The Men's Hair Styling Gift Guide: What to Get Him This Christmas
Over the years, we’ve seen countless men's grooming gift guides that say the same generic recommendations: they recommend beard oils, facial washes, and electric shavers in a single seemingly random list, without giving recommendations based on what will actually get used.
We’re doing things differently. Hair styling is its own world, and getting the right product depends on two factors: what kind of hair he’s got, and what kind of style he wears it in. With knowledge of both of these factors, you’ll gift something that ends up in his daily routine, rather than languishing in a bathroom cabinet.
Gifting by Hair Type
Not sure exactly what style he's going for? Start here. Hair type is the most reliable way to match a product to someone without knowing their exact cut, or if you think they might be thinking about switching up their style.
Fine or thin hair
Fine hair has one core problem: it collapses. Products that are too heavy weigh it down further and make it look flat and greasy. What he needs is grip, volume, and a product light enough to build structure without dragging everything down.
Best gift: Dapper Dan Texture Dust — £11.95
The Texture Dust is completely unrivalled for this hair type. A small amount sprinkled into dry hair and worked through quickly with fingers creates instant grip and volume with zero weight. The bottle is compact, the fragrance is fantastic, and it’s incredibly quick to use in the morning.
Also great: Dapper Dan Sea Salt Spray - £11.95
This pre-styler is great if he already has a firm favourite finishing product that nearly does the job. The Salt Spray will bring extra volume and hold, balancing out the thinner hair, and with it being a universally great partner, there’s no room for disappointment.
The gift set play: The Dapper Dan Texture Pack - £14
Pairing the Dapper Dan Signature Style Styling Powder and the Dapper Dan Texture Comb, this is the bonus option for thinner hair with a pre-built gift set that also includes a premium styling tool.
Thick or Coarse Hair
Thick hair sounds like a blessing, but it comes with its own problems: it's heavy, it fights structure, and it eats through weak products. What he needs is a high-hold product that can actually keep thick hair in place all day without looking stiff or overdone.
Best gift - Dapper Dan Matt Paste - £16.50
The go-to for thick hair. Strong hold, zero shine, and it doesn't set, so the style stays moveable rather than turning into a helmet. Works on damp or dry hair, and it's one of those products that everyone comes back to again and again once they've tried it. A proper, considered gift.
The gift set play: The Style Essentials Gift Set — £30.
This includes the Matt Paste, Sea Salt Spray, and a handmade styling comb. Everything a thick-haired guy needs in one premium box.
Wavy or Naturally Textured Hair
Wavy hair is the sweet spot for men's styling; the texture and movement do half the work for you. The trick is working with it rather than fighting it. Products that are too heavy kill the waves; products that are too light don't provide enough definition.
Best Gift: Dapper Dan Signature Style Styling Cream - £9
Flexible hold, matte finish, and it lets natural waves move freely rather than locking everything in place. A small amount through dry hair is all it takes for effortless-looking style. For the man who wants their natural texture to do the work, this is the perfect product.
Also great: Dapper Dan Sea Salt Spray — £11.95
For wavy-haired guys, this is genuinely transformative. A few sprays on damp hair before drying amplifies the natural texture and movement, adding definition without any stiffness.
Part 2: Gift by Hairstyle.
If he already has a set style, then this is the most accurate way to buy. Match the product you need to the style, and you can’t go wrong.
The Textured Crop
This has been the most popular haircut in the UK for at least 3 years: short sides, chopped textured top, typically sitting between a fringe and a classic French crop. It looks effortless, but it needs the right product to look international rather than just unwashed.
Perfect gift: Dapper Dan Ultra Matte Clay — £14.95
The Textured Crop is best characterised by its matte finish. Shine makes a crop look greasy and will prevent the creation of any texture or separation, and with the Ultra Matte Clay being both super holding and coming with zero shine, it’s the obvious choice. Thanks to the Clay also being smooth, it doesn’t need warming up or any extra steps for styling, keeping the daily routine simple.
Optional pairing: Dapper Dan Sea Salt Spray - £11.95
Providing volume, texture and hold, it brings out the key elements to a crop with a couple of sprays, so if you’re looking to go the extra mile, this is the perfect addition.
The Quiff
The quiff needs volume and hold. It's a style that rewards the right product, and punishes the wrong one. Anything too heavy collapses the volume; anything too light goes flat by lunchtime.
Perfect gift: Dapper Dan Matt Clay — £16.50
Builds and holds the lift that a quiff needs, without setting and making the height look manufactured. The matte finish keeps the whole thing looking natural and worked-in rather than stiff and formal.
The Mullet or Longer Styles
The soft mullet, bro flow, and longer textured styles need a different kind of product, something that adds definition and texture to the length, without any stiffness or weight. You want to allow for movement whilst providing soft structure.
Perfect gift: Dapper Dan Matt Paste — £16.50
Applied lightly through the length and ends of longer hair, it adds the separation and definition that makes a soft mullet or a longer style look deliberate. Use it sparingly; the key with longer styles is restraint. A little paste, a lot of natural movement.
Also great: Dapper Dan Sea Salt Spray — £11.95
For guys with longer styles, the sea salt spray is a genuine must-have. A few sprays into damp hair before air-drying builds the all-important volume to prevent the longer length from falling flat, and without having to compensate with more finishing product. If he's not using it already, this might be the most impactful gift for these styles.
The Side Part or Slick-Back
A clean side part or slick-back is a deliberate, polished choice. It needs a product that holds direction without going stiff and delivers the right finish for the look.
Perfect gift: Dapper Dan Deluxe Pomade — £16.50
Medium hold, medium shine, and water-soluble, it can easily be restyled during the day. The Deluxe Pomade is built for this kind of classic style, giving the hair direction and a tailorable amount of shine, without the old-school grease that makes a slick-back look dated. A proper product for a timeless hairstyle.
FAQs
What if I don't know what hair type he has? Go with the gift sets. Both the Signature Style Gift Set (£22.50) and Style Essentials Gift Set (£30) are built around products that work across most hair types. You're not going to go wrong.
Are Dapper Dan products good for all hair types? Yes, the range covers everything from fine hair needing volume to thick hair needing serious hold. The key is matching the product to the hair. The guide above does that work for you.