Have you ever seen someone with a hair-do and thought “I wish I could achieve that look, but I could never get my type of hair to look like that!” We’ve all been there!


But the good news is, it’s not your hair type you need to blame, but the hair products you are using.

Using the right product for your hair is essential to achieve your desired look.

My hair, for example, barely has any wave to it, and many times I’ve had to completely drench my hair in castor oil to keep it from slipping out of my hair ties—not the best experience.


That changed recently when I started using pomade and realized my hair can actually stay in place without that hard feeling that gel gives or the heaviness of castor oil.


Not all pomades are made the same, however, and you should know which type is best for you and your hair goals.


Let's dive in and see what pomade might be best for your hair type.

What Type of Hair You Have Matters

There are many types of hair, but we usually think of hair in four categories:


  1. Straight
  2. Wavy
  3. Curly
  4. Coily

The four categories are not all that make up your hair type, and it's important to know what type of hair you have to determine the best pomade for your hair type.

Other Factors To Consider

  1. Hair Thickness
    Hair thickness refers to the actual thickness of an individual strand of hair. So, yes, you can have curly-thin hair or straight-thick hair.

  2. Hair Density
    The circumference of your ponytail is a great indicator to let you know if you have dense hair. So, hold your hair in a ponytail and see how wide your ponytail is.

  3. Hair Health
    Another factor to consider when choosing the right product for your hair is the condition of your hair—is your hair healthy, dry, or damaged? Keep in mind that thin hair does not always mean damaged hair. A quick way to tell if your hair is damaged is by seeing how much your hair tangles. If you wash your hair and it's extremely tangled, chances are your hair is dry and damaged.

  4. Curl Pattern
    Usually, we assume our curl partner is the only factor in describing our hair type, but it’s just one aspect. Wavy hair is the least curly hair; it usually has a slight bend, but the curls are not tight—you might even think your hair is straight, but hair is never completely straight, even if it looks that way to our eyes. Curly hair is what we usually try to simulate when we use a curly iron; it's that natural, lived-in, beautiful curl to their hair. And coily hair is the curliest type of hair. To see if you have coily hair, pull on your curls; if they expand a lot, then you most likely have coily hair.

What Pomade is Right for Me?

Hair Type / Concern Recommended Pomade Why It Works
Damaged or Dry Hair Clay-Based Pomade (like Highland Glacial Clay Pomade) Hydrates and nourishes with jojoba oil and botanical ingredients. Easier to wash out than oil-based options—no extra dryness.
Thick Hair Avoid Oil-Based Pomade Oil based pomades can provide strong hold and high shine without stiffness. But, they’re tough to wash out, can clog your scalp, and often contain synthetic junk that damages your hair over time.
Thinner or Fine Hair Clay-Based Pomade (like Highland Glacial Clay Pomade)
Adds texture and volume without clumping. Kaolin clay gives bounce, arrowroot reduces oiliness.
Thinning or Hair Loss Avoid Water-Based Pomades They can clump hair like gel and expose the scalp. Opt for natural clay-based products instead.
Short Hair, Tousled Look Clay-Based Pomade (like Highland Glacial Clay Pomade)
Delivers a lived-in, matte finish that holds without hardening. Perfect for everyday low-fuss styles.
Glossy, Structured Styles Water-Based Pomade Water-based pomades give that slick, glossy hold—perfect for Pompadours or Quiffs. But they often skimp on nourishment and can dry out your hair with daily use. If your hair’s thinning or fragile, they’ll expose your scalp and do more harm than good

At this point, you should have a good idea of the type of hair you have. So, you might be wondering what pomade is the best for you. 


Pomades can be used by anyone with any hair type, but here are some suggestions depending on your hair type and the condition of your hair.


If you have damaged hair, stay away from oil-based pomades. That sounds counterintuitive because the product has oil, and damaged hair is dry and lacks oil. But in the pomade world, oil-based pomades are so hard to wash out, you might end up drying your hair even more when washing out the pomade—you don’t want that.


When you have damaged hair, you want to improve the hair’s health. Here is where our Glacial Clay Pomade can help. Our pomade is made with all-natural ingredients, including jojoba oil, which is great for bringing moisture back into dry hair, so I would opt for that.


On the other hand, if you have really thick hair, an oil-based pomade is great for you—it will give you that strong hold and shine without the gel hardening feel.


Water-based pomades are great for you if you have thinner hair or want a more loose, lived-in hair style with the added shine. They are also great for hair styles you would usually achieve with gels because water-based products can harden.


However, if you are already experiencing thinning or hair loss, water-based products could make that hair loss more apparent since they will clump hair like gel does and expose the scalp.


Clay-based pomades are great for that tousled, lived-in, natural look. For short hair, these are a great option to add texture and volume so that the hair doesn’t feel flat. Especially if you have fine hair, you will love a clay-based pomade because it will give you bounce and texture, which is a dream come true!


I have fine hair and I know how difficult it can be to find the right products, but when I first used the Glacial Clay pomade, my hair looked completely different—it has texture and bounce that lasts.

Bottom Line

Choosing the right pomade will depend on what hold and finish you’re looking for. If you want a strong hold with lots of shine, oil will be best for you. If you are looking for medium hold with natural shine, then wax is a great option. Water-based pomades will work for those who prefer a product that washes out quickly and aren’t looking for the hold of an oil-based product. For those of us with fine hair, a clay pomade is perfect to control frizz while still giving the hair life and bounce.

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