How to Use Pomade for Your Beard

Co-authored by Marlon Rivas

Last Updated: March 16, 2022

If your beard is a little unruly and hard to tame, pomade can be a game-changer. Beard pomade helps sculpt your beard, make it smell good, and keep it hydrated, and it's really simple to use. You just want to make sure you’re prepping your beard first and applying the pomade correctly for the best results. We’ll walk you through how to do it step-by-step below!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Applying the Pomade

1
Use a fingertip sized amount of balm. Use your fingertip to scoop out some pomade from its container. Don’t use too much pomade, since this can clog your pores.
- Your fingers should be clean before applying beard pomade, otherwise any residue on your hands could end up in your pomade and in your beard.
- Ideally, you should only apply beard pomade after a warm shower. Warm water helps open up your pores and raise up your beard hairs, which makes them more receptive to treatment and styling.
- A fingertip sized amount f beard balm is usually what you’ll need. However, depending on a number of factors, such as the thickness and length of your beard, you may need a less or more balm. You’ll find the right amount of balm to use through trial and error.^{[1]
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2
Spread the balm over your hands. Using beard pomade is very similar to using hair gel. Make sure it’s well spread out over the palms of your hands and between your fingertips. This will give you more control when you apply the product, ensuring it covers your beard evenly.^{[2]
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3
Run your fingers through your beard. Much like applying hair gel or pomade, you want to use your fingers much like a comb, running them through your beard. Do this from multiple angles to ensure the balm is evenly distributed throughout the beard.
- Massage the balm into your skin as well; this will help keep your beard lush and healthy..
4
Rinse excess beard pomade if needed. It’s possible to get overzealous with your balm and apply just a bit too much. You’ll know this is the case if your beard is looking extra shiny and greasy. Unfortunately, you’ll need to fully rinse your beard and start over, this time using a bit less balm.
5
Brush and comb your beard. While not strictly necessary, this step will give your beard more fullness and help you apply the balm more evenly throughout your facial hair. The brush will help straighten out your beard hairs and coat them with balm evenly. The comb will give you more control over your beard, letting you sculpt and shape it.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Choosing the Right Pomade

1
Determine whether you need balm or oil. While the two products have a similar purpose, they shouldn’t be used interchangeably. Balm allows you to sculpt and style your beard in a way that oil can’t, and so is usually better for longer beards. Balm has less of a sheen than beard oil as well, resulting in a more toned-down look.
- Beard oil is better for daily upkeep, but won’t work as well on longer beards, since it lacks a balm’s sculpting power.^{[4]
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2
Choose petroleum-based balms. While different brands of beard pomade will have their own special ingredients, they’re always either water or petroleum-based. Avoid the water-based balms, since they tend to be runnier, especially if exposed to liquid after application.^{[5]
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3
Choose your scent. Many pomades have a distinct scent, usually due to the unique combination of ingredients used. They usually include essential oils from different sources, and some will have strong smelling ingredients like coffee or citrus. Try to find a shop that will allow you to smell samples, so you know you’re choosing a smell that suits you.
- If you're sensitive to smells, go with an unscented pomade.^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Marlon Rivas
  Facial Hair Specialist
  Expert Interview. 17 January 2020.} You might also want an unscented pomade if you have sensitive skin.