At Pomades.com, customers are always asking us for recommendations on what kind of pomades are best for their specific hair types. While most everyone can use a pomade (just switch to water-based if you have thin or fine hair), there are other products out there that a gent can add to his arsenal to boost his style quotient.
Don’t get us wrong – we love a good hair pomade – but now that it’s summer and hot and humid outside, mattifying hair powders are on our radars in a major way. Read on to learn what hair powders are, how they work, and if they’re right for you.
While we’re on the topic of summer hair, check out the rest of our Summer Hair Guide series:
How to Style a Casual Side Sweep
How to Achieve a Textured Crop
What is a hair powder?
Hair powders – also known as texturizing and mattifying powders – add loads of lightweight volume and texture. Typically they look like baby powder and come in small shaker bottles. Hair powders contain rough particles like silica silylate or rice powder to create matte texture by increasing friction between hair strands. In addition to the base texturizer, chemicals like kaolin clay absorb moisture and oil, amping up the volume even further.
Who should use hair powder?
Anyone can use hair powder. An excellent multi-tasker, hair powder can be used just for extra volume, or it can be a godsend for guys with hair that’s oily before sunset. It adds texture to thick hair and volume to fine hair, and can last days. However, because it does tack on lots of volume, we recommend it more for guys with thin to medium hair.
Because hair powders don’t generally carry a strong fragrance, they’re suitable for those who either don’t like fragrance or who wear cologne and don’t want clashing scents.
How do I use hair powder?
Before we launch into the how-tos, remember to ALWAYS use hair powder on dry hair. You’ll end up looking like someone flour-bombed you otherwise. And you only need a small amount to do the job.
- Apply to roots for instant lift and oil absorption.
- Flip your head upside down and sprinkle all over for general texture and volume (also disguises second-day hair).
- Use in place of pomade for a piecy effect for cropped, shaggy, or spiked cuts.
- To reactivate the hair powder, just scrunch up your hair. Instant volume.
- Hair powders can be used in combination with other hair products like volumizing or texturizing sprays for extra choppiness.
A final note
While hair powders have many positives, one drawback is that they leave your hair feeling slightly dry. They also reduce shine and smoothness – so don’t expect that touchably soft feeling. For this reason, we recommend prepping your hair with a lightweight moisturizing shampoo and conditioner the night before, to ensure your hair will stay hydrated once the hair powder goes on.
Here are our hair powder recommendations and products that you should use with them for the best results:
Shop: 1. Osis+ Dust It, 2. Alder New York Natural Hair Powder, 3. Beever Spritz Fix, 4. John Allan’s Mint Invigorating Hydrating Conditioner, 5. Beever Daily Cleanse Shampoo.
