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Men's Grooming: Our Top Tips & Products
Men’s grooming doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does need to be intentional.
Most guys deal with the same handful of hair and beard problems: thinning or receding areas, dryness or grease that won’t balance out, styling that looks great for five minutes then collapses, or a beard that somehow feels dry and itchy at the same time.
The good news is that none of these things require a 10-step routine. They just need the right products and a bit of know-how. And that’s where we come in.
This guide breaks down the things that actually move the needle for men’s hair and beard health - from understanding what’s really going on with thinning hair, to choosing products that match your hair type, to keeping your beard soft and the skin underneath happy. Simple, practical advice backed by salon-grade brands like Nioxin, American Crew and Wahl.
Basically, if you’re keen to level up your grooming without overthinking it, you’re in the right place!
Dealing with Hair Loss & Thinning?
Thinning hair is one of the most common concerns we hear from men - and honestly, half the battle is just understanding why it’s happening.
Sometimes it’s genetic, sometimes it’s stress, sometimes it’s buildup on the scalp, and sometimes it’s as simple as using products that weigh your hair down and make things look flatter than they really are.
The goal isn’t to “fix” your hair overnight. It’s to help your scalp stay healthy, strengthen the hair you have, and make thinning less noticeable day to day.
What actually helps
Here’s where you can make a real difference without going down a rabbit hole of miracle cures:
1. Switch to a thinning-focused system
Regular supermarket shampoo isn’t designed for thinning hair. A targeted system supports density, keeps the scalp balanced, and helps reduce breakage so you hold onto more of the hair you already have.
Top pick:
- Nioxin System Kits - the gold standard for thinning hair. Each kit includes a cleanser, conditioner and leave-in treatment that work together to improve scalp health and fullness.
2. Keep your scalp clean (but not stripped)
Oil, sweat and styling buildup can cling to the scalp and make hair look flatter. But washing with something harsh can backfire and cause irritation.
You want something that clears buildup while keeping the scalp comfortable.
Try:
- American Crew Anti-Dandruff + Dry Scalp Shampoo: Great for guys dealing with itchiness, flakiness or irritation. Helps calm the scalp while keeping it clean.
- NAK Daily Detox Shampoo: A solid weekly or twice-weekly detox to remove buildup from sweat, gels, waxes or clay without stripping the scalp.
- Nioxin Scalp Purifying Exfoliator: A deeper reset for the scalp - ideal if you use styling products daily or feel like shampoo alone isn’t cutting through buildup. Helps create a cleaner base for healthier-looking hair.
3. Choose styling products that build texture, not shine
Heavy waxes, pomades or shiny gels can make thinning hair look sparse. Matte texture helps hair appear fuller and gives a natural-looking boost.
Try:
- American Crew Fiber - matte, grippy, ideal for finer or thinning hair.
- Nioxin Density Defend Hair Thickening Gel - lightweight hold that lifts at the root (bonus: doesn’t go crunchy).
4. Get regular trims
Long hair can look wispy or uneven when it’s thinning, which exaggerates the issue. Shorter, sharper cuts give a cleaner shape.
What won’t help (and what to ignore)
A few things men are often told that don’t make much of a difference:
- Washing less often won’t “save” your hair. A clean scalp is a healthy scalp.
- Using more styling product doesn’t create volume - it usually does the opposite.
- Waiting it out rarely helps. Early support is always easier than damage control.
You don’t need to overhaul your life or build a five-product routine. Start with the right system, keep the scalp healthy and choose styling that works with your hair. That alone makes a huge difference for most guys.
Struggling with The Basics?
Let's just be honest - when it comes to hair care, most men fall into one of three camps:
- washing with whatever’s in the shower,
- washing too often with something harsh, or
- using great products… but not the right ones for their hair type.
Good hair days start with the basics - clean hair, a healthy scalp, and the right conditioner (yes, even if your hair is short). Once that foundation is sorted, styling becomes easier, your hair behaves better, and issues like dryness, grease or frizz stop being daily battles.
Here’s how to look after your hair properly without spending half your life in the bathroom.
If your hair gets greasy quickly
You’re likely dealing with overactive oil glands, product buildup, or sweating throughout the day - especially if you work outdoors, hit the gym or wear hats often.
The goal is to remove excess oil without over-washing, because stripping your scalp will only encourage it to produce more oil.
What helps:
- Lightweight daily cleansers
- Occasional detox shampoo
- Avoiding heavy conditioners at the roots
- Rinsing thoroughly (underrated!)
Try:
- American Crew Daily Cleansing Shampoo - an easy everyday option that cleans without leaving your hair squeaky or stripped.
- NAK Daily Detox Shampoo - use once or twice a week to shift sweat, wax, clay and environmental buildup.
If your hair feels dry, coarse or brittle
Dry hair often comes from sun exposure, chlorine, colouring, heat styling, or simply having naturally coarse hair. Men also tend to wash more frequently, which can dry out the hair even further.
Hydration helps with everything - softness, movement, frizz control, shine, and overall manageability.
What helps:
- Hydrating shampoo + conditioner
- Leave-in conditioner or treatment
- Less heat or harsher products
- A microfibre towel (instead of rubbing with cotton)
Try:
- American Crew Daily Moisture Conditioner - light but effective hydration.
- Nioxin Scalp Recovery Moisturising Conditioner (if you want something more nourishing).
- Wahl Traditional Barbers Hair Tonic – a classic for smoothing and softening dry ends.
If your hair is “doing its own thing”
Some men have hair that’s technically thick but behaves unpredictably - flips, kinks, tufts, pesky cowlicks or volume that goes in the wrong direction. Others have fine hair that collapses or curls that turn to frizz.
The trick here is matching the product to the hair type, not the hair_style_.
What helps:
- Hydration to stop fluffiness
- Lightweight texture for fine hair
- Curl creams for waves and curls
- Avoiding heavy oils or gels for hair prone to collapsing
Try:
- American Crew Forming Cream - soft, flexible hold for everyday styling.
- American Crew Fiber - matte, fuller-looking texture (especially good for finer or thinning hair).
- Nioxin Strong Hold Hairspray - if you’ve got natural movement that needs defining, not flattening.
If your scalp is irritated, itchy or flaky
A lot of men deal with scalp dryness or sensitivity without realising it’s a separate issue from hair concerns. Weather, stress, sweat, hats, sunscreen, product buildup and even water quality can mess with the scalp.
A calm, balanced scalp leads to softer hair, less flaking and better styling - it’s worth taking seriously.
What helps:
- Gentle scalp shampoos
- Anti-dandruff formulas that don’t strip moisture
- Occasional exfoliation
- Avoiding heavy waxes that cling to the scalp
Try:
- American Crew Anti-Dandruff + Dry Scalp Shampoo - great for irritated scalps.
- NAK Daily Detox Shampoo - resets the scalp without harshness.
- Nioxin Scalp Purifying Exfoliator - a deeper cleanse for those dealing with heavy buildup or persistent flakes.
Beard Care Got You Beat?
A good beard doesn’t just “happen.” Even the most naturally full, even, well-behaved facial hair needs maintenance.
The most common beard issues men face - itchiness, rough texture, patchiness, dryness, dullness, or a general “why does my beard feel like wire?” feeling - all come back to one thing: the skin underneath.
Healthy beard → healthy skin → far easier styling and shaping.
The good news is that beard care doesn’t need to be a full routine. A few smart swaps will fix most issues quickly!
If your beard feels itchy, tight or flaky
This is almost always skin dryness, not beard dryness. Normal shampoo strips the oils that keep the skin under your beard comfortable, which leads to itch, flaking, and irritation.
What helps:
- A beard-friendly wash (gentle on skin)
- Daily moisture, especially after a shower
- Lightweight oils or balms
Try:
- American Crew 2-in-1 Skin Moisturiser & Beard Conditioner - hydrates both beard and skin without heaviness.
- American Crew Beard Foam Cleanser - softens coarse hairs and relieves itch.
If your beard feels coarse, wiry or hard to shape
Coarse beard hair is extremely common - especially for men with texture or curl in their hair. Coarse hair needs two things: hydration and flexibility.
What helps:
- Conditioning products (yes, even for short beards)
- A few drops of oil through the mid-lengths
- A smoothing cream if you want a polished finish
Try:
- American Crew Beard Serum - softens coarse hair effectively.
- American Crew Beard Balm - great when you want softness and a neater finish.
If your beard looks patchy or uneven
Patchiness is normal. A lot of men’s beards don’t grow evenly - especially on the cheeks. The goal is to support healthy growth and shape your beard in a way that looks fuller.
What helps:
- Keeping the skin healthy and moisturised
- Slightly shorter, sharper lines
- Hydrating products to soften and bulk up the beard visually
- Brushing your beard daily to train the hair
Try:
- American Crew 2-in-1 Skin Moisturiser & Beard Conditioner - essential for healthy growth.
- Nioxin Scalp Purifying Exfoliator (very sparingly) - encourages a cleaner, less congested base for growth.
- Wahl Beard Brush - helps distribute natural oils and train the hair.
Making Hair & Beard Care Simple (and Affordable!)
Once you’ve got the basics sorted (healthy scalp, the right shampoo, a conditioner that suits your hair, and a beard routine that keeps your skin happy), everything else becomes easier.
Better styling, better texture, better beard days - it all starts here.
If you’re ready to build a routine that actually matches your hair, beard and lifestyle, you can explore all our men’s grooming essentials. Salon-grade brands, real results, and products that fit how you live. You’ll never “just use whatever’s in the shower” ever again!
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