Value Ratings

• For the average hair type (rating 8.1/10), I think this is quite a likeable product, offering a nice user experience and finish.  
• If you’re on a budget (good value rating 6.4/10) and just need a product to cover the essentials then Northern Lights Matre Paste might be a little bit underpowered. It’s got lots of benefits which justify the price, but it sacrifices a bit of hold and durability to get them. 
• If price isn’t an obstacle and you’re opinion of value is just the product’s  quality (you’re expected value is 8.4/10), then this might be something  worth trying. It gives a nice matte finish without drying out your hair like some other products.

OVERVIEW 

Shear Revival Northern Lights Matte Paste has become a crowd pleaser over the past few years. And for good reason. It uses quality ingredients to deliver premium performance, topped off by its sophisticated branding, naming and design. 

For a matte paste, Northern Lights feels a lot more like a light clay. When applied to the hair it creates a weightless texture and dry matte finish. The hold is labelled as firm, which I always find is a pretty ambiguous way of saying a longer lasting medium. But it leaves your hair feeling nice and touchable, plus can usually build on the medium hold by using a good prestyler.

PRICE AND AFFORDABILITY 6.8/10

$$ Premium Range Price 

Priced from $17 USD (£19) for 95g, it is a reasonable price for a premium feeling product and for the amount you get. Being a light and dryer product you do generally need to apply more so you might find you use it up faster. 

WHAT IS IT

Northern Lights is labelled as a matte paste, but in my opinion its feels and acts a lot more like a clay. Its soft spreadable breakdown allows it to apply smoothly to the hair with little tug, leaving a lightweight matte finish that holds firm.

WHO IS IT FOR 

Giving loads of texture to the hair it helps to maintain short to medium length styles. I would say it’s dry messy finish suits less volumized styles, but it’s lightweight finish can maintain a nice volumized style with a light coating of hair spray.

HOW AND WHEN TO USE IT

To apply, rub it across both palms, distributing the product evenly throughout your prestyled hair. Start with the back of your head and work your way to the front. For better, you can try using it as a prestyler or use another product before blow drying to achieve more shape and volume.

It’s matte finish looks great in clean hair, but cocktails with with other products and in second day hair with a bit of dry shampoo.

WHERE TO BUY IT

It is available from the in the US, UK, and EU for reasonable shipping. 

US: Amazon https://amzn.to/34gAmw4

US: Shear Revival https://www.shearrevival.com/products/northern-lights-matte-paste

UK: Amazon https://amzn.to/35mayjj

Australia: The Pomade Shop https://thepomadeshop.com.au/products/shear-revival-northern-lights

HOLD 6.5/10

Northern Lights delivers a lightweight firm to medium hold great for flexible shorter or moving styles. Relying more on clay than wax, the hold mostly comes from the texture of the dry finish. The lightness of the hold does struggle to take unruly or unshaped hair in place. Additionally, longer hairstyles it struggles to hold longer hair in place.

APPLICATION 9/10

The breakdown of the product is smooth and creamy which makes it easy to emulsify and apply with little to no tug. It spreads throughout the hair quite well making for an even application.

After applying in dry hair after blow drying:

SCENT 8.8/10

Northern Lights matte paste has a mild Sweet Citrus, Oak Moss and Sage Fragrance. Its a pleasant and smooth aroma that is present but not overpowering. This makes it a nice natural smelling product suitable for lots of people.

DURABILITY 6.7/10

For a casual or inactive day, this product lasts throughout. When you throw in a bit of rain or physical activity the matte paste struggles to maintain hold and shape.  

Like most products, it loses hold and texture the more you rework and it moister waters down the hold. That said, it the product still remains reworkable after sweating.

I don’t think this product is lifeproof, but most products aren’t. I think it will perform well in certain  occasions and make a nice addition to the rotation. But it’s not something I would completely rely on because its lack of durability struggles to get me through busy days. The presence of the product is long lasting keeping it reworkable all day, but it does lose a bit of shape and hold with each time.

INGREDIENTS 9.0/10

Shear Revival is quite a forward thinking brand using good quality ingredients to create good quality products that provide reliable results. I’ve had pretty consistent results with Northern Lights and the aftereffect leaves my hair feeling soft and healthy.

Key Ingredients:

Kaolin Clay: promotes hair elasticity
Calendula Extract: dandruff preventative
Clary Sage Oil: promotes healthy hair growth

Aloe Barbadensis Juice, Kaolinite (White Clay), Cera Alba (Beeswax), Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Carnauba (Copernicia cerifera) Wax, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Emulsifying Wax NF, Theobroma Cacao Butter, Polysorbate 80, Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil, Phenoxyethanol (and) Caprylyl Glycol, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Oil, Evernia Prunastri (Oakmoss) Extract

WASHABILITY 9.2/10

It has some resistance to water. Enough to withstand a bit of sweat. It almost completely washes out with warm water and 100% with a light shampoo.

FINISHED LOOK 9/10

When applied to dry hair, the dry matte texture creates a really nice, light and natural looking finish for shorter messy styles. 

For casual days it keeps my hair feeling and looking nice all day, even though the hold is fairly light. The texture helps to hold the hair style in place allowing for messy movement throughout the day. It is capable of getting you through busier days when accompanied by a good prestyler and the optional dose of hairspray. 

After a day at work:

WOULD I BUY IT AGAIN 

Probably not. There are so many products competing in the category that perform just as well, and this doesn’t stand out as better than all the rest. I’m interested in continuing to try more products.