Just for Men Control GX Review: My Honest Take (2026)
Original retail packaging Just for Men Control GX
Disclosure: Just for Men sent me the original Control GX for review in 2017. My subsequent use in 2024 was independent and self-funded. My opinion is never for sale. This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Post updated 29th of April 2026
I've got a complicated history with this product. I first used Just for Men Control GX back in 2017, when the brand reached out and asked me to test it. I was in my forties, already quite grey — have been since my mid-twenties, if I'm honest — and I gave it a proper run. It worked for almost a year. Then I stopped using it and embraced the grey.
Fast forward to January 2024. I was a few weeks away from turning 50, standing in front of the mirror, and I thought: what if? My kids had been on at me for years. "Dad, you'd look younger with darker hair." So I went back to Control GX for the second time. And now, in 2026, I'm grey again — by choice, this time with absolutely no regrets.
So what you're getting here isn't a quick first-impression review. It's nine years of on-and-off experience with the same product, from a man who's been through the whole cycle of hiding the grey, embracing it, reconsidering it, and landing somewhere settled. I think that's actually more useful to you than someone who bought it last month.
What is Just for Men Control GX?
It's a shampoo — you use it exactly like a normal shampoo — that gradually reduces grey hair with each wash. It doesn't dye your hair in one go. There's no peroxide, no ammonia, no sitting with foil on your head. You just wash your hair with it, leave it for a minute, rinse, and over two to four weeks you'll notice the grey starting to blend away.
The key word there is gradually. Control GX will never cover 100% of your grey, and that's actually by design. The result is meant to look natural — like your hair is slightly darker than it was, not like you've had a dye job. For most men, that subtlety is exactly the point.
My experience — the honest version
When I first used it in 2017, I had a lot of grey — especially on the back of my head, which was almost white by then. The product worked, but it worked slowly. I didn't notice any visible change before two or three weeks of consistent use. When the results did come through, they were genuinely natural-looking, which I appreciated. The coverage on the very back of my head was lighter than I hoped, but given how much grey I had there, that was probably inevitable.
One thing nobody warns you about: it stains. Keep it off your fingers if you can — I always applied it with my palm, or use plastic gloves — and clean your bath or shower tray immediately after rinsing, because the product can leave marks on surfaces. That's a minor inconvenience but worth knowing before you start.
When I returned to it in early 2024, I noticed the formula had changed slightly — the product was cream-coloured rather than the dark grey I remembered. The application and the results felt similar though. My hair felt noticeably softer and fuller from the first use, which is a genuine bonus beyond the grey reduction.
I used it for a couple of months ahead of my 50th. The kids approved. My hair looked darker, more even, and still natural. And then I stopped again, let the grey come back, and decided that actually — this is who I am now.
Does it actually work?
Yes. That's not a qualified yes. It works. But how well it works depends on two things: how much grey you have and how patient you are.
If you're just starting to go grey — patchy temples, a few grey hairs coming through — you'll see results faster and the coverage will be more complete. If you're heavily grey like I am, it'll take longer and you won't get full coverage, but the blending effect is still real and it still looks good.
The men I've seen have the best results are the ones who use it as a maintenance tool rather than expecting a dramatic transformation in week one. Use it daily for the first few weeks, then drop to two or three times a week once you've reached the level you want. That's how you keep it looking consistent without overdoing it.
What I'd tell you now, in 2026
The product itself is solid. The formula update has added keratin, which means it does a decent job as a regular shampoo in its own right — your hair feels thicker and in better condition, not just darker.
What I'd say honestly is this: Control GX is a good option if you want a low-commitment, no-drama way to reduce your grey gradually. It suits men who aren't ready for permanent colour but want to look a little less grey without making a big deal of it. The results are subtle, which is a strength, not a weakness.
The reason I stopped has nothing to do with the product failing me. I just reached a point where I stopped wanting to reduce my grey. That's a personal decision, not a product flaw. If I felt the way my kids want me to feel about it, I'd still be using it.
My kids still think I should go back to it. I'm still saying no. But if you're on the fence, it's genuinely worth trying — it does exactly what it says on the bottle.
The practical stuff
Apply like a normal shampoo, massage well, leave for one minute, rinse thoroughly
Use your palm rather than your fingers to avoid staining (or gloves)
Clean your bath or shower tray straight after — it will stain surfaces
Expect to wait two to four weeks before seeing noticeable results
Once you reach your desired level, drop to two or three uses a week to maintain it
Best suited to light brown to black hair — there's a separate version for lighter shades
My rating: 8/10
Same score as 2017, for the same reasons. It works, it looks natural, and the patience required is the only real ask. The staining is annoying but manageable. As grey-reducing products go, this is the most straightforward one I've used.
Jerome.
Frequently asked questions
Will it make my hair look dyed? No — that's the point of the gradual approach. The result looks like your natural hair colour, not a dye job. It reduces grey rather than covering it completely.
Can I use it like a normal shampoo? Yes, that's exactly how it works. Just swap it in for your regular shampoo. Once you've reached the grey level you want, you can alternate it with your normal shampoo to maintain the result.
Does it stain? It can stain fingers, nails, towels, and bath surfaces. Apply with your palm, rinse your shower or bath tray straight after use, and keep it off light-coloured towels.
What if I want to go back to fully grey? Stop using it. The effect fades gradually over several weeks as your hair grows and you wash normally. There's no sudden change, which is reassuring.
About the author: I'm Jerome, founder of Dapper & Groomed. I've spent the past 13 years testing and reviewing skincare products, fragrances, grooming products, and men's lifestyle gear on this blog and on my YouTube channel. My reviews are never approved or previewed by brands — just honest, real-world testing from a dad who's been at this since 2013.
