This review dives deep into Old Spice's budget-friendly hair styling trio: Forge Putty, Unruly Paste, and Swagger Fiber Wax. All three products come in identical, albeit cheaply made, 75g jars priced at $6.99 each. We'll examine their performance, hold, finish, and overall value, comparing their effectiveness and longevity against the price point. Key areas of focus include the application process, hold strength throughout the day, and the final look and feel each product delivers. We'll also discuss the noticeable scent, shared across all three, and whether it enhances or detracts from the user experience.This in-depth analysis will cover the pros and cons of each styling product, highlighting their unique characteristics and comparing them against each other. Ultimately, we’ll determine whether these Old Spice stylers offer a worthwhile budget option for achieving various hair looks, and whether they stand up against competitors in the same price range. The review also includes a comparison to a favored alternative, the Goodfellow brand from Target, offering a comprehensive assessment for budget-conscious consumers seeking effective hair styling solutions.
Pros And Cons
- Slick application
- Dries quickly
- Lightweight feel in hair
- Natural shine finish (close to matte)
- Soft feel after washing out
- Doesn't feel like a high hold initially
- Hair feels dry after washing
- Light smell
- Contains actual fibers
- Smooth application
- Low shine finish (transitions to natural)
- Medium hold
- Packaging is cheap
- Slight waxiness and dryness after several hours
- Smell is similar to Old Spice deodorant
- Smooth application
- Soft feel in hair
- Natural finish
- Good texture
- Smell is similar to Old Spice deodorant
- Medium hold (lighter than expected)
- Gelatinous texture
Read more: Top 10 Hair Waxes for Men: Find Your Perfect Style
Packaging and First Impressions
All three Old Spice stylers – Forge Putty, Unruly Paste, and Swagger Fiber Wax – come in identical 75g (2.64 oz) red plastic jars with stick-on labels. The packaging is consistent with the Old Spice brand, but the plastic feels surprisingly cheap. I noticed a chip in one jar upon opening, highlighting a potential quality control issue.
The price point of $6.99 each is competitive for this type of product, however, the perceived low quality of the packaging might leave consumers with a less positive first impression before even using the product itself.
Ingredients and Scent
The ingredient lists are extensive and can be found in the description box below. Key takeaways include all three being water-based, containing various waxes, and the Forge Putty and Unruly Paste both containing parabens. Those concerned about parabens should note their presence in two of the three products.
The scent is a consistent theme across all three. They smell remarkably similar to their respective Old Spice deodorants. While not unpleasant, some might find the scent somewhat basic or too reminiscent of typical men's cologne, potentially lacking a unique or sophisticated fragrance profile.
Swagger Fiber Wax: Demo and Review
The Swagger Fiber Wax is advertised as offering a flexible hold. Application was surprisingly smooth, despite its initial waxy texture. It contains visible fibers, adding textural interest and some grip.
The hold was initially light to medium, with a low shine that faded to a more natural finish throughout the day. The hold lasted well into the evening, holding up better than initially expected. However, some waxiness and a slight crustiness were observed after several hours of wear.
Forge Putty: Demo and Review
The Forge Putty is a high-hold, matte-finish styler aimed at creating a disheveled look. Application was very slick and smooth, unlike many high-hold products. It dried quickly but didn’t initially provide significant hold.
The hold improved with a second application, offering a medium to medium-firm hold by the end of the day. While providing a good matte finish, it did show some volume deflation and felt slightly softer in comparison to the fiber wax.
Unruly Paste: Demo and Review
The Unruly Paste is a medium-hold, textured-finish styler. Its gelatinous texture was unique among the three, with a smooth and non-sticky application. Initial hold was minimal, requiring more product and time to set.
The final look was soft and textured, maintaining a natural finish with minimal shine. Hold was decent, though not exceptionally strong, with volume deflation after several hours. It remained the softest and most comfortable option throughout the day.
Overall Conclusion and Recommendations
All three Old Spice stylers offered smooth application and relatively easy washout. However, each had its pros and cons. The Swagger Fiber Wax provided a surprisingly durable hold but exhibited waxiness and crustiness. The Forge Putty was slick and provided a good matte finish but led to dry hair after washing.
The Unruly Paste, while the softest and most comfortable, had the weakest hold. Scent was a consistent drawback, being too similar to the brand's deodorants and lacking uniqueness. Overall, the Goodfellow brand from Target was favored as a superior budget alternative.