What is Pomade? (Quick Overview)
Overwhelmed by hair product hype? Think again. Pomade’s not just for vintage vibes; using the right pomade product will be your secret weapon for style that holds, nourishes, and lasts.
Pomades are one of the oldest hair products used by folks way back in the 18th century!
When it comes to hair styling products, you may be accustomed to reaching for hair sprays, gels, and creams, but have you overlooked the benefits of using a pomade?
What Is Pomade?
Pomade is a hair styling essential product that gives you hold, texture, and control—without the crunch.
Originally made with heavy oils back in the 1800s, pomade was the go-to for achieving those vintage, polished hairstyles and slick looks.
When pomades first appeared, they were an oil-based product used by upper-class gentlemen to avoid frizz and to lock their hairstyles in place, mainly their wigs.
And yes, hairstyles have come a long way since the 18th century, but pomades have remained one of the go-to products for styling hair.
Today, thanks to technology, pomades are no longer all made from oil or contain the same ingredients as they once did.
We also have both men and women using a daily pomade hair product, such as our Highland Glacial Clay Pomade, to support their hairstyles and maintain healthy hair.
Related Link: How to Use Pomade Properly
What are Pomades Used For?
Pomades are versatile hair styling products, used for styles that require light to strong holds.
They’re perfect when you want your hair to stay put without feeling stiff or dry.
Use pomade for:
Defining curls or waves
Slicking back flyaways
Boosting volume and control in short to medium styles
Adding texture and grip for messy, lived-in looks
Pomades go way back—seriously, 1800s throwback. But don’t worry, ours isn’t stuck in the past!
Originally, pomades were oil-based, and if you’ve ever used an oil-based product, you know they are hard to wash out. If you don’t wash your hair before bed, you’ll have residue all over your pillow cases—not ideal.
Fortunately, we now have different bases used for pomades, and each has its place in your hair product collection.
Why Choose Clay Pomade? (Especially Ours)
Clay pomades do more than hold your hair in place—they add volume, absorb excess oil, and improve hair health while you style.
Here’s what makes Highland’s Glacial Clay Pomade a cut above the rest.
Real Benefits, Real Ingredients
Medium Hold, Low Shine – Keeps your look sharp and natural, never greasy.
Canadian Glacial Clay – Detoxifies your scalp, removes buildup, and adds texture without drying you out.
Kaolin Clay – Promotes circulation and volume, perfect for fine or thinning hair.
Beeswax – Locks in moisture and controls frizz without suffocating your scalp.
Jojoba Oil + Shea Butter – Deeply conditions, softens strands, and supports healthy sebum balance.
Arrowroot Powder – Naturally soaks up oil to give your hair a clean, lightweight feel.
Vitamin E + Essential Oils – Deliver antioxidants and a subtle pine-sandalwood scent that disappears after application.
Highland Glacial Clay isn’t just a styling product. It’s a daily-use hair and scalp upgrade—crafted with only 9 powerhouse ingredients and zero BS.
Different Types of Pomades on the Market
| Pomade Type | Hold | Shine | Washout | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water-Based | Medium | High | Easy | One-day styles, slick looks |
| Oil-Based | Strong | High | Hard | Glossy finishes, vintage styles |
| Wax-Based | Light | Matte | Moderate | Tousled texture, soft control |
| Clay-Based | Medium | Matte | Easy | Texture + volume, everyday wear |
You might be wondering, with so many different types of pomades on the market, which one is best for you to pick?
Highland is here to help guide you when choosing the best type of pomade for your hair.
Water-Based Pomades
As the name says, these pomades are made of water. Water-based pomades tend to be very easy to use and spread into the hair. While water-based pomades can hold your hair in place for a day, they will not have the same strong hold as oil-based pomades. However, you will be able to wash these out of your hair fairly quickly, unlike oil-based pomades.
TOP TIP: Highland Glacial Clay Pomade doesn't use water for a special reason. Our pomade uses vegetable glycerin as a base intentionally, so it can contain no petrochemicals or harmful preservatives. Our pomade is actually good for your hair.
Oil-Based Pomades
As mentioned earlier, way back in the day, pomades were primarily oil-based. Oil-based pomade offers a strong hold, keeping your hair in place all day—this will also add lots of shine to your hair. Oil-based pomades, however, are very hard to wash out of the hair and will require multiple hair washes, which might lead to drying up your scalp and hair.
Wax-Based Pomades
These pomades tend to result in a lighter hold, making your hair easy to restyle and manipulate throughout the day. Think of that tousled natural hair look we love to see, wax-based pomade is best to achieve softer looks, but can also be layered into the hair to achieve a medium hold. Since these pomades are wax-based, they will give your hair a soft matte finish look.
Clay-Based Pomades
These pomades are made with kaolin clay or bentonite clay. They are great if you have fine and straight hair and want a matte finish to your hair. If you have short hair, these are also great to add some texture and volume to your hair. They will give you a light to medium hold, depending on how much product you use.
Who Should be Using a Pomade?
Pomades can be used by anyone with any hair type.
Pomades are versatile products that can help you achieve any hairstyle you desire, from that sleek back high ponytail look we see so often on the red carpet to natural wavy hair if you’re going for an effortless style.
Our Glacial Clay Pomade is also a great product to use daily.
Since Highland Glacial Clay pomade is made from just 9 natural ingredients, our pomade will help enhance your hair’s health. Using high-quality natural ingredients like jojoba oil, shea butter, vitamins, and other essential oils, our Glacial Clay Pomade will give your hair a nice dose of moisture and vitamins.
Are Pomades Good for Your Hair?
Depending on the type of pomade you use, pomades can have great benefits for your hair.
Using an all-natural ingredients pomade like our Glacial Clay Pomade is a great option if you’re interested in your hair’s overall health.
Our pomade is:
- Sulfate Free
- Phthalate Free
- Paraben Free
- Made in America in Los Angeles, CA
