When we talk about products for hair styling it is usually about pomade or clay. Matte or shine. Texture or sleek. Especially hairstyles with texture, volume and a natural look are becoming increasingly popular. Most men immediately end up with a clay. A paste is quickly overlooked.
The matte paste is still often the poor relation. We think that's a shame! Because it is a very versatile product that often gives better results than a clay.
Especially these days men have longer hair. Logical, the barbers were closed and slightly longer hairstyles are very popular anyway. A paste is just so much more suitable then. More suitable than a slightly heavier clay. Just to be clear, a paste contains many similarities with a clay. Actually it is a kind of clay, but finer in structure and lighter in your hair. A clay is a bit drier. So basically it contains many of the same ingredients as a clay.
The advantages are that it is easier to distribute in your hair and your hair becomes less stiff. This makes it easy for men with thick hair. On the other hand, it is just light enough for men with thin hair. In fact, thin hair quickly becomes too heavy and then sags. In this day and age, men often have longer hair, which is when a paste comes into its own. Easier to distribute and less heavy in your hair. Your hair stays nice and light so it stays in shape longer.
We want to introduce you to the two best products in this field. The Shear Revival Northern Lights Matte Paste and the Arcadian Matte Paste. Now the paste from Shear Revival is very well known and popular. Arcadian 's Matte Paste is somewhat less so. A real underdog in this battle. Unjustified as far as we are concerned. They are very similar. Just when you put both jars side by side. They have the same shape but a different label.
About both brands
Both brands make only handmade and natural products. Shear Revival started producing its own products in 2013. Founders Zachary, Jessica and Ashley were looking for a product that consisted of natural ingredients and also contributed to hair and scalp health. That simply wasn't out there. Over the past few years, they have been working hard on such products and Northern Lights Matte paste is the ultimate result of this.
Arcadian Grooming started around the same time with the same idea. Early on, founder Eric Dale began making products from natural raw materials that he used mostly for himself. He never found what he was looking for in other products. The Matte Paste is his ultimate product.
Both brands strive for the best quality in ingredients and hair styling. The stories almost match. Therefore, a battle between the incredibly popular Shear Revival and the still in the Netherlands less known Arcadian Grooming.
Ingredients
If you look at the ingredients, again you see how very similar these products are. Both have put only the best for your hair in a jar. All natural and responsible. The list of the Arcadian Matte Paste is a little longer. It contains just a little more hair care ingredients. Shear Revival's Northern Lights, on the other hand, contains just a little less substances for durability. The Arcadian Matte Paste contains Bentonite in addition to Kaolin. This is a natural type of clay that provides a lot of hold, volume and texture. Shear Revival's Matte Paste only has Kaolin. This makes the biggest difference. Qualitatively, both products go neck and neck in terms of ingredients. Both products one point.
Current score = 1 - 1
Fragrance
Then we come back to fragrance. Something you may think about completely differently. The Shear Revival Northern Lights smells like citrus and sage but very subtle and fresh. It has a very natural scent. The Arcadian Matte Paste is somewhat similar. Also that citrus-like but just a little spicier, with a woody undertone. A little more masculine. Therefore, one point for the Arcadian Matte Paste.
Current score = 2 - 1 for Arcadian.
Texture and application in the hair.
Here the differences are slightly more pronounced. When you run your finger through the jar of Shear Revival, you glide through the substance effortlessly. It is wonderfully soft and consistent. Application in the hair is very easy because of this. You feel it pull a little bit, but that's something common with products with clay.
Arcadian's Matte Paste is a little firmer. Getting it out of the jar still takes little effort, but you have to press just a little harder. The substance is very nice and consistent, though. The application in the hair is just a little more difficult. You notice that the Matte paste has slightly more clay ingredients. Other than that, application is also pretty easy. Use small bits is our advice. This point goes to Shear Revival.
Current score = 2 - 2 even.
Styling
Both products really do this very well. The Northern Lights Matte paste does exactly what you want it to do. The Arcadian Matte Paste does this just a little better. Just a little more control and especially more volume. This is due to the added bentonite, which Shear Revival's Northern Lights does not have. This point goes to Arcadian.
Current score = 3 - 2 for Arcadian.
Hold
The biggest difference between the two. The Arcadian Matte Paste easily beats the Shear Revival Northern Lights here. Even after a full working day, your hair is still perfectly in shape, with lots of volume. This paste also makes it easy to re-shape your hair. The Northern Lights of Shear Revival does not do a bad job either, but it does sink in a little faster. The hold is just a little less. One point for Arcadian.
Current score = 4 - 2 for Arcadian.
Shine
Both products are supposed to be a matte paste. They are. They don't seem as dry as a normal clay, but they certainly give a nice matte finish. Therefore, the difference is very small. Therefore, one point for both products.
Current score = 5 - 3 for Arcadian.
Washing out
Also not unimportant is the washing out of the products. Something where many products fail. Again, both products do this fantastically. Effortlessly get it out of your hair. Another advantage are the great ingredients that both products contain. They make your hair nice and soft. You notice this after washing it out. This is clearly a draw. One point for both.
Current score = 6 - 4 for Arcadian.
Price
Both products cost the same in our webshop. For € 19,95 you get 115 grams of Matte Paste from Arcadian and 96 grams of Northern Lights from Shear Revival. You're hardly going to notice that difference. That's also why we think both products get one point for this.
Current score = 7 - 5 for Arcadian.
And the winner is...
With two points difference, Arcadian Matte Paste is the winner. The deciding factor for us is surely that good hold and the amount of volume and texture. Is the Northern Lights Matte Paste from Shear Revival so popular for a reason? Certainly not! It remains a top product.
Still, Arcadian's Matte Paste really pleasantly surprised us. A product we will be using for a long time to come.
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