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Long hair on men takes patience. It goes through an awkward stage, it tangles, it frizzes, and the ends get dry. The right handful of products makes the whole process easier and keeps long hair looking healthy instead of messy.
This guide covers 11 top-rated long hair essentials: hair ties, two leave-in conditioners, two hair oils, a styling cream, a detangling brush, a heat protectant, a microfiber towel, a satin pillowcase and sports headbands. It also covers how to grow your hair out, a simple routine, and the habits that cause breakage.
How we chose: we have not tested these products hands-on. The picks are based on each product’s description on its Amazon listing, how useful it is for growing and caring for long hair, and buyer ratings (all 4.4 stars or higher, checked on October 17, 2026). Ratings and availability change, so check the listing before you buy.
Quick picks:
- Best hair ties for men: HAVHAF Braided Men’s Hair Ties
- Best leave-in conditioner: Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Hair and Body Moisturizer
- Best hair oil for men: Alex Costa Hydrating Argan Oil (Forte Series)
- Best detangling brush: Wet Brush Men’s Detangler
- Best for less frizz overnight: Bedsure Satin Pillowcases (Set of 2)
- Best for the gym: Pilamor Sports Headbands for Men (5-Pack)
How to grow your hair out
Hair grows roughly half an inch a month, so shoulder-length hair takes a year or more from a short cut. The hardest part is the first few months, when it is too long to sit flat and too short to tie back.
- Keep the sides tidy while the top catches up. Ask your barber to shape, not shorten.
- Trim the ends every 8 to 12 weeks. It removes split ends and keeps the shape even.
- Moisturize more. The ends of long hair are months old and dry out easily.
- Be gentle. Most damage to long hair comes from rough towel-drying, tight ties and brushing wet hair hard.
For style ideas, see our medium and long haircuts for men.
Comparison table
| Product | Type | Best for | Amazon rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| HAVHAF Braided Men’s Hair Ties | Hair ties (braided) | Hair ties for men | 4.5 (971) |
| Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Hair and Body Moisturizer | Leave-in conditioner | Leave-in conditioner | 4.7 (24,855) |
| Marc Anthony Grow Long Leave-In Conditioner | Leave-in conditioner (spray) | Detangling spray | 4.4 (88,963) |
| Alex Costa Hydrating Argan Oil (Forte Series) | Hair serum (argan oil) | Hair oil for men | 4.5 (1,131) |
| Cliganic Organic Argan Oil | Pure argan oil | Pure oil | 4.6 (36,707) |
| Harry’s Taming Hair Cream | Styling cream | Styling cream for long hair | 4.6 (1,133) |
| Wet Brush Men’s Detangler | Detangling brush | Detangling brush | 4.6 (7,301) |
| CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray | Heat protectant spray | Heat protection | 4.5 (72,391) |
| M-bestl Microfiber Hair Towel (2-Pack) | Microfiber towel wrap | For drying long hair | 4.6 (22,615) |
| Bedsure Satin Pillowcases (Set of 2) | Satin pillowcases | For less frizz overnight | 4.5 (322,756) |
| Pilamor Sports Headbands for Men (5-Pack) | Sports headbands | For the gym | 4.5 (9,177) |
Best hair ties
1. HAVHAF Braided Men’s Hair Ties
Best for: Best hair ties for men. Amazon rating: 4.5 out of 5 (971 ratings) as of October 17, 2026.
What stands out:
- Hair ties designed for men, in plain, simple colours.
- About 1/4 inch wide and stretching over 9 inches, made for thick and dense hair, according to the listing.
- Suitable for buns and ponytails.
Keep in mind:
- Fewer ratings than most products here.
- Do not tie hair tightly in the same spot every day; it can cause breakage.
Best leave-in conditioners, oils and creams
2. Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Hair and Body Moisturizer
Best for: Best leave-in conditioner. Amazon rating: 4.7 out of 5 (24,855 ratings) as of October 17, 2026.
What stands out:
- A multi-use moisturizer that works as a leave-in conditioner, body lotion or aftershave cream, according to the listing.
- Contains tea tree oil, peppermint and lavender for a fresh, cooling feel.
- A good all-rounder for men who want one product.
Keep in mind:
- The minty scent is strong for some people.
3. Marc Anthony Grow Long Leave-In Conditioner
Best for: Best detangling spray. Amazon rating: 4.4 out of 5 (88,963 ratings) as of October 17, 2026.
What stands out:
- A detangling leave-in spray for long hair.
- Contains biotin, caffeine and ginseng, according to the listing.
- Very popular, with tens of thousands of ratings.
Keep in mind:
- Despite the name, a leave-in conditioner does not make hair grow faster; it helps prevent breakage so you keep the length you grow.
4. Alex Costa Hydrating Argan Oil (Forte Series)
Best for: Best hair oil for men. Amazon rating: 4.5 out of 5 (1,131 ratings) as of October 17, 2026.
What stands out:
- A lightweight argan oil serum made for men’s daily use, according to the listing.
- Softens dry, unruly hair and makes it easier to style.
- Works as a pre-styler or a finishing serum.
Keep in mind:
- Use a few drops; too much looks greasy.
5. Cliganic Organic Argan Oil
Best for: Best pure oil. Amazon rating: 4.6 out of 5 (36,707 ratings) as of October 17, 2026.
What stands out:
- 100% pure, cold-pressed argan oil, USDA organic certified according to the listing.
- A single ingredient, with no added fragrance.
- Also works on beards and dry skin.
Keep in mind:
- Pure oil is heavier than a serum; apply to the ends only.
6. Harry’s Taming Hair Cream
Best for: Best styling cream for long hair. Amazon rating: 4.6 out of 5 (1,133 ratings) as of October 17, 2026.
What stands out:
- A soft, conditioning hold that is never stiff or sticky, according to the listing.
- Made for thick, coarse or curly hair.
- A natural finish for loose, long styles.
Keep in mind:
- Not enough hold for slicked-back styles.
Best tools for long hair
7. Wet Brush Men’s Detangler
Best for: Best detangling brush. Amazon rating: 4.6 out of 5 (7,301 ratings) as of October 17, 2026.
What stands out:
- A men’s detangling brush with ultra-soft IntelliFlex bristles, according to the listing.
- Made to glide through tangles with less damage.
- Works on wet and dry hair.
Keep in mind:
- Not a styling brush; it will not add volume.
8. CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray
Best for: Best heat protection. Amazon rating: 4.5 out of 5 (72,391 ratings) as of October 17, 2026.
What stands out:
- Shields hair from heat styling tools up to 450°F, according to the listing.
- A weightless, non-greasy spray.
- Use it before every blow-dry or flat iron.
Keep in mind:
- Only needed if you use heat; air-drying needs no protectant.
9. M-bestl Microfiber Hair Towel (2-Pack)
Best for: Best for drying long hair. Amazon rating: 4.6 out of 5 (22,615 ratings) as of October 17, 2026.
What stands out:
- A microfiber towel wrap that the listing says dries hair faster.
- Gentler on long hair than rubbing with a cotton towel.
- Two in a pack.
Keep in mind:
- Some men find the wrap style fiddly at first; you can also just squeeze hair in it.
10. Bedsure Satin Pillowcases (Set of 2)
Best for: Best for less frizz overnight. Amazon rating: 4.5 out of 5 (322,756 ratings) as of October 17, 2026.
What stands out:
- Polyester satin pillowcases with a smooth surface that is gentler on hair, according to the listing.
- Can reduce tangles and frizz while you sleep.
- Black and other colours available.
Keep in mind:
- Satin feels slippery at first.
- Check the size matches your pillows.
11. Pilamor Sports Headbands for Men (5-Pack)
Best for: Best for the gym. Amazon rating: 4.5 out of 5 (9,177 ratings) as of October 17, 2026.
What stands out:
- Absorbent, stretchy headbands made from nylon and spandex, according to the listing.
- Keep long hair and sweat out of your face during sport.
- Five in a pack.
Keep in mind:
- Tight headbands every day can leave dents; wear them only for exercise.
A simple long hair routine
- Shampoo 2 to 3 times a week, not daily. Long hair needs its natural oils. Our shampoo and conditioner guide has options.
- Condition every time you wash, focusing on the ends.
- Squeeze, do not rub, with a microfiber towel.
- Add a leave-in conditioner and detangle from the ends up with a detangling brush or wide-tooth comb.
- Finish with a few drops of oil on the ends, or a little cream for control.
- Air-dry or blow-dry on low heat with a heat protectant.
- Tie it loosely and sleep on a satin pillowcase.
How to tie long hair without damage
- Low and loose is safest. A low ponytail or a loose bun puts less strain on the hairline than a tight top knot.
- Change the position. Tying hair in exactly the same place every day stresses the same strands.
- Use soft ties without metal. Metal joins snag and cut hair.
- Never tie wet hair tightly. Let it dry first, or tie it very loosely.
- Take it down to sleep. Or use a very loose tie and a satin pillowcase.
Long hairstyles to grow into
- Shoulder-length layers: easy to wear down and tuck behind the ears.
- Man bun or half-up: practical for work and the gym once hair reaches the jaw.
- Slicked back: works at mid length with a cream or light gel.
- Natural curls or waves: let the texture do the work with a leave-in and a little cream. Our curly hair products guide covers curl creams.
Mistakes to avoid
- Skipping trims. Split ends travel up the hair.
- Brushing wet hair hard. Wet hair stretches and snaps.
- Tight ponytails and buns every day. Constant tension can damage hair and the hairline.
- Washing every day. It dries long hair out.
- Too much product. Long hair gets weighed down fast.
- Giving up in the awkward stage. It passes. Shape the sides and keep going.
Choosing products for your hair type
- Straight, fine long hair: keep products light. A spray leave-in and a few drops of serum are enough; skip heavy creams.
- Thick or coarse long hair: a richer leave-in, argan oil on the ends and a taming cream for control.
- Wavy or curly long hair: leave-in conditioner on wet hair, scrunched in, and air-dry. Detangle only when the hair is wet and full of conditioner.
- Oily scalp, dry ends: shampoo the scalp only, and put conditioner and oil on the lengths and ends.
Protecting long hair from damage
Long hair is exposed to more wear for longer. Sun, chlorine, salt water and heat tools all dry it out. Rinse after swimming, use a heat protectant before hot tools, wear a cap in strong sun, and keep blow-dryers on a lower heat setting. Small habits add up over the months it takes to grow out.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take for men to grow long hair?
Hair grows roughly half an inch a month, so going from a short cut to shoulder length usually takes 12 to 18 months.
Should I get haircuts while growing my hair out?
Yes. Light trims every 8 to 12 weeks remove split ends and keep the shape even. Ask the barber to take off as little as possible.
How do I get through the awkward stage?
Keep the sides and back tidy, use a light cream to control the top, and wear a cap or headband when you need to.
Do hair ties damage hair?
They can if they are tight, have metal parts, or are always in the same place. Use soft ties and vary the position.
How often should men with long hair wash it?
Two to three times a week works for most men. If your scalp gets oily quickly, you can rinse with water in between.
What comb is best for long hair?
A wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush, used from the ends up.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product details and ratings were checked on October 17, 2026 and may change.
