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A NEW INTERPRETATION OF CLASSIC PRODUCTS
When I received my test samples of the new Gage for Men product line, I thought to myself, "Woo hoo! Another men's product line. Is it ever going to stop?" The beauty industry has discovered that there is money to be made in men's products and new lines are coming out almost every day. Quite frankly, with so much product coming into the market, I'm not seeing a lot of innovative new products.
It's a lot of the same type of stuff with a new fragrance and a new label.
Such is the case with Gage for Men. There's not a lot of innovation in the line (except for the 3/4 Cream, which I'll discuss shortly), but it is a solid offering from Bennie Pollard, a renowned salon owner and hairdresser. Currently, the line consists of eight products -- a shampoo, a conditioner, and six styling options. Each of the products performed as well or better than expected. I especially liked the contemporary packaging combined with a classic, masculine fragrance which reminds me of being in the barber shop.
SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER
Daily Shampoo - I really love using this product. I found it lathered well and did a fine job of leaving my hair and scalp clean. The fragrance, which I love, is masculine but not overpowering. This product is fine for daily use on most any hair type.
Daily Conditioner - This conditioner is designed for daily use. It contains peppermint oil which gives it a minty kick for a little boost in the morning.
The fragrance has a pleasant, peppermint top note and the product left my hair feeling smooth, clean and shiny.
PLIABLE STYLING PRODUCTS
Gage for Men offers a well-rounded selection of styling products which can be used to achieve any style. I like the fact that the line is fairly well focused (unlike American Crew, which offers over a dozen different styling options). Men, on average, leave the salon with less than three inches of hair on their heads, so there's really no need for a line to have more than a few options. I hope Gage for Men maintains its focus -- this makes the decision making process much easier for guys and their stylists alike.
Pomade Dressing - As I write this, I'm wearing Gage for Men Pomade Dressing. This is one of my favorite styling products. It's not really anything new, but it's a great product and smells fab. I'm using just a tiny amount to give my hair a little control and a natural shine. This product would be excellent for curly hair to maintain curl separation and shine.
Pomade Grip - This is Pomade Dressing's big brother. It offers a stronger hold and great shine. For men with thicker hair that need a bit more hold, this is the ticket
Shaping Cream - With its medium hold and semi-gloss finish, this is a good option for men who want good hold with natural shine.
Shaping Paste - This product adds structure, support, and texture with a medium hold and a matte finish. I use this to create more aggressive texture in the hair -- for me, this is what I grab when I'm styling for a more casual setting. Used sparingly in fine hair, you can create good texture without too much scalp-revealing separation. Good stuff.
FIXATIVE PRODUCTS
Shaping Gel - While I'm not really a big fan of traditional gel (I think hair should be touchable and moveable -- gel doesn't allow for this), I found the product performed well for what it is. If your aim is to create a style with strong hold and high shine that won't move when dry, this is a good option for you. For a dry look, you can allow the product to dry and comb through it. The style will retain its "memory" and shape. Unlike cheap supermarket brands, I could not get this gel to flake.
3/4 Cream - This is really a unique new product, combining properties of traditional gel with a styling cream. 3/4 Cream offers a strong, fixed hold and medium shine. The product is used to add texture and strong hold. To me it feels like it gets a bit more sticky as you work it into the hair which allows you to create some really great textured style.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Overall, while not particularly unique, I found this line performed well and I really love the look and smell of the products. The tightly focused line will allow guys to achieve most any style, from classic to highly textured, while keeping the choices simple. The masculine packaging looks great, too. Some of the products are, perhaps, a bit pricey for some but I think the price point is fair considering the quality. I can highly recommend Gage for Men and have enjoyed using it during my evaluation of the product.
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