There’s a fine line when it comes to how much hair product you use. Too little, and you won’t have enough hold; too much, and you’ve just committed to that hairstyle for the rest of the week. Above, you’ll see the perfect amounts of cream (low hold), gel (high hold) and clay (ultra hold) suggested by DSC’s real-life stylist and all-around hair guru Cleve McMillan (if you’re not sure which product is right for your desired hairstyle, check out Boogie’s Match).
If you have medium-length or long hair, Cleve notes that it’s especially important to warm the product by rubbing it together in your hands before styling. That will help to soften the product, making it easier to distribute evenly amongst your hair—something that’s simple when you have short hair, but surprisingly difficult when you have long hair.
Cleve also suggests applying the designated amounts of product in two or three applications, styling a different section of your hair each time. That way, you’ll distribute the product evenly throughout the hair, and you won’t end up looking like you belong in a Misfits cover band.