American Crew Review

Facial hair, clean-shaven, crew cut, or luscious locks, the groomed look is a big thing in men’s fashion. And in our American Crew review, we discover that this US men’s brand has always been ahead of the game when it comes to stylish grooming at home.

For over a quarter of a century, American Crew has created home products to help keep men looking their best. And they don’t just stop at shaving and haircare as their range has steadily expanded to include skin and body products, as well as colognes.

American Crew’s success has not gone unnoticed, with the likes of Vogue, Men’s Journal, and Allure praising their products. As an Instagram fashion staple, they are also building a large following. But does all this hype translate into an easy-to-use range that gives you – or the man in your life – the effortlessly groomed look you want? We flip the lid on American Crew’s best-selling products and explore the shopper’s experience to give you our final verdict.

About American Crew

It’s no surprise that the mastermind behind the brand is a hairstylist. In 1994, David Raccuglia recognized that men’s grooming would become ‘a thing’. And a lucrative one at that. The American Crew brand was born with a fledgling male grooming and skincare range.

The concept for a masculine product that would attract rather than put off image-conscious customers was initially created for hair salons. And American Crew still uses its original tagline, ‘Official suppliers to men’ today.

American Crew has grown into a leading male grooming global brand, favored by stylists and clients alike. And the beauty of the American Crew concept is that customers can use it at home to create that salon-groomed style without looking like you’ve tried too hard.

American Crew has steadily embraced the male grooming ethos to expand its initial shaving and hair care range. Today, American Crew products include body care, styling products, and colognes. And all the collections embrace the understated yet recognizable American Crew fragrance that runs throughout the brand.

American Crew Products Review

American Crew offers top-to-toe styling and maintenance products for your typical image-conscious man, including hairstyling and hair care, shaving, products for the face and body.

All are mostly made from natural ingredients and have fresh scents that stand out. You can also buy hair care and shaving tools, as well as good value colognes, gifts, and duo set to complete the current range.

Our American Crew review tests out some of their most popular products to give you a deeper insight into what you can buy.

American Crew Pomade Review

The idea of pomade may feel retro, but with American Crew, you know you are in safe style hands. This flexible wax can create a host of edgy styles or tame curly or unruly hair. And thanks to the quality ingredients in American Crew Cream Pomade, your hair will be nourished, slick, and happy.

While it may feel a little greasy, this pomade won’t weigh down your hair. It is water-based, so it is a breeze to shampoo out and can be used on damp or dry hair. Plus, the lanolin creates a beautiful shine as well as a natural, pliable hold. With a medium hold strength, it won’t feel heavy or greasy. But if you are after a more dramatic look, you can build it up for an Elvis-worthy quiff!

Users report a little goes a long way too. And as it comes in two sizes – 3-ounce pot for £18.50 or a handy travel 1.75-ounce size for $12 – this is a quality pomade that is worth the investment. However, this product does contain parabens.

3-IN-1 Shampoo, Conditioner, and Body Wash

Short on time? Then check out American Crew’s hardworking three-in-one shampoo and conditioner for both your body and hair. This clever formula softens the skin while adding a lovely shine to your hair. And it also cleanses and revitalizes your body and senses, all without stripping away precious hair and skin oils.

The secret to this magic formula is nourishing sage leaf extract, coupled with cleansing citric acid. Added dimethicone, a silicone that acts as a smoothing agent, works to detangle your hair and hydrate your skin.

All-in-all, we think this time-saving wonder gel is a total win/win!  When it comes to men’s hair, you should also use quality products! You do need a generous amount to get the full hair and body coverage you need, but as the American Crew 3 in 1 comes in a choice of sizes, you shouldn’t run out. But for all that shower time multi-tasking, this American Crew product doesn’t come cheap, with the largest 33.8-ounce bottle setting you back $27.

American Crew Fiber Review

If your hair could do with an extra lift, or it may not be as thick as you’d like, American Crew Fiber cream can come to the rescue. As the name suggests, this protective formula contains a fine, fiber-like resin that helps thicken and increase men’s hair fullness while adding a natural texture. The hold of this wax-like cream is also pliable and strong, leaving a natural, matte finish.

This is a great styling product that works best on shorter hair – one to three inches in length. To use, rub a small amount in your hands before working evenly through your hair. As well as giving a thicker, fuller appearance, our American Crew Fiber review also discovered that it can condition and protect your hair. The formula contains lanolin, the emollient Cetyl Palmitate, conditioner, and beeswax for hair control confidence. Although it is a gel consistency, it still leaves a matte finish, so your hair won’t look greasy. The price is not too bad either as you only need a small amount. Expect to pay $18.50 for a full-sized three-ounce pot or $12 for a half-pot size.

Fortifying Shampoo

Scoring 4.6 out of five by American Crew customers, their Fortifying Shampoo is for men dealing with fine or thinning hair. Feedback indicates that this refreshing formula gives hair an extra boost, with many users also reporting that they see less hair in the shower as a result. And even if it can’t stop inevitable thinning, this gentle yet deep cleansing shampoo does leave your hair feeling happier. But for all that hair-boosting, you do need to pay a premium, as the largest bottle costs $27 for 33-ounces. And, as American Crew recommends that you use it daily, this represents an investment.

Where it does score well in our American Crew Shampoo review is how it softens the hair and helps to boost volume while leaving your scalp feeling cleansed and hydrated. It does need rinsing thoroughly for the very best results. As one of the standout American Crew hair products, this is a good maintenance shampoo to combine with American Crew Fiber Cream.

American Crew Forming Cream Review

The ideal introduction to the American Crew range, their Forming Cream is a dream to use and works on all hair types. American Crew Forming Cream also leaves a lovely, muted shine, created to give you a natural, moveable hold thanks to the lanolin base. And we like how easy it is to use. A small amount worked through damp or dry hair should be enough to create your desired style.

Another plus to this versatile styling cream is that it can help to make your hair look thicker. It does this thanks to the glycerin in the recipe, which softens the hair shaft so that it swells, giving the appearance of being thicker. Add in sucrose for extra conditioning, and this handy styler moisturizes as it holds your hair in place. Without any unpleasant sticky residue, you get a natural feel that allows your hair to move. And, as it is water-based, it will shampoo straight out without leaving any residue.

One for the bathroom cabinet, the gym kit bag, or your travel case, we think American Crew Forming Cream will be your hair’s best companion. It shouldn’t break the bank either, as the largest three-ounce size comes in at $18.50.

American Crew Classic Fragrance Review

We have decided to focus on the Nine fragrances in our American Crew fragrance review, as its aroma is a classic scent that reflects the American Crew brand. It has been named Nine after product research that indicates it is liked by nine out of 10 women. Whether you believe that or not, this fragrance has a lovely freshness designed to attract. The classic ingredients include black pepper, lavender, bergamot, coriander, jasmine, and cedar.

It beautifully balances savory, woody notes with a slight apple sweetness and an undertone of musky spice that works well in a scent for men. In short, it is not over-powering but quietly gets your attention and can be worn either day or night.

If you are expecting Nine to mirror the scent of American Crew’s hair, face, and body products, you may be disappointed as it is a unique scent. And some users do think it is a little on the sweet side. But we don’t believe it is over-powering, and the price of $35.50 is the sweetener. This also appears to be the consensus of many reviewers, resulting in a 4.6 out of five.

Precision Shave Gel

Some shaving products can dry out or irritate the skin, which is why American Crew has formulated this non-foaming shaving product. Their Precision Shave Gel is hardworking enough to be used on either a thin beard or clean-shaven skin to give you a lovely close shave and no irritation. To use, wet your face with warm water and then smooth on a thin layer. You can then shave immediately without the need for a lather. And the clear gel means you can see exactly where – and what – you are shaving.

Containing soothing agents such as tea tree oil, Precision Shave Gel calms your skin and protects against blade irritation. And you get superior moisturization, thanks to the added glycerin and hydrating aloe vera.

American Crew’s Precision Shave Gel is one of its highest-scoring products for customer satisfaction. Many also report that you only need a small amount to get results, and the fresh smell enhances the experience. The only downside, as we can see it is that the gel is only available in one size – a pretty average five ounces – which will set you back around $14.

American Crew Reviews from Customers

There is a lot of love for the brand if the online American Crew review feedback is anything to go by. First up, American Crew products consistently score 4/5 or more on their website. Their five-star products include gift sets and product duos, body hydrator, precision shave gel, and protective foam. Out of the lower-scoring products (which still hold up as an average of four stars), the main complaints include the scent, price, and some formula changes.

Moving away from the American Crew website, you still get a decent overall scoring, with 4.6/5 on Amazon and an average of 3.7 out of five on Trustpilot. Out of 20,994 reviews, 76% gave American Crew five stars at Amazon. Just 11% scored the brand three stars or less. Amongst the positive feedback, ‘does what it says on the tin’, ‘the only product I will use’, ‘a must-have for thick, wavy hair’ and ‘I’ve been using it daily for 20 years’ set the tone. However, price, scent, and ‘tricky to use’ seem to be the main complaints of the more negative feedback.

Overall, there is evident customer loyalty and satisfaction, with many using their favorite American Crew product year after year. However, some American Crew products may not work for everyone or their hair.

Sign Up for American Crew

American Crew doesn’t run a loyalty program, although you must create an account if shopping via their website. You can also receive all the latest news and special offers by signing up for their e-newsletter.

Where to buy American Crew products?

You can buy the complete American Crew range directly from the company’s website, www.americancrew.com. However, orders placed online can only be shipped within the US.

You can buy American Crew from physical stores, including selected hairdressers and major retailers such as Walmart, Amazon, and Shoppers Drug Mart. Independent retailers also stock some or all the American Crew range. Their website features a handy store locator, which also includes international destinations. You can find where to buy American Crew products by searching for your country or zip code to select your nearest stockist.

American Crew Shipping and Return Policy

The good news about the American Crew shipping policy is that you get free ground shipping on all orders placed in the US. But this does exclude Alaska, Hawaii, and other US territories. And most domestic orders are processed and shipped within two days, although it can take up to seven days from your order for you to receive your goods.

Alternatively, for an extra charge, you can opt for overnight and second-day delivery if you need your American Crew products sooner. All orders come with a tracking number so you can keep your eye on shipping progress.

One important thing to note when it comes to the brand is that it currently does not ship online orders internationally.

When it comes to American Crew returns, you have 30 days to return unwanted items for a refund. However, American Crew will not cover the cost of the return shipping. You will need to contact the American Crew customer service team for faulty or damaged goods.

To return your goods, you must repackage the items in their original wrapping and send them to American Crew, 1392 N. Sara Place, Suite B, Ontario, California 91761. You are encouraged to obtain proof of postage before shipping it back.

Once received, American Crew will credit the cost of your returned items.

American Crew Alternatives

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Hairstory Review

American Crew Promotions & Discounts

We all love a discount or promotion, and with American Crew, you get several regular offers to choose from. First up, you can get 15% off your first order when you use the code NEWTOTHECREW at checkout. And you can expect to get some cool samples with your order so you can test out other American Crew products.

They also run some good seasonal offers, such as 25% off for the Holidays, and you can opt to spread the cost of your purchases over four installments, interest-free, with Afterpay.

And let’s not forget the free US ground shipping on all orders.

American Crew Customer Service

American Crew’s Customer Service team is pleasingly accessible, open seven days a week, between 10 am and 8 pm, Eastern Standard Time. During this time, the team is available to answer all your order, product, billing, shipping, and returns queries, either via their live online chat function, telephone (1-866-646-5330), text (1-954-613-8807), or email – [email protected]. There is also an online contact form for more unusual queries, complaints, or concerns.

American Crew Review: Editors’ Verdict

If you are looking for salon-quality hair, shaving, and face/body products for men, then there’s a reason why American Crew has been a market leader for so long. Not only were they amongst the first to identify the male grooming trend, but they have been able to stay at its forefront for more than 25 years. And that is a big plus to the quality and relevance of this deliberately masculine brand.

The quality packaging is slick and won’t look out of place on your bathroom shelf.  Yes, their products are above the average when it comes to cost, but they still beat those salon prices, and overall, they are easy to use. And most reviewers report that they do what they claim to do, so that’s a tick when it comes to value for money.

Buy direct from the company and get free samples, which is also an excellent way to test new products before buying. A note on their customer service too, which is accessible and knowledgeable, so you can get the right product advice you need.

Ok, we have highlighted some issues – most notably, the scent of certain products, price, and effectiveness – but these shouldn’t necessarily put you off. American Crew products may not be for everyone, but we would certainly recommend giving them a try based on our American Crew review.

If you are looking for other men-specific brands, consider reading our reviews of Lumin Skin, For Hims, Ballsy, and Manscaped.

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