I've used a variety of styling products over the years, from styling mousse (Lord help you if you still use that nasty "whipped cream for your hair" crap) and Wildroot Hair Groom (hey, it’s was what Dad uses) to Dippity Doo (Hey, watch where you flick that lighter!  You want me incinerating like Michael Jackson on the set of a Pepsi commercial) and Dax Wave and Groom (borrowed from Brian for people who have hair like Brian’s – that is, African American people, of which I am not one.  At least not today).  And I was never happy with a single one of ‘em.

These days, the men’s hair styling market is saturated with products from $5 to $50, all elbowing each other for a position in your medicine cabinet. Be Better Guys has evaluated some of the leading products and lets you know what we think of this ever-growing and frankly, overcrowded field. We’ve ranked them in order of preference.

Brian gets a pass on this evaluation. Like Daughtry, he is bald.  Unlike Daughtry, Brian can acutally sing.  Sometimes.  Enjoy the time off, big fella.

Tigi Bedhead Manipulator ($17 for 2 oz): I’ve been using this for a few years now, ever since my wife cut her hair short and bought a can of Manipulator. Of all the products I’ve tried, this blue gunk, though gummy in your hands, leaves my hair looking stylish and slightly damp all day, which is good (remember, I want to avoid the frizz) and gives my hair it’s most natural, shiny look. It’s the most expensive product I’ve tried, but it is the best.  Available at most salons, many drugstores and online.

BBBest Buy - Kiwi Burst Wet Wax by L’Oreal ($15 for 4 oz): Wet Wax is a very solid runner-up to the Manipulator. It’ a crème, really, and isn’t sticky to the touch, either in your hand or in your hair.  It has very good hold without leaving hair stiff.  A good product for most types of hair.  Available at most salons and online.

BBBest Buy - Aveda Flax Seed Aloe Strong Hold Gel ($13 for 8.5 oz): Before I was a devotee of Tigi, I was a devotee of Aveda. Their gel is not like traditional gels which more closely resemble Elmer’s wood glue than something to style a guy's hair. The flax seed and aloe keep your hair seriously soft to the touch but don’t compromise on the hold. Good quality at a fair price. Available in salons and Aveda shops nationwide.

American Crew Pomade ($15 for 3.5 oz, $9 for 2 oz): The AC Pomade is the stuff I travel with (because they make a can of it that’s less than 3 oz…. Thanks so much, Transportation Security Administration, I'll be sure not to blow up the next airplane I get on with my aerosol deodorant!). It's a very consistent product that gives my hair shine and has medium hold. I did find that if I had plans after work, a reapplication was sometimes necessary to fight off the dull, limp look that can set in after a full day. I like it, I use it, I recommend it. Available at most drugstores, salons and online at www.americancrew.com and www.thegroominglounge.com.

American Crew Texture Crème ($10 for 4.2 oz): The AC Texture Crème is pretty light stuff – light to the touch, light on the hold.  My hair lost its style about four hours after application.  Because I have thicker, wavier hair, even though it’s short, I require something with some heft.  This wasn’t it.  For me, I preferred the Pomade.  Available at most drugstores, salons and online at www.americancrew.com

Cristophe Beverly Hills Men’s Grooming Pomade ($8 for 3.5 oz): I don’t know who this Christophe character is, but his Grooming Pomade felt like pancake batter in my hands and had absolutely no holding effect in my hair. And I had to seriously wash my hands after application because my fingers stuck solidly together. Plus, it dried my hair out. It’s apparently got more alcohol than a night out with Colin Farrell. So if it feels like batter and it doesn’t style hair, what am I supposed to do with this stuff, Chris, other than demand a refund? Available at most drugstores, but really, who cares?

Got2Be Glued Styling Spiking Glue ($6 for 6 oz): Are you serious? Yes, the spiking glue held my hair in place. Like spackel. It held firmly like a Redskins offensive lineman. My hair didn’t move, not even in the shower.  I couldn’t get the gummy, cemented feeling out of my hair, even with repeated washings. I tried it three times, each time thinking seriously about shaving all my hair off and just starting over. It locked my hair into place and wouldn’t let go. Boltcutters weren’t strong enough. Available online, but I wouldn't bother. 

These are the products that worked for my hair. Yours may be different so it pays to try a few of the higher-rated products or consult your stylist for his or her opinion. Just don’t cheap out on your product of choice. After all, be thankful you have enough up there to even have this conversation.

Brian will lead the rest of the class on how to shave your head without cutting into it like a grapefruit. You got next!