The Complete Reviews Guide To The Best Pomade For Men

Pomades may sound like something from the seventeenth century, but they’re actually a go-to product for many men out there right now.

For those not in the know, a pomade is essentially a hair product used to gel down hair and keep it in position for long periods of time.

Think of it as a helpful kind of grease, keeping hair slick and suave!

If you’re already using gel or wax but not quite getting the results you’re after, it might be time to switch to pomades.

These give you a great look all day long and help you to achieve pretty much any style. Pomades work really well for a classic look. Think Clark Gable in Gone With the Wind, or even Elvis, the King himself.

You can also use them to get that ‘mod’ look, as well as more hipster styles, if that’s what you’re aiming for.

Pomades can be scented, which only adds to the allure, for you and whoever you’re trying to impress!

I’ve reviewed the best pomades out there, which you’re about to discover, and I’ve also compiled some of my top tips for buying the best pomades for men if you decide to branch out on your own.

Reviews: Best Pomade For Men​

There are two types of pomade out there – water-based and oil-based.

I’ve listed the pros and cons of each type so that you can decide for yourself which type will be best-suited to your hair and help you to achieve your desired end result.

Water-Based Pomades

These are the more ‘natural’ option and so are better for your skin if you’re worried about sensitivity. They won’t lead to unwanted breakouts if they make contact with your skin.

This type of pomade is easy to wash out but also holds its own in any weather, so you’re getting the best of both worlds!

As the main ingredient in this product is water, you won’t experience any greasiness that can come with other hair products such as waxes.

Bear in mind, however, that this type of pomade can dry out through the day as water isn’t the most adhesive thing out there.

You may find yourself topping up your ‘do every so often, meaning you finish your jar a little more quickly than anticipated.

Oil-Based Pomades

These have a lot going for them, too.

Unlike the water-based pomade products out there, this kind of pomade typically stays in the hair all day so you can either stick with one really great hair style or switch up halfway through your day.

However, as you can imagine, this kind of hair product can get a little bit greasy and isn’t amazing if you have sensitive skin.

Avoid your forehead and neck if you want to avoid any kind of breakout.

This type of pomade can also be a pain to wash out, another thing to consider before you buy!

First up is this gem from Suavecito.

This is a water-based pomade with a lovely, light fragrance to add a touch of freshness to your ‘do.

Coming in at around $12, this product is great value for money and offers​ ultimate hold throughout the day.

It’s super easy to comb into your hair and holds well with a great shine and no greasiness.

As with all products of this type, it’s water-soluble so is really easy to wash out at the end of long day of looking slick and suave.

If you’re looking for an alternative to your current wax or gel, I’d go for this one. It does everything your current hair product will be doing, only better!

There's no risk of acne or any kind of breakout with this product, so you can slather on as much as you want or need to without worrying about any adverse side effects.

Smooth Viking offers exactly what it says on tin.

You’ll be the ultimate ladies' man with this little number.

A bargain at just over $10, this pomade is long-lasting, and another water-based option for those looking for alternatives to typically-greasy hair products.

Again, very easy to apply either with a comb or with your hands, depending on what look you’re going for.

This is also easy to wash out as it’s water-soluble, so you don’t need to worry about how much you apply.

Smooth Viking suggests using it alone for a strong, bold look or using a little bit of water on your hair first if you want a messier, more casual look.

If you’re looking for a versatile product that will work all day long, this is it, boys!

It works for everyone – whether you have long or short hair, straight or curly.

If you’re after an industrial-strength pomade, look no further.

Imperial have created this wonder-product for all the guys among you who're after something super strong that holds all day and can help you create the ultimate style.

Another water-based product that promises to keep your hair fixed all day without adding too much shine. This pomade costs under $15 and is a steal.

It may seem a little pricy in terms of my list, but it’s such a great product that I had to include it.

This is a great option for all hair types and offers the same great hold whatever base you’re using it on.

This really is the best pomade for the blokes out there who want to create a strong look.

It's ideal for mods or slick gents who want to keep their hair in place all day without having to worry about stray wisps or falling flat.

Think of it as the Viagra of the pomade world!

Layrite are offering a lovely vintage-style product for all the men out there looking to achieve a great, suave look.

It acts as a wax, slicking back your hair with great hold, but washes out incredibly easily.

This pomade is suitable for all hair types and a little goes a long way, so you’ll be able to keep using the same jar for some time.

This is the best pomade for men with really thick or curly hair – unruly hair can finally be tamed into a ‘20s slicked-back style with this product.

This comes in stylish packaging and offers a vanilla-based, gentle scent to add an extra touch of elegance to your look.

This pomade has a strong hold which lasts all day and has a high shine to it, without leaving any sticky residue on your hair or hands.

Uppercut have got the upper hand with this pomade.

At just over $15, it’s higher up on my price spectrum than most of the others I’ve listed, but it’s too good to miss off my reviews.

I love this for many reasons, but its delicious fragrance has to be one of them.

It’s like vanilla bean mixed with coconut, but don’t worry, it’s a subtle scent!

It’s a water-soluble hair product so can be used easily and washed out in minutes.

Many waxes or gels leave a sticky residue in the hair and on the hands, even after rinsing, so this is a great alternative to anyone fed up of constantly washing their hands after a grooming session.

It offers a matte finish so isn’t the best product if you’re after something high-shine, but can be used to create pretty much any other look you’re after.

It’s clear so won’t add any color to your hair or skin, so can be used on all hair colors and types.

This product is great for all the silver foxes out there who want to stay silver…

 When it comes to being a smooth, smooth man, I couldn’t leave Old Spice off the list! 

For great hold with conditioning argan oils, look no further.

Baxter’s goes on like clay but leaves a lovely matte finish, offering great hold all day.

For high shine without the greasiness, splash on out this beauty.

Dapper Dan for the dapper man. A clean-scented pomade for medium-hold styles.

When it comes to buying a pomade, there a few things to consider before you splash the cash!

Think about whether you’d prefer oil-based or water-based first.

I’d always go for water-based, personally, purely for the fact that they’re better for sensitive skin. However, oil-based can sometimes offer a better, longer-lasting hold.

Oil-based products can be pretty tricky to get out of your hair, however. Consider taking out stocks in olive oil if you want to commit to this type of pomade. It can really help get it out of your hair at the end of the day!

Water-based pomades are generally much easier to wash out, so this is something to consider before you buy.

Water-based pomades are also much less likely to induce any kind of breakouts that can result from accidentally smearing an oil-based product on your forehead. Think about your skin type, too…

Consider what kind of finish you’re after. Most pomades tend to brag about offering high shine, but you can find matte products, too, if that’s something you’d prefer.

It all depends on the kind of look you’re hoping to achieve, so think about how you’ll be styling your hair most days before you jump into purchasing a product.

Think about your morning routine and find a product that will fit into it best.

If you’re the kind of guy who just washes and goes, find a product that is better suited to wet hair in order to achieve the best results.

If you have more time and prefer to style dry hair, make sure you find a pomade that will work well with dry hair. You can also consider wetting your hair slightly before styling in order to get the look you’re after.

Set out your budget before you begin browsing. It can be all too easy to get carried away and accidentally buy the most expensive product out there, trust me!

Think realistically about how much use you hope to get out of your pomade before you buy.

Reading product reviews is obviously a great way to find what you’re looking for, so hopefully you’ve found these ones useful.

There’s no point buying a product for thin, straight hair when you know that, in truth, you have wild, curly hair.

There are so many pomades out there now. You’ll be able to find something better suited to your hair type, I promise.

Generally, if you have thinner, finer hair, you’ll find that more lightweight pomades work best as they don’t weigh the hair down like some waxes or gels can do.

Equally, the thicker the hair, the thicker or harder-working the product should really be.

Hair varies massively so it’s really important to buy something suited to your hair in order to get the best possible results.

If you’re not 100% sure what hair type you have, pop in to your barbers and ask for a hand, or a recommendation.

Experiment!

Luckily, most pomades aren’t going to break the bank so you can play around with different products and styles.

It’s always good to practice the technique needed to achieve the look you’re after first, just so you can figure out what kind of product will work best for you.

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So, gents, there you have it. The top ten pomades out there for all you smooth slickers.

I’ve trawled through so many pomade products to find the best ones for you that pomade doesn’t even seem like a real word anymore!

Hopefully, you’ll find these reviews helpful. I’ve included a variety of different products which will help achieve any hair style a man could ever dream of.

The prices of these products also vary, so there’s something for every budget.

My little buying guide will also hopefully come in handy when you’re looking to buy a pomade.

It covers the basic things to look out for and consider before you invest in a hair care product.

May the best pomade win! Farewell, and good luck, my pomade comdrades…