Gerson and Co Tropics Matte Clay Review

Welcome everyone to our another hair styling product reviews after a short break since hongkonghomebrew styling cream. This week we are looking Gerson and Co’s latest product – The Tropics Matte Clay. This Singapore homebrew brand shouldn’t be foreign to you if you have followed our previous review on their Original Pomade. After receiving multiple feedbacks from various hair styling enthusiasts, they decided to produce a product that is relevant to the tropical climate here. It is known for its strong-hold, matte finish and easy application. But could they achieve this stand by checking all the boxes of an ideal hair product for the humid tropical climate? Let’s jump into our review.

Brand

Gerson and Co

Origin

Singapore

Type

Matte Clay

Design and Packaging

Similar to their Original Pomade packaging, the Tropics Matte Clay is housed a premium transparent jar with white colour based as their labelling design. You could also observe a large rain tree at the background, signifying this product is designed for the tropical climate. As usual, they provided the essential details on how to use the products, ingredients and the key features of this product: easy application, matte finish, high volume, re-styleable, easy wash-out.

The product weighs at 100ml so this is definitely safe to carry onboard into any planes.

Scent

Creed Aventus. This might be familiar to some who are into the premium cologne brand Creed.

You will notice a top note of Italian Bergamot, pineapple Calville Blanc apples and black current. On the base notes, it is a combination of musky scent, oakmoss and a good touch of vanilla. The base notes are accompanied by Jasmine, patchouli and roses as the middle notes.

In my opinion, the Tropics Matte Clay scent has a “luxury” scent, not over masculine or overpowering. I would say this is especially suitable for professionals.

Performance of Gerson and Co Tropics Matte Clay

Texture

When scooping out the Tropics Matte Clay from the jar, it has a creamy texture (but not as creamy as Apothercary Malaysia Analogue Paste though it looks like it), just a little strength required, quite similar to the Arcadian Matte Paste texture. Breaking down on the palm was very easy. You do feel there’s some grip when rubbing in between palms and it’s sticky, however not oily. Instead of your typical clay that are hard to scoop out, this is more like a paste with some creamy texture.

Application

As advised, we styled on blown dried hair. After breaking it down, apply through the hair was fairly easy. There’s still a little tugging or grip during the process but nothing to be worried about. In fact, it shows that it would probably a good hold to keep the hair in place. For my short hair, I used around 2 dime size for a better hold.

Restylibility

Restyling with this product was super easy. Just with your fingers, you could reset your style if it happens to be out of place for whatever reason.

Shine

Low Shine. There’s still a slight shine to it, very close to a matte product. The shine does fade a little towards the end of the day but it is hard to tell

Volume

I would say the Gerson and Co Tropics Matte Clay does give a pretty impressive volume when styled with a comb and blow-dried before the application.  

Hold

The Tropics Matte Clay is definitely a strong hold, and it is able to withstand the humidity here in Singapore.

For most of the day, I didn’t really need to restyle my hair due to its awesome hold!

This is a product suitable for indoor or light outdoor activities with high humidity

In the beginning of the day, my hair was very well defined. Towards the end of the day, I experienced a very nice texture and natural comb back style. Check out the before and after image below

Endurance

Overall, the Tropics Matte Clay has great endurance, especially on its hold. A light breeze wouldn’t move much and a walk in the sun is all good!

Washability

This is easily washed off with one shampoo!

Hair Types

• Thickness – Fine to Thick Hair  
• Works great for both Straight, Wavy

Hairstyles

Suitable hairstyles with the Tropics Matte Clay are Comb-back or Slick Back Hairstyle, Neat Side Parting, Side Swept undercut or a classic Taper, Pompadour

(See more hairstyles here )

Ingredients

Water (Aqua), Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Kaolin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid

Verdict

To be honest, I am surprised how homebrewers in Asia now have catchup the pomade game and produce a product that is relevant to the market, especially for the climate here in Singapore. Gerson and Co’s Topic Matte Clay has definitely killed it. Except for the slight tugging which is expected of a strong hold product, this product is definitely worth your money. A product that combats the humidity, easily to be restyled if needed, a gentlemen scent, you have nothing to worry about. This product delivers what it promised.

As an appreciation to you all readers of Urban Oak out there, here’s a 15% discount code – URBAN15 for you to try it out!

Overall Performance of Gerson & Co’s Tropics Matte Clay

Hold Power: ★★★★★

Shine: ★☆☆☆☆

Endurance: ★★★★★

Washability: ★★★★☆

Like our reviews? Follow us on our instagram and facebook to get the latest men’s grooming updates!

p/s: If you are interested to purchase our selected high performing products, visit us here @ Shopee Singapore