Toni & Guy Wax Styling Stick
I tested this product on clean wet hair, and clean dried hair. My hair length is medium, short, probably a number 6 hair trimmer setting. When you take the lid off the product looks very much like a stick deodorant and when unused has a shiny look, and is in a solid bar state in the container. The container uses a revolving base to push more of the product bar up as it is used. The instructions tell you to apply the stick directly to the hair, to be applied to the sections you want to style. I found when I rubbed the stick on my wet hair it just pulled at the hairs which was quote painful and hardly any product actually went on the hair. I then decided to rub the product on my hand to build up some friction and heat. The heat did allow more product to come off onto my hand, but when I tried to apply this using my hands and fingers to the hair, it just left white blobs in my hair. I had to use a hair drier on my hair to melt the product into the hair, which then allowed me to style my hair. Once styled this way, the product did hold my style well, but I found it to be greasy and sticky. It was difficult to wash out as the product is waterproof, which would be good if it rained as your hairstyle wouldn't wash out. The best way to wash the product out is to apply the shampoo to the dry hair and rub in, and then wash out with water.
I tried the product again on clean hair, first applying directly with the stick, but again it pulled at my hair, which I found quite painful. I again tried the product to hand approach, rubbing the stick into my palm quickly to generate heat, which turns the product into a gluey consistency. I found it slightly easier to apply this way to my dry hair, but I wasn't happy with the look it created as usually I like to style my hair in a wet look. This product doesn't allow you to style with water as it is waterproof. I found it difficult to apply the product liberally with my hands and fingers to my hair. This is down to the consistency of the product, which is like a glue. I ended up washing the product out and applying my usual hair gel to my hair.
In conclusion, I would y that this product is best used on very short hair, where it would be easier to apply directly with the stick. It is not suitable for applying in large quantities, like you would with a hair gel. It is more suited for styling specific areas, where you can warm it between your fingers and apply to sections to get a specific look. It must be warmed up to allow it to turn into a gluey consistency, which is more pliable.
Expect your hair to feel quite stick afterwards, it doesn't dry non sticky. It will hold very well, even if it rains or is windy, so that is positive. The fact that it doesn't mix with water is a positive and a negative. The positive is that it won't wash out in the rain, but the negatives are that it is difficult to wash out at the end of the day, and also you cannot style it with water, it must be styled dry. Also it is quite a faff with the whole process of styling. I like to style my hair quickly as I am often in a rush. This product doesn't really allow this. To get the look I wanted, I had to spend at least ten minutes warming the product, applying to certain areas, and even using a hair drier to melt the product more on my hair. It left my hands gluey so I had to spend a minute or so washing them with soap. Another positive is that the product does smell very nice, a fresh, almost aftershave smell.
It is definitely suited to very short hair, but I would chose other products.
I am a Bzzagent and tested this product for free. I received samples and coupons in return for my honest, unbiased opinions.
