MODERN MEN'S HAIR STYLING: POMADES, WAXES, AND CLAYS EXPLAINED
From the best pomade for thick hair to the most effective hair clay for everyday styles, men's grooming has evolved dramatically from early 20th-century elegance to today's blend of vintage and modern styles. This evolution extends to hair styling, where men now choose between pomade, wax, or clay based on their hair type and style preference.
The wide array of grooming products means 'pomade' can refer to almost any styling aid. It’s essential to look closely at product details to ensure it meets your specific needs.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR STYLING AIDS
POMADES: The Classic Shine and Hold
- Ideal For: Achieving slick, classic styles that remain flexible throughout the day.
- Variety: When choosing between matte pomades and shine pomades, consider your desired finish. Matte pomades are ideal for a natural, non-glossy look, especially suited for those with thick hair. Both types allow for style adjustments throughout the day and come in water-based formulas for easy washing.
WAXES: The Strong, Textured Hold
- Ideal For: Styles that demand a firm hold with a matte finish, perfect for textured, all-day looks.
- Evolution: Newer waxes blur the boundaries with pomades by offering some shine and easier washout with water-based ingredients, albeit with slightly less hold than traditional waxes.
CLAYS: The Flexible, Natural Styler
- Ideal For: A versatile option that offers a medium hold with a matte finish, suitable for a wide range of everyday styles.
- Flexibility: Clays provide variable hold depending on application; less hold on wet hair and more on dry hair.
MAKING THE CHOICE
Selecting the right product—pomade, wax, or clay—is about matching it to your hair type, lifestyle, and the look you're aiming for. Whether you prefer the sleekness of a pomade, the strong hold of a wax, or the natural style of a clay, there's a product tailored to your needs.
Embrace the variety and experiment to find your perfect match in the evolving world of men's grooming.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for leaving a comment! I remember the gels you describe very well, as I’m sure many of us do. They were a favourite for many for a long time!
Generally speaking, petroleum-based gels such as those fell out of favour for two reasons. Firstly, styles changed, and less men wanted short, ‘spiky’ styles that gels excelled at styling.
Secondly, and for me, more importantly, gels fell out of favour to water-based pomades because these pomades are a superior product. A quality water-based pomade such as Uppercut Deluxe Pomade provides a strong hold, but won’t dry out to the point of creating white flakes at the end of the day.
Being water-based, it washes out very easily and won’t build up in the hair the way gels did after a few days of consecutive use.
I hope that helps! If you want to discuss further, feel free to send us an email using our Contact Us page and we’ll be happy to help! :)
Hi
Whatever happened to actual hair GEL? I haven’t used it for an age, though. I know, I’m living in the past, right?
I have been looking for it recently: you know the stuff: it was water clear, sorta wet, real (water?) gel, that you could dip your fingers in and apply to your hair. It dried out nicely and let you restyle your hair later with dampened fingers, later. Came in large “tubs”. Washed out easily.
I really don’t like ANY of the clays, pomanders and waxes that seem all to make my hair feel like stiff, sticky, plastic. (I’ve tried quite a few!) And you used to be able to get it anywhere. Now it’s nowhere. Not even here; in a place that “specialises” in this kinda stuff.
Unless you can suggest an alternative, I’m relegated to the “obsolete” pile, I suppose. <old f@*t>
I guess the only thing that’s constant, is change (progress?) :\
Oh, well.
Cheers
Steve
Hi John, thanks for your question! Styling thin hair can be a little tricky, but there are some great products in our range that can help. We don’t offer any products that claim to regrow hair, but we do have some options available.
The key to styling thin hair is to not use any products that add weight, such as regular pomades as these will really exaggerate any thinness. Uppercut’s Easy Hold is a really good option for achieving a lightweight hold with a casual look.
If you’re after some even lighter hold, Morgan’s Thin Hair Volume Spray uses wheat proteins to help plump up the strands, giving a fuller appearance.
I hope those suggestions help!
I can’t decide what to do with my hair, it is so fine (72 years old) I don’t know whether to let it grow or shave it all off.
Is there any product that thickens hair