The right styling product starts with the result you want. For matte texture and volume, consider a styling powder. For a shiny, defined look, compare pomade, cream or gel. For a specific task such as defining curls, controlling flyaways or securing hair fibers, choose a product made for that job.
This guide compares L3VEL3 products by hold, finish and styling use, so you can build a routine that suits your hair and the way you like to style it.
A quick way to choose
Start with your styling goal, then choose the hold and finish you prefer. In the L3VEL3 range, level 1 is light hold, level 2 is medium and level 3 is strong.
| Styling goal | Products to compare | How to choose |
|---|---|---|
| A shiny finish | Brilliant Cream: level 1; Forming Cream and Cream Gel: level 2; Pomade: level 3 | Choose Brilliant Cream for light hold with shine, Forming Cream for medium hold with medium shine, Cream Gel for medium hold with shine, or Pomade for strong hold with maximum shine. |
| A matte finish | Paste and Matte Putty: level 2; Sculpting Clay: level 3 | Choose Paste or Matte Putty for medium hold. Choose Sculpting Clay for strong hold and a matte finish. |
| Matte texture and volume | Light Hold Styling Powder: level 1; Strong Hold Styling Powder: level 3 | Choose Light Hold for gentler control or Strong Hold when your style needs more support. |
| Volume from a spray | Texturizing Salt Spray: level 1 | Choose it when you want volume with light hold in a spray. |
| Fiber-textured wax | Spider Wax: level 3 | Choose it for a fiber-textured formula with strong hold and medium shine. |
| Curl definition | Hydrating Curl Cream: level 1 | Choose it to define and moisturize curls with light hold. |
| Flexible control | Texturizing Hair Mousse: level 2 | Choose it when you want medium hold with a flexible feel. |
| Control for flyaways | Wax Stick: level 3 | Choose it for targeted control of loose hairs. |
| Keep hair fibers in place | Spritz: level 1 | Choose it for light hold to help secure hair fibers. |
| Braiding | Hair Braiding Jam: level 3 | Choose it for strong hold while braiding. |
| Finish and hold a style | Hair Spray and Freeze Hair Spray: level 3 | Both offer the same strong hold level for finishing. |
You may only need one product. Add a second when it has a clear role, such as controlling flyaways or adding finishing hold.
Clay versus pomade
For L3VEL3 Sculpting Clay and Pomade, finish is the clearest way to choose. Both have strong, level 3 hold. Sculpting Clay has a matte finish, while Pomade offers maximum shine.
Choose Sculpting Clay when you want strong control with a matte look. Choose Pomade when you want shine to be part of the finished style. If you are planning a combed part or a swept-back look, decide how shiny you want the result before choosing between them.
When comparing other clays or pomades, look at the individual product's hold and finish. Each formula gives you its own combination.
Pomade versus wax
L3VEL3 Spider Wax and Pomade both offer strong, level 3 hold. Spider Wax combines a fiber-textured formula with medium shine. Pomade gives maximum shine.
Choose Spider Wax when you want to work with a fiber-textured wax and prefer a moderate amount of shine. Choose Pomade when a shinier finish is your priority. The hold level is the same, so focus on the texture you want to work with and the look you want to create.
For flyaways, consider Wax Stick. It also has level 3 hold, with a more targeted role in your routine: controlling loose hairs.
Pomade versus forming cream or grooming cream
Creams give you several choices for control and finish. L3VEL3 Forming Cream offers medium, level 2 hold with medium shine. Choose it when you want definition with a moderate amount of shine. Pomade steps up to strong, level 3 hold and maximum shine.
If you want lighter control with shine, compare Brilliant Cream, which has level 1 hold. Cream Gel is another option for medium, level 2 hold with shine.
When a product is called a grooming cream, check what it is designed to do. The useful comparison is its styling purpose, hold and finish. For curls, Hydrating Curl Cream has light, level 1 hold and helps define your natural curl pattern and moisturize your curls.
Paste versus cream
If you are choosing between L3VEL3 Paste and Forming Cream, start with shine. Both have medium, level 2 hold. Paste is matte, with no shine, while Forming Cream has medium shine.
Choose Paste for medium control and a matte look. Choose Forming Cream for the same hold level with a shinier finish. Cream Gel also offers level 2 hold with shine.
For a lighter-hold option, Brilliant Cream gives level 1 hold with shine. This makes it worth comparing when you want gentler control rather than the level 2 hold of Paste or Forming Cream.
Paste versus matte putty
L3VEL3 Paste and Matte Putty both offer medium, level 2 hold and a matte finish. The difference is their base: Paste is oil-based, while Matte Putty is water-based.
Choose Matte Putty if you prefer a water-based product, or Paste if you prefer an oil-based one. With hold and finish matched, compare how each feels during application and in your finished style. Begin with a small amount and follow the directions for the product you choose.
Wax versus gel
L3VEL3 Spider Wax, Strong Hair Styling Gel and Slime Gel all have strong, level 3 hold. Choose between them by texture and the way you like to shape your hair.
Spider Wax has a fiber-textured formula and medium shine. Strong Hair Styling Gel adds shine and definition, while Slime Gel adds shine and texture. Both gels can be worked through the hair as you shape the style; distribute them evenly so the areas that need control receive product.
For a pompadour, defined part or spiked look, first decide on the shape, then compare the finish and application of these options. If you want to reshape your hair later, check the individual formula's directions for restyling.
Styling powder versus pomade
For L3VEL3 powders and Pomade, start with the finish. Both styling powders add matte texture and volume. Pomade offers maximum shine with strong, level 3 hold.
Choose Light Hold Styling Powder for matte texture with light, level 1 control. Choose Strong Hold Styling Powder for matte texture with strong, level 3 control. If you want level 3 hold with a shiny finish, choose Pomade.
How you apply powder may also shape your preference. Both L3VEL3 styling powders can be used on dry or damp hair. For dry hair, work in small sections, apply directly at the roots and use your fingers to enhance texture and volume. For more volume and stronger hold, start with hair that is almost dry, with just a little moisture remaining, apply at the roots, then use a diffuser to dry and set. Our styling powder guide explains both methods and the refillable Powder Spray Bottle.
What can you use instead of texture powder?
Decide whether you want to keep a matte finish, add volume or switch to a shinier look:
- A matte finish: Compare Paste or Matte Putty for medium, level 2 hold. Choose Sculpting Clay for strong, level 3 hold with a matte finish.
- Volume in a spray: Consider Texturizing Salt Spray, which has light, level 1 hold.
- A shinier look: Compare Forming Cream for level 2 hold with medium shine, Cream Gel for level 2 hold with shine, or Pomade for level 3 hold with maximum shine.
Each alternative changes the texture you work with and may change your application routine. Start with one product that meets your main goal, then adjust the amount before adding anything else.
Match the product to your routine
Think about when you need the product: while defining curls, while shaping a style, or when adding the final hold or detail.
- Define curls: Apply Hydrating Curl Cream to damp hair, distribute it evenly through your curls, then air dry or diffuse.
- Shape the style: Choose your main powder, paste, putty, cream, wax, clay, pomade or gel according to the hold and finish you want. Follow that product's directions for dry or damp application.
- Add a finishing touch: Use Wax Stick for flyaways, Spritz to help secure hair fibers, or Hair Spray or Freeze Hair Spray when you want strong finishing hold.
Keep the routine as simple as your style allows. If the hair feels heavy, reduce the amount before layering another product. Different sizes of the same L3VEL3 product have the same hold, so choose the size that fits how often and where you use it.
Hair Spray, Freeze and Spritz: which should you choose?
Hair Spray and Freeze Hair Spray both offer strong, level 3 hold. Either belongs on your shortlist when you want a strong finishing spray. Follow the application directions for the one you choose.
Spritz offers light, level 1 hold to help keep hair fibers in place. Choose it for that purpose when using hair fibers in your routine.
For other styling details, Wax Stick offers level 3 hold for flyaways, while Hair Braiding Jam offers level 3 hold for braiding. Match the product to the part of your style that needs attention.
Frequently asked questions
Is clay better than pomade?
Choose by finish. L3VEL3 Sculpting Clay and Pomade both have level 3 hold. Sculpting Clay has a matte finish; Pomade has maximum shine.
Is every wax matte?
No. L3VEL3 Spider Wax has a fiber-textured formula, medium shine and strong, level 3 hold.
Is forming cream the same as grooming cream?
Grooming cream is a broad name, so check the product's purpose, hold and finish. L3VEL3 Forming Cream offers medium, level 2 hold with medium shine.
Does stronger hold always mean more shine?
No. Strong Hold Styling Powder and Pomade both have level 3 hold. The powder is matte, while Pomade has maximum shine.
Can I combine powder with another styling product?
Start with the powder on its own and assess the result. If another product would address a specific need, such as finishing hold or flyaway control, follow both products' directions and add it sparingly.
For a closer look at choosing light, medium or strong control, read our guide to hair hold levels.
