A guide to men's hair styling products

Pomade, clay or wax: the wall of tins is enough to put anyone off. The good news is that choosing the right one comes down to two simple questions, the finish you want and how much hold you need.

Wet hair or dry?

Apply to slightly damp hair and you get a slick, shiny finish, which is what you want for a classic, glossy look. A shine pomade like Layrite Supershine is the barber's choice here. Apply to dry hair and you get a matte, natural finish with no sheen. A clay like Uppercut Deluxe Matte Clay is easy to work, holds strong and shrugs off the weather.

By hair type

Thick or unruly hair, especially if you live somewhere windy like us in Edinburgh, wants a strong hold: Layrite Super Hold sets a style and keeps it all day. Fine or thin hair wants something light and workable that does not weigh it down or get gummy. Layrite Original is the easy all-rounder, simple to apply, washes out cleanly and smells of vanilla.

By the look you're after

Slick back: a medium-shine, medium-hold pomade like Suavecito and a pocket comb. Pompadour: Uppercut Deluxe Pomade is easy to shape and built to last, and a quiff roller helps you re-set it through the day. Messy: Byrd Classic gives that effortless, surfer's look that still shapes up sharper if you want it to. Maximum hold for a bold style: Uppercut Monster Hold does exactly what the name says.

Match the finish to the look and the hold to your hair, and you are most of the way there. When in doubt, start with less product than you think and build up.