Very often, you see men sporting the don-draper-style classic hairdo that seems to last all day without much effort. In today’s day and age, replicating a stylish retro hairstyle is made simple, thanks to the many products available in the market.
If you’ve been toying with the idea of getting a greaser style rockabilly hair or a more modern sophisticated look, the pomade is all you need.
What is this styling product known as pomade, you wonder? Pomade is a wax-like substance used for hairstyling. It was originally created by mixing bear fat and mashed apples in the mid 20th century. However, in modern times, the pomade is made using synthetic substances such as petroleum jelly, to replicate the sleek and shiny look of the original formula.
If you have extremely thick hair, you will need to purchase a proper pomade for thick hair. There are a lot of pomades for thick hair on the market right now, so we will give you a quick rundown of the top 5 best pomades for thick hair.
Our winner after 35+ hours of research
REUZEL Strong Hold Pomade Blue
Our Rating
Best Pomades for Thick Hair - Comparison Table
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What our reviews say
#1. Our Overall Top Pick
Reuzel Strong Hold Pomade Blue
Our Rating
This blue can of water-soluble, vanilla wood scented pomade, is a must-buy for people that are looking to create a hairstyle which requires a heavy hold.
The REUZEL Strong Hold Pomade Blue works best when applied to dry hair after thoroughly blow-drying. It’s a go-to pomade for stylists around the world that are looking to create a range of hairstyles, right from a high pompadour to a slicked-back polished look.
The pomade doesn’t overly harden the hair after styling, thus making the style look more natural. Reuzel Strong Hold Blue Pomade is definitely one of the best pomades for thick hair.
One thing we love about this product is that it is not tested on animals (a bit plus for us), and it is manufactured in the US.
While we personally love this product, it appears that others do too:
"My husband learned about this product line a few years ago from his barber and has never looked back. This stuff has some serious hold! It smells amazing and there are several different varieties to choose from. This one has the strongest hold, but it also leaves a shine. You only need a small amount, so the container lasts forever."
At the time of writing this review, there are over 350 reviews on Amazon, with the majority being positive - click here to read them.
Be sure to check out our list of the best pomade for curly hair for more great items like this.
Pros
Cons
#2. Runner Up
American Crew Pomade For Hold And Shine
Our Rating
This versatile product works well on all hair types but works great for people that need a product to style their short or long, curly hair.
The American Crew Pomade For Hold And Shine has been used by men to style their hair for decades. It gives you high shine and easily washes out while leaving behind no residue. It is best applied on towel-dried hair.
The product maintains a hold all day and requires very minimal restyling. American Crew Pomade is a very good pomade for thick hair.
Tips when using American Crew pomade:
Unlike Reuzel, American Crew is best applied to damp hair - this is because it's a water based product. We find it best to simply towel dry you hair before applying. This will ensure that perfect look, with maximum hold.
As with most pomades, a little goes a long way. It's always best to use a little to start, and add more if needed. If you jump in with a large dollop then your hair is likely to look greasy.
While this is our #2. Runner Up pick, we love it.
It's versatile, has great consistency, easy to use, not to sticky or greasy and washes out easily - I mean, what else do you need.
Oh did I mention that is smells great too?
We aren't the only ones who love it:
"I love this stuff! I use it on my step sons hair and my boyfriend uses this! It gives their hair a nice thrown together look with out looking like their hair is still wet!"
At the time of writing this review, there are over 850 reviews on Amazon, with the majority being positive - click here to read them.
Pros
Cons
#3. Runner Up
Suavecito Pomade Firme Hold
Our Rating
Looking for a nice smelling pomade that will give you a sleek look?
Well, look no further. The Suavecito Pomade Firme Hold is what you need.
It's probably the most popular (certainly the most talked about) pomade on the market today. That's probably because Suavecito is "heralded as all-in-one, universal solutions to getting the best men’s hairstyles."
A pretty bold claim.
Being a water based pomade, it should never leave your hair feeling greasy or sticky (unless you use way to much). It should also wash out easily.
One of the best advantages of a water based product, it that you can readjust your hair throughout the day by simply applying a small amount of water to re-hydrate the gel.
As you would imagine from such a versatile product, it can be used for people with thick, wavy or straight hair.
Ok, so lots of other products have the same great features mentioned above, but what makes this product so talked about?
Honestly - it's the price. We have no idea how they can make such a high quality product this cheap.
Now we aren't the only ones who like this product:
"This pomade is very popular. It has a very nice hold, isn’t too sticky, and doesn’t leave your hair feeling gross or and residue in there. It doesn’t flake off either. It has a very nice finish to it. I would recommend to all my male clients. For females, there’s suavecita and it smells amazing!"
At the time of writing this review, there are over 3,000 reviews on Amazon (WOW), with the majority being positive - click here to read them.
Our handy guide to the best royal crown pomade reviews features more great products like this.
Pros
Cons
#4. Runner Up
Layrite Superhold Pomade
Our Rating
This pomade was born to replace the traditional wax that the greasers used in the rockabilly times.
The formula claims to be unchanged for 10 years. It gives your hair a high shine which in turn gives you a polished look.
While there are dozens of pomades on the market, only a handful every achieve legendary status - but Layrite is one of them. Not only have they been around forever, but their moto is "developed for barbers, by barbers".
I mean, if anyone knows what a good pomade should be, it would be top class barbers.
As with all of the other pomades in this article, this is also water based - meaning it will rarely clump up, can be restyled throughout the day and is easy to wash out.
One of our favourtie things about this product is the smell. While we know that it's subjective, the faint, almost floral sweet vanilla scent is almost heavenly.
In terms of hold, the Layrite Super Hold Pomade controls the thickest and the curliest of hairs. It works best when the hair is completely dry after blow-drying and should hold all day.
The product is made from all natural ingredients too (a big plus for us), meaning no nasty or hash chemicals to damage your hair and scalp.
Others love this product too:
"Best there is! Super hold is hands down the best stuff I've used! Ease of application, great hold, clean and detailed look, easy to wash out; all reasons to love this stuff. Highly recommended!"
At the time of writing this review, there are over 400 reviews on Amazon, with the majority being positive - click here to read them.
Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best american crew pomade reviews.
Pros
Cons
#5. Runner Up
Smooth Viking Super Hold & Super Shine
Our Rating
One of the few pomades that makes you look dapper, without burning a hole in your pocket (not quite as cheap as Suavecito, but comparable).
The Smooth Viking Super Hold & Super Shine is an affordable pomade that, as the name suggests, helps you achieve a style with a stronghold and gives you a supreme quality shine.
It's a little different from some pomades in that it gives you a matt finish rather than a shine finish - which is a bonus as you don't have to worry about using too much product and your hair looking greasy.
It's water based, so that you can restyle it and it's easy to wash out.
You can also use this product on medium length beards - great if you want that all over poslished look.
It's one of the most reviewed products, and it's easy to see why when feedback is like this:
"This stuff is GREAT! My husband uses it, and he has very thick hair that is hard to style. It seems to work for him. I also use it for my two little boys who have finer hair, and it's terrific - it doesn't look greasy or shiny, and leaves the hair VERY pliable. I don't like the feel of typical gel in hair because it gets all crispy, but this clay doesn't do that. I will definitely be buying it again. You need to use more when you have coarser hair, but finer hair doesn't need very much!"
At the time of writing this review, there are over 1,700 reviews on Amazon, with the majority being positive - click here to read them.
We have also reviewed the best uppercut pomades, so check them out as well.
Pros
Cons
Best Pomades for Thick Hair - Buyers Guide
Best Thick Hair Pomade Styles
1. The Classic Style (Don Draper Style):
If your hair is straight and more on the thicker side, this hairstyle will give you a sophisticated look. All you have to do, to replicate this parted style is, use two fingertips worth of pomade and warm it slightly by rubbing it between your fingers and palms and apply it all over your head up to the scalp. Next, use a comb to part your hair and to style it, as per your preference. If you want to go for a more glossy look, start with damp hair. Doing this on dry hair will give you a messy matte texture.
2. The Pompadour (Elvis Presley Style):
To recreate this Elvis inspired style, you will have to use a pomade that is meant to give you a heavy hold. This hairstyle works best with medium length hair. Start off with slightly damp, not wet hair. Use two fingertips worth of pomade and evenly spread it between your fingers and palms and apply it all over your hair. Smoothen down the sides and back by running your fingers through your hair. Use a comb to style the sides in the upward direction, towards the middle. The hair on the front should be combed upwards and forward first, just enough to create volume. Once the desired volume is achieved, gradually slick the hair towards the back and smoothen it using your hands to create a unique and defined shape.
3. The Messy look (Modern Style):
The fusion of a retro style with today’s modern look is made possible using the pomade. If you have thick but short hair, the messy look is easy to achieve. Whether your hair is wavy or straight, all you have to do is apply some light pomade on two fingertips and spread it all over your hair. Stroke your hair back and forth from the ends to the roots, till you get the desired look. This style looks best when the pomade is applied to dry hair.
Thick Hair Pomade Tips and Tricks
- Get a haircut which is suitable for the style that you’d like to replicate.
- Styling and applying pomade on wet hair will give it glossy appearance while applying it on dry hair will give you a textured matte finish.
- Always use only a little bit of pomade in the beginning and then add more as you need. Excessive amounts of it can make your hair look greasy and sticky.
- Blow drying your hair before using the pomade will help speed up the process. After towel drying your hair, start by blow-drying from the roots to the ends of the hair. This will give you more control on the direction of the styling.
- For quick restyling, use a wet comb and run it through your hair in the direction that it was originally styled in.
Out of the many pomades that are available for purchase, there are few that truly works like a charm.
Above are 5 products that we recommend, to help you achieve the sleek and shiny hairstyle that you’ve always wanted.
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