American Crew Fiber
A strong hold matte fiber for short hair that is harder to apply and rinse than rivals.
We bought L'Oreal Paris Men Expert Messy Putty Hair Paste, Strong Hold, 110 g. It's no longer documented anywhere, so this page reviews the closest well-covered match. It is a strong hold, matte men's putty for messy textured styles, sold on amazon.com and covered by the maker and independent reviews.
The short version
- Men with short hair who want a messy, textured style that holds
- Anyone who prefers a matte finish over shine
- You have very thick hair and want an easy glide product
- You want a cheap drugstore putty like the one that was bought
What owners like
- Strong hold with a natural, matte look
- Pleasant scent
- Restyles easily without flaking
Common complaints
- Can be hard to wash out completely
- Can tug at thick hair and feel weaker on it
- Some long time users say a newer formula feels creamier and looks oilier
Based on The maker's product page and its review summary, one editorial roundup that tested it, and one independent product review..
Research scores
Scored from the maker's specs and what owners report. Drew's own notes and photos will refine these.
Ownership
Drew's hands-on notes for this product are on the way. Long-term updates will be added to this timeline.
What it does
A high hold, low shine styling fiber for short textured men's hairstyles, reviewed here as the closest well documented match to the L'Oreal Paris Men Expert Messy Putty that was bought.
- Strong, pliable hold that can be reshaped during the day
- Matte, low shine finish for a natural textured look
- Waxy texture that is warmed between the palms before use
- Sold in a full size and a smaller travel size
A long running pick for short hair, roughly 1 to 3 inches, where a strong, pliable hold and a matte finish are the goal. The trade-offs are that it needs warming in the hands, it can be hard to wash out, and reviews on thick hair are mixed.
How it compares
Specs
- Hold
- High
- Shine
- Low, matte finish
- Sizes
- 3 oz and 1.75 oz
- Key ingredients
- Lanolin, beeswax, cetyl palmitate, ceteareth-20, per the maker
- Best hair length
- Short hair, about 1 to 3 in, per the maker
- Use on
- Damp or dry hair
Questions
Is American Crew Fiber high hold?
Yes. The maker rates it high hold with low shine.
How do you apply American Crew Fiber?
Rub a small amount between your palms to warm it, then work it through damp or dry hair and style.
Is it good for thick hair?
Results are mixed. One reviewer found it tugged and held weakly on thick hair, while a tested roundup named it best for thick hair.
What sizes does it come in?
3 oz and 1.75 oz.
Sources
- American Crew: Fiber
- Your Best Digs: The Best Men's Hair Products
- Man For Himself: American Crew Fiber Review
- Hair Products Info: Dove Men Paste Review
Researched 2026-10-02. We bought this product; our page is built from the maker's details and what owners report across reviews and forums. We never copy Amazon customer reviews.