Choosing the right men's hair product often comes down to two choices in the classic wax vs pomade showdown. But what’s actually the difference? It’s not just about the name on the jar; it’s about what’s inside. One is perfect for creating textured, matte styles with a strong hold that lasts. The other is your go-to for a slick, polished finish with some shine. Understanding how each one works with your specific hair type is the key. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to make the best decision for your hair.
Hairstyles Best for Hair Wax
Hair wax is your go-to for creating styles that need texture and definition without a glossy finish. Because it provides a strong hold with a matte look, it’s perfect for more modern, tousled hairstyles. Think messy bedhead, textured quiffs, or any look that needs to stand up and stay put throughout the day. It’s particularly effective for clients with short to medium-length hair, as it adds volume and separation without weighing the hair down. The pliable nature of wax allows for restyling, which is a great selling point for clients who like to switch things up from day to night.
Hairstyles Best for Pomade
When a client asks for a classic, polished look, pomade is the answer. It delivers a signature shine and a flexible hold that’s ideal for creating smooth, neat styles. Pomade works wonders for timeless cuts like the pompadour, slick-back, or a sharp side part. Unlike wax, which thrives on creating texture, pomade is all about control and sleekness. It’s incredibly versatile and performs well on all hair types and lengths, from short and fine to long and thick. This makes it an essential product to have on hand for achieving those sharp, dapper looks that never go out of style.
How to Apply Wax and Pomade
Knowing which product to use is only half the battle; proper application is what truly creates a flawless style. While both wax and pomade are styling staples, their unique consistencies mean they require slightly different techniques to get the best results. For wax, the focus is on emulsifying the product and working it through dry hair to build texture. Pomade, on the other hand, is often best applied to damp hair to achieve that signature sleekness and shine. Mastering these methods will ensure you can deliver the exact look your client is after, every single time.
Application Tips for Hair Wax
The key to applying hair wax is to start small. Scoop a pea-sized amount and warm it between your palms until it’s soft and pliable. This step is crucial for ensuring an even, smooth application without clumps. Work the product through dry or slightly damp hair, starting from the back and moving forward. Applying to dry hair will give you the most texture and the strongest matte finish. Use your fingers to create separation and shape the style. If you need more hold, you can always add more product, but it’s much harder to remove it if you start with too much.
Application Tips for Pomade
For those classic, high-shine styles, pomade should be applied to damp, towel-dried hair. This helps the product distribute evenly and provides a smoother finish. Start with a dime-sized amount, warm it in your hands, and apply it from root to tip. Use a comb to create clean parts and direct the hair into your desired shape, whether it’s a slick-back or a pompadour. For a bit of extra volume, you can use a hair dryer on a low setting to help set the style. You can always add more pomade for extra shine and a stronger hold once the initial style is in place.
The pros and cons of each product
There are two types of hair products that men use: wax and pomade. Each has its own set of pros and cons. Here is a breakdown of each product so you can decide which is better for you.
Wax is a popular hair product for men because it provides a strong hold. It can keep your hair in place all day long, even in windy or humid conditions. Wax is also easy to apply and doesn’t require much time to style your hair. The downside of wax is that it can be difficult to remove and can leave your hair feeling stiff and crunchy.
Pomade is another option for men’s hair products. It also provides a strong hold, but it has a more natural look than wax. Pomade is easy to apply and doesn’t require much time to style your hair.
BuyBarber.com Offers Both options!!! and many more. Try our hair products for men in a variety of sizes and scents. We have waxes, pomades, and clays that are popular with guys who value their hair products. These are the best options for guys who like to change up their styles on a regular basis. Here are some of our favorites.
Hair Wax Pros and Cons
Hair wax is a staple for creating styles that need texture and a firm hold. Its main advantage is providing a strong, pliable hold with a natural, matte finish. This makes it perfect for messy, textured looks on short to medium-length hair that need to stay in place all day, even through wind or humidity. Because it doesn’t harden like a gel, you can often restyle it throughout the day. The trade-off for that strong hold is that wax can be challenging to wash out completely. It often requires a clarifying shampoo to fully remove the product buildup, which is important information to pass along to your clients. If over-applied, it can also make hair feel a bit stiff or heavy, so starting with a small amount is always the best approach.
Pomade Pros and Cons
Pomade is your go-to for those sharp, classic styles like pompadours, slick-backs, and side parts. Its biggest pro is the finish it delivers—from a subtle sheen to a high-gloss shine—and a hold that can range from light to strong. Unlike wax, pomade keeps the hair neat and controlled, making it perfect for achieving a polished, sophisticated look. Modern water-based pomades offer great hold and have the added benefit of being incredibly easy to wash out with just water, leaving no residue behind. The potential downside often lies with traditional oil-based pomades. While they offer a superior hold and allow for endless restyling, they are notoriously difficult to wash out and may require several rounds of shampooing.
Our Favorite Styling Products
Choosing between wax and pomade ultimately comes down to the client's desired hairstyle and hair type. As a quick guide: recommend hair wax for a natural, matte look with a strong, textured hold. For a sleek, shiny appearance with a flexible-to-strong hold, pomade is the clear winner. Having both in your station’s toolkit ensures you’re prepared for any style request that comes through the door, from a tousled, casual look to a sharp, formal cut. This versatility not only serves your clients better but also solidifies your reputation as a knowledgeable stylist who can execute any look flawlessly.
When stocking your shop, it’s smart to carry a variety of formulas. Water-based pomades are a must-have for their ease of use and simple washout, making them a client-friendly favorite. We recommend checking out the diverse range of hair pomades available at BuyBarber.com, which includes options for every hair type and desired finish. For clients who need that extra-strong grip for more demanding styles, keeping a high-quality oil-based pomade or a firm-hold wax on hand is essential. Educating your clients on which product achieves their goal look—and how to use it properly—not only helps them maintain their style at home but also reinforces your expertise.
BuyBarber Water-Based Matte Pomade
was created for all hair types, not just to hold your hairstyle in place but to actually care about your hair. Whether your style is pompadour, ducktail, fade, or a classic cut. Our water-based matte pomade will not dry out or leave your hair hard, allowing you to style your hair over and over again throughout the day!
Level 3 Super Hold Pomade
Get brilliant, long-lasting shine and extreme hold with the transparent, keratin-infused LV3™ Brand ™ Hair Styling Pomade.
The Level 3 residue-free hair-styling formula dries light and clean for a fresh feeling, while the pleasant scent gives your senses a lift and the freedom to restyle throughout the day. Ingredients provide no stickiness, no frizz, no heavy hair feeling - just irresistibly smooth, shiny hair.
Matte Pomade and we are super proud to release these to you all. We formulated this pomade to give you a great medium hold with a healthy matte finish. This product will go in super smooth, without any hair tugging like you may be used to with other products.
This will allow you to instead focus on the styling aspect of your routine as opposed to trying to evenly distribute hair products throughout the hair. Once you have it in, it's going to stay in. It has some great holding power. And when you want it out, just simply wash it out with water. Simple.
Key Differences: Wax vs. Pomade
Choosing between wax and pomade comes down to understanding the specific job you want the product to do. While both are staples in any barber's toolkit, they deliver very different results in finish, hold, and even how they feel in the hair. The main distinction lies in the texture and shine they provide. Wax is your go-to for creating definition with a natural, matte finish, making it perfect for more casual, textured styles. Pomade, on the other hand, is designed to give a sleeker, often shinier appearance, ideal for polished and classic looks. Knowing these core differences is the first step in helping your clients achieve their desired hairstyle and teaching them how to maintain it at home.
Finish and Texture
The most noticeable difference between wax and pomade is the final look and feel. A client will immediately see whether their hair looks shiny or natural, and they'll feel the product's consistency when they run their hands through their hair. Wax typically creates a matte or low-shine finish, which is great for styles that need to look effortless and textured without appearing overly styled. Pomade is known for its shine, ranging from a healthy sheen to a high-gloss wet look, making it the classic choice for slick-backs and pompadours. The texture in the jar also differs; wax is often firmer and tackier, while pomades are generally smoother and creamier, which directly impacts how they are applied and distributed through the hair.
The Look: Matte vs. Shine
If your client wants a style that looks natural and textured, hair wax is the perfect tool. It absorbs light rather than reflecting it, resulting in a matte finish that adds fullness and definition without any gloss. This makes it ideal for messy, piecey, or spiky hairstyles where you want to emphasize layers and movement. Conversely, if the goal is a sharp, polished, and well-groomed look, you’ll want to reach for a pomade. Pomades provide that characteristic sheen that defines classic barbering styles. The level of shine can vary, with water-based formulas often offering a more moderate gloss compared to the high shine of traditional oil-based pomades.
The Feel: Tacky vs. Smooth
The texture of the product itself plays a huge role in application and styling. Hair wax generally has a firmer, sometimes tacky or waxy, consistency. You have to warm it up between your palms to make it pliable before working it through the hair. This tackiness is what provides the grip and separation needed for textured looks. Pomades, especially water-based ones, tend to be much smoother and creamier, almost like a thick gel or lotion. This allows them to glide through the hair effortlessly, making them easy to apply evenly for smooth, combed styles where you don't want any clumping or resistance.
Hold, Flexibility, and Restyling
Beyond the finish, the type of hold and the ability to restyle throughout the day are critical factors. Some clients need a rock-solid hold that won't budge, while others prefer a more flexible style they can adjust. Wax typically offers a stronger, more rigid hold that locks hair in place. Pomade provides a more pliable hold, allowing for restyling with just a comb or your fingers, which is a major advantage for anyone who likes to switch things up. The product's performance in different weather conditions, like high humidity, is also an important consideration when recommending a product for daily use.
Understanding Product Hold
When it comes to hold, think of wax as providing structure and pomade as providing control. Hair wax usually delivers a medium to strong hold that can feel a bit stiff, which is exactly what you need to make individual pieces or entire sections of hair defy gravity. Once styled, it tends to stay put. Pomade offers a more flexible hold that can be built up by adding more product. It keeps hair in place without making it hard or crunchy, which is why it’s perfect for combed styles. This flexibility means the hair can be reshaped throughout the day, a key feature of classic oil-based pomades.
How They Handle Humidity
Humidity can be the ultimate enemy of a perfect hairstyle, and this is where wax often has an edge. Because most hair waxes are made from ingredients that repel water, they tend to hold up much better in humid weather, preventing frizz and maintaining the style's structure. Water-based pomades, on the other hand, can sometimes break down or lose their hold in very damp or humid conditions, as the moisture in the air can begin to dissolve the product. For clients living in humid climates, a quality hair wax or an oil-based pomade might be a more reliable option for all-day hold.
Ingredients and Washability
The formulation of a styling product determines not only its performance but also how easy it is to wash out. This is a practical detail that clients always appreciate knowing. Waxes and oil-based pomades are anhydrous, meaning they contain no water, and are made from a blend of waxes, oils, and petrolatum. This is what gives them their water-repelling properties and strong hold. Water-based pomades, as the name suggests, have water as their primary ingredient, which makes them function very differently, especially when it comes to rinsing them out at the end of the day.
Common Ingredients in Wax and Pomade
The ingredient list is what truly separates these two products. Hair waxes almost always contain a natural wax like beeswax or lanolin as their base, which provides that characteristic pliable, tacky hold. Pomades are more diverse. Traditional pomades are oil-based, using ingredients like petrolatum or mineral oil to create a slick, water-resistant barrier that provides excellent hold and shine. Modern water-based pomades use water as a solvent for various styling polymers, making them feel more like a gel but with the styling capabilities of a classic pomade.
Types of Pomade: Water-Based vs. Oil-Based
The distinction between water-based and oil-based pomades is crucial. Water-based pomades are incredibly popular because they wash out easily with just water, leaving no residue behind. They offer a clean application and a hold that can range from light to strong. Oil-based pomades are the old-school classic, known for their superior hold, high shine, and the fact that they don't dry out, allowing for infinite restyling. However, they can be difficult to wash out completely and may require a clarifying shampoo or a special degreasing formula to remove the buildup.
How to Choose the Right Product for You
Helping a client find the right product is about matching the product’s characteristics to their hair type, length, and desired style. There’s no single "best" product—it's all about the right tool for the job. For a professional barber, understanding these nuances allows you to create the perfect cut and style in the chair and also to recommend a product that the client can successfully use at home. Considering factors like hair density, texture (straight, wavy, or curly), and length will guide you directly to the ideal choice, ensuring the client can replicate their look day after day.
Recommendations for Hair Types and Lengths
Different hair types have different needs. What works wonders on thick, wavy hair might weigh down fine, straight hair. The length of the hair also dictates what kind of product will be most effective. Shorter styles often benefit from the strong, texturizing grip of a wax, while longer styles may need the smooth control of a pomade to look their best. Providing tailored recommendations shows your expertise and helps your clients feel more confident in their daily styling routine. It’s about empowering them with the right knowledge and the right product for their specific hair.
For Short to Medium-Length Hair
Hair wax is often the hero for short to medium-length hair. Its ability to create texture and separation is perfect for defining layers in a crop, adding piecey-ness to a fringe, or creating a controlled messy look. Because it provides a strong hold with a matte finish, it keeps shorter styles looking sharp and intentional without the high shine that can sometimes look out of place in more casual cuts. A small amount of wax worked through dry hair is all it takes to provide all-day structure and definition, making it a versatile and low-maintenance option.
For Thin and Fine Hair
When working with thin or fine hair, the goal is to add style and hold without weighing the hair down. Using too much or too heavy of a product can make the hair look flat and greasy. For this hair type, a very small amount of a lightweight hair wax can add texture and the appearance of thickness. Alternatively, a light-hold, water-based pomade is an excellent choice. It can provide control and a bit of polish without sacrificing volume. The key is always to start with a tiny, pea-sized amount and add more only if necessary.
For Thick and Curly Hair
Thick and curly hair types require products with enough strength to manage their volume and texture. For those with thick hair aiming for a classic, controlled style like a pompadour or side part, a strong-hold pomade is essential for keeping everything in place. For clients who want to embrace their curls, hair wax can be a fantastic option. It can enhance the natural curl pattern and provide definition and control, taming frizz while delivering a natural, matte finish that doesn't look greasy or wet like some curl creams or gels might.
Which product is better for different hairstyles
There are a few key differences between wax and pomade, mainly the hold and the shine. Wax is going to give you a stronger hold than pomade, but it will also be less forgiving when it comes to mistakes. Pomade will give you a softer hold with a lot of shine.
This makes it great for classic styles like the slick back or side part. When it comes to choosing between wax and pomade, it really depends on the style you’re going for. If you want a classic look with a lot of shine, then pomade is the way to go. If you’re looking for something with a stronger hold, then wax is your best bet.
In conclusion, it is clear that both wax and pomade have their own advantages and disadvantages. It really depends on personal preference as to which one is better. Some men prefer the hold that wax provides, while others prefer the shine and versatility of pomade. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide which product works best for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which product is easier for my clients to use at home? For clients who are new to styling products, a water-based pomade is usually the most user-friendly option. It has a smooth, creamy texture that's easy to distribute evenly through the hair, and it washes out completely with just water. This makes the daily routine simple and prevents the product buildup that can sometimes happen with heavier waxes.
Can I use wax and pomade together on the same style? Yes, you absolutely can, and it's a great technique for creating custom looks. For example, you could apply a pomade throughout the hair for overall control and a bit of shine, then use a small amount of wax on the ends to create sharp, defined texture. The key is to use each product sparingly to avoid weighing the hair down.
My client wants a matte finish but a flexible hold they can restyle. What should I recommend? This is a common request that falls right between the two products. I'd suggest a matte pomade or a styling paste. These products are formulated to give you the natural, no-shine finish of a wax but with the softer, more pliable hold of a pomade. It gives your client the best of both worlds: a modern texture that they can still run their hands through and adjust during the day.
Is an oil-based or water-based pomade better for a beginner? For someone just starting out, a water-based pomade is the way to go. It provides great hold and is incredibly forgiving since it rinses out so easily. Oil-based pomades offer amazing hold and restyling capabilities, but they require a more thorough washing process, sometimes with a clarifying shampoo, which can be a bit much for a beginner.
How do I fix a style if I've accidentally used too much product? If you've gone a little heavy-handed with wax or pomade, the best fix is to lightly mist the hair with water from a spray bottle. Then, use a blow dryer on a low heat setting and a comb or your fingers to work through the hair. The heat will help soften and redistribute the product more evenly, reducing any clumps or greasy spots without having to start over.
Key Takeaways
- Define the Desired Finish: Use wax to create modern, textured styles with a natural matte look. Opt for pomade when your client wants a classic, polished hairstyle with a noticeable shine.
- Master the Application Method: Always apply wax to dry hair to maximize texture and separation. For pomade, apply it to damp hair to ensure even distribution and achieve a smoother, more controlled finish.
- Recommend Based on Hair Type and Maintenance: Wax is a great choice for adding structure to short or fine hair. For thicker hair or clients who want easy washout, a water-based pomade offers strong control without the difficult removal of wax or oil-based products.
