The hair styling aisles have grown exponentially since you first bought that gelatinous tub of styling wax that now lingers at the back of the bathroom cupboard. Sea salt sprays and clays may have their moment, but for classic frizz control and shape without the stickiness, it’s a pomade you need.
But first, isn't a pomade just a grown-up name for hair gel? Well, not quite. “A gel is a hair product with medium to strong hold that gives a wet look, or can hold the hair in sculpted shapes or groomed styles,” explains stylist Sam McKnight. These traditional products tend to harden as they dry, and leave behind that Ross Gellar shine.
“A pomade, however, can be a creme, wax, or water-based hair product used to style hair,” adds McKnight. “They’re great for defining, adding texture and hold, taming unruly texture and giving control to styles.”
For those new to pomades, the options can be overwhelming, with all kinds of ingredients, functions and physical forms that make figuring out which bloody pomade should go in which kind of bloody hair the grooming equivalent of the Enigma code.
To help you on your way, we've selected the best pomades to consider when styling your morning mop, whether it's fine, fading, frizzy, or anything in between.
The Best Pomades For Men
You likely know two things about Austin Butler: he's on the fast-track to A-list status thanks to his star turn in Elvis, and he has excellent hair.
The secret? It's genetics. But also, this pomade: the exact one that graces that strategically un-done coif.
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For thicker-looking hair
Kérastase Genesis Homme Instant Thickening Molding Clay
Clever old Kérastase has managed to formulate a pomade that thickens hair both aesthetically and literally. The gentle, medium-hold formula contains ginger root and creatine that work to strengthen fine, weakened hair while adding visible body. The line's thickening shampoo is equally worth investing in.
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Legendary session stylist Sam McKnight has introduced a host of styling products to his eponymous line in recent months. A stand-out, this pomade paste is ideal for ruffling up longer lengths, adding definition and density to an undone look.
With a semi-matte finish, it creates body and hold while remaining invisible in hair, so you can look impeccably groomed without screaming 'bathroom mirror hogger'.
A smooth cream made with 95% natural ingredients, this pomade will offer a suppler hold, helping you avoid the obvious Mad Men slickness. It smells of citrus and mint, which is nice on dreary mornings, and washes out easily with water.
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For extra-strong hold
Hanz de Fuko Heavymade
Hanz de Fuko’s cult Heavymade is your best option for a professionally crafted, extreme-hold pomade. It's water-based (so easy to shampoo out) yet resists rain and humidity to keep your lengths in place all day.
Not just a styling saviour, it's designed to care for your head too. Mallow flower and horsetail extract soothe dry and flaking scalps, while lemon peel exfoliates dead skin cells (and thus prevents dandruff).
American Crew's entirely classic offering is one for the high-shiners. It's a fairly dense paste, so ideal for thicker hair types, and rinses out easily in the shower without the need for multiple shampoo rounds. For something less glossy and more malleable, try the brand's Fibre alternative.
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Don't let the threatening name put you off: Le Labo's Styling Concrete is actually surprisingly malleable.
It's a great option for anyone transitioning from a wax, as it will act in similar ways, but with a subtle, classic pomade shine. Plus, this being Le Labo, it boasts a sophisticated bergamot-spiked scent, too.
Cut in a shorter style, thick hair often needs a little coaxing into the right shape. This non-oily pomade is just the thing: it's hefty enough to control the bits around your ears, and leaves a moderate shine for hair that looks healthy, not greasy.
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A styling cream with added hold, this pomade is ideal for longer and thicker hair, as well as curls that need a little controlling. If you're after the seemingly undoctored coif of Jeremy Allen White mid sandwich-related breakdown, this is the one.
For all the quiffs and pompadours out there, Murdock London salutes you. In fact, the barbers behind the brand have made a hair pomade just for you.
Being water-soluble and oil free, you can exercise greater control when styling. The Murdock team recommends applying this high-shine, strong-hold pomade with a comb to achieve that ultra-smooth vintage look.
