Barber-Recommended Grooming Products, Beard Oils & Men’s Haircare Guide

When people leave the barber feeling fresh, confident and properly styled, one of the most common things they ask is:

“How do I make it look like this at home?”

The truth is, a good haircut is only part of the process. The products you use, how you apply them, how often you wash your hair, and even how you dry it all play a big part in how your hair and beard look day to day.

At Werkroom Barbershop in Southsea, Portsmouth, we speak to clients every day about styling, beard care, hair texture, maintenance and grooming routines. Some clients want a low-maintenance routine that takes two minutes in the morning. Others want volume, texture and a more styled finish. Everyone’s hair is different, which is why there’s never a one-product-fits-all answer.

Alongside barbering services, many clients visit Werkroom specifically looking for professional hair styling products, beard oils and grooming products recommended by experienced barbers. As well as using these products in the shop daily, we also stock our own Werkroom grooming range for clients looking to improve their styling and beard care routine at home.

This guide breaks down the grooming products we genuinely use and recommend in the shop, explains what they actually do, and helps you understand what works best for different hair types, styles and routines.

Whether you’re trying to improve your beard care routine, find the right styling product, or simply understand why your haircut never looks the same at home, this guide will help.

Why Grooming Products Actually Matter

A lot of men still think grooming products are optional or overly complicated, but the reality is that the right product can completely change how your hair behaves and how long your haircut looks fresh.

Even the cleanest skin fade or best textured cut can lose shape quickly if the hair isn’t styled properly or looked after between appointments.

Good grooming products help with:

• Texture and volume

• Hold and shape

• Frizz control

• Moisture and hair health

• Beard softness

• Scalp comfort

• Longer-lasting styling

• Healthier looking hair overall

One of the biggest mistakes people make is buying random products without understanding what they’re designed for. Heavy shine pomades, for example, are completely different from matte clays or fibre creams. Beard oil isn’t just for the beard itself — it’s mainly for the skin underneath. Sea salt spray isn’t hairspray. Curl cream isn’t only for long hair.

Understanding the purpose behind each product makes grooming much easier and gives you far better results at home.

Choosing The Right Hair Styling Product

Not every product suits every hairstyle. The best product for a textured crop is usually very different from what works for curls or medium-length styles.

At Werkroom, we always recommend products based on:

• Hair type

• Hair density

• Desired finish

• Lifestyle

• Daily routine

• Styling experience

Here’s a breakdown of some of the most commonly used grooming products in modern barbering.

Matte Clay – Natural Texture & Strong Hold

Matte clay has become one of the most popular men’s styling products for a reason.

It gives texture, control and hold without making the hair look greasy or overly shiny. It’s ideal for modern barbering styles because it creates a more natural finish while still keeping shape throughout the day.

Matte clay works particularly well for:

• Textured crops

• Messy styles

• Skin fades

• Short to medium-length hair

• Thick hair

• Modern matte finishes

One of the most common mistakes with clay is using too much. Most people overload their hair and end up with stiffness or product build-up. Usually, a small amount warmed properly in the hands is enough.

Application matters too. Matte clay generally works best on dry or mostly dry hair because it enhances texture rather than flattening it.

Our Werkroom Matte Clay was designed for everyday styling without making the hair feel heavy or sticky. It gives a strong but workable hold with a natural finish that suits a wide range of styles.

Fibre Creme – Flexible Hold Without Stiffness

Fibre creme is ideal for clients who want movement and flexibility rather than a super dry textured finish.

Compared to matte clay, fibre creme tends to feel softer in the hair while still offering control and definition.

It’s a great option for:

• Medium-length styles

• Softer natural finishes

• Cleaner professional looks

• Hair that needs movement

• Everyday styling

A lot of clients don’t want their hair to feel overloaded with product, especially if they’re touching or adjusting it throughout the day. Fibre creme gives a more relaxed finish while still helping the hair hold shape.

This type of product is especially useful for clients who want their hairstyle to look effortless rather than heavily styled.

Sea Salt Spray – One Of The Most Underrated Grooming Products

Sea salt spray has become a staple in modern barbering because it helps create texture, movement and volume naturally.

Many people think sea salt spray is only for longer hair, but it actually works well across a wide range of styles.

It’s commonly used for:

• Texture

• Volume

• Messy styles

• Natural movement

• Thicker-looking hair

• Styling preparation before clay or creme

One of the best ways to use sea salt spray is as a pre-styler. Applying it before blow-drying helps build volume and gives the hair more structure before your main styling product goes in.

It also helps create that slightly lived-in, natural texture that a lot of clients want nowadays.

Our Werkroom Sea Salt Spray was designed to help create texture without making the hair feel dry or crunchy, which is a common issue with lower-quality sprays.

Curl Activator Cream – Defining Curls Properly

Curly hair needs a completely different approach from straight hair.

One of the biggest mistakes people make with curls is treating them like straight hair and over-drying them with matte products that remove definition.

Good curl products should help:

• Define curl patterns

• Reduce frizz

• Retain moisture

• Add softness

• Improve natural movement

Curl activator cream works by enhancing the hair’s natural shape rather than fighting against it.

For clients with curls or textured hair, hydration becomes extremely important. Dry curls lose definition quickly and become difficult to manage. Using the right cream helps curls look healthier and more controlled while still feeling natural.

Our Werkroom Curl Activator Cream was created for clients who want definition without stiffness or heavy greasy residue.

Beard Care Is More Than Just Beard Oil

Beard care has become a huge part of modern men’s grooming, but there’s still a lot of confusion around how beard products actually work.

Many people assume beard oil is simply there to make the beard shiny. In reality, beard oil mainly helps the skin underneath the beard.

Without proper moisture, the skin beneath facial hair can become:

• Dry

• Itchy

• Irritated

• Flaky

That dryness often leads to rough-feeling beard hair too.

Good beard oil helps soften the beard while also hydrating the skin underneath, making the beard more comfortable and easier to manage overall.

At Werkroom, we designed our beard oils to absorb properly without leaving the beard feeling excessively greasy or heavy. The goal is softer, healthier-looking facial hair with a more natural finish.

Common Grooming Mistakes Men Make

One of the reasons people struggle with styling at home is because they’re unknowingly making simple mistakes that affect the results.

Here are some of the most common issues we see in the shop.

Using Too Much Product

More product doesn’t equal better hold. In most cases, it just weighs the hair down and makes styling harder.

Applying Product To Soaking Wet Hair

Most styling products perform better on towel-dried or dry hair. Wet hair dilutes the product and reduces texture.

Ignoring Hair Type

A product that works perfectly for thick textured hair may be completely wrong for fine or curly hair.

Over washing Hair

Washing hair too frequently can strip natural oils and leave the scalp feeling dry or irritated.

Not Using A Pre-Styler

Products like sea salt spray help create structure before the main styling product goes in.

Expecting Barber Results Without Styling

Even the best haircut still needs some level of styling at home to maintain its shape and finish.

Grooming Routines Don’t Need To Be Complicated

One thing we always tell clients is that a good grooming routine doesn’t need ten products or an hour in front of the mirror.

For most men, a simple routine built around the right products works best.

For example:

• Sea salt spray for volume

• Matte clay or fibre creme for finish

• Beard oil for beard care

• Proper washing routine

• Consistent trims

That alone can completely improve how your hair and beard look day to day.

The goal isn’t perfection — it’s consistency.

Hair Health & Hair Loss Conversations Are Becoming More Common

Over the last few years, more clients have started openly talking about thinning hair, scalp health and hair loss management.

It’s something many men experience at different stages of life, and it’s becoming a much bigger part of modern grooming conversations.

At Werkroom, we’ve been working on products focused around hair care and hair loss management because we understand how important confidence and hair health are to many clients.

Healthy hair starts with:

• Scalp care

• Product quality

• Consistent routines

• Understanding your hair type

• Avoiding harsh ingredients and over-styling

There’s no miracle product that instantly changes hair overnight, but building healthier grooming habits and using the right products can absolutely improve the overall condition and appearance of the hair.

Haircuts & Styling For Receding Hairlines And Thinning Hair

One of the most common grooming concerns men speak to us about is thinning hair or a receding hairline. The good news is that the right haircut, styling approach and products can make a huge difference to how the hair looks and feels.

At Werkroom, we always approach thinning hair realistically and work with the client’s natural hair pattern, density and lifestyle rather than trying to force styles that are difficult to maintain.

For clients with thinning hair or receding hairlines, certain styles often work better than others, including:

• Textured crops

• Short messy styles

• Cropped fringes

• Short scissor cuts

• Skin fades combined with texture

• Natural matte finishes

In many cases, heavily slicked-back styles or overly shiny products can make thinning areas more noticeable, which is why matte products and natural texture are usually preferred.

Products like sea salt spray and matte clay can also help create the appearance of fuller, thicker hair by adding volume and texture without weighing the hair down.

The most important thing is choosing a hairstyle that suits your hair naturally rather than fighting against it. A good barber should help you find a style that feels confident, manageable and realistic for your hair type.

At Werkroom Barbershop in Southsea, Portsmouth, we regularly work with clients experiencing thinning hair and can recommend both suitable hairstyles and grooming products based on individual hair density and styling goals.

Professional Advice Makes A Difference

One of the biggest benefits of buying products directly from a barber shop rather than randomly online is getting recommendations tailored to your hair specifically.

A barber sees:

• Your hair texture

• Growth patterns

• Thickness

• Styling habits

• Beard density

• Lifestyle needs

That makes product recommendations far more personalised than generic online advice.

At Werkroom, we always try to recommend products based on what realistically suits the client rather than pushing unnecessary routines or complicated styling systems.

Sometimes the best setup is simply:

• One good styling product

• One beard product

• One reliable routine

Simple usually works best.

Available In Store & Online Pre-Orders

All of the grooming products mentioned throughout this guide are part of the Werkroom product range and are available directly through the shop.

Clients can purchase our beard oils, sea salt spray, matte clay, fibre creme and curl activator cream in store at Werkroom Barbershop in Southsea, Portsmouth, where we can also recommend products based on your hair type, hairstyle and daily routine.

We also offer online pre-orders for clients who want to reserve products ahead of their appointment or collect them at a later date. As our product range continues to grow, including upcoming hair care and hair loss management products, we’re focused on creating grooming products designed around real client needs and everyday use in the barbershop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Werkroom Barbershop sell beard oils?

Yes. We stock our own Werkroom beard oils in store, designed for beard softness, hydration and everyday beard care.

Can I buy hair styling products from your barber shop?

Yes. Clients can purchase a range of Werkroom grooming and styling products directly from our shop in Southsea, Portsmouth.

Do you sell products for textured or curly hair?

Yes. Our product range includes matte clay, fibre creme, sea salt spray and curl activator cream for different hair types and styling needs.

Do you offer advice for thinning hair or receding hairlines?

Yes. We regularly work with clients experiencing thinning hair or receding hairlines and can recommend suitable haircuts, styling techniques and grooming products based on individual hair types and density.

Can I pre-order products online?

Yes. Clients can pre-order products online and collect them from the shop at a later date.

Final Thoughts

Modern grooming isn’t about looking overly styled or spending hours on your appearance. It’s about understanding what works for your hair, your beard and your lifestyle.

The right grooming products should make your routine easier, not more complicated.

Whether it’s improving texture, managing curls, softening a beard or simply helping your haircut hold shape better throughout the week, the products you use make a real difference.

At Werkroom Barbershop in Southsea, Portsmouth, we work with clients every day to help them find grooming routines and products that genuinely suit them — not just what’s trending online.

If you’re unsure what products are right for your hair or beard, ask during your appointment. We’re always happy to recommend products based on your style, hair type and how much maintenance you actually want in your daily routine.