how to use hair pomade with an undercut

Bang For Your Buck: How to Use Hair Pomade in 3 Ways

Not just your dad's hair product.

A lot of times, hair pomade gets a bad rap. It just seems too polished, too shiny, too done for most modern hairstyles. Call it a fault of marketing—how is one ever to compete with the slick sophistication promised in a bottle of gel, or the cool, laid-back feel of a clay? The answer: You do both.

Yup, today’s lesson in getting the most bang out of your hair products is showing you how to use hair pomade for three different looks. Read on:

How to Use Hair Pomade in 3 Ways

how to use hair pomade pomp
The modern pompadour requires a bit of sheen + hold. Photo credit: Faraz Essani Photography

1. The Easy, Dapper Pomp

Contrary to what you might think, a proper modern-day pompadour isn’t very complicated to recreate. Gone are the crazy swirls and super-shellacked sideburns of first-generation pomps. These days, all it takes to get the look is some height at the fringe area and a bit of sheen—both easily achieved with a blow-dryer and some pomade.

After washing, focus your blow-dryer nozzle on the roots of hair, while you tug hair upwards during rough-drying (this creates lift). When all your hair is dry, take a finger-swipe of non-greasy-shine pomade, like Bed Head for Men by TIGI Slick Trick, and rake the product through your hair starting from the forehead hairline. Refine with a fine-toothed comb in an upwards motion so you don’t lose the lift. Usually takes 5 to 7 minutes.

how to use hair pomade with an undercut
Use a comb for a super-sleek finish. Photo credit: Dvora

2. The Off-Duty Undercut

Want a badass way to style your undercut aside from wearing it loose, floppy and too much like that underage barista in your neighborhood? Try slicking it straight back. Provided you’re totally confident with your hairline and features (some men like pairing this look with some facial hair), this is definitely a head-turning look. Some think that it’s not for dudes who like playing it safe!

How to use hair pomade for a slicked-back undercut: Best when done on hair that’s freshly dried, apply a quarter-sized-amount of shine pomade, such as AXE Smooth Look Shine Pomade, onto palms and rub to spread out. Rake through your hair from front to the back, and refine with a comb. Time: about 3 minutes.

how to use hair pomade 3 ways man bun
A tiny amount of classic pomade helps give normal texture some added slip. Photo credit: Allyson Alapont

3. The Laid-Back Man Bun

We know, it’s not really your go-to look—but the great thing about a man bun is that it’s versatile enough to fit lots of personalities. You’ll find that simply adjusting the tightness of your knot or the texture of the bun can make a huge difference. For this upcoming spring, we love ourselves an easier, more laid-back, weekend-worthy bun that is easily recreated with some classic-finish pomade.

Use less product than you normally would; you’re only going for a bit of grip and control here, and not shine. A dime-sized amount of pomade, like AXE Clean Cut Look: Classic Pomade, is more than enough to smooth out the base of your bun. Start by rubbing the product between palms and smoothing it over your entire head. Pull hair in your regular man bun (here’s how) and dab any leftover product onto the top and sides. Start to finish time: quicker than your daily coffee run.

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