How to get Hudson’s signature hairstyle, no matter your hair texture.
In our latest episode of SPIFFY (a men’s grooming podcast), we interviewed Aika Flores, the go-to groomer for Hudson Williams on his Heated Rivalry press tour. We also spoke with Aika about how she styles Hudson Williams’ hair… and how to get the heartthrob hairstyle at home for yourself.
You can watch the clip below, or jump to the instructions (written out).
We have links to all of the products recommended below, too.
American Crew Products Mentioned: Matte Clay (fine hair, medium hair) // Medium Hold Spray Gel (medium hair) // Fiber (medium hair) // Forming Cream (thick/coarse hair) // Cream Pomade (curly) // Light Hold Texture Lotion (curly) // Heavy Hold Pomade (wet look)
One important note: On tour, Aika uses dozens of different brands and their products. So, for this episode of SPIFFY, we got American Crew to be the sponsor of that episode, which made it easy for us to “cast” the right types of styling products based on different hair textures (fine, medium, coarse, curly) and even some notes on how to get Hudson Williams’ Oscars hairstyle, the wet version of the heartthrob look that Aika and Hudson have made so signature.
Read below for Aika’s tips, taken from the interview clip. And be sure to check out the entire interview, too, to learn more about Aika’s role as a groomer, how they met, and for some BTS insights on the Heated Rivalry press tour.
WATCH/LISTEN/READ: CELEBRITY GROOMER AIKA FLORES ON WORKING WITH HUDSON WILLIAMS
How to Get Hudson Williams’ “Heartthrob” Hairstyle
With advice from his groomer, Aika Flores.
Step 1: Start with Damp Hair
“Usually, what I recommend is wetting the hair down and then towel-drying it, then putting the product in when it’s wet or damp and styling it in,” says Aika. “You want to take the product and really work it in your hands, warm it up until you can’t see it anymore, and then work it through the hair evenly.”
Step 2: Build Your Foundation (Hold First)
In the event you use multiple products (which is outlined in some options below), then make sure you use the product that gives you hold first. That is the top priority, says Aika: “That way you’re layering your hold instead of trying to get everything from one product.”
He came straight from the airport with his publicist, and he was just a regular dude. Open, creative. We had a lot of fun that day, and it kind of started there.
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Step 3: Choose the Right Product for Your Hair Texture
Here is where we get prescriptive based on whether or not you have finer strands, medium/average fullness, coarse hair, or curls. (And we will get into the wet look later in the tutorial.)
For any of the non-spray stylers, be sure to warm them up in your hands until you can’t see the product, then apply throughout your hair for even distribution, making sure to also get product on the roots.
For Fine Hair:
The aim is lift without collapse. Fine hair gets weighed down quickly, so everything here is about keeping it light while still giving it structure. As Aika puts it, “the shinier the product is, the heavier it is,” which is exactly what you want to avoid here.
Product: American Crew Matte Clay
Medium/High Hold, Matte Finish
Keep it simple. Aika’s broader philosophy here is restraint: use something matte, lightweight, and build shape through blow-drying, not product stacking. This keeps the hair lifted and touchable instead of coated.
For Medium-Fine Hair:
The aim is volume and “airiness,” but with a bit more flexibility than fine hair. You can push shape further without it falling flat, but you still don’t want to overload it. Aika’s approach is to layer two products, in order to avoid limp looking results.
Products: American Crew Medium Hold Spray Gel (Medium Hold, High Shine)
+ 1 of these:
American Crew Matte Clay (Medium/High Hold, Matte Finish)
OR American Crew Fiber (High Hold / Low Shine)
“I would put the gel first, because that’s what’s going to give you the hold… then go in with a matte clay or fiber and blow-dry it in,” she says. The gel builds the foundation; the matte clay / fiber option keeps it airy and separated instead of greasy.
For Thick/Coarse Hair:
You’ll need much more control and shape. This is less about lifting and more about directing and taming.
“When it comes to thicker hair, it’s kind of the opposite,” Aika explains. “Instead of trying to lift it, you’re trying to tame it, so you need something a little bit heavier.”
Product: American Crew Forming Cream
Medium Hold, Medium Shine
“It has medium shine, medium hold—so it still moves, but it keeps the hair in place without looking too styled.” Simply put: you get control without losing that natural flow.
For Curly Hair:
The aim is definition without frizz, while preserving your natural pattern. In addition to using the right products, the results come from how you dry the strands (or what you do—and don’t do—while they dry).
“My absolute advice about drying curly hair is: do not touch it… the more you touch it as it’s drying, the more you’re going to cause frizz,” says Aika.
But before you blow it dry, here is the other secret (and yes, you your hands for this part) also builds shape intentionally: “I’ll take sections and form bigger curls with my fingers… then diffuse it with the hair dryer.” (The diffuser is that nozzle for the end of the dryer that diffuses the air into many different parts of your hair/scalp so that it isn’t all concentrated or overly hot/forceful. It’s way better for curls.
Products: American Crew Cream Pomade (Light Hold, Low Shine)
OR American Crew Light Hold Texture Lotion (Light Hold, Low Shine)
The cream pomade will give you nice bounce (read: maximum moisture and movement) but with low shine. And the light hold texture lotion will also work wonders on definition, build, and moisture.
Either way: Apply damp, shape with fingers, then diffuse it dry—and then keep your hands out of there.
For Wet Results (the Hudson Williams Oscars Hairstyle):
Scroll down– we have that tutorial isolated for specific instructions.
Step 4: Blow Dry
Blow drying is where the hairstyle actually comes to life. The product gives you control, then the heat+pressure help lock in the direction, lift, and that signature heartthrob movement. Without this step, everything just sits there or goes limp. The blow dryer gives you more control over the result.
Aika’s approach is simple: “You want to style it in and really blow-dry the product into the hair. That’s what’s going to lock in the direction and the movement, instead of just sitting on top.”
And use your hands, not a brush. Guide the hair into place. Lift the front up and slightly back, encourage separation through the mid-lengths, and let the ends fall naturally.
Keep the airflow moving and avoid overworking any one section. This will help you build body and shape—and worry not, it won’t freeze it all in place. The result should intentional, but still soft enough to move, like you didn’t try too hard, even though you absolutely did.
How to Get the Wet Heartthrob Hairstyle Look (AKA the Hudson Williams Oscars Hairstyle):
You’re taking the same shape as the “heartthrob” style, but pushing it toward higher shine and stronger hold so it reads more formal and red-carpet ready. As Aika explains, “If you want it to look shinier or more polished, you just take it up a level—medium shine to high shine, medium hold to high hold.”
Product: American Crew Heavy Hold Pomade
Heavy Hold, High Shine
This is what shifts the look from soft and airy to sleek and defined. Pomade gives you that controlled sheen and structure that holds up under lights, heat, and long wear.
How to Apply American Crew Heavy Hold Pomade
Start the same way as if you were going for the matte finish: damp hair, product worked thoroughly in your hands first. Start with a dime sized amount; you do not want to drown the hair and weigh it down. It’s easier to add more than to take away what has already been applied.
“Usually, what I recommend is wetting the hair down and then towel-drying it,” explains Aika. “You take the product and really work it in your hands, warm it up until you can’t see it anymore, and then work it through.”
Work the pomade through evenly, focusing on mid-lengths and ends first, then lightly at the roots so you don’t flatten everything.
Shape It In
“You want to style it in and really blow-dry the product into the hair,” she adds. “That’s what’s going to lock in the direction and the movement, instead of just sitting on top.”
Use your fingers to guide the hair back and slightly off the face, maintaining that natural bend instead of forcing it straight.
Bonus Step (After Application): Create the Signature Wave
“If you’ve seen the Vanity Fair video, [Hudson] has those little clips in his hair. I wouldn’t say it’s a trade secret, but a lot of groomers do it,” she tells me.
“I’ll take a clip and put it right where you part your hair so that the hair is lifted up, and then it’ll cascade down and dry that way. You’re placing the clip where you want the wave to go up and then fall.” [Editor’s note: It’s low cost styling clips like this].
“In his case, there were a lot of different waves, so I put a clip at the start of each one. Sometimes I’ll even fold the hair and clip it so it dries into that shape. It’s really just setting that movement while the hair dries.”
WATCH THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW HERE:
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