Pomade

What does hair pomade do to your hair?

Despite their shiny finish, unlike a gel, pomades offer the flexibility to reform throughout the day. While it is used to great effect in creating pushed-back styles (think 1980s Wall Street), a matte pomade can also be good for smoothing the sides of your hair before applying a lighter wax or spray for a more contemporary, textured finish.

How should you apply pomade?

Pomade can be used on towel-dried or fully dried hair with different effects. For the slicked-back standard, a little moisture will work in your favour. Start with a dime-sized dollop at your fingertips and warm it up in your hands to distribute evenly through the roots and ends of your hair. Massage it in from front to back before flashing it with a hair dryer to get more direction and volume.

Should you wash pomade out before bed?

As with which shampoo and conditioner you use, whether or not to wash out the product depends on your personal preference. Many find that a little residue in their hair between washes aids the styling process. The downside is that the relative thickness of pomade clogs the pores on your scalp, and if you've really gone to town with the Elvis vibes, there's a good chance it will rub off on your pillow.