Hair Stylists Say The Secret To Un-Frizzy Hair Costs Just $7—And Fits In Your Pocket

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Wax sticks are an easy and convenient way to retouch your hair, says Joey Scandizzo, celebrity hairstylist and co-creative director for ELEVEN Australia. They're particularly good at smoothing out pesky flyaways and frizz, but you can also think of them as lip balm for your locks, Scandanizzo says. "Like a lip balm, a good wax stick can re-hydrate the hair from the outside in and prevent it from looking and feeling dry." Wax sticks are perfect for that second-day or after-workout hair—particularly when humid weather threatens to cramp your style.

The best wax sticks

And, no, they're not the same as gel or hairspray. "A gel requires fingers to apply, and a hairspray can be harder to target only areas of the hair that are required," Scandizzo says."A wax stick application is generally different, giving you light touch control directly from the applicator to where it is needed most." Because it's usually small in size, you can also carry it anywhere, from a small purse to a back pocket, allowing you to reapply it when needed to keep up-dos slick, control edges, and even smooth out ponies, Scandizzo says.

Before shopping for one, you should consider what the wax stick is made of, and how effective its hold is.

What to consider

Key ingredients

Not all waxes are created equal. Some are thicker and more prone to leave residue in your hair, while others are a bit more delicate and less likely to leave your hair caked in a greasy substance. Still, you ideally want a hair wax that has some nourishing benefits for you hair, since some waxes have a high concentration of alcohol, which can dry out your hair, making it more prone to breakage. "A good wax stick will have anti-humectant ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and argan oil," Scandizzo says. "These will help to repel moisture and minimize frizz."

Hold

Look for a wax stick that is light, non-greasy, and offers a flexible hold. "You want it to do the job of eliminating flyaways and frizz without feeling like you’ve literally applied a tub of wax on your head," says Scandizzo. "A good wax product will leave a clean and clear result, meaning that it won't leave a white residue behind on dark hair."

How we chose

To find the best hair wax sticks to tame flyaways and lock in specialty styles like twists and braids, the Women's Health team consulted two professional hairstylists, plus asked our team of anonymous testers and in-house editors for feedback on the products they use and love. We then put some of the top-rated products to the test, evaluating them for attributes like ingredient list, hold, and overall efficacy throughout all-day wear.

Below, shop the eight best hair wax sticks for all hair types, tested by editors and beauty experts.

Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Sleek Stick

After testing and considering several wax sticks for weeks on end, we deemed Briogeo's Style + Treat Wax Stick the best overall option on this list for its ability to hold and maintain styles, while adding hydration and nourishment to locks.

Our editors have long been fans of Briogeo's hair products—from shampoo to hair masks to scalp scrubs and now hair wax sticks, we're big fans. The product not only works well, but smells fantastic for an all-around great experience. The palm-sized packaging holds a vegan wax that dries sleek and glossy, but not at all oily. It's suitable for all hair types, and the brand promises a long-lasting 24-hour hold.

We love that it's alcohol-free and contains a host of nourishing ingredients, too. Yuzu extract helps protect hair from environmental aggressors, plum oil adds a touch of moisture, and a proprietary blend of B vitamins helps further promote healthy strands from root to tip.

Read more: Best Texture Sprays For Fine Hair

Hair Wax Stick

DolaHair may retail for half the price of our top pick, but it's certainly worth a look—especially if you're new to hair wax sticks. It's suitable for all hair types from short and fine to long and coarse. And the finish is similar to that of our top pick—smooth with a hint of shine, but absolutely no greasiness.

Users love it for all types of hairstyles, from slicked-back ponies to buns for their kids' dance recitals. We love that it's packed with nourishing ingredients, too, including castor seed oil for a touch of moisture that helps prevent breakage.

Tigi Bed Head Wax Stick

Users with a lot of flyaways swear by this wax stick to get sleeker results when wearing their hair in updos like ponytails, buns, and braids. It's made with a Japanese wax that holds things in place without buildup or residue—just a semi-matte finish.

We also love that it's formulated with castor oil to help condition and prevent breakage. And, like other Bed Head products, this wax stick has an envious scent with notes of lavender, coriander, warm cedar, and white musk.

Styling Wax Stick

Stanley Nolan, a cosmetologist and beauty educator at the Ogle School, a cosmetology and esthetician school in Texas, recommends this formula because it's lightweight but gets the job done. The final result is free from pesky flyaways and has a hint of shine yet no greasy residue or oiliness.

We love that you can use this wax stick on both natural hair and wigs, making it a highly versatile option. It's particularly great for enhancing styles with spikes or waves. Best of all, users say a little bit goes a long way, so you won't have too much trouble washing it out.

Red by Kiss Hair Wax Stick 24HR Max Hold Edge Fixer Edge Control Pomade Non-Sticky, Non-Oily Flake Free Hair Styling Wax (Sweet Peach)

Women's Health commerce editor Jasmine Gomez uses Red by Kiss Hair's wax stick nearly everyday. "I have stubborn edges that frizz up constantly, and this wax stick helps me comb them down into cute baby hairs," she says. This wax stick offers a pretty strong hold, without giving you the white flakes and hardness gel does.

It does feel a little sticky to apply, but when applied on well that stickiness sort of rubs off, and instead reflects as shine. "I always keep one in my purse, and another on my dresser at home," Gomez says. Our testers say they also like that you can buy the wax stick in fun scents like coconut, sweet peach, strawberry acai, and watermelon.

Hair Wax Stick

Another pro recommendation, this hair wax stick offers "sleekness and shine without it weighing down the look or having a greasy feel to your tresses," Nolan says. We love that even though it offers a flexible hold, a little bit goes a long way—you don't need much to get the job done.

Users say it holds hair well for long periods of time. Plus, we like the fact that it's formulated with castor oil to give a strands a little TLC while taming frizz and flyaways. Our testers' only gripe was that if you don't work it in well, it leaves behind a white residue, so that's something to keep in mind.

Slick Stick Strong Hold Hair Wax

Nexxus is another tried-and-true brand here at WH. We stand behind the brand's shampoo, conditioner, and—yes—their wax stick. While we generally gravitate towards lightweight, flexible hold options, this formula is a fantastic option for those who need a little bit more staying power—particularly in humid weather.

According to the brand, you'll get up to 72 hours of humidity shield and 48 hours of frizz control. Still, users say it goes on clear, is not too sticky, and leaves barely any residue in its wake. Plus, it glides over the hair easily for more guided and targeted styling (like for laying down frizzy edges!).

Dart Pomade Stick

If you're looking for a cleaner formula, R+CO answers with this pomade stick. It's entirely vegan and cruelty-free, so you can feel better about what you're putting on your scalp and hair. Still, it works just as well as other hair wax sticks we've tried.

The candelilla wax helps create a medium hold to tame frizz and flyaways for a sleek style, while castor seed oil and jojoba esters help moisturize strands without weighing them down and making them look overly greasy. Our testers advise against using too much product though, since over-applying it can give you a greasier look.

Hair Wax Stick

Kitsch gets a lot of attention for viral hair products—heatless curlers, silk pillowcases... you name it. And the brand's hair wax stick is no exception. It rose to fame on TikTok for its ability to create a slicked-back pony in mere seconds without any greasiness whatsoever.

We love that the product really works, but is 100 percent vegan and plant-based, making it suitable for those with skin sensitivities. It's also formulated with castor seed oil to help nourish strands, keeping them supple and less prone to breakage—even in taut styles like top knots and high ponies.

Meet Our Experts

• Joey Scandizzo is a celebrity hairstylist and co-creative director for ELEVEN Australia.

• Stanley Nolan is a cosmetologist and beauty educator at the Ogle School, a cosmetology and esthetician school in Texas.

Shop more of our favorite hair products

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