During the 70’s and on into the 90’s, men forgot what proper hair care meant, resorting to sprays and gels that split their ends, dried out their roots, and left their scalp screaming for relief. As those dark times fall further behind us, more guys are going back to the world of pomades to keep their hair in place. These offer a more natural hold that goes in easily, and washes out without the gummy residue that comes with styling waxes and excessive product. Anyone who dares to care about their hair deserves the 16 perfect men’s pomades.
Dax Wave and Groom
Old school and still carrying a price tag from the wayback machine, you’re getting a lot of gumption for very little cash when you grab this traditional favorite. Hard hold that goes and goes, it’s a glob of heavy joy for your comb. Purchase: $6
Boogie’s Pacific Hair Pomade
A versatile pomade from the guys at Dollar Shave Club, Boogie’s has a knack for giving your curls definition, or for keeping your pompadour in line. It’s a bit on the lighter side, which won’t help serious sculptors, but can keep a set of unruly locks from going rogue, all while adding lots of healthy botanicals that brings forth your hair’s natural glow. Purchase
Lockharts Goon Grease
Premium care right down the vinyl tape on the packaging, Goon Grease lights up a room with lemon scents the second you crack the tin, goes on smooth, then holds hard but not stiff. The spooky low price is tough to explain, since the dense quality and light-catching sheen both snag the eye without seeming oily in the least. Purchase: $11
Imperial Barber Matte
Undisputed emperor of the matte-finish pomades, Imperial adds texture and refinement to your tuft, with nary a twinkle to be had. The hold is a good middle ground that moves as you do, but won’t muss when the hours get long. Purchase: $14
Byrd Original Collection
There isn’t a bad option in the bunch when you’re talking about the Byrd collection. Running the gamut from light to heavy, from matte to gleaming, it’s a rare chap who can’t find something that gives them precisely what in a simple tin that wastes nothing on packaging, leaving it all in the grease. Purchase: $14-$22
Uppercut Deluxe
Ready for serious work, the packaging tells the tale better than words ever could. Masculine, medium to high shine, and a strong hold that is intended for staying styled while you hit the heavy bag, Uppercut Deluxe is a heavy hand, but doesn’t flit about when it comes to keeping crazy manes on lock. Purchase: $15
Cool Grease Fiber Grease
Smelling of tropical fruits and popular in the custom car world of drift-race-happy Japan, the Fiber Grease provides an average hold with a low-shine look that’s heavy enough to do the job, but doesn’t feel greasy, nor threaten to run down your face should the going get hot. Purchase: $16
Red House Private Reserve
Looking for all the world like a brewer’s bottle of back-room scotch, Red House is playing their small pomade brewing image to the hilt, which is a compliment to their grace. It’s water-based, though it goes on thick with a waxy catch that feels like new tires grabbing the asphalt, keeping a firm hold through bumps and corners, but still keeping you in control. Purchase: $16
Layrite Superhold
Layrite doesn’t make errors in their line, but when they saddle up and slap “Superhold” on the label, prepare to have your head put to bed. There’s no messing about here, and no nutty ‘fro that couldn’t be corralled by Layrite. A little on the dense side, but not as bad as you might expect, there’s smoothness to this strength that lands with jungle cat poise. Purchase: $18
Railcar Fine Goods Pomade
Opt for standard or supreme hold, and you’ll be happy either way. At the basic level, the hold is decent with an easily washable consistency that slips off without a hitch. Go to the top notch, and you’ll be doing follicular topiary in no time flat. It has a refreshing aroma that is Cali sunshine in a jar, and beeswax backup for natural hits that are love at first whiff. Purchase: $18
Pete & Pedro Pomade
Salon quality Pete & Pedro uses only the most spartan amount to disappear into hair, making it manageable and helping keep it styled with a naturalistic look. Mostly matte in finish, you can shine it up by applying more, but the way it works with waves and curls allows your innate glory to come across rather than laying flat like Bela Lugosi. The smell is the biggest selling point. Both subtle and minty sweet, it says “clean” but little else. Purchase: $19
Nostalgic Handmade Firm
True to the name, Nostalgic’s oil-based Firm hold is a whole range of throwbacks in one jar. The font is Nintendo Power with Excitebike graphics, and the smell is all Cocoa Pebbles, instantly calling you back to the days when you could eat nothing but cereal. It’s a tough cream to dig out of the jar, but once freed it slides on easily, leaving a neutral shine that stays like a well-trained hound. Purchase: $21
Fellow Barber Strong Pomade
A strong hold with a shiny finish, Fellow Barber can go the distance with a glint and a sparkle, while washing away cleanly. It can handle curls or hold sculpted looks in place. Guys who fancy a slicked and tucked style will find this to their liking, though it can run a little flashy for the more sedate gentleman. Purchase: $22
Jack Black Wax Pomade
Usable as an all-purpose man wax, the premium price comes with Black’s standard natural ingredients without losing an inch of hold or malleability to the competition. From your head down to your beard, further down to anywhere else you need to style, it’s healthy, if a little pricey for the privilege. Purchase: $22
Brickell Flexible Hold Wax Pomade
Geared for those with fine hair that’s cut short, Brickell focuses more on flex than on hold, and is one of the feather light choices for guys who want a little help, but aren’t looking to get waxed down. Also decent as a dome wax for those who prefer to go really short, and are looking for natural ingredients to help keep their scalp healthy. Purchase: $23
Baxter Pomade Mixer Kit
There’s a couple of different ways you can use the Mixer Kit. Either keep it on hand for when you want to switch up your hair choices, going from matte to shiny or strong to natural holds, or grab it as your guidebook for the pomade world. A little experimentation with the different types will tell you what works well, what fails you, and what provides the smooth, combable hold you need. Then go forth and conquer. Purchase: $28
