AMERICAN CREWMen's Hair Molding Clay, Like Styling Gel with Strong Hold & Medium Shine, 3 oz

I've been using this molding clay for a while and it works great for my hair. It gives a strong hold with a nice matte finish, so my hair stays in place without looking greasy or shiny. The scent is light and not too noticeable, which I like. It can feel a bit sticky when applying, and it takes some effort to wash out completely, but overall it does the job well. Definitely a solid choice if you want a clean, natural look that lasts all day.

I had been using Crew Fiber for years, but I was never really happy with it. It just never held very well and could be difficult to use if my hair got too dry; so, I decided to try the Crew Molding Clay out as a change. I wasn't sure about the clay at first because it didn't feel very tacky so it didn't seem like it would hold, but after applying it to my hair I was very pleasantly surprised. Not only is the hold much better than the fiber product, it was much easier to work into my hair and I can create a better-looking style now.I will say this, the clay product does have some shine to it so it is going to give your hair more of a wetter look, but as someone who has some grey I like the shine because it makes my hair look darker. The clay product is also more difficult to wash out of hair and off of hands after use, but for me that is a fair tradeoff for having something that actually has some decent holding power that lasts.If you are someone like me that maybe got started using the fiber product, but was never really happy with it; I think the molding clay is definitely worth a try.

I don't know why folks seem to hate on this product because of it being "hard to wash out" - I personally didn't have a problem.I bought Fiber and Molding Clay in my quest to tame that which is my flaming stallion of a mane.Note: I am South Asian by ethnicity and thus have thick, very hard to manage/hold hair, my hair is approx 3-4inch on top and slightly less on sides and back.Smell: Isn't the greatest but whatever, can't really smell it once it's applied anyway. It's a natural smell, maybe slightly citrusyHold: I think this is pretty much as strong of a hold that American Crew offers (from my limited experience). I bought Fiber on a recommendation but found its hold to be weak (esp for my hair) and the super matte finish was cool, but since my hair is poofy I needed to keep it with a slight shine in order to kill some of the ridiculous volume. The hold is pretty good, but any "twist and pull spikes" I make will not maintain the whole day, I've found only hairspray or gel will hold that sort of style. Probably the best hold American Crew offers, though I haven't tried Pomade.Shine: There is a medium shine, definitely not as much as hairspray, and moreso than American Crew Fiber. Really depends on how much you put in your hair, but I find the shine a perfect level.Consistency: It's a bit weird in consistency, doesnt plop out of the container as easily as Fiber. I usually use about a "dime-size" dab on my finger, emulsify, and brush through my hair. If you don't emulsify and spread, I could see it adding a lot of weight to your hair and not properly holding shape as well as being concentrated and "greasy" looking in whatever part receives the most product.Easy to Wash Out? Yes, didn't have problems. Need to use soap to get off your hands though.Overall: At first I disliked it because I thought it was too greasy without enough hold, but I slightly wet my hair and used a dime-size amount (more than I was using initially), and it creates a decent hold, good shine, and plasticity that works for my difficult hair.

Bought all kinds of products! Needed non greesy feel/look, non crusty (gel ugh), natural, holds medium length hair up. Preferred to run fingers through hair and wanted a hold into day two. Winner: Crew Molding Clay.Others:Sauvecito Pomade firme - This is overly perfumed gel. It is crusty when dried. Hard pass.Crew Heavy Hold Pomade - Felt like the Sauvecito Pomade, less crusty and no fragrance. Hold wasn't as strong as other products.Crew Fiber - Second place! Smooth feel like grooming cream and molding clay had a baby. Hair needs to be drier when put in. Loses hold when touched though.Crew Grooming Cream - Thick grease feel. Holds very well but I didn't like touching my hair after -- which does not break hold when you do.Equate Pomade Medium Hold - This is what you'd expect from Pomade feel. Wears out in one day and loses hold though.Trendsetter Matte Wax - Got the sample pack which is highly recommend just for feeling out prosucts. Found medium not enough hold. Firm was right but their firm is too stiff and unnatural feeling. Sample pack size good for travel to touch-up places after the fact.Crew Molding Clay - Drier feel and hair just feels natural while fingers can smoothy go through -- which does not break the hold. Holds very well day one and holds like the pomade on day two. I reapply day two if I care.The dampness of your hair effects the hold -- all water based. So play with dryness when using a new product.I use molding clay throughout and grooming cream on my kalik so nothing gets out of place. Cream perfectly controls any straggler hairs.If I saved you money, you're welcome!