By Marta, senior stylist at Sølvi. The first time a guest picks up Davines This Is A Strong Dry Wax, they usually expect something stiff and greasy, the kind of tin you scrape from and fight to wash out. Then they warm a little between their fingers and feel how dry and pliable it is. The name is honest about what this does. It is a strong, matte wax that gives texture, definition, and clean separation, and it is one of the products I reach for most behind the chair at Sølvi.
What the name is really telling you
Davines built this around three ideas, and the name spells out all of them. "Strong" means real hold that lasts through the day. "Dry" means a matte, shine-free finish that leaves no greasy film on the surface of the hair. "Wax" means a workable texture you can push, twist, and shape. So when you read Strong Dry Wax and picture firm, piece-y definition, you are picturing exactly what you get. It shines on short to mid-length cuts, where you want movement, grit, and structure rather than a slick, polished look. That honesty between the name and the result is why I like walking guests through it at the chair instead of letting the label do the talking.
The ingredients doing the work
The hold and the finish come from a simple trio. Petrolatum and beeswax give the pliable, lasting grip that lets you mold a shape and keep it. Kaolin clay is the part that mattes everything down, soaking up shine so the texture reads as gritty and natural instead of wet. There is no heavy oil sitting on top of the hair, which is the whole point. One focused formula, one clear job, done well. That is the Davines house style and a big part of why we carry the line.
Why it earns shelf space in a dry Boise climate
Boise is a hard place on hair. Our high-desert air pulls moisture out of everything, and a lot of guests are tired of greasy pomades that look wet by noon and flatten their style. A matte wax that holds texture without adding shine is genuinely useful here, because it gives definition and separation that still looks dry and natural in our light. We reach for Strong Dry Wax when a guest wants a short or mid-length cut with grit, movement, and a finish that stays put through a workday and a foothills evening.
How we actually use it
This one is simple, which is part of the appeal. Apply a small amount to dry hair and work it through with your fingers. Warm a pea-sized scoop between your palms first so it emulsifies, then press it through the mid-lengths and ends, twisting and scrunching the pieces you want to separate. The word "small" matters. Because the hold is strong, people grab too much and end up with hair that looks heavy and stiff. Start with less than you think and build only where you need more grip. Dry hair is the sweet spot, so style first and add this last to lock the shape in.
Who it is not for
Honest take: this is a matte texturizer, so if you want a sleek, shiny, polished finish, this is the wrong bottle. On very fine hair it can look heavy or dull if you overuse it, so a light hand is the difference between texture and a greasy-looking clump. It also sets firmly, which means it is harder to completely restyle once it is in, so commit to your shape before you reach for it. If you want soft, touchable movement with no real hold, ask us at the desk and we will point you to something lighter.
Worth the price?
At $36 for the 75ml tube, it sits in the middle of the Davines styling range. For a guest who wants strong, matte texture and definition on a short or mid-length cut, it earns its spot and a little goes a long way. For someone after shine or a soft, no-hold finish, save your money. If you are not sure which camp you fall into, that is exactly the conversation we love having in person. You can browse what else we keep on the shelf on our services page, or just book an appointment and we will hand you the right product and show you how much to use. Every product we stock is one our stylists actually use in the studio, and this little wax has quietly become a favorite of mine.