Courtesy of retailers
YOU CAN find a jar of pomade in nearly every guy’s bathroom. Pomade is and will always be, one of the most versatile hair products in every guy’s hair arsenal. There’s a pomade out there for every hair type and texture: short, long, thin, thick, straight hair, curly hair and everything in between. A lot of guys are intimidated by pomades or have pre-conceived notions of what type of guy uses pomades, but trust us—pomade is for the everyman.
If the first thing you think of when you hear the word pomade is shiny, slicked-back side parts or pumped-up Rockabilly pompadours, you’re not wrong. Original pomade was oil-based goo that shellacked your hair into place with a shiny finish that rivaled car paint. And yes, those types of pomades are still out there, if that’s what you’re going for. But nowadays, pomade has come to mean more than just a specific product—it’s more of an entire category. There are pomades for every hair type and texture as well as light hold, matte finish, cream, liquid and any other variation you could possibly imagine. This endless evolution has only cemented the importance of pomade for every man.
The main benefit of using pomade is hold, says celebrity men’s groomer Melissa DeZarate. “I’ll use pomade when I want to be sure hair is going to stay in the style I created,” she says. “But they’re also great when you want to create a grittier look or even add texture and pieciness to long hair.” Pomades are generally pretty easy to work with because they stay soft and pliable (even when they’re holding your hair in place) and you can even restyle your hair later with a little water to get it back into place.
Water-based pomades tend to be lighter than oil-based versions, but which you choose depends more on personal preference and what style you are going for (oil-based pomades are usually thicker and shinier). Pro-tip: If you use an oil-based pomade, DeZarate recommends washing it out with conditioner first rather than shampoo because the oils in conditioner will attract the oils in the pomade.
As far as what pomade is right for you? Well, it depends on what type of hair you have and what style you’re going for. Luckily, this list of the best pomades for men will point you in the right direction.
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Best Everyday Pomade
PATRICKS
M1 Matte Finish Light Hold Pomade
| Ingrediets | Saw palmetto, rosemary, coffee, sage, green tea |
|---|---|
| Size | 2.5 oz |
Best Clay Pomade
Jack Black
Clay Pomade
| Ingredients | Tea tree leaf oil, sage leaf extract, lavender, basil, sea kelp |
|---|---|
| Size | 2.75 oz. |
Best Pomade For Frizzy Hair
Aveda
brilliant™ Anti-Humectant Pomade
| Ingredients | Castor seed oil, rice bran oil, dimethicone |
|---|---|
| Size | 2.6 oz |
Best Pomade For Thick Hair
Pomade Firme Hold
| Ingredients | Water, glycerin, castor oil, beeswax |
|---|---|
| Size | 4 oz. |
Best Pomade for Fine Hair
Original Pomade
| Ingredients | Beeswax and castor oil |
|---|---|
| Size | 4.25 oz. |
Best Light Hold Pomade
BYRD
Slick Pomade Flexible Hold Medium Sheen
| Ingredients | Water, castor oil, dimethicone |
|---|---|
| Size | 3.35 oz. |
Best Pomade For Long Hair
Aircraft Pomade Mousse
| Ingredients | Vegetable protein, neem oil, papaya extract |
|---|---|
| Size | 5.6 oz. |
Best Matte Pomade
Hair Pomade
| Ingredients | Natural beeswax and essential fatty acids nourish and hydrate, while creating volume, shape, and texture.Natural beeswax, essential fatty acids, meadowfoam seed oil, cannabis seed |
|---|---|
| Size | 2 oz. |
Best Medium Hold Pomade
American Crew
Pomade
| Ingredients | Castor oil, lanolin, glycerin, safflower seed oil |
|---|---|
| Size | 3 oz. |
Best Pomade for Short Hair
Smoothing Hair Balm
Best Natural Finish Pomade
Baxter of California
Hard Cream Pomade
Best Pomade for Grey Hair
Silverati Illuminating Pomade
Best Multipurpose Pomade
2-in-1 Pomade
Best Smelling Pomade
Man Made Hair Pomade
How We Selected
For the past two years, we consulted with Men’s Health‘s Grooming editors and writers on the best pomades for men. Experts, including our Grooming Editor Garrett Munce, put a number of pomades to the test and evaluated their ingredients, scent, feel, and hold. We also considered whether the pomade was a water or clay-based formula. We also considered top-reviewed pomades that had high customer ratings on e-commerce websites we trust.
Garrett Munce
Garrett Munce writes about men’s style and grooming.
Cristina Montemayor
Cristina Montemayor is a freelance writer and journalist living in Austin, Texas, covering beauty, grooming, style, and culture.
