds like a mother and it's pretty versatile as far as application like wet hair/dry hair or blow drying it, etc. Hard to Get, which i just recently picked up is more like a pastey waxy texture but its amazingly light and airy and looks just like my hair dried like this even though we all know my shortish straight black asian hair DOES NOT dry like that. Oh, Hard to Get smells delicious and fruity too...