Gents – pass this one on to your ladies.
Pomade is a relatively misunderstood product in the female hairstyling arsenal. Many of us associate pomades with James Dean, Elvis, and rockabilly pomps – notably, men’s hairstyles. But over the past few years, more and more established pomade brands, including Suavecito and Schmiere, have started producing pomades just for women.
Pomades can actually be extremely useful tools to add to a gal’s hairstyling routine. Unlike hairsprays and gels, pomades don’t leave your hair crunchy. No matter what kind of hold you use, pomades soften your hair, add texture, and define waves and curls. And no, you don’t need to have super short hair in order to use pomade – in fact, pomade works on any hair length and hair type (really).
The trick is in learning how to find the right one, and manipulating your hair for the perfect finish.
Read on for a guide to using pomades for women, broken down by hair type, length, and concern.
Hair Type
Frizzy Hair
Tame flyaways with a heavy pomade that has strong hold, like Lone Star Pomade Super Hold. Smooth the pomade over the surface of your hair to catch any stray hairs.
Curly Hair
Define curls with an oil-based pomade, which will keep curls bouncy rather than crunchy. A fan favorite is Bumble and bumble Semisumo, which promises mega shine and pliable hold.
Wavy Hair
Opt for a flexible, creamy pomade to give your waves a tousled, beachy feel. Bumble and bumble Sumotech fits the bill.
Straight Hair
Get smooth, lustrous locks by running a tiny dollop of water-based pomade, like Suavecita Pomade for Women, from midlength to ends. The water-based pomade will add shine and lots of hold.
Fine Hair
Combat limpness by applying a lightweight thickening pomade, like Supremo Magic Move Soft, which adds body and finishes sleekly.
Hair Length
Short Hair
Finish your pixie cut or layered bob with texturizing pomade, like Sexy Hair Concepts Short Sexy Hair Control Maniac Styling Wax, which gives your hair a messy, rocker finish.
Tip: If you’re more into channeling Scarlett Johansson’s classy quiff, check out this tutorial to learn how to style it in five easy steps.
Long Hair
One of the biggest issues with long hair is split ends. Luckily, pomades temporarily hide split ends while defining long layers and giving you control to make your hair go where you want it to. Try a medium-hold pomade, like Rumble 59 Schmiere Medium Hair Pomade for Women.
Tips for All Hair Types
- For extra shine, rub a water-based pomade from midlength to ends.
- To achieve wavy hair, rub a dime-sized amount of strong-hold pomade into wet hair. Braid your hair, let it air dry, and then undo the braid.
- Always start with a small dollop of pomade. You can always add more if needed, whereas removing pomade means washing your hair and starting all over.
- Petroleum-based pomades can clog your pores and cause pomade acne. We actually wrote a blog post on how to prevent pomade acne here.
