The Best Hair Powders for Men, Tested by Grooming Editors

This super-fine powder allows you to control how much grit you want to add to your style, so don’t worry about overdoing it. It works well as a base styling product to add volume at the root without weighing your hair down. Follow with a medium hold pomade to set your style in place for the rest of the day.

Not only is this powder suitable for every hair type, but we’d argue that it’s the easiest to use on this list. The pump applicator makes it easy to target roots, where you want most of the powder to go for extra lift, and the powder itself is super fine which means it won’t clump up on your scalp or leave your hair looking chalky. Use your fingers or a brush to run it through your hair for incredible volume with just a little bit of grip to texturize it at the same time.

Read more: Best Hair Thickening Products for Men

If you suffer from thin hair, you probably want products that add volume and give you the appearance of thickness. This hair powder from Toppik features hair-building fibers made from colored keratin protein that blend into the hair, creating a fuller-looking head of hair. It comes in a variety of shades, from blonde to black and everything in between, so there’s surely a color that matches your existing hair color.

The thing about this powder, and why it’s one of the best kept secrets of hair stylists and celebrity groomers, is that it doesn’t just pump up existing hair like so many others. The fibers in this powder actually build onto what hair you have, making it look like you actually have more hair, not just thicker strands. That’s why it’s important to use a color that matches your existing color so it blends seamlessly. It’s also water and sweat resistant so you don’t have to worry about the color running down the sides of your face when you sweat. Keep this on hand for special events and any time you want a little extra oomph.

At three ounces, this is the only bottle of hair powder you’ll ever need to buy. All you need is a small amount to breathe new life into thin, fine hair. The combination of rice powder, sea clay, and kaolin clay works wonders on medium to long hair that tends to get frizzy but quickly becomes limp or greasy with hair creams.

While ideal for fine or thin hair, or greasy hair for that matter, all hair types can get a benefit from this powder. Not only can it soak up dirt and oil (it’s the clay) and extend time between washes, but it also adds volume and texture to any type of hair without the need for “wet” products. That means you get weightless volume that doesn’t go limp after a few hours. Shake some into your hand and run it through your strands every time you feel like your hair needs a little pick-me-up.

This tiny bottle of texturizing powder packs a powerful punch. It instantly adds lift and texture throughout the hair length for hair that looks and feels clean without a chalky finish.

Speaking of a chalky finish, it’s a risk with most hair powders unless you really make sure to work it through your hair (using your fingers or a hair brush), and this one is no exception. However, the pump nozzle application makes it easy to target roots versus a shaker bottle, so target your scalp when you apply it and then use your hands to massage it through your hair. If you use that method, the risk of any chalkiness goes down exponentially.

Pros

• Doesn’t leave any residue
• Completely matte

Didn’t have time for a shower? Don’t sweat it. This texturizing powder from Davines absorbs dirt, oil, and odor to help you fake it until the next wash day. Simply sprinkle it into your hair at the root, massage it into the scalp, and no one will even be able to tell that you woke up late.

Not only does oil make hair look greasy, but it also weighs it down, which is how this powder pulls double duty. By soaking up greasy oil, it not only makes your hair look cleaner, but it also instantly gives it more volume and texture. Of course, it’s ideal if you want to keep your hair looking clean between showers, but it’s also great to refresh your hair after a long day (we recommend keeping a bottle of this in your desk drawer at the office) or any time your hair needs to be pumped up a bit. Just one shake is all it takes for a whole new ‘do.

This powder is a dry shampoo and volumizer all in one. It absorbs oil and leaves hair smelling and feeling refreshed while also lifting the hair at the root. Plus, it has corn, maranta, and arrowroot to keep your scalp healthy and balanced.

Not only does this powder contain natural ingredients, including a (very nice) 100 percent natural fragrance, but it’s also dermatologist tested to make sure it won’t mess up your scalp while it goes to work on your hair. The oil-absorbing, volumizing properties are some of the best we’ve ever tried and it also rinses off easily and doesn’t build up on your scalp. The small size goes a long way and is easy to take with you to refresh your hair on the go, wherever you are.

For that perfectly imperfect texture and lightweight hold, our pick is the Dust IT Mattifying Powder from OSiS+. The innovative formula features silica, which is responsible for the strong matte feeling and makes this a must-have for men with straight to wavy hair who can’t stand shiny hair.

Not only does this powder instantly degrease and de-shine your hair, but it also has a little bit of hold in the formula, which will help keep your hair in place but won’t set super strong like a hairspray. This one really shines in the texturizing area, since it has a bit of “grip” that allows hair to piece together and create a separated appearance (not to mention the aforementioned hold factor).

If you’re intimidated by shaker bottles that look like they belong in your kitchen, not your bathroom, this hair powder is for you. The high precision pump delivers a hit of volume and texture exactly where you need it. Plus, the 0.14-ounce bottle makes this product great for using on-the-go.

In addition to the fact that this powder is super easy to use and target your roots (the most important place to apply a hair powder), it has a high amount of hold that keeps your newly-volumized and texturized style from deflating. Think of it more as a styling product than anything else, which is a good thing when we’re talking about traveling with a minimal amount of product. This can be the only styling product you need in your bag.

This weightless powder adds a dose of grit and gravity-defying texture to transform limp, lifeless locks into a camera-ready look. Simply shake the puck to loosen up the powder and apply at the the root for maximum lift and separation.

Unlike many of the other powders on this list, this one is best when your hair looks too clean and you want to add a little grit to it. You know how your hair looks best, like, the day after you wash it when it’s just a little bit dirty? This powder is designed to give you that look right out of the shower. It adds a little bit of grit and grip to your hair, creating cool texture and separation that gives it a casual, bedhead type style.

If you’re not ready to go gray, this cover-up powder can help cover up those pesky silver strands starting to poke their way through at the root. The mineral powder adheres to hair without leaving it feeling sticky, oily, or stiff. Coloring over your hair at the root gives the appearance of thicker and fuller hair without using traditional hair powder products. For guys who are just beginning to see silver, this product lets you have your color back without any permanent dyes or costly treatments.

Keep in mind that this isn’t a permanent solution to gray coverage – it’s more of a temporary fix. This powder covers up grays effectively but also washes out cleanly, so you’ll have to reapply it whenever you want a camouflage some grays. Consider this a special-occasion powder, ideal for parties, photos and other big events where you want to look your absolute best.

Read More: Gray Blending for Dark Hair Guide

How Hair Powder Works

Hair powders contain ingredients like silica silylate or rice powder, which create matte texture by increasing the amount of friction between hair strands. This creates volume and adds a gritty feeling to the hair, while ingredients like kaolin clay work to absorb moisture and oil, which increases volume and fullness, especially in thin hair.