Hey there, slick. What brings you to the fifties? Perhaps you’re right here to lastly nail the right quiff. Maybe you’ve received designs on a rockabilly pompadour a la Alex Turner or Sam Smith. Or is the plan merely to grease your hair again for the badass biker vibe you’ve all the time identified would go nicely together with your mid-level accountancy function? No matter your purpose (or haircut), hair pomade for males is the washroom weapon of alternative once you need shine and maintain in equal quantities.

To place it one other method, even one of the best pomade for males isn’t some all-singing, all-dancing multifunctional hair product. It has an outlined objective and vibe – it’s rooted firmly in mid-century model and ain’t for everybody. When you’re able to dip your toe into the slicked-back waters of hair pomade, learn this information first.

Finest Hair Pomades For Males

Finest General: Layrite

A hipster barbershop favourite, Layrite (named as a result of it’s apparently the one product that may get your hair to ‘lay proper’…) was based in 1999 and helped kickstart the pattern for conventional barbershops. It doesn’t embrace petroleum and focuses extra on maintain than shine so that you don’t stray too far into The Fonz territory. Best for contemporary takes on quiffs and pompadours, like a David Beckham pompadour fade.

Maintain: Agency | Shine: Matte | Dimension: 4.25 oz | Hair Kind: Wonderful, thick hair

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Finest Maintain: Pankhurst

Not simply because he put his good identify to our information (see his suggestions on the backside of this text). Silicon-based. Water-soluble. Pankhurst’s hair pomade for males discover their method into the mops of the nice and the great of London’s vogue and media scene for no different purpose than he’s the go-to barber for males within the know.

Maintain: Agency | Shine: Sheen | Dimension: 75 ml | Hair Kind: All hair varieties

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Finest Texturizing: Baxter Of California

A little bit of a bastardization, this, however Baxter of California Clay Pomade respects pomade’s rock ‘n’ roll roots whereas giving method to trendy textures. Which means you may count on robust maintain however with a way more matte end from the model that’s been making high quality male grooming merchandise since 1965. Pomade for males that’s ideally suited for smaller quiffs.

Maintain: Sturdy | Shine: Matte | Dimension: 2 oz | Hair Kind: Straight, Wavy

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Finest Moisturizing: American Crew

One other barbershop favourite, you may view American Crew’s intensive vary as an entire toolkit for males’s hair. It consists of three or 4 totally different pomades for males relying on the model and end you’re going for, be it high-shine and most maintain or one thing extra informal and matte end.

Maintain: Medium | Shine: Excessive | Dimension: 3 oz | Hair Kind: All hair varieties

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Finest Water-Based mostly: Uppercut Deluxe

An Aussie model impressed by Nineteen Fifties barbering, its pomades for males are the centerpiece of its assortment. There’s a matte choice however in the event you’re going for a slick again, sharp aspect parting or pompadour, try the robust maintain, wet-look model, which provides shine with out turning you right into a Ken doll.

Maintain: Sturdy | Shine: Medium to excessive | Dimension: 1oz | Hair Kind: All hair varieties of medium size

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Finest Versatile: L’Oreal Skilled Homme

This salon-stocked vary is the antithesis of the sticky hair merchandise each teenager overuses. Gentle and cream-like, the pomade isn’t an industrial-strength cement, however higher used for touselled and textured hair kinds. Best in case your hair has a pure wave that you just don’t wish to get in a battle with.

Maintain: Versatile | Shine: Matte | Dimension: 80 ml | Hair Kind: All hair varieties

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Finest Selection: Redken Brews

This just lately launched vary of pro-level styling merchandise consists of pomades for each hair kind. If Elvis is your model hero, you’ll discover a high-shine product match for the King. Barely extra trendy is that this wax-pomade hybrid, which has much less of a grip in your hair and means that you can restyle it all through the day. No matter your hair issues, Redken has a few of the greatest hair pomades for males yow will discover.

Maintain: Medium to robust | Shine: Matte to excessive shine | Dimension: 100 ml to three.4 oz | Hair Kind: All hair varieties

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Finest Drugstore: Tigi Bedhead For Males

In order for you a shiny pompadour or slick-back, the onerous half is discovering a pomade that does the job with out requiring turps to get the grease off your arms or out of your hair on the finish of the day. Tigi Bedhead is your good friend right here. A non-grease system makes it simple to scrub off and restyle your hair shortly.

Maintain: Agency however versatile | Shine: Excessive Shine | Dimension: 75 ml | Hair Kind: All hair varieties

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Finest Pure: Jack Black

This Texan grooming firm is usually unfussy and makes use of pure substances to make merchandise that scent pretty much as good as they work. There are three hair pomades for males within the vary: gel, wax and clay, every one tweaked in line with your wants in the case of maintain and end. None of them are sticky, both.

Maintain: Versatile to Sturdy | Shine: Matte to Excessive Shine | Dimension: 2.75 oz | Hair Kind: All hair varieties

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Finest for Thick Hair: Reuzel

Created by a pair of Dutch barbers with severely old-school barbering tastes, this vary of pomades for males is color-coded in line with what you want. At one finish, you may have a water-soluble product that lightly kinds and holds your hair with none undesirable flakes. On the different, a hardcore grease monkey that allows you to flip up the rockabilly to 11.

Maintain: Sturdy | Shine: Excessive Shine | Dimension: 4oz | Hair Kind: Thick, dry hair

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Finest For Curly Hair: Aveda

When you care as a lot in regards to the setting as your follicles, Aveda makes use of pure, natural substances and green-thinking practices in its packaging. It’s one other firm with a number of hair pomades, however in case you have curly hair, its humectant pomade is for you. Designed to retain moisture and outline the pure waves in your hair, this makes high-maintenance hairstyles accessible to males with a tough hair kind.

Maintain: Versatile | Shine: Excessive Shine | Dimension: 2.6oz | Hair Kind: Curly hair

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Finest Versatile Maintain: Bumble And Bumble

A fashion-insider’s alternative, Bumble and Bumble is commonly used backstage at vogue reveals, on photoshoots and on movie units. Among the best hair pomades for males who need slick, exact kinds can really feel heavy however that is mild and malleable for once you need one thing extra versatile than Lego hair.

Maintain: Versatile | Shine: Excessive Shine | Dimension: 1.5oz | Hair Kind: All hair varieties

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Finest Scent: Fish

Based mostly for 30 years in London vogue district Soho, Fish is seen as frequently in shiny magazines as on grocery store cabinets. Large on maintain however low on shine, its hair pomade for males is right for contemporary takes on quiffs and pompadours. The coconut scent isn’t unhealthy, both.

Maintain: Sturdy | Shine: Gloss | Dimension: 3.9oz | Hair Kind: All hair varieties

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FAQs About Hair Pomade for Males

Find out how to use hair pomade for males

First, some home guidelines. “You’re on the lookout for robust maintain and actually good shine,” Pankhurst says. “Normally, with most merchandise, I’d put it into bone dry hair for texture. However with pomade, put it on simply towel-dried hair, so it’s barely damp – this helps with the shine.” Observe Pankhurst’s styling information with the hairstyles that dwell or die on a superb pomade.

The Quiff

That is mainly a short-back and sides. It may possibly get a bit The Solely Method is Essex however that’s as a result of they do it with hair spray as an alternative of a pomade, so don’t try this.

Rub a 5-10p piece price of pomade into your arms to begin. At all times apply it by way of the edges first, then the again and pull your fingers by way of the highest, then a bit bit on the entrance in the long run.

A standard mistake individuals make is to go to the entrance first, which makes the quiff greasy and heavy. With product you may all the time add extra – begin small then add as you go. You’ll want a superb, wide-toothed comb to model it.

The Pompadour

Much like a quiff, the pompadour has a extra exaggerated distinction between the highest and the again and sides.

Slick the edges of the hair again. Utilizing your comb, beginning on the again, roll it backwards as you raise the hair upward. You possibly can blow dry as you go to assist hold the specified peak and form.

Now take a 5p piece price of pomade for males and work it into the highest of the hair, utilizing the comb and blow dryer to kind the peak. The hair ought to be pointing upwards, leaning forwards and bending backwards on the high.

Slicked Again

You can make one thing like Vincent Gallo’s hair – tough and prepared however with shine. Once more towel dry your hair so it’s simply damp.

Rub a small quantity of pomade for males into your arms and start on the sides as above. Work together with your hair to muss a wave into the highest as you pull it again together with your comb.

Apply leather-based jacket. Break hearts and take names.

What’s hair pomade for males?

“Pomade is synonymous with Nineteen Fifties–Sixties quiffs,” says Brent Pankhurst of Pankhurst London – arguably the town’s most famed barbershop. “Folks get this stuff fallacious. It helps to suppose when it comes to icons: you may have your brief hair – Steve McQueen, Daniel Craig – these want a moulding cream or a wax, with extra of a matte end. A pomade comes from the outdated American, Grease-style medium-length hair. You all the time desire a little bit of shine from a pomade. Consider a younger Elvis.”

What hair is pomade greatest for? 

In relation to pomade for males, larger is best. “It really works nicely in longish hair with a slight wave by way of it but in addition works with thick, actually straight hair. I believe it seems to be its very best on Asian hair with a quiff,” Pankhurst says. “However in the event you’ve received very straight, fantastic hair, it isn’t going to work so nicely for you – it’ll collapse, significantly if it’s a greasy pomade you’re utilizing.”

In case you have the best hair kind for the job, you need it to be medium size earlier than making an attempt a pomade. “You’re aiming for a little bit of peak,” Pankhurst says. “Pomade was designed for the quiff. You possibly can have it a bit longer, in the event you’ve received thick hair like Mickey Rourke in Angel Coronary heart – a bit thick and wavy – nevertheless it’s primarily for brief again and sides and longer on high.” Assume David Beckham in his quiff-cum-pompadour days.

Grooming guidelines are made to be damaged, thoughts you. Pankhurst acquiesces that it may be utilized in longer hair in order for you shine. “Something matted,” he says. “Lengthy, textured hair you need simply lifted off the entrance. That’s a bit rock and roll.”

How to decide on hair pomade for males

Having lower the hair of a number of model icons – together with a James Bond – Pankhurst greater than earned the ultimate phrase on the matter.

Bother is, wet-look merchandise have a foul rep for good purpose. The old-school manufacturers like Dax and Black & White can depart residue in your hair and consequently round your own home as nicely. “You get all of it in your pillow and your associate can be livid,” Pankhurst says. “I used to have to make use of washing up liquid to scrub it off.”

It’s because of this that it pays to buy the best product, slightly than half-inching your dad’s that’s been on the shelf so long as he has. “You want one which’s water soluble,” Pankhurst says. “You need it fairly clear and silicone-y to the contact.”

There aren’t any derivatives. “A pomade is a pomade,” says Pankhurst. “The distinction comes within the high quality of substances. And that’s all the way down to the producer. “A great pomade will really feel like a set jelly with a little bit of bounce to it. Rub your fingers and see if it goes greasy – if it does, then transfer on. Subsequent, strive a bit in your hair. At all times go by contact.”

All in all, you wish to guarantee no matter pomade you select, you think about the kind of maintain and end it can give your hair. When you’re going for a extra pure, tousled look, a robust maintain, excessive shine pomade isn’t for you.

What does pomade do? 

Hair pomade for males, in easiest phrases, helps model your hair so as to exit, really feel good, and impress.