How to Use Pomade

Co-authored by Janet Miranda

Last Updated: March 31, 2021 References Approved

Pomade is a hair styling product that has been used for decades to achieve many different hairstyles. Traditional pomades are oil based and very slick, but now we have a more modern water based pomade that’s easier to wash out and gives the hair a lighter hold. Whether you want slick backed hair, shiny hair, messy but styled hair, or spiked up hair, pomade is a wonderful choice to achieve the look and have it last all day long.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Choosing the Right Pomade

1
Pick between oil based or water based pomade. Oil based pomade is the more traditional choice, but water based is a bit more popular. The choice depends on the look you’re going for with your hair.^{[1]
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- Oil based pomades tend to be the a bit less expensive than water based pomades. They give a much greasier and shinier look than water based, and they typically have a much stronger hold. The negative side is that oil based pomades are water insoluble, so it won’t wash out with just water. It’s also hard to get it out by washing with shampoo as well. There are degreasing shampoos available, but they might strip your hair of its natural oils.
- Water based pomades are much more user friendly, but a bit costlier. This type of pomade gives you a similar look to oil based pomades, but will wash out with water. Water based pomades aren’t as strong as oil based, but they will keep the hold as well as maintain flexibility to restyle throughout the day.
2
Use a matte pomade, a sheen pomade, or a mix of the two. The sheen of a pomade determines how shiny your hair will look. You can pick the style of pomade based off the look you’re going for, or you can pick one based on the type of hair you have.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Janet Miranda
Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 11 February 2021.}
- A matte pomade has less shine and is best for hair that tends to get greasy quickly with pomade.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Janet Miranda
  Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist
  Expert Interview. 11 February 2021.}
- A sheen pomade has much more shine and would be good for someone with dry hair.
- You can mix a matte pomade with a sheen pomade to create your own perfect balance.
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3
Decide what strength of hold you need. Pomades are sold in different strengths which will give your hair different amounts of hold. Research different brands of pomade to find out if they give a light, medium, or strong hold.
- If you’re new to using pomade, start with one that has a light hold. This will allow you to get a feel for how to style your hair and still allow you to change the style throughout the day.
- Pomades that give a light hold are soft, and pomades that give a stronger hold are harder.
- If you have thicker hair, you might want to opt for a medium or strong hold.
- You can also ask friends and family for recommendations. For example, you might have a friend or sibling with a similar hair type as yours. Ask them what they use.
- You may need to try several different products before you find the right 1 for you. You might look for trial sizes or samples to keep the costs down.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Applying the Pomade

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Wash your hair. Pomade adheres best to clean hair, so you should wash your hair before trying to style it with pomade. Wash your hair with shampoo to start with fresh, clean hair.^{[5]
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2
Keep your hair damp. Pomade looks best when it’s styled in hair that is slightly damp. After washing your hair, lightly dry it with a towel before styling. You want your hair to be just slightly damp but not dripping wet. This will allow the pomade to mix into your hair easily and look great when it dries.^{[6]
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- This is especially important if you're using a matte pomade or strong hold pomade, as these won't mix into dry hair.
3
Put a dime size amount on your finger tips. With pomade, a little goes a long way, so start with a very small amount. You can always add more as you go. Get a dime sized amount of pomade on your fingers and rub your fingers together to get it on all of your fingertips. This will make it easier to apply it to your hair.
- If you’re using very hard pomade, you may have to heat it up to be able to use it. Use a hair dryer to blow warm air onto the pomade for a few seconds to allow the pomade the heat up and get softer.
4
Run your fingers through your hair where you want the pomade. Pull your fingers through your hair from just near the root all the way to the tips to evenly apply the pomade on your hair. If you only want the pomade on the tips, gently pull the tips of your hair to apply the pomade on them.
- Make sure not to get the pomade onto your scalp. This will cause your hair to look very greasy and is bad for the natural oils on your scalp.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Styling Short Hair

1
Spike up your hair. Put a small amount of pomade on your fingertips to apply it to the tips of your hair. Use your thumb and fingers to gently pull the tips of your hair in the direction you want to spike it. Continue this process until you’ve spiked the amount of hair your want for your desired look. Make sure you only apply the pomade to the tips of your hair.
- Try spiking the front forward and smooth the sides down for a sharp look.
- Spike up the hair on the top of your head for a fun, elongating look.
2
Create a messy look. A styled messed up look is very trendy and a good style to try. Put a dime sized amount of pomade in your hand and work it on your fingertips. Run your fingers through your hair to apply the pomade. Start near the roots and pull your fingers to the tips of your hair moving in and upward direction. Use your fingers to gently tousle your hair by moving them side to side and front to back.
- There’s no right way to achieve the messy look, so just keep playing with it until you achieve a look you like.
- Try not to use too much pomade so your hair doesn’t end up looking extremely greasy.
3
Slick back your hair. Brush your hair to get out any tangles that may be there. Put a small amount of pomade in your hair and work it onto your fingertips. Run your fingers through you hair to apply the pomade. Move your fingers from just near the roots to the tips gently pulling your hair towards the back of your head. Repeat this process until all of your hair is pointing towards the back of your head. Use the palm of your hand to smooth your hair back by starting near your hairline and then running it back towards the back of your head.
- You can also slick the front part of your hair backwards and the sides of your hair down for a different slicked back look.
- To keep your hair slicked back all day, you might want to use a medium to strong pomade.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Styling Long Hair

1
Separate your layers. Pomade can be used to create unique styles with long, layered hair. Work a small amount of pomade in your fingertips to begin. Apply the pomade to the underside of one layer of your hair to give it lift and separate it from the others..
- Pull the layer of hair you’ll be working with up towards the ceiling.
- Use your fingertips to gently wipe a small amount of pomade on the underside of the hair starting near the roots and going down about 1 to 2 inches.
- Carefully let your hair fall back down on your head and it should be a little lifted off of the layer beneath it.
2
Slick back your ponytail or bun. Put your hair into a ponytail or bun and secure it with a rubber band. Work a small amount of pomade on your hands and fingertips. Gently smooth your hair by running your hands over your hair from the hairline to the ponytail. Smooth all fly away hairs with your hands or a brush.
3
Tame frizzy hair and hide split ends. You can use pomade to tame your frizzy fly aways and hide any split ends you might have. Use only a tiny amount of pomade to achieve this style without making your hair look greasy.^{[7]
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- To tame frizzy fly aways, work a tiny amount of pomade in your fingertips and then gently smooth it on the fly away hair in the direction the rest of the hair is going.
- To hide split ends, work a tiny amount of pomade in your fingertips and then gently apply it to the tips of your hair to smooth split ends onto the rest of the hair. Do this in very small sections to make it look more natural.

Expert Q&A

Question

What type of pomade should I use?

Janet Miranda
Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist
Janet Miranda is a Professional Hair Stylist, Makeup Artist, and the Founder of Be.NYLA. With over 15 years of experience, Janet specializes in makeup and hair for advertising, commercial, editorial, runway, special events, television, and videos. She was trained at Vidal Sassoon Academy and with top hair and makeup artists including MAC Cosmetics and Redken. Janet has worked five seasons of New York Fashion Week and one season on Project Runway. She continues to add brands to her growing client list including Armani Exchange, Neutrogena, and Pantene. Janet’s work has been featured on CBS, Brides Magazine, 100 Layer Cake, Style Me Pretty, Green Wedding Shoes, Ireland Image Brides Magazine, and Elle Japan.

Janet Miranda

Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

It depends on your hair type. If your hair is more on the finer, oilier side, matte pomade is a good option. It won't weigh your hair down. If you have thicker, coarser, curlier hair, a lotion or gloss-based pomade will work best since it will be easier to disperse throughout your hair.
Question

Why is pomade always clumpy in my hair?

Janet Miranda
Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist
Janet Miranda is a Professional Hair Stylist, Makeup Artist, and the Founder of Be.NYLA. With over 15 years of experience, Janet specializes in makeup and hair for advertising, commercial, editorial, runway, special events, television, and videos. She was trained at Vidal Sassoon Academy and with top hair and makeup artists including MAC Cosmetics and Redken. Janet has worked five seasons of New York Fashion Week and one season on Project Runway. She continues to add brands to her growing client list including Armani Exchange, Neutrogena, and Pantene. Janet’s work has been featured on CBS, Brides Magazine, 100 Layer Cake, Style Me Pretty, Green Wedding Shoes, Ireland Image Brides Magazine, and Elle Japan.

Janet Miranda

Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

You might not be warming it up enough before you apply it. Make sure you really rub your hands together to warm it up before applying it to your hair.
Question

Do I have to use a blow dryer?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

No, you don't need to use a blow dryer with pomade. In fact, your hair should be slightly damp when you apply the pomade. You can then allow your hair to air dry the rest of the way. If you use a hard pomade, heating it with a blow dryer will make it easier to use, but you do not need to use the blow dryer if you don't want to.

Warnings

Don’t use pomade every day to style your hair. If you use pomade too much, you can block the pores on your scalp and forehead causing them to break out. This is a condition called pomade acne.

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Start with a very small amount when styling with pomade because a little goes a long way. You can always add more if needed. Too much will make your hair look greasy and unclean.

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Be careful when using the harder pomades, they are extremely sticky and very hard to wash off of things.

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Helpful 23 Not Helpful 5
Using pomade helps you do a neat comb over.

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