Hey there, slick. What brings you to the fifties? Maybe you’re here to finally nail the perfect quiff. Perhaps you’ve got designs on a rockabilly pompadour a la Alex Turner or Sam Smith. Or is the plan simply to grease your hair back for the badass biker vibe you’ve always known would go well with your mid-level accountancy role? Whatever your reason (or haircut), hair pomade for men is the washroom weapon of choice when you desire shine and hold in equal amounts.

To put it another way, even the best pomade for men isn’t some all-singing, all-dancing multifunctional hair product. It has a defined purpose and vibe – it’s rooted firmly in mid-century style and ain’t for everyone. If you’re ready to dip your toe into the slicked-back waters of hair pomade, read this guide first.

Best Hair Pomades For Men

Best Overall: Layrite

A hipster barbershop favorite, Layrite (named because it’s apparently the only product that will get your hair to ‘lay right’…) was founded in 1999 and helped kickstart the trend for traditional barbershops. It doesn’t include petroleum and focuses more on hold than shine so you don’t stray too far into The Fonz territory. Ideal for modern takes on quiffs and pompadours, like a David Beckham pompadour fade.

Hold: Firm | Shine: Matte | Size: 4.25 oz | Hair Type: Fine, thick hair

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Best Hold: Pankhurst

Not just because he put his good name to our guide (see his tips at the bottom of this article). Silicon-based. Water-soluble. Pankhurst’s hair pomade for men find their way into the mops of the great and the good of London’s fashion and media scene for no other reason than he’s the go-to barber for men in the know.

Hold: Firm | Shine: Sheen | Size: 75 ml | Hair Type: All hair types

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Best Texturizing: Baxter Of California

A bit of a bastardization, this, but Baxter of California Clay Pomade respects pomade’s rock ‘n’ roll roots while giving way to modern textures. That means you can expect strong hold but with a much more matte finish from the brand that’s been making quality male grooming products since 1965. Pomade for men that’s ideal for smaller quiffs.