Pomade is currently the most used term for hair products. Manufacturers cleverly capitalize on this by also naming their product Pomade. However, Pomade is something different from a generic name for hair products. Just as a Hair Gel and Hair Wax are very different, a Pomade is also a very specific product. All these different types of products are intended for different types of Hair and different purposes.
That different types of products are confused is therefore logical. Customers often ask for a good Pomade or Hair Gel without knowing exactly what it does to their Hair. That's why we list the main hair products for you.
The Pomade
An age-old product used to get the Hair in a sleek look with usually a lot of shine. Think of a slick back or a tight side parting. Pomades can now be divided into two types.
The Pomade on oil basis
The most well-known and also the oldest product is undoubtedly the Pomade on oil basis. This is a fairly wet product based on petroleum or beeswax. The name is derived from the French word “pommade” which means ointment. The original recipe of Pomade even contained crushed apples. In the nineteenth century, lard was mainly used as a base for the Pomade. At the beginning of the 20th century, this was changed to petroleum and beeswax.
The advantage of a Pomade on oil basis is that it does not harden and you can restyle your Hair all day long. The Hold of a Pomade on oil basis can be exceptionally high. Even a rain shower does not matter as the product cannot be washed out of the Hair with water alone. The big disadvantage is that you can only get your Hair clean with a lot of Shampoo, but with this, you also wash away the body's natural oils. This is bad for your Hair and scalp. Also, for men who are sensitive to acné, a Pomade on oil basis is less suitable.
The Pomade on water basis
In recent years, the Pomade has been completely reinvented by developing the product into Pomade on water basis. This has the advantage that you can easily wash it out and that your Hair and scalp do not become so greasy. This Pomade hardens a bit more than a Pomade on oil basis, making it slightly less restylable. However, the Pomade on water basis is available with a lot or little Hold and often even more Shine than a Pomade on oil basis.
Hair Gel as a hair product
For decades, the most used hair product by men. Almost every boy and man has used a Hair Gel at some point. Famous are the large yellow pots that we've all had on our bathroom furniture at some point. Suitable for getting the Hair into sleek defined hairstyles or, for example, to create spikes in the Hair. A Hair Gel is actually comparable to a water-based Pomade, but even wetter. This product is available with both a light and strong Hold and often makes your Hair hard. The disadvantage of a Hair Gel is that you quickly get dirt and white flakes in your Hair. When you run your fingers through your Hair, the Hair Gel breaks and you immediately lose the Hold. It's also not very good for your Hair as your Hair quickly gets damaged and dries out due to the chemicals in Hair Gels. Because the water in the Hair Gel hardens, you cannot restyle your Hair throughout the day.
Hair Cream as a hair product
A Hair Cream is the wettest product used for styling Hair. They often provide a natural shine and control over the Hair. Perfect for thick, curly, and long Hair. Creams often contain nourishing natural oils that make the Hair soft. A Hair Cream gives the Hair flexibility and little Hold. Perfect for long Hair where you still want some control and for the natural looks.
Hair Wax as a hair product
Another well-known product often used as an umbrella term. Hair Wax is a very versatile product that can be used for sleeker hairstyles, but also for the more messy looks. It is often made based on Beeswax or Lanoline. A Hair Wax gives more structure and definition than a Pomade or Hair Gel does. It is much drier and thicker than a Pomade. It often has a very high Hold and the Shine can vary. It is suitable for short to medium length Hair. The Hold doesn't last as long as with a Pomade, but the Hair Wax is easier to restyle. You can go almost any direction with it.
Hair Paste as a hair product
The Hair Paste is definitely the most versatile product. It is thicker than a Pomade and less thick than a Hair Clay. You can buy a Hair Paste with little or a lot of Hold and a matte finish or a bit more shine. A Hair Paste is almost always water-based. A Hair Paste often has a lot in common with a Hair Clay. It often contains an ingredient from a Hair Clay. It provides a lot of texture and volume, but has the easy spreadability of a Hair Wax. A Hair Paste is for to use for every hair length. For thin and thick Hair.
Hair Clay as a hair product
The Hair Clay is one of the most interesting products of recent years. It gives your Hair a lot of texture, thickness, volume, and often a strong Hold. A Hair Clay often consists of the clay types Bentonite and Kaolin (which are also often found in a Hair Paste). These types of clay absorb all the dirt from your Hair without drying out your hair. It makes your Hair look thicker. It is rich in vitamins and nutrients, making it healthy for your scalp. The big advantage is that it provides a very good Hold but does not weigh your Hair down. Therefore, men with thick Hair can often use a Hair Clay better. For men with thinner Hair, it has the advantage that a Hair Clay makes your Hair look fuller. That is why it is also the most popular hair product of the last few years.