Australia has always had its uses. Over the years they’ve given us Kylie Minogue, Natalie Imbruglia, Elle MacPherson, Holly Valance and Isla Fisher. They even let Brian McFadden shift Delta Goodrem. With the arrival of Moosehead styling products on Irish shores however, they’ve shown that Ozzie generosity simply knows no bounds.
Moosehead’s ‘shaping dough’, ‘forming wax’ and ‘defining paste’ products have been keeping the likes of Hugh Jackman, Eric Bana and Guy Pearce looking sharp while many in this part of the world were still using gungy fluorescent gels from the €2 shop.
Make no mistake – Moosehead’s products are simply light-years ahead of old school stuff that has been sitting on the shelves unchallenged for years. Going on the pull with a head of crispy hair from dried-in hair gel while the women you’re competing for are also being courted by chaps in this gear is like taking on a tank with a bow and arrow.
The brand’s two newest offerings, which JOE.ie was good enough to road-test for you, are the ‘gritty clay’ and ‘grubby putty’ products.
Grubby Putty
Off all the hair creams, gels, waxes and clays ever slapped onto a head down the ages, this is surely the king. Moosehead say it gives, ‘firm hold and no shine finish’ and delivers that much vaunted ‘just got out of bed, sexy messed up look’.
It has a bizarrely firm, almost rubbery consistency that is slightly alarming when you first dunk your finger into it. It has a distinctive smell, too. It’s like Red Bull only fresher and not as sweet. Not at all unpleasant.
Once you’ve warmed it on your palms and worked it into your hair, it gives astonishing, long-lasting hold with just a tiny amount. It doesn’t dry out which means it remains re-workable for the entire day.
If you keep to a minimum amount it will give you the bed-head look it claims, but for a more groomed look, for shorter hair or more ambitious styles, simply use a tad more and you’re good to go.
Unlike some waxes it’s completely non-greasy so you can scratch your head without wanting to run off to wash your hands afterwards. It’s not particularly easy to wash out although every trace will be gone with two or three shampoos.
It’s priced at €6.99, so it more expensive than some other products, but it’s a feckin’ big tub, you only need a tiny amount so it’s deceptively good value. Seriously, this gear is the business. If you see it in a shop, buy it. In bulk.
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Gritty Styling Clay
The other new product out of the Moosehead stable is its ‘gritty styling clay’. The first thing you notice about this one is the fact that it is actually gritty. As in, there are bits of grit in it. You might assume the bits would dissolve when applied, but for the most part it doesn’t. This is apparently a means of boosting hold but it is slightly off-putting.
It’s not good when a young lady touches your head for whatever reason and then asks if you’ve been at the beech that day. And you have to say no. Another downside is the fact that the granules are sometimes visible in your hair – making you look like you’ve got dandruff.
The gritty styling clay is sweet-smelling, a lot like surf board wax if that means anything to you. It gives hold almost as good as the grubby putty product and is just as re-workable. Again, you only need a tiny amount to last you the day and at €6.99 you will get a fair bang for your buck.
Gritty styling clay gives a matt finish although there is more sheen to the style it gives by comparison with Moosehead’s grubby putty. It’s also quite easy to wash out – one or two spins and you’re done. In short, it’s great stuff – if you can get past the gritty aspect.
Products are sold in Tesco and independent pharmacies. For more information visit: www.moosehead.com.au.
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