American Crew Men's Hair Forming Cream (OLD VERSION), Like Hair Gel with Medium Hold & Medium Shine, 3 Oz (Pack of 1)

Update: Since I wrote this, I've changed how I do things. Now, I blow dry my hair bone dry, and then use the defining paste (matte, and holds good with just a tiny spritz of hairspray). I also have some left over forming cream, and it works really well too, just gives the hair a shinier look. For me, that shinier look is nice if I'm going to a wedding, or dressing up...that sort of thing.I blow dry the hair in the front up, blow dry the rest totally dry, put some defining paste in my palm, rub my hands together vigorously and warm it up, and then work it into my hair. I love the way the defining paste smells, matte looks nice, and it's super easy to get that messy but controlled look. I have slightly wavy hair, not stick straight or curly.I decided to leave the rest of my original review below. Funny how the process changes over time! Experiment and have fun, but I personally think the Defining Paste is awesome for matte, and forming cream if you want a little bit of shine (but it's harder to work into your bone dry hair, and doesn't smell as good).********************************************Original ReviewI copy and pasted this from my Pomade review!************************I've used four different American Crew wax/pomades, and they are all great. They smell great, and they are relatively inexpensive. The hard part is figuring out...what product is good for what hair?I've gone from very short guy hair, to longer guy hair...and as I've done that, the American Crew product that I prefer has changed.With my hair really short, I was using their "classic wax," which they no longer make. I started trying their Fiber product on that short hair, and it worked pretty well. Get my hair fairly damp, work the Fiber in, and it would give me good hold...little spike in the front. Another product I was using with my short hair was TIGI Bed Head Men Matte Separation Wax. That stuff is REALLY sticky...which is fine for short hair.Before I move onto the Pomade, the other thing to consider is...varying the dampness of your hair prior to the product will have a HUGE effect on how it works. For example, you can have your hair fairly damp with the stickier (ie high hold) products, and still be able to work it in really well. As your hair gets drier though, two things happen. The hold becomes even MORE pronounced, but it also becomes harder to work into the hair.So as I grew my hair out...the Fiber began to work less well. I had a lot more hair, and because it's a "higher hold," it actually started to weigh my hair down. Spiking up hair that's only an inch or two long worked fine...but as my hair got to 3+ inches, it would start to fall over. And the Fiber is fairly sticky...so your hair needs to be fairly damp to work it in, but then it doesn't want to stay up.Now I will FINALLY talk about the Pomade!I had to move to a "lower hold" product...and I wasn't used to this at first. I was leaving my hair fairly damp, and putting the pomade into that didn't give it much hold at all (though depending the style you want...like a more traditional mad men kind of look without a lot of spike, then that would be fine). I wanted a little more spike and "verticalness" to my hair, so what I had to do was start drying it more. I've started using a blow dryer to "train" my hair in the direction I want, and to get it much drier (not 100% dry, but maybe 75%). Now the pomade has much more hold!The other product I've been using is the Forming Cream. It's similar to the pomade...but a little less shiny. It has worked well in my longer hair, and like I said before...to get any hold, I need my hair drier.You will probably have to try a couple different products until you find the one you really like. But before you give up on any one product, vary the dampness of your hair first. Hopefully my experience will point you in the right direction. For short hair, use the high hold products with damp hair. For longer hair, use the low hold products with drier hair.

My husband’s hair has finally met its match—and it’s this glorious jar of forming cream. With a medium hold and just the right amount of shine, it tames his wild mane without making it look like he used half a tub of glue. It’s like a personal stylist in a jar—except it doesn’t talk back or charge by the hour.His hair now walks the perfect line between “effortlessly cool” and “I definitely didn’t wake up like this (but let’s pretend I did).” Plus, I can still run my fingers through it without them getting stuck. 10/10 recommended!

Noticed that my hair salon was using this product and decided to give it a try. I love how it shapes my dark thick hair with a natural feel.

Pros are how easy it is to use. It's kinda gell like instead of paste like how pomade is. Therefore it's easier to get in thick hair like mine. It holds well too.The smell isn't great. It's not bad, but it doesn't smell pleasant like old spice products do, or how the American crew pomade smells. So that's a disappointment for me.Unfortunately it is expensive (but cheaper by a few dollars than buying at a store)Old spice products are cheaper for sure usually like $8 to $10 and have better scent and work well. But this has the ease of maneuverability through thick hair while applying that old spice products I've used just don't have. So, I'm glad I found this, but I won't use it everyday unless I'm doing something special that involves looking extra nice.

My husband always gets this as this is his favorite brand to use. It holds up well and it is not hard when dried, it also holds up great and the scent is not over powering, the shine that it has when applied is great, Easy to apply and the texture for the hair when on is great.

I have pretty thick hair, and it’s always been tough to find something that can hold a shape without needing a ton of hairspray. This forming cream from American Crew has been a game-changer for me. I apply it to slightly damp hair and then blow-dry with a brush, and it works perfectly every time. The hold is just right without making my hair stiff, and it’s affordable compared to a lot of other products out there. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a solid, dependable hair product!

I've used a lot of different hair gels over the past 30 years and even a few hair sprays back in the 80's, do they even make Stiff Stuff anymore? Unlike the aforementioned spray, this forming cream is one of the best products I've ever used. My last personal favorite was the now discontinued Burt's Bees natural hair gel for men. It worked well but simply didn't last and my last tube was just about gone when I looked for a replacement. The forming cream, while not being touted as "natural" works far better than the Burt's Bees gel or any other gel for that matter.Pros:-All day/night hold with no crispy hair feeling. I was shocked when I woke up the next morning and my hair looked fine.-All day/night healthy shine. I like my short hair to have a bit of a shine, not grease shine but enough to help darken up my hair. Previous gels eventually looked dry or like I wasn't wearing anything.-No flaking so far. I'm still experimenting with how much product is needed. So far a very small amount goes a LONG way. I can only describe it like old shoe polish. Wipe your finger over the product, wet your hands and product, work through your hair. If you need more wipe and repeat.Cons:-Hard to say this is a con but the smell is a bit strong at first. You get used to it and my wife didn't mind. It is a musky smell that isn't overbearing or harsh but is definitely not typical of hair products I've used before.