You’ve got the best deodorants to keep your pits in check. You’ve got the best aftershaves to keep your face intact. It’s time to tackle that hairdo. Skip the gels, hairspray, and the goop you grew up with in favor of a great pomade. Whether you’re going side part, slicked back, pompadour, spiked or all around messy, these are the best pomades for men.
Murray’s Superior Hair Dressing Pomade
Murray’s Superior Hair Dressing Pomade has been putting hair in its place for the better part of a hundred years. This particular hair goop smells of vanilla and the consistency is best described as industrial strength. The only complaints people have about Murray’s are that it’s too sticky and lasts too long. In our eyes, that’s a benefit for slicked back ‘dos. Use less product and rub your hands together throughout application to get it easily distributed. It also happens to be one of the few options on this list you can actually find on the shelves of a well-stocked store in case you need to re-up and you can’t wait for Prime shipping. $6
Royal Crown Pomade
With history dating back to the time before Elvis and Johnny Cash—both were reportedly users and avid fans—Royal Crown Pomade has established quite a name for itself. The hold is what we’d describe as a sticky medium that will give you a bounce for that pomp without the industrial strength hold of alternatives like Murray’s. It’s got a slight gloss without being shiny and a unique smell that can best be described as freshly cleaned grandpa. It works and smells curiously familiar while still being refreshingly different. $11
Suavecito Pomade Strong Hold
In case being rated Amazon’s number one new release in the pomades and hair styling waxes category wasn’t enough indication, Suavecito Pomade Strong Hold is the new kid on the block with nothing to prove. It has a woodsy smell with floral notes. It holds like wax while washing out with water. It has a moderate shine without leaving you feeling greasy. Suavecito Pomade was built around a culture of chopped cars, custom bikes, tattoo artists and barbers, so it’s definitely good enough for the rest of us. $13
Layrite Super Hold Pomade
High hold. Medium shine. Water soluble. There isn’t much about Layrite Super Hold Pomade that isn’t to love, and that’s probably because it was originally developed to replace the wax that greasers in the SoCal rockabilly scene would use to tame their manes. The decades-old product holds as strong as the wax it was designed to replace while still being as easy to wash out as a gel, so no more ruined pillow cases, couch cushions or headphone bands at the end of the night. $14
American Crew Pomade
The name and packaging of this pomade probably seem familiar, and that’s because American Crew Pomade is the option you’re most likely to find in your local salon. With its musky scent and gel-like consistency, American Crew Pomade goes on easy, smells pleasant and delivers a solid hold without being too stiff or impossible to remove. It’s the best pomade if your hair is low maintenance. $18
Imperial Barber Grade Products Classic Pomade
If anyone else billed their hair care wares as Barber Grade Products we’d advise you to be skeptical, but that isn’t an issue with Imperial, because they deliver on every aspect of the claim with their Classic Pomade. The four of four rated hold strength in this pomade makes the hold industrial strength for any style, but the water-based construction makes it easy to restyle and remove after a long day. It’s also vegan-friendly, has a mild and refreshing fruity scent, and goes on almost as easily as the gel your parents bought you when you were a kid. $20
Baxter of California Clay Pomade
No list of best men’s grooming products in any category would be complete without an entry from Baxter of California. Baxter of California Clay Pomade requires the old hand rub before application and is a little more work to get out than a water-based pomade, but the texturing clay formula gives you a solid hold with a matte finish that will last while still being able to be played with throughout the day. This is the best clay pomade out there. $21
Beardbrand Tree Ranger Styling Balm
Beardbrand Tree Ranger Styling Balm is a jack-of-all-trades styling product with a light to medium hold that’s perfect for a flexible and natural look. With notes of eucalyptus, cedar and pine—along with a modest amount of hold and shine—this hair styling option from Beardbrand more than delivers on the classic pomade definition of “a scented ointment applied to the hair or scalp.” It also pulls double duty as a fantastic way to keep your beard under control. $32
