Oil-Based Pomade (Grease)

This is typically considered to be the classic pomade -- the one with lots of history and rooted in tradition. But to us, who cares? History ain't going to make your hair look better. This is a hair product. This is not some relic of history that must be held on a pedestal.

These products are typically made of three things: petrolatum (solid), wax, and oil (liquid). Petrolatum is solid at room temperature and so, it acts as the foundation or carrier. This component of the formula is commonly replaced by hydrogenated castor oil in petrolatum-free pomades. The wax then provides the hold, and the oils offer shine and consistency. This is obviously a highly simplified explanation of the formulation that goes into an oil-based pomade.

The advantage of oil-based pomades are that they tend to be very slick, offer great control for styling, and all at a reasonable price. However, the downside of these products are that they very inconvenient. You can't wash them out and are usually very greasy.