Best Pomades for Men
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Best Pomades for Men
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Best Pomades for Men

These Pomades Are the Secret to Firm, But Flexible Styles Without All the Flakes

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Product photos from retailer sites.


We’re about to let you in on some pro grooming advice here, so saddle up if you’re ready.

A good hair pomade is your secret style weapon.

To the uninitiated, pomade is a pretty underrated grooming product, but it can help you achieve any iconic hairstyle from slicked-back suave to the perfect bed head. Plus, it can offer some really great hold to help you maintain your look through wind, humidity, and other daily assaults on your locks. It's also a great weapon against frizziness and pesky cowlicks, if you happen to need a little defense in those arenas. But most of all, it’s just about the easiest way to achieve salon-level style without the hassle (or expense!) of seeing a stylist on the regular. 

RELATED: 15 Dry Shampoos That Clean Greasy Hair Fast

So, what is pomade anyway? Well, it can be made from differing ingredients and offer different levels of shine, but they’re all essentially a wax-like substance meant to give your hairstyle a firm, but flexible hold without crunchiness, drying, or flakes. Pomades can often be confused with similar hair products, like waxes, pastes, clays, muds, and putties, but traditionally, hair pomades offer a stronger hold and won’t mess around much with texture. That said, there are two main categories of pomade: water-based pomades and oil-based pomades. 


Types of Pomade


Water based pomades lend themselves best to softer styles while providing shine and pretty good hold. They distribute lightly and smoothly through your hair, so they're ideal for frizz control, too. They’re also easier to wash out of hair or reactivate with a bit of moisture to readjust your look throughout the day. 

Oil based pomades, on the other hand, are a lot closer to their traditional form. They're creamier-feeling (or even greasy) in your hand, but they go on your hair thicker than water based pomades and often provide a stronger hold. For these reasons, oil based pomades are ideal for guys with very dense or curly hair. These water-resistant pomades can, however, be pretty difficult to wash out in the shower, so just be aware. (And if it’s giving you some trouble, try shampooing your hair before you add water to get a good lather going. Then you can rinse with hot water and, very likely, repeat.)

But what if you’re not sure how to use pomade? No worries, it’s actually really easy, regardless of the type of pomade you're using. All you have to do is get a dime-sized amount of pomade on your palms, rub it together, and run your hands through your hair when you hop out of the shower in the morning, starting at the back and working your way forward as you go. Some pomades can be applied to dry hair, but in general, damp hair will accept the oils in the pomade more easily, making it more malleable and lend to a higher shine as well. After the pomade is worked through your hair, you can finish styling with your hands or, more traditionally, a comb, especially if you’re looking to achieve a classic hairstyle like a pompadour, slickback, ducktail, or a timeless side part. Then, once you’re done styling, you can trust that your hair will stay neatly in place and look fresh all day.

In short, your days of putting up with cowlicks and frizzy hair, or of fearing a sudden gust of wind or the style-ruining power of summer humidity are over. We’ve rounded up a selection of some of the best pomade for men with all hair types and style needs below. And you can bet that they’ll keep your locks locked down, all while offering shine (and sometimes even the added bonus of a nice fragrance) to have you looking and feeling your best.


Best Pomades for Men


Best for Dry Hair

Baxter Of California Clay Pomade

Baxter Pomade

This all-natural, oil-based pomade is formulated with natural ingredients like beeswax and clay, and without artifical stuff like parabens. This makes for an incredibly strong hold, so cowlicks and fly-aways beware. Apply to wet hair to give your 'do a sheen, or apply dry for a matte finish.

Promising review: “For someone like me with dry and coarse hair that always seems to have too much volume, this is the best product I have ever used. It locks my hair into a style and keeps it there all day.” — Matthew

$23 at Amazon.com

Best for Strong Hold and Low Shine

Imperial Barber Grade Products Classic Pomade

Imperial Pomade

If you’re looking for a product that does it all, this water-based pomade is a great option. It’s strong enough for any super-slick hairstyles (yes, it will even hold down super-wavy or curly hair), but the low-shine finish will give your hair a laid-back appeal. The formula re-activates with water, so all you need to do to re-up your style is wet your comb and run it through.

Promising review: “This is my husband's favorite pomade …  I love that it gives him hold without looking cakey or greasy, and it keeps his hair nice all day and smells delicious. I would recommend it to anyone looking for great hold and texture.” — Melissa Rogers

$12 at Amazon.com

Best for Dull Hair

American Crew Pomade

American Crew Pomade

American Crew’s water-based formula is ideal for dudes with dull or dry hair as it adds a natural-looking shine while providing a medium-strength hold on just about all hair types.

Promising review: “I have longer hair and a cowlick in the front which is hard to control. This pomade does a great job at holding a style without being crunchy. I have found the best way to put it on is to put a marble size amount in my hand, rub my hands together, and then run my hand quickly underwater to help spread it throughout my hair. There's no flakiness like you can get with gel sometimes.” — SnowboardDoug

$15.30 at Amazon.com

Best for On-the-Go

R+Co Dart Pomade Stick

A portable-friendly option, this pomade stick keeps your hairstyle well-groomed by forming a protective barrier that draws out moisture for an adaptively soft and shiny look. Much of the ingredients featured in the product are natural oils — from castor seed oil to jojoba ester — and are loaded with essential nutrients. This means it not only provides a strong hold for thicker hair, but it nourishes healthy hair growth starting from the scalp, too.

Promising review: "This stuff is great. It’s easy to use, smells good and keeps your hair down. Works best if you brush it through your hair." — Syd Play Eat

$19 at NiemanMarcus.com

Best for High Shine

Layrite Pomade Supershine Cream

Layrite Pomade

A lot of guys who know men's hair products may be familiar with this brand's Superhold Pomade, but we're shouting out their high-shine formula here. Normally, this type of shine is reserved for oil-based formulas, but this one is actually water-based so you can touch up as needed and clean it out easier at the end of the day. It's great for styling a perfect pompadour, so go ahead and comb it in, pump up your hair, and bam — you’ll be looking like the next Great Gatsby.

Promising review: “This is by far the best pomade I've ever tried. What I love most about it is that the hold is strong enough to keep your style, and it doesn't dry or crisp up. So if you need to run a comb through it mid-day, you can without having to use water or any more product.” — Matthew Martino

$18 at Amazon.com

Strongest Hold

Suavecito Pomade Firme Hold

Suavecito Pomade

This pomade boasts a firm-hold formula that's ideal for even the most uncontrollable of manes. It combs through damp hair as a wet pomade and then dries hard for an incredibly strong hold and high shine. But, while this water-based formula keeps its hold, it also washes out just as easily as it goes on.

Promising review: “This is the best product of its kind in every way, shape, and form. I radiate heat like crazy and I sweat profusely, therefore hair products don't last long in my hair. In my best efforts to find something that would actually work for me, I did countless hours of research to eventually come to the conclusion that this was the one for me … It goes in the hair so easily, it disperses so evenly, it sets at the perfect firmness and texture, and most important of all, it lasts all day!” — Sean Mills

$14.99 at Amazon.com

Most Water-Resistant

Patricks M3 Matte Finish Strong Hold Pomade

This oil-based pomade serves up a stylish matte finish and an impressively strong hold that'll last all day, even through your sweat sessions. In fact, it's water resistant up to 1000 feet, so swim on! Its formula is also very nourishing and protecting, packed with palmetto, sage, red clover, and peptides.

$60 at MrPorter.com

Best Value

AXE Clean Cut Look Classic Hair Pomade

AXE Clean Cut Pomade

If you're wary about applying a pomade to your hair from a company famous for its specifically fragrant deodorants, fear not! This two-pack is not only cost-effective, but it's also a high-quality product offering great hold and a mild finishing shine. It might even make you feel like you've just left a professional stylist (but with a DIY at-home price).

Promising review: “Keeps my hair happy and in place, but still soft — not hard like typical hair products. Not as greasy or shiny as typical pomade [either] … My hair feels healthier and my scalp is less dry than with other products. Hands down, the best hair product I've found.” — Robert

$13.52 at Amazon.com

Most Lightweight

Smooth Viking Pomade - Medium Hold & Supreme Shine

This versatile water-based pomade can be used wet or dry, and it's pretty universally great for all textures and styles, so you can easily use it to change up your look day-after-day. Its medium hold gets the job done with a lightweight feel, and its high shine will leave you looking perfectly coiffed.

Promising review: “I have very fine hair and it's so hard to do anything with it because [of that]. I ordered this based on the reviews about how it won't weigh down or make my hair look greasy. This stuff is great! After I blow dry my hair, I add a small amount (about the size of a nickel) into my hand and then begin to apply it. It gives my hair a nice shine, but more importantly, it gives my hair the fullness and hold that I need." — L. Avila

$11.95 at Amazon.com

Best Scent

Tenax Pomade Strong Oil

Tenax Pomade

Straight out of Italy's longstanding family of Ludovico Martelli brands, this water-based pomade offers strong hold while having the added bonus of washing out easy at the end of the day. Just work it between your palms and apply it to damp or dry hair for a structured, but not stiff look with an all-day hold.

Promising review: "Smells wonderful, goes on easily, and lasts a long time. Compared to Layrite and others, this leaves my hair feeling softer and more manageable after an application. I get great hold without my hair being too still." — e-dolecki

$16 at Amazon.com

Best Matte Finish

Reuzel Extreme Hold Matte Pomade

If you’re looking for hair that looks matte and soft, but won’t move an inch, then chances are you’ll find what you’re looking for in this pomade. It boasts an impressive hold that isn't likely to go anywhere. That is until you shower, of course, since this water-based formula washes out with ease.

Promising review: "I'm not a fan of shiny hair, but I have thick hair that takes a lot to hold in place, especially on my crown. This [Reuzel pomade] is awesome! It's everything I like as far as ease of use, washing out easily, and not flaking off onto my shoulders, but it has a more masculine scent, and the holding power is incredible for something that is matte finish." Justin C.

$19 at Amazon.com

Best Organic

Mack for Men ShapeShifter Pomade

Mack for Men ShapeShifter Pomade

Beeswax provides this pomade with its foundation, meaning that it's both water-soluble and organic, but don't think that means it can't keep up with the competition when it comes to providing a long-lasting hold. It's also free of chemical compounds and artificial ingredients that plague so many other grooming products, like parabens, DMDM formaldehyde and IPBC preservative.

Promising review: "This stuff holds strong. I only need about a pea-sized pinch with just a bit of water to give my hair an even coat that seems to hold all day. What differentiates this from their HydroClay is primarily that the ShapeShifter has a light shine and differing texture. I’m typically not into shine when it comes to hair products, but this shine is still within what I’d consider a natural look. It’s [also] got a clean, fresh scent that’s nice, but not overpowering." — Ty. K

$17 at Amazon.com

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