How a hair wax stick saved my yoga session

I want to relax when I’m doing yoga. But just one downward dog in, strands of hair are already flopping into my face. They’re too short and keep slipping out of the tight bun I usually tie for this kind of activity. There’s only one thing for it: a strong hairspray or the Matomage Hair Styling Stick by Japanese brand Utena. It’s a handy hair balm that’s popped up on my Instagram and Tiktok a few times.

It claims to tame frizz, fringes and those short, wild antenna-like hairs most people get. According to the manufacturer, the stick consists of vegetable wax and non-sticky powder. Silicones are said to keep the hair supple, while camellia oil, argan oil and baobab oil bind moisture in the hair. The product’s available in «regular» (pink) and «super hold» (turquoise). My hair’s definitely a case for the latter.

Hair gelavailable in a few days

CHF13.–

Utena Matomage Hair Stick Regular

Hair wax

8

Hair gelavailable in a few days

CHF13.–

Utena Matomage Hair Stick Regular

Hair wax

8

What the wax stick does

The stick is odourless and has a click-on lid. Once removed, you attach the lid under the stick like a building brick. This also makes it easier to hold. Not that the stick is hard to hold without the lid clicked to its base. The wax glides easily over my hair. It almost feels like a magnet the way it sticks to my head and pushes down protruding hairs and loose strands smoothly. Unlike hairspray, the stick leaves no residue or hard, sticky areas. Instead, there’s just a waxy, well-groomed feeling.

The longer strands are kept in place really well. They stay put throughout all the downward dogs I do in my yoga session. Even an exercise involving me pressing my head onto the mat in a kind of headstand way didn’t upset my strands. At the end of the lesson, it’s only my stubborn baby hairs that are curling around my hairline like two little devil horns. I can live with that, but it may mean the stick’s too weak to tame curly or frizzy hair.

The day after, it’s easy to style and tie up your hair again. Which is great news if you’re a bit lazy when it comes to washing your hair. Unlike a stubborn hairspray, the wax is easy to comb. However, it does make your hair look greasy, but that’s to be expected. I occasionally wipe the stick with a sheet of kitchen roll to get rid of the dust it’s picked up from my hair.