Let’s talk about that typically undiscussed topic that affects us all: Grooming. It’s a time-consuming part of life that’s a necessity, sometimes painful, and definitely awkward. This article is a step toward normalizing “hair” talk, whether it’s on your head, your face, or, um, elsewhere. (O.K., we’re not entirely normalizing it.) What tools do you use? That hairbrush you’ve had since college? A razor you borrowed from your significant other? C’mon, it’s time you graduated to full-fledged, best-groomed adult.
Consider this list of 37 at-home essentials Grooming 101. I uncovered everything from dedicated manscaping tools (seriously, it’s called “Manscaped”) and beard balm for the fellas to hair fibers and humidity-proof spray for the ladies. Gotten comfortable cutting your own hair at home? You’ll find options to up your game below. Looking for the latest hair gadgets to transform your look? Keep reading. I even found a style station that’ll help you keep all the new goodies together once you have them. From roots to edges to bikini-worthy trimmers, this list has you covered … or uncovered, maybe.
Detangle Without Drama
Tender-headed? Yeah, I hear you. I used to be, too, which was torture as a kid with extremely thick hair. I somehow grew out of that, but I know a lot of people still struggle. This glide-thru detangling brush from Crave Naturals was designed to take the pain out of grooming, The unique cone-shaped plastic bristles in this brushwork with your hair instead of against it, eliminating tangles without the tears.
A Must-Have For Manscaping
You know a product is serious about grooming when they describe it as a “weed whacker.” This Manscaped nose and ear hair trimmer feels like one of those products you should buy in secret under cover of night, but thanks to Amazon, you don’t have to. You can add that bad boy to your cart and it’ll arrive all anonymous-like directly at your doorstep.
Rescue Care For Your Hair
If your hair is in serious need of rescue care, look no further than the geniuses at Olaplex. You’ve probably been exposed to these products if you’ve been to a salon lately, but now you can bring the beauty home from Amazon with Olaplex’s repairing treatment. This set repairs damaged hair and broken bonds. One reviewer said: “My youngest daughter and I both use this and really like it. She is constantly dying her hair a million different colors and frying her hair. This makes her hair look much less fried and even in halfway decent condition.”
Clip and Snip To Your Heart’s Content
Even a grooming novice could take this cordless clipper and trimmer from Wahl and make magic happen, thanks in part to its color-coded guide combs that remove all doubt about what length you’re after. The cordless design is also a big win if you spend a lot of time traveling or on the road for work. Simply pop it in your grooming kit with the correct combs and trim wherever you are.
Be A 10 With This Leave-In Treatment
You’ve probably been under a rock if you haven’t heard of the “It’s a 10’s” miracle leave-in product. One reviewer said, “So good, actually ‘It’s a 20!'” Well, alrighty then. This leave-in product you use after shampooing has numerous benefits including inhibiting damaged hair, adding shine, detangling, controlling frizz, stopping hair breakage, and helping prevent split ends. That’s not bad for a product that costs less than $18.
Give Your Own Scalp Massage
The absolute best part of going to the salon isn’t the cut or the color or the products; it’s the scalp massage you get when they’re washing your hair. (If your salon doesn’t do this, you need a new salon!) Anyway, it requires a lot of time and money to make that happen. Grab this massaging shampoo brush, and you can be your own dang scalp masseuse right in your own home.
Shine On With This Unisex Spray
Who doesn’t want healthy, shiny hair? If you’re a guy or a gal, I think that’s a given for most of us. Headrush is a shine spray with a superfine mist that gives “explosive shine,” according to the manufacturer and improved manageability. This two-pack is a great buy and easy to use. Just spray it all over your head and wait for the shine to come through. It has no hold, though, so it won’t replace your hairspray.
Don’t Be A Flake
Admit it, you’ve looked down at your shirt and seen small white flakes and wondered, “Where did that come from?” You have dandruff … ugh. It’s not that big of a deal, though, if you have the right tools at your disposal. This anti-dandruff shampoo will eliminate the flakes (and any embarrassment) in a flash. One reviewer said it cleared her dandruff in two to three uses – score!
It’s All About The Brows
Your brows frame your face. Don’t believe me? Try going out without them done, especially if you have blonde eyebrow hair like I do. (In total transparency, I had microblading done a few years ago and I’ve never looked back.) This eyebrow kit will get your brows in tip-top shape. Whether you’re a plucker, a shaper, or a drawer-inner, this eight-piece set has all the tools you need for your best brows ever.
Beard Balm That’s The Bomb
The hair on your head isn’t all that needs to be conditioned. If you sport a beard (and you should), you need help making sure your beard grows strong and full. This beard balm from Honest Amish softens beard hair and stops itching in its tracks. It’s packed full of great ingredients, too, like avocado oil and shea butter. #TeamBeard has never had more support.
A Flawless Finish With Painless Hair Removal
This is the single most helpful gadget I’ve added to my grooming arsenal over the past few years. Why? Because it gets all of those stray hairs that seem to start popping up once you hit that magical age of 40. Dubbed the Flawless facial hair remover, it aids instant and painless facial hair remover in a discreet, lipstick-sized package. It comes in a variety of colors, but that doesn’t really matter. Just buy this thing already!
Shave The Last Dance For Me
Shave creams are a dime a dozen, but this one with deep-sea minerals has a host of extra benefits. Gillette is the creator behind Pure, a shaving cream that’s free of dyes, parabens, and SLS sulfate, has shea butter, and pure deep-sea minerals that help your razor glide more smoothly while softening your skin with every use. Now you have no excuse not to shave, ahem, except for pants, leggings, socks, winter …
Get Longer, Stronger Hail With This Strengthening Oil
Scalp treatment? Check. Split end care? Check check. This strengthening oil from Mielle Organics combines rosemary and mint to invigorate your scalp and stimulate hair growth. It’s a leave-in product so you can section hair into four parts exposing the scalp, apply and massage in, and then style as usual. One reviewer said: ” My hair has grown a few inches. I have noticed that and my girls have noticed it as well, they come in my room looking for it so I have to hide it from them.” Moral of the story: Sharing is caring.
Beat Hard Water At Its Own Game
I don’t get the idea of “hard water” or “soft water” either, for that matter. Isn’t water just water? Sigh. The things you have to deal with as an adult. This little packet instantly removes hard water build-up, discoloration, and brassiness from the hair while simultaneously restoring shine, softness, and manageability. In case you were wondering, hard water causes mineral deposits to build up in your hair, which leaves it dull and lifeless. #TheMoreYouKnow
Make Roots Take Cover
Roots are in. Then, they’re not. Blink and they’re back. I don’t know. Sometimes roots are good, sometimes they’re bad and I just can’t figure it out. It’s best to keep some of this magic root coverup on hand, depending on which way the root trend is going. Whether you’re a light blonde, brunette, or redhead, they have an option that’ll work until the next phase of “root love” blows over.
Give Your Beard A Brush
We’ve already talked about keeping that man mane tamed with beard oil, but did you know you have to brush that thing, too? I know, seems like a lot of work. This beard brush from Grave Before Shave (literally the best brand name I’ve ever heard) features 100 percent pure bamboo bristles to massage, stimulate and exfoliate the skin as well as distribute beard oil to condition, seal, and polish hair. If you have a beard, this one is a total “do.”
Tame Your Mane With These Alligator Clips
Whether you have short hair or long hair, you’ll find these alligator clips totally useful for a variety of things. I use them for sectioning my hair while blow-drying, but they’re also super to use when you’re styling your hair or — gasp! — cutting it yourself (10 out of 10, do not recommend). They come in a pack of 10, which is handy because you’re definitely going to lose at least two or three of these.
A Dream Coat For Your Hair
You’ve heard of the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (from Broadway, yo), but have you heard of Color Wow’s Dream Coat? It’s not technicolor, but it’s supernatural. Seriously, it’s right there on the label. I can attest to the power of this stuff in Humidityville, U.S.A., which is all of Florida, TBH. Heat-activated polymers help block out moisture and banish frizz. You’ll want one bottle to use and one as a backup.
Coat It In Collagen
More than 20,000 reviewers can’t be wrong! This collagen coating hair protein treatment is hailed by some as “better than Olaplex” (whuttt!?) and it costs less than $7. This treatment includes ceramides and collagen that get to work on your hair in just five minutes. Whether you have damaged hair, overprocessed hair, or you just want silky, smooth hair, you can’t go wrong with this at-home treatment.
Live Life On The Edges
Have you ever used a toothbrush on your edges? I know your secrets! This gentle edges brush gets high marks from users on Amazon to the tune of 56,000-plus comments. One reviewer said: “This Gentle Edges Brush has a lot more bristles and they are so much softer than a toothbrush. This makes for much smoother baby hairs. And the comb on the end makes sure they are fully detangled.” A true win-win for less than two bucks.
Create Your Own Style Station
If you have all of these hair tools, you’re going to need someplace to organize them. This style station has oversized openings, is made of heat-resistant mesh and silicone, and works as a freestanding unit or a hanging organizer on your existing towel bars or hooks. The best part for me is freeing up your vanity drawers for other stuff you just can’t live without.
Beach Waves Made Easy
I have to let you in on a little secret: Leaving at the beach? Does not mean you get automatic beach waves. I know, I was shocked, too. But, you can get them easily with the Bed Head Wave Artist. Its unique design delivers beachy or sculpted waves while its tourmaline ceramic coating combats frizz and adds massive shine. Whether you live in Indiana or Florida, you’ll appreciate the looks you can achieve with this one.
Change Hair Colors With Chalk
I have no problem using color in my hair. Over the past year, it’s been brown, purple, lavender, red and now pink … and the year is still young. If you love the idea of vibrantly colored hair but are a commitment-phobe when it comes to going pink or purple or blue, give this hair chalk comb a try. This set comes with six colors to mix and blend, delivering a temporary burst of color whenever you’re in the mood.
Don’t Cut Bangs Without This Scissor Set
Feeling like a pro? Before you chop those bangs (again?), you need to invest in scissors you didn’t get from Walmart’s school supplies section. This scissor set will give you precise cuts on wet or dry hair. The thinning shears will transform your thick, wavy, and heavy hair to light, bouncy and curly hair. You won’t have too much invested here at just 10 bucks, so you’ll have plenty left over when you have to go to the salon for a fix.
Go Crazy With Curls
I have curl envy. It’s mostly due to the fact that my hair is wavy, but more like frizzy-wavy so air-drying is out of the question. If you have curl envy, too, you need these flexible curling rods. Made from lightweight foam, they come in a pack of 42 in all different sizes so you can get those cute baby curls around your face and looser waves in the back. Reviewers rave about these being easy to use with no heat required.
Safeguard Your New Color
No one ever said that coloring your hair wasn’t a lot of upkeep. I’ve washed my hair in cold water more times than I can count to try to preserve shades like red and pink. This Color Last shampoo from Biolage is a winner when it comes to safeguarding your color. Right now, you can get 13.5-oz. bottles of shampoo and conditioner, plus this super-cute reusable tote from Amazon.
Three-In-One Cleaning For Busy Dudes
You’re a dude, and you’re not fussy. I get it. But, you still have to be clean. Tackle your hair and skin in one step with this three-in-one cooling option from Nivea. Enhanced with menthol and yuzu, this lathers well as a shampoo and conditioner and cleans skin without drying as a body wash. Buy this, and your five-minute shower can get cut down to three minutes, and you can get on to other things.
Put The Finishing Touch On Your Style
There are mornings when you feel like styling your hair and morning when a ponytail is the go-to and I’m guessing there are more ponytail days than hair-styling days. You can still look pulled together even with a ponytail, thanks to this finishing hair cream. Encased in a mascara-like tube, just swipe it on flyaways for an instantly polished look. Grab a second tube to keep in your purse for on-the-go touchups.
This Leave-In Conditioner Does it All
I like — no, love — all-in-one products and this conditioner spray from Ouai is a true workhorse. Not only does it deep condition, but it also preps hair for heat styling, detangles, adds shine, and tames flyaways. Just lightly mist this product on damp or dry hair and style as usual. Celebrity stylist Jen Atkin who has clients like Katy Perry and Jennifer Lopez developed this line to deliver luxury products at an affordable price point.
The Perfect Razor/Trimmer Duo
It’s entirely fitting that this product has a razor on one end and a bikini trimmer on the other since you’ll need to tackle two zones for a totally thorough grooming experience. Schick knocked it out of the park with this handy two-in-one razor/trimmer. Five blades and a moisturizing serum tackle legs, underarms, and more while a waterproof trimmer with adjustable comb handles, um, everything else.
Show Off Your Form
There’s nothing better than the moment when you finish styling your hair and go to set that style in place. This forming cream from American Crew is a keeper, providing both hold and shine in one easy-to-use paste. You don’t have to worry about helmet head, either, guys. WIth lanolin wax included, it provides a movable hold that will always look totally natural … unless you use too much, so have some sense about you.
Grab A Cult-Favorite Dry Shampoo
All hail dry shampoo! How did we ever live without it? I’ll be honest, I didn’t get on the dry shampoo bandwagon until a few years ago and now I feel like my whole life is a lie. Ask a few of your friends for their favorites and they may throw out a few different brands, but Batiste is likely a staple for most of them. Batiste dry shampoo has a clean and classic fragrance with subtle hints of powder, lavender, and musk.
Reduce Grays With Just A Wash
Hey, I think a little bit of grey in a beard is sexy, but I’m also 43 now so I think that probably comes with the territory. If you’re not a fan, you can eliminate it easily without coloring it, thanks to Just For Men’s grey-reducing beard wash. Add it to your shower routine a few times a week to gradually reduce grey while cleaning, conditioning, and revitalizing that beautiful beard.
Don’t Blow This Dryer Deal
If you’ve never tried the Kipozi brand of hair tools on Amazon, you’re missing out. I have both a straightener and a curling iron bearing the Kipozi name and I’ve never been disappointed. That’s why this blow dryer caught my hair. A negative ions hairdryer, the Kipozi tool here has both a sleek design as well as three heat settings and two speeds. The manufacturer claims it can get your hair from wet to dry in only five minutes.
Brush Up On This Hair Gadget
While we’re considering hair tools, throw it all the way back to the 1970s with the resurgence in popularity of hot air brushes like this version from Infinitipro by Conair. My hair has honestly never looked better since I started using a tool like this, which combines the tasks of drying and styling into one. This hot air brush comes in 1-inch and 1.5-inch sizes and, honestly, you might need both.
Thicken It Up With Biotin Shampoo
It’s no secret that biotin is great for your hair. It stimulates keratin production and is just generally all-around good for your system. This shampoo/conditioner set infused with biotin is a no-brainer then. Take it from this reviewer: “Best shampoo and conditioner I have used in years! I got pregnant a little over a year ago, and since then, my hair has never been the same. All the products I had used for years to keep it healthy, soft and long stopped working.”
Bulk Up Your Style With Hair Fibers
Do you struggle with thin hair? It’s never been something I’ve had to deal with (I have plenty of my own problems, trust me), but I know people who do and it can be a real burden. These hair-building fibers from Toppik deliver the look of full hair instantly by simply adding them to your existing hair strands. It comes in a range of shades to fit everyone, from grey to black to blonde.