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"Highly recommended Tough’n Up from NAK.. been using this particular wax for many years & it’s brilliant for holding styled hair all day, without the use of additional products / hairspray " - Adam

NAK

Tough n Up 90g

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$24.61

$28.95

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Free Click and collect is available at checkout. Orders are ready within 1 hour during opening hours. Store Address: 56 Parer Rd, Airport West, VIC Australia 3042 Phone (03) 9999 5902

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Why you’ll love it

Turn flat, slippery strands into gritty, touchable texture in seconds.
Gives hair a thicker, roughed-up look without crunch or flakes.
Matte finish keeps styles looking natural, not shiny or greasy.
Flexible hold lets you restyle with your fingers throughout the day.

Ideal for

Fine hair

Benefits

Strong hold Adds texture

Description

NAK Tough n Up is a styling paste that builds texture and lived-in hold.

This matte finish paste grips the hair to create thickness, definition, and controlled separation. It works by adding gentle grit to each strand, so styles stay put without feeling stiff or sticky.

The creamy texture is easy to work through dry hair, then sets into a flexible, touchable hold. Hair feels thicker, slightly roughed-up, and naturally styled, with a clean, salon-like scent.

Perfect for short to medium cuts, messy crops, and textured shags, on fine to normal hair. Use in the morning or before a night out whenever you want effortless, undone texture.

Expect hair that looks fuller, stays in shape, and still feels like your own.

Directions

How To Use NAK Tough n Up

Work a small amount between palms until clear and smooth.
Apply to dry hair, starting at the roots and mid-lengths.
Twist, scrunch, or pinch sections to build texture and separation.
Add more product in light layers until you reach desired hold.
Rework with fingertips during the day to refresh shape.

Ingredients

NAK Tough n Up Ingredients

AQUA (WATER), LANOLIN WAX, PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, CETEARETH-20, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, VP/VA COPOLYMER, PVP, KAOLIN, OZOKERITE, MINERAL OIL (PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM), GLYCERYL STEARATE, PEG-100 STEARATE, STEARIC ACID, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, CARBOMER, AMINOMETHYL PROPANOL, PHENOXYETHANOL, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), DISODIUM EDTA, CI 19140 (YELLOW 5), CI 15985 (YELLOW 6).

Note: Please refer to bottle for full ingredients.

Aqua Solvents

Solvent

The water base that carries and dissolves the other ingredients in most products.

May suit
All hair and skin types.

Worth knowing
Almost always the first ingredient listed in water-based products.
Lanolin Conditioning agents

Emollient conditioning agent

Lanolin helps soften and condition hair by forming a protective, moisturising film.

May suit
Those with very dry, coarse or textured hair that benefits from richer conditioning.

Worth knowing
Lanolin is derived from wool wax and is valued for its ability to boost softness and shine. It can feel rich, so it is typically used in small amounts in modern formulas.
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Cleansers / surfactants

Solubiliser and emulsifier

Helps blend oils and fragrance into water-based formulas for even texture and performance.

May suit
Useful for those who prefer haircare products with clear, consistent textures or evenly dispersed fragrance and oils.

Worth knowing
It is widely used in shampoos, conditioners and styling products to keep formulations stable and smooth. It also offers mild surfactant properties that support product rinse-off.
Ceteareth-20 Cleansers / surfactants

Emulsifier and surfactant

Helps blend oil- and water-based ingredients to create a smooth, stable formula.

May suit
Those who prefer products with a creamy, uniform texture.

Worth knowing
It is commonly used in conditioners and styling products to keep formulas consistent and easy to apply. It also supports even distribution of other ingredients through the hair.
Propylene Glycol Humectants

Humectant

Helps hold moisture and carry other ingredients through the formula.

May suit
Most hair types as part of a moisturising formula.

Worth knowing
A widely used humectant and carrier ingredient.
VP/VA Copolymer Thickeners and stabilisers

Film-forming styling polymer

A film-forming polymer that helps provide hold, texture and style retention.

May suit
People looking for longer-lasting hold or improved definition in styling products.

Worth knowing
It is widely used in gels, mousses and sprays because it creates flexible, brushable hold. It can also help reduce frizz by forming a lightweight coating on the hair.
PVP Thickeners and stabilisers

Film-forming polymer

PVP is a film-forming ingredient that helps provide hold and structure in styling products.

May suit
Anyone looking for longer-lasting hold, enhanced definition or improved style memory.

Worth knowing
It is widely used in gels, mousses and sprays because it creates a flexible film on the hair shaft. Its performance can vary with humidity, so it is often blended with other polymers for stability.
Kaolin Thickeners and stabilisers

Absorbent mineral clay

Kaolin is a fine white clay used to absorb excess oil and provide gentle cleansing or texture in haircare products.

May suit
Those with oily scalps or those using styling products that benefit from a matte, volumising effect.

Worth knowing
Kaolin is a naturally occurring clay that can help improve product texture while offering mild cleansing without stripping. It is commonly used in scalp treatments, masks and texturising products.
Ozokerite Thickeners and stabilisers

Thickener and texture enhancer

Ozokerite is a mineral wax used to thicken formulations and improve texture and stability.

May suit
Those who prefer styling or conditioning products with a richer, more structured feel.

Worth knowing
It helps products maintain shape and consistency, particularly in waxes, balms and pomades. It can also support hold in styling formulas without feeling overly greasy.
Mineral Oil Oils and butters

Emollient / occlusive

Helps smooth and coat the hair by forming a lightweight protective layer.

May suit
People looking to reduce moisture loss, add slip, or tame frizz.

Worth knowing
Mineral oil is a highly refined cosmetic-grade ingredient valued for its stability and ability to lock in moisture. It is commonly used in hair treatments and styling products for added softness and shine.
Glyceryl Stearate Thickeners and stabilisers

Emulsifier and texture enhancer

Helps blend oil and water and gives haircare formulas a smooth, creamy texture.

May suit
Those who like richer conditioners or masks that feel smooth and spread easily.

Worth knowing
It also offers light conditioning and can help soften the feel of hair. It is widely used in both skincare and haircare for its reliable stabilising properties.
PEG-100 Stearate Cleansers / surfactants

Emulsifier / surfactant

Helps oil‑ and water‑based ingredients blend smoothly and supports even product texture.

May suit
Those who prefer creamy, uniform formulas that spread easily through the hair.

Worth knowing
It is widely used in conditioners and styling products to keep formulas stable and consistent. Although derived from fatty acids, it primarily functions as a processing and texture ingredient.
Stearic Acid Thickeners and stabilisers

Thickener and stabiliser

A fatty acid that helps thicken and stabilise formulations while adding a soft, conditioned feel.

May suit
Those who prefer richer, creamier textures in conditioners and styling products.

Worth knowing
It is commonly used to give products structure and improve spreadability. It can be derived from plant or animal sources, with most haircare brands typically using plant-based forms.
Cetearyl Alcohol Conditioning agents

Fatty alcohol conditioner

A fatty alcohol that helps soften hair and improve the texture of formulations.

May suit
People looking for smoother, more manageable hair or richer, creamier product textures.

Worth knowing
Despite the name, fatty alcohols are moisturising and conditioning rather than drying. They also help stabilise and thicken many haircare formulas.
Carbomer Thickeners and stabilisers

Thickener and stabiliser

Carbomer helps thicken and stabilise gels, creams and styling formulas.

May suit
Anyone who prefers smooth, consistent textures in styling or leave-in products.

Worth knowing
It helps formulas stay evenly mixed and glide easily through the hair or onto the scalp. It is widely used because it works in very small amounts and provides reliable texture.
Aminomethyl Propanol pH adjusters

pH adjuster

Helps adjust and stabilise the pH of haircare formulations.

May suit
Those interested in how product pH affects hair and scalp feel may find its presence relevant.

Worth knowing
It is commonly used at low levels to help formulas stay effective and consistent. It does not act on the hair directly but supports the overall product performance.
Phenoxyethanol Preservatives

Preservative

Helps keep the product stable and pleasant to use after opening.

May suit
All products that need protecting from spoilage.

Worth knowing
A very common, well-studied preservative used at low levels.
Methylparaben Preservatives

Preservative

Helps protect haircare products by preventing microbial spoilage.

May suit
Anyone who wants products to stay fresh and stable over time.

Worth knowing
Parabens like methylparaben are widely used because they are effective in very small amounts and have a long history of use in cosmetics. They help maintain product quality, especially in water-based formulas.
Propylparaben Preservatives

Preservative

Helps keep haircare formulas stable by preventing the growth of microbes.

May suit
Anyone using products that benefit from a long, reliable shelf life.

Worth knowing
Propylparaben is a widely used preservative that helps maintain product quality and freshness. It is used at very low levels and is well studied for its role in keeping formulations stable.
Parfum Fragrance ingredients

Fragrance

Gives the product its scent.

May suit
People who enjoy a scented product.

Worth knowing
Fragrance preference is personal. Some people prefer fragrance-free formulas by choice.
Disodium EDTA Chelating agents

Chelating agent

Binds to minerals from hard water so the product works consistently and stays stable.

May suit
All products, especially in hard-water areas.

Worth knowing
Used in tiny amounts to keep formulas performing reliably.
CI 19140 Colourants

Colourant

A synthetic yellow colourant used to give products a bright, consistent hue.

May suit
Those interested in the appearance of their haircare products or checking for specific colour additives.

Worth knowing
CI 19140 is widely used in cosmetics and personal care for its vibrant and stable colour. Its presence does not affect the performance of the haircare formula.
CI 15985 Colourants

Colourant

A synthetic orange-yellow colourant used to give products a consistent and appealing hue.

May suit
Those interested in the appearance and shade of their haircare products.

Worth knowing
It is widely used in personal care and regulated for use in cosmetics. Colourants like this help maintain batch-to-batch visual consistency.

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Reviews

Customer reviews

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4out of 5

2 ratings · 2 reviews

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Most helpful review

Adam

Verified purchase

Purchased: 90g

19 Mar 2025

Highly recommended Tough’n Up from NAK.. been using this particular wax for many years & it’s brilliant for holding styled hair all day, without the use of additional products / hairspray

Reviewers can enter our monthly $50 draw, whatever their rating.

sean

Verified purchase

Purchased: 25g(MINI)

Could have been a contender

8 Sep 2015

first time i used it i thought, maybe a little goes a long way. even with hair spray it only lasted half a day.

However, it gives a great finish and texture but hold is not that great if you have medium hair. subsequent uses i used more than what seemed normal for a product of this type, to feel like it\\\\\\\s doing something.