In the world of hair care, there are two dominant trends: big-name brands with mass production and aggressive marketing, and independent, boutique brands that focus on quality over quantity. These two sides coexist, benefiting men who appreciate quality products and love discovering new brands. Today, let’s shine a spotlight on Black Label Grooming, a passionate indie brand hailing from the UK.
The brainchild of long-time friends Matthew and Nathan, Black Label Grooming was created to offer bespoke-quality hair styling products. The duo’s first offerings, the Black Label Craft Clay and Shape Paste, have caught the attention of enthusiasts across the globe.
When they sent me these products for review, their confidence was clear: “Try them for a month, and you’ll see why no one has ever said a bad word about Black Label Grooming.” Challenge accepted.
First impressions count, and Black Label Grooming nails it with the packaging. Simple, sleek, and matte black with laser-engraved white text, it exudes a premium feel. This is the kind of design that stands out - no tacky decals here! As a connoisseur of high-quality grooming products, I appreciate when the packaging lives up to the product inside.
Craft Clay
Craft Clay is exactly what you expect from a high-quality styling product: firm, gritty, and bold. Derived from Bentonite clay (volcanic ash, yes, you read that right!), it’s a product that sparks curiosity even before it touches your hair.
Wax Consistency: It’s thick and firm, making it a bit tricky at first. But don’t let that fool you - once you get the hang of it, you’ll appreciate how it grips and shapes hair without any tugging.
Craft Clay is a solid, ash-gray color.
Texture: The texture gives you a well-defined look for both quiffs and pompadours. Short to medium hair types will find it especially useful for a controlled, yet natural, style.
Volume: It works best when you blow-dry before applying. Craft Clay enhances your volume and maintains a solid lift without deflating throughout the day. Expect a strong hold that lasts 6-8 hours, though hot weather may cause it to fade quicker.
With Craft Clay, I styled my hair into a Messy Quiff to showcase its impressive hold.
Shine: This is a matte product through and through. No shine, just pure texture.
Scent: A unique lemon sherbet scent hits at first, followed by a pleasant cola-like fragrance. It’s distinct and fades after a couple of hours.
Hold time: 6-8 hours. In hot weather, the hold tends to break down faster, which is common with any styling product.
Re-styling: If you’re in Vietnam, you know the drill - helmet hair. Thankfully, Craft Clay makes it easy to restyle with a little finger combing, though your hair’s volume might drop after being crushed under a helmet.
Shape Paste
Shape Paste is the softer, more flexible sibling of Craft Clay, offering a lighter hold without compromising on quality.
Wax Consistency: Much softer than Craft Clay, this paste breaks down easily. A little goes a long way - just half a fingertip’s worth is enough for most styles.
Shape Paste has a light cream color, with a soft and smooth wax texture that's easy to work through.
Texture: With a natural, flexible hold, it’s perfect for giving your hair a more effortless, lived-in look.
Volume: Shape Paste provides a bit more volume than Craft Clay, offering a natural lift without needing a pre-styling product.
Shape Paste gives a natural volume and texture effect.
Shine: Like Craft Clay, this also offers a completely matte finis - no gloss, just understated style.
Scent: The lemon scent here is refined and pleasant - not overpowering, just a fresh, subtle fragrance.
Hold: Expect a solid 6 hours of hold with Shape Paste, especially for medium-length hair types. It holds up well in humid climates too, without the need for frequent touch-ups.
You can re-style easily without any stickiness on your hands.
Re-styling: After a helmet, Shape Paste makes re-styling a breeze. A gentle comb-through restores the style effortlessly, and the product’s pliability makes it ideal for combed or side-parted styles without any pull or stickiness.
Some tips for using Shape Paste more effectively: You don't need much - just a small amount is enough. Take advantage of its pliable texture by dividing it into smaller portions during use: Half before blow-drying as a pre-styling product, and the other half to finish the look after drying. Thanks to its smooth texture, Shape Paste is also great for hairstyles that require a comb (like a side part) without causing tugging or discomfort.
Both Craft Clay and Shape Paste are solid performers, and they hold their own against industry giants like By Vilain or Hanz de Fuko. Black Label Grooming is not here to just join the market; it’s ready to lead. With their strong focus on quality and craftsmanship, I’ll be buying more from them in the future.
Both products are priced at £11.45 each (roughly 360,000 VND) on their website, with shipping to Vietnam available for £4 (about 125,000 VND). For the best deal, consider purchasing a pair or even a 3-pack for £27.99 (nearly 900,000 VND) to enjoy free shipping.
Comments