Pomade holds better than gel and looks better than spray — no stiffness, no flakes, no shellac-hair. Restyle it whenever you want, all day, with just a little water. That’s the whole appeal.
But most guys stop at “scoop it, rub it, comb it.” Here’s how to actually get more out of the tin you already bought.
1. Prep Before You Apply
What you do before the pomade goes in matters as much as the pomade itself. Thick or coarse hair usually responds better with a quick blow-dry first. Fine or flat hair needs the opposite — a light texture spray as a base layer before you touch Maximum Matte Clay gives you something to actually grip and build on.
2. Mix Your Finishes
Nobody tells you this one: you don’t have to pick shine or matte for the whole head. Run Maximum Matte Clay through as your base for texture and grip, then work a little Classic Pomade through just the top or the part line. You get depth — texture underneath, a little polish where it counts — instead of one flat look all over.
3. Build Volume Before You Reach for Product
Backcombing (comb small sections against the grain, close to the root) and a round brush with heat both create real lift before pomade ever touches your hair. Do this first, then apply — pomade holds volume, it doesn’t create it from nothing.
4. Finger-Comb for Texture, Don’t Overthink It
Apply, then just run your fingers through instead of a comb. Separates the strands, gives you that lived-in, didn’t-try-too-hard look. For shorter or layered cuts, twist small sections between two fingers for extra definition. Takes ten seconds, looks like you spent twenty minutes.
Get the Right Tin First
None of this works if you’re using the wrong pomade for your hair to begin with. Check the FAQ for which one fits your hair type, or just go straight to the shop and grab Classic Pomade, Psycho Hold, or Maximum Matte Clay.