How To Use Pomade

For guys like me who are only reluctantly using hair product, pomade is a very beginner-friendly men’s hair styling product. Application couldn’t be simpler. You can apply to damp or dry hair, but I like to apply to damp hair (partly blow-dried) a few minutes after getting out of the shower. Next, take a nickel-sized amount of pomade and rub it evenly across your fingers and palms. Run your hands through your hair to achieve the desired style, moving from the roots to the tips. You can use a comb to style as well. You’ll want to adjust the amount of product you use based on hair type (straight hair, curly hair, etc.) and whether you have short hair or long hair.

How We Tested

When testing skin and hair products, GQ’s grooming experts use the products long enough to achieve the desired results. For skin care, that could be weeks to months, but it’s usually faster for hair care products like pomade. I tested nine different products in my search for a good pomade for thinning hair. For this guide, I selected pomades well-suited for thinning hair, guys with various stages of hair loss, and volumizing. A few popular pomades didn’t make the final cut.

About the Author

Timothy Beck Werth is an experienced journalist, editor, and grooming writer based in Brooklyn, New York. For GQ Recommends, Tim has tested and reviewed skincare products, beard care tools, and hair products. He’s also covered gadgets and smart home products for GQ, Gear Patrol, Mashable, The Daily Beast, and other publications. He was previously the site director of SPY.com, a men’s product review website. Tim splits his time between Brooklyn, NY and Charleston, SC. He recently finished writing his first novel and is seeking representation.