Teasing the hair, creating defined sections, or slicking it back into a sleek style—these are all examples of highly styled looks. In contrast, a natural hairstyle is one that looks close to its natural state. However, going without any products doesn’t necessarily mean it’s natural.By using products like hair balm, hair oil, or hair cream—which refine texture without making the hair stiff—you can achieve a naturally put-together, effortless hairstyle.
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What Is Natural Hair?It’s Not About Holding Power, but About Texture
Natural hair isn’t simply a hairstyle that looks like you’ve done nothing to it.More precisely, it refers to a naturally styled hairstyle that doesn’t look overly “styled.” What’s needed to achieve this isn’t strong holding power, but texture enhancement. In men’s hairstyles, it’s not just the shape of the hairstyle that determines a clean, neat appearance.The overall impression is determined by the shine on the hair’s surface, the natural flow of the strands, and even how well the ends are kept in check. With natural hairstyles in particular, since the silhouette isn’t heavily sculpted with styling products, the condition of the hair itself is more visible. If untreated, dry hair is frizzy, it can come across as unkempt rather than ruggedly casual.
That’s why, with natural hair, it’s more important to “refine your appearance while keeping it as close to its natural state as possible” rather than “how much you can manipulate the hair.” Hair balms, hair oils, and hair creams are ideal for such hairstyles because they naturally enhance the hair’s texture without stiffening it.
Choose Based on Your Desired Hairstyle!Types of Styling Products Suitable for Natural Hair
Styling products for natural hair can be broadly categorized into three types: hair balm, hair oil, and hair cream.None of these products hold the hair as firmly as hard wax or gel; instead, they are options designed to provide manageability, shine, natural flow, and light movement. Which one you choose depends on your hair type, volume, desired level of shine, and hair length.
Type 1Hair Balm: Easy to Achieve Natural Control and Subtle Shine
Hair balm is an oil-based, semi-solid styling product. When warmed in the palms, it softens and melts, blending into the hair to form a thin protective layer.Since it doesn’t stiffen the hair as much as wax and doesn’t run as easily as oil, it works exceptionally well with natural hair.It is particularly well-suited for coarse, thick, wavy, permed, or dry hair. For concerns such as frizz, flyaways, or a dry, brittle appearance from a perm, the balm’s oils and weight provide natural control.It’s also easy to use for hairstyles where you want to highlight the flow and cohesion of the hair, such as center parts, mullets, medium-length styles, and subtle perms.
On the other hand, it can feel slightly heavy on soft or fine hair. Be careful not to apply it all the way to the roots, as this can flatten the top and make your hair look greasy rather than clean.When using it, thoroughly warm a rice-grain- to adzuki-bean-sized amount in the palm of your hand, then apply it sparingly, focusing on the ends. For a natural finish, if the hair looks too shiny immediately after application, you’ve likely used too much.
Type 2Hair Oils Suitable for Adding Shine
Hair oils are primarily designed to add shine, improve manageability, and make hair feel smoother to the touch, rather than providing holding power. Rather than styling the hair, they are products meant to control dryness, frizz, and flyaways, and make the hair look healthier.For natural hair, it’s easier to understand if you think of it as a texture corrector rather than a styling product. It’s ideal for dry, wavy, permed, or bleached hair, as well as hair with ends that tend to splay out. Applying a small amount to hair with noticeable frizz or dryness at the ends evens out light reflection and helps reduce a tired appearance.For permed hair, it helps the curls look more natural, and for medium-length or longer hair, it makes it easier to tame the ends.
However, if you use too much hair oil, your hair can instantly look heavy. This is especially true for soft or fine hair—even a single extra drop can feel like too much—so the basic rule is to spread a thin layer on your palm and apply it only to the ends.If you apply too much to your bangs or roots, it will look greasy rather than shiny. If you want a wet-look style, you can use more, but if you’re aiming for a natural, “just-out-of-the-shower” look, keep it to just enough to catch a hint of light.
Type 3Hair Creams That Easily Create Soft, Flowing Hair and a Moisturized Feel
Hair creams are generally lighter than balms and easier to work with than oils. They’re ideal for those who want to smooth their hair’s flow without making it stiff, or who dislike the heaviness or stickiness often associated with styling products.Rather than emphasizing shine, this type adds softness and moisture to the hair, creating a natural, cohesive look. It’s best suited for normal, soft, fine, or slightly wavy hair, as well as for those who want to bring out their hair’s natural flow. It works well with short to medium-length hair and is easy to use even in business settings.It’s often the first choice for those who don’t want their hair to look like they’ve applied styling product, but find that their hair looks dry when left untreated.
On the other hand, for those with coarse, thick hair that tends to frizz or stick out, hair cream alone may not provide enough control. In such cases, consider using a hair balm or hair oil, which offer more oil content and weight.Hair cream isn’t meant to drastically change your hair; rather, it subtly enhances the natural texture of your hair to make it look more refined. It’s one of the product categories that aligns most closely with the concept of “natural hair.”
How to Style Natural Hair?Basics for Achieving a Natural Hairstyle
The two things to avoid most when styling natural hair are greasiness from using too much product and applying it in the wrong places.Hair balms, hair oils, and hair creams all bring out their true benefits when a small amount is applied evenly. Rather than altering the hair’s natural shape, focus on taming only the unwanted frizz.
Styling Basic 1Start with a Small Amount
With natural hair, the basic principle is to add more if needed, but once you apply too much, it’s hard to fix.For balm, use an amount about the size of a grain of rice to a small red bean; for oil, about one drop; and for hair cream, it’s safest to start with a small amount. Applying too much from the start can make your hair look greasy rather than giving it a natural shine. This is especially true for men—the shorter the hair, the more noticeable the effect of the amount used.The shorter the hair, the more easily even a small amount can end up at the roots or on the bangs. Start by working about half the amount you’ve taken into your hands into the ends, then add more only to the areas that need it. It often looks more natural if you stop when you look at the finished look in the mirror and think, “It’s just a little bit lacking.”
Styling Basics 2Work It into the Ends and Mid-Lengths, Not the Roots
Applying oil or cream to the roots can flatten the top of your hair or make it look greasy. For a natural finish, work the product in lightly, starting with the ends, then the mid-lengths, and finally the flyaways on the surface.For your bangs, the product left on your hands is plenty. Hair balms and oils, in particular, should be used to enhance the texture of the ends, not the roots. Use a hair dryer to keep the roots light, and use styling products only on the ends. Creating this contrast prevents your hair from looking heavy and helps maintain a natural, three-dimensional look.Even with a center part or a mullet, avoiding applying oil to the roots helps create a clean, fresh look around the face.
3 Basic Styling TipsSpread a thin layer over your entire palm before touching your hair
Whether it’s balm, oil, or cream, if the product clumps in one spot, it can cause unevenness, stickiness, and a greasy sheen.Instead of touching your hair with just your fingertips, spread the product thinly over your entire palm—including between your fingers—before working it in. With balm in particular, applying it to your hair while clumps remain can make certain sections look heavy.How you prepare before touching your hair determines how natural the finished look will be. Spread the product in your palm until it becomes transparent, and distribute a thin layer over the pads of your fingers as well. Then, style your hair in this order: gently grasp the ends, smooth the sides, and tame any flyaways on the surface. This makes the styling product less noticeable.
4 Basic Styling TipsFinish by Running Your Fingers Through Your Hair, Not Using a Comb
With natural hair, over-styling can look unnatural. Rather than using a comb to create a flat surface, running your fingers through your hair to follow its natural flow tends to preserve a more natural look.Whether you’re styling a center part, a mullet, or a subtle perm, lightly running your fingers through your hair at the end is just right. Using a comb makes the hair flow too uniform, which tends to create a look like a slicked-back style or a classic 7:3 part.Of course, this is effective for hairstyles where you want a clean, polished look, but if you’re aiming for a natural, “just-out-of-the-shower” feel, it’s best to leave just a faint trace of your fingers. The trick is to lightly smooth down any flyaways in the bangs, sides, and nape at the very end, stopping just before the style becomes too contrived.
An Efficient and Effective Way to Remove ProductPre-shampoo Rinsing Is Essential on Days You Use Balm or Oil
Styling products designed for natural hair tend to have weak holding power but often rely on oils to enhance texture.Hair balms and hair oils are prime examples; while used in moderation, they can provide natural shine and manageability, but if left on the hair or scalp, they can easily lead to heaviness, flat roots, odor, and discomfort the next day. That’s why, on days you use them, you should plan your removal routine carefully. The first crucial step is a pre-wash before shampooing.Instead of applying shampoo right away, thoroughly rinse your hair and scalp with lukewarm water to loosen styling products, sebum, sweat, and dust. On days when you’ve used oil-based styling products, skipping this step can result in poor lathering and, ultimately, lead to over-scrubbing your hair.
If the lather isn’t forming well, consider washing your hair twice.It’s easier to understand if you think of the first wash as lifting styling products and sebum, and the second as cleansing the scalp. However, washing your hair every day with a shampoo that has strong cleansing power can lead to dryness and frizz. Rather than prioritizing cleansing power alone, adjust your routine based on the amount of styling product used, your hair type, and the condition of your scalp.Another key point is to treat your scalp and hair separately when washing. Wash your scalp with the pads of your fingers, and handle your hair by running the lather through it. Rubbing strands of hair together too vigorously can make permed or colored hair prone to dryness and frizz.Since natural hair tends to reveal its inherent texture more easily, making sure not to overdry your hair while removing styling products is crucial for how it looks the next morning.
Introducing balms, oils, and creams!Recommended Styling Products for Natural Hair
Hair Balm 1LINC ORIGINAL MAKERS “HAIR BALM 997””
LINC ORIGINAL MAKERS’ “HAIR BALM 997” is a hair balm formulated primarily with olive oil, a natural moisturizing ingredient. When warmed in the palm of your hand, it melts into an oil-like consistency, making it easy to work into the ends of your hair.Formulated with eight types of naturally derived oils, this product moisturizes your hair while adding shine and creating defined texture.For natural hairstyles, it’s perfect for lightly taming the ends of a center part, a mullet, or a subtle perm. The balm’s scent lingers, allowing you to enjoy its subtle fragrance throughout the day, so it’s recommended for those who want to enhance not only their hairstyle but their overall appearance. Since using too much on fine hair can make it feel heavy, it’s best to start with a small amount.
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Hair Balm 2ETORAS 'Rare Balm'
ETORAS’s “Rare Balm” is a semi-moist balm that balances moderate hold with minimal stickiness.It makes it easy to create moderate shine and subtle movement, and is designed for multi-use—it can even be used as hand cream.It’s ideal for those who want to create natural-looking hair flow without the heaviness often associated with balms. It’s perfect for natural mullets, short cuts, and short center parts—especially when you want to add a little movement to the ends without making the hair stiff. It’s just right for those who dislike the stiff, styled look of wax but find that oil alone doesn’t provide enough movement.
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Hair Oil 1Davines ‘Authentic Oil’
Davines’ “Authentic Oil” is a multi-purpose oil that can be used not only on hair but also on the face and body.It tames frizz, moisturizes, and helps create a style with a moderately wet, textured look. Formulated with 99% naturally derived ingredients, it contains organic safflower oil, sesame seed oil, sunflower seed oil,and jojoba seed oil. For natural hair, it’s ideal for dry hair, permed hair, and hair with flyaways at the ends. Since applying it to slightly damp hair tends to create a wet look, if you’re going for a natural, undone style, it’s best to simply work a small amount into the dry ends.Given its distinct scent and moisturizing properties, this is the product to choose when you want to not only style your hair but also add a touch of allure to your overall look.
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Hair Oil 2track 'Oil No. 3'
track’s “track Oil No. 3” is a hair oil that gives natural shine to dry ends and creates a moisturized, well-defined look.With its citrus-floral scent—a floral aroma reminiscent of osmanthus—it’s a popular product with many repeat customers, regardless of gender. It’s a multi-use formula that can be applied not only to hair but also to the face and body.No. 3 has the richest texture among the Track Oil lineup and provides deep moisture, making it ideal for thick, coarse, wavy, permed, or dry hair. By avoiding the roots and applying just a small amount from the ends to the mid-lengths, you can achieve an elegant shine without any greasiness.If you’re looking for something lighter, we highly recommend trying No. 1 or No. 2.
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Hair Cream 1SUNCALL 'SCREAM Moist Hair Cream'
SUNCALL’s “SUNCALL SCREAM Moist Hair Cream” is a hair cream formulated with hyaluronic acid as a moisturizing ingredient.It’s designed to give your hair a natural shine and moisture, leaving it feeling smooth to the touch. To use, take a small amount on your fingertips, spread it thinly across your palms, and work it into your hair, focusing on the ends.It’s recommended for those who dislike the heaviness of balms or oils, or who don’t want their hair to look like they’ve applied styling products. Rather than using it to style your hair with strong hold, this product is designed to add natural moisture to hair that’s become too dry. It won’t look out of place in business settings and is easy to incorporate as a base for a natural hairstyle.
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Hair Cream 2OCEAN TRICO 'Soft Cream'
OCEAN TRICO’s “Soft Cream” is a cream wax that tames hair while keeping it moisturized and creates a natural flow.It’s characterized by its excellent spreadability, how well it blends into the hair, its smooth texture, and how easily it washes out, and it’s also formulated with treatment ingredients that repair hair damage.It’s easy to use for natural short cuts or short mop cuts when you want to add just a little movement to the ends. It’s a styling product recommended for those who want to add a light touch to natural hair flow rather than creating lift or thick sections like a hard wax would. It’s just right for people who find balms or oils too tame, but regular waxes make their hair look too styled.
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Q&AQuestions About Styling Products for Natural Hair
Q1: Which gives a more natural finish—hair balm or hair oil?Choose Oil for Lightness, or Balm for Control
If you prioritize lightness, go with hair oil; if you prioritize control and taming the ends, go with hair balm.However, it’s not a matter of one being better than the other. For soft or fine hair, a small amount of oil is often easier to manage, while for coarse, thick, or wavy hair, a balm is usually the better choice. You’re less likely to go wrong if you choose based on whether you want to add shine or control frizz.
Q2: Can you style your hair without wax?If you don’t need volume or strong texture, you can style your hair without wax
If you don’t need volume or strong texture, you can style your hair without wax.If your goal is to control frizz and flyaways rather than style your hair, hair balms, hair oils, and hair creams are more than sufficient. For natural-looking hairstyles, texture correction is more important than holding power.
Q3: Won’t hair oil make men’s hair look greasy?Using a small amount mainly on the ends creates a natural shine without looking greasy
It depends on the amount used and where you apply it.Applying too much to the roots or bangs can easily make your hair look greasy, but using a small amount focused on the ends can give you natural shine and manageability. For soft or fine hair in particular, starting with less than a single drop and adjusting from there is just right. Spreading a thin layer over your entire palm before touching your hair also helps prevent patchy shine.
Q4: Are gels and greases unsuitable for natural hair?If you’re aiming for a natural, ‘bare-hair’ look, gels and greases should be a lower priority
They work well for hairstyles that emphasize a wet look or defined sections, but they can be too overpowering for a natural, “bare-hair” style.They work well for slicked-back styles or tight 7:3 parts, but if you’re aiming for a natural flow, hair balms, hair creams, and light oils are easier to work with. Gels and greases tend to create a look that’s more classic, fashion-forward, or formal rather than natural.
Q5: Why does using too much oil make your hair look unkempt?Excess oil turns from shine into a greasy look
When used in moderation, oil adds shine and helps control frizz, but too much makes it look greasy.The bangs, roots, and crown are particularly prone to drawing attention, and if they look heavy or wet, it can easily detract from a clean, fresh look. With natural hair, the lightness you leave behind is more important than the amount you apply.
Q6: Are styling products that are too matte unsuitable for natural hair?Removing too much shine can sometimes make hair look dry
They aren’t necessarily unsuitable, but removing too much shine can sometimes make hair look dry.For adult men, a slight sheen tends to make the hair look healthier. Even when aiming for a tousled look, leaving a bit of natural shine rather than going for a completely dry texture results in a more refined finish.
Q7: Does using strong-hold wax make your hair look unnatural?Strong wax tends to emphasize artificial-looking sections rather than natural hair flow
Strong wax is suitable for lifting hair or creating thick sections. However, with natural hair, this artificial look tends to stand out.If you want your hairstyle to look natural, prioritize the natural flow of your hair over defined strands, and lightly style only the necessary areas. If you do use wax, limit yourself to a small amount of soft wax.
Q8: What happens to your hair if you don’t wash out all the styling products?Residue leads to heaviness and flat roots the next day
If oils or styling ingredients remain in your hair, it will feel heavy the next day, and your roots will be prone to flattening. This can also lead to scalp discomfort and odor.On days you use balms or oils, be sure to pre-rinse your hair thoroughly before shampooing, and if the shampoo doesn’t lather well, consider washing it twice.
Q9: Should I shampoo every day after using styling products?The general rule is to wash it out the same day. Adjust the strength of the cleanser to your hair type
As a general rule, wash it out the same day.Especially on days when you use balms or oils, these products tend to linger on your hair and scalp, so a thorough pre-wash and shampoo are necessary. However, using products with overly strong cleansing power every day can lead to dryness. You should adjust the amount you use and your washing method while balancing cleansing power with the condition of your hair.
