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Finding The Best Smelling Hair Pomade for Men
Scent is a critical factor in choosing your hair products. It can influence your mood and say something about your personal style. Choosing a fragrant pomade can influence the impression you make when you walk in the room or how you feel on a day-to-day basis.
While this article will be taking a look at the best smelling hair pomade, this hairstyle helper hasn’t always been associated with great fragrance.
In its heyday, the original pomade didn’t come with a fragrance. That means the product came smelling like whatever ingredients went into it. For most early users, pomade was made from lanolin, a.k.a. wool grease. Lanolin doesn’t have a particularly terrible smell, but it had a scent described as “sheep’s milk” – not exactly Tom Ford.
These days, most brands put a little fragrance in their pomade to give their product a pleasant aroma for the user and the people around them, and to distinguish their brand from the competition.
Some of the most common scents include mint and “hair product” scents that remind you of shampoo and barber shops, but many companies are getting creative with their scent branding.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the top-performing pomades brands with fantastic smelling products.
Choosing The Best Smelling Hair Pomade For Men: A Guide
Scent is a critical factor in the success of a good pomade, but it doesn’t tell the whole story.
In reality, people approach pomade brands with a few key expectations. Maybe they’re looking for something in their price range, for their particular hair texture, or maybe they want a product with specific ingredients – it really depends on the individual.
Let’s consider pomade from the perspective of a hairstylist.
If you’re dealing with many different heads of hair in one day, you might be looking for the most versatile product, or the best value for your business.
They may also prefer to work with a brand they’re familiar with, or use a whole spread of hair-specific products as opposed to something more all-purpose.
Regardless of their preference, their goal is to have that same head of hair return to their chair the next time they need a fresh cut – which means they need a product that makes the client feel great.
Now, imagine the average person looking for a reliable pomade.
If you don’t have any experience buying hair products, you might go with a brand recommended by a friend, or one you recognize. This type of word-of-mouth advertising is very powerful and can be the deciding factor in why someone chooses a certain product.
At the end of the day, most of us are looking for a pomade to do its job.
How that product performs is going to have the most influence over the brand you purchase, and more importantly, the brand you re-purchase.
Scent is a secondary factor – if the best smelling pomade doesn’t work, it doesn’t matter how good it makes your hair smell. But the reverse is also true. It doesn’t matter how effective your pomade is if you can’t stand the scent!
So, with a product that’s so personal – and nearly impossible to sample without at least a small investment – how do you really make the best choice?
The next few sections will dig into the details of what makes someone choose their pomade, to give you an idea of everything there is to consider when buying a new product.
Price
Pomade is important, but even the best smelling hair pomade is not exactly an essential item. For that reason, many people look for budget options when buying hair products.
The good news is that those people are in luck because there are plenty of wallet-friendly hair styling products to choose from – which we’ll learn more about in our list of the best smelling hair pomade.
On the other hand, high-end pomades are certainly not in low supply. People choose the higher-priced products for two reasons: quality and pride.
A higher price tag usually comes with more reliable overall results, whether you’re talking about shine, strength, or scent. It isn’t that lower price products don’t perform well. But, pricier products are more likely to come from established hair brands and deliver more consistent performance.
Those established brands are often also tied to our tastes, self-image, and biases. People take pride in using products from brands they support, and having an exclusive or high-end hair product can also give your self-esteem a boost. We also tend to expect a pricier product to work better, which makes many people perceive them more favourably.
Brand
Branding is part of our culture. Names like Nike and Dove are part of our daily lives, and we have a particular picture of what these brands represent, and how we feel about them. So it comes as no surprise that people put a lot of trust in brands they recognize.
We want to put our money into brands we feel will be trustworthy and have a track record of reliability, and that absolutely extends to hair products. People gravitate towards brands they recognize, or ones their friends use and talk about.
Brands also impact our perception of the product itself. If it’s coming from a luxury brand, some may find it more appealing, while others may judge it more harshly. Budget brands, on the other hand, may be seen as less reliable by some, while others will take pride in having found a bargain.
When making a pomade purchase, you have to ask yourself how you feel about the brand you’re buying from.
Is it important for you to buy a best smelling hair pomade from a legacy brand like Aveda or L’Oreal, who may not be highly specialized, but may be more trustworthy because of their longevity and familiarity?
Or would you prefer a super-slick hair slicker from a luxury brand who made their name on one or two products with great word of mouth? What about an all-natural brand known more for their ethos than their product performance?
Ultimately, the best brand to buy from is the one that makes the best product for your hair. But when you’re faced with a plethora of choice, sometimes it helps to consider your subconscious responses and go with the brand you’ll feel good supporting.
Benefits
People interested in hair pomade benefits are often looking to achieve a specific outcome. They want to create a particular look with their hair, or they need a product that will provide hold for a very long time. What’s the point if the product doesn’t finish the job?
The best pomades lock hair in place without drying out, leaving you with a flexible, sleek coif. But that’s just the start. The best smelling hair pomade hasn’t just come a long way in the fragrance department. It’s also become a mane multitasker.
Pomades come in different degrees of stability and durability. Some are lightweight with minimal hold, while others are strong enough for the wiliest heads of hair. Some are water- or gel-based and easier to rinse out, while others are oil-based and rich.
There are also pomades for different hair types and textures, and varying levels of shine. Some even come with additional hair-helping ingredients from conditioners, to temporary color that helps blend greys or add dimension, to ingredients that encourage growth.
When it comes to picking a pomade, the options are ever-expanding. You can go classic, pick a product that addresses several of your hair needs all at once, or build a little arsenal of pomades to achieve a variety of looks.
Strength
Generally, people look for a pomade that will hold their hair strongest, longest. There’s nothing worse than a hairstyle you worked hard on coming loose halfway through an important function. Even the best smelling hair pomade isn’t worth much if it doesn’t give you great hair.
When choosing between different brands of pomade, buyers should check the labels to determine how long each product will last. Different formulations will offer different levels of hold, so it’s important to figure out whether the pomade is water, gel, or oil, what the level of hold is, and whether it has a harder or a softer finish.
Some lighter pomades are only intended to work properly for a few hours before losing their strength. That’s why many people opt for cement-type pomades, which are generally more effective at holding hairstyles together for a longer period. Despite their name, they lock your style in place for hours without drying to a hard shell finish like a hairspray or gel.
Finish
The look of one’s hair says a lot about a person. In many cultures, shiny hair is assumed to correlate with good health or good genes, and it’s a selling feature for hair products. Many people purchase their hair shampoos and conditioners to get this glossy look.
Others prefer to give themselves a matte-type finish to make their hair look fluffy or windswept. Luckily, pomade producers know there are different types of hair and different style goals, and have adapted their product accordingly.
Many products give people the classic slick, high-shine look, almost like it’s straight out of a Hollywood movie – think Elvis, Grease, and many iconic classic actors like Clark Gable and Cary Grant. And of course, there’s George Clooney’s Dapper Dan-loving character in O Brother, Where Art Thou?, whose ultra-wet ‘do was more pomade than hair.
Other pomades have a matte finish that gives hair a beach-dried look if you’re looking for a surfer-inspired style, or even a soft set with tons of texture like James Dean. Regardless of whether your vibe is old Hollywood, modern and precise, or vacation chill, there’s a pomade right for every look and occasion.
Format
The original format for pomade has changed over the years. In the early days, options were scarce, and it was common to get pomade in a small metal tin, which would be applied using a fine-toothed comb.
As the market developed, companies invented new recipes, many of which were less messy than the original products. These days, people can apply creams and pastes with their hands, and even with a stick.
If someone’s travelling and they’re looking for direct touch-ups on their hairstyle, these pomade sticks can be an excellent option.
That said, pomade is often as much about the feeling as it is the final look. Many pomade fans are drawn to the product because they don’t just want the classic look – they want the whole classic experience, vintage tin and all.
While there is packaging and formulation for every preference, there can be a big difference between a cream, a paste, a stick, and a tin-based cement when it comes to how much product you need.
If you want an old school style without the old school packaging, you’ll need a lot more product from your stick or tube of cream wax to do what a comb-in oil pomade is designed to do with minimal product. Knowing what look you’re trying to achieve is your best guide for deciding on which pomade to buy.
The Best Smelling Hair Pomade For Men: Top 12 Picks
No more beating around the brush! It’s time for our list of the best smelling hair pomade to reveal our list and delve into the individual products and their features.
We were pleasantly surprised to find that, unlike some other hair products, the market for the best smelling hair pomade isn’t dominated by just one brand, or solely by brands who have mass name recognition. There is a fairly even spread between familiar brands and lesser-known companies just establishing their names in the pomade game.
We also found an impressive range of scents on the market, from archetypally manly smelling pomade with woody fougere or barbershop fragrances, to more gourmand aromas like vanilla and mango. Some products are bold and fragrance-heavy, while others rely on the delicious natural scents of oils and waxes.
Whether you’re looking for a low profile scent that’s just for you or statement-making sillage that will turn heads, our list of the best smelling hair pomade has you covered.
#1 – Aveda Men Pure Performance Pomade
Aveda Men Pure Performance Pomade is a non-greasy formula perfect for everyday use. This best smelling water-based pomade formula boasts all-day performance and gives hair texture and manageability.
Aveda is famous for their reliable products and easily recognizable rich and spicy smell. This is some of the best-smelling water-based pomade available, with hints of citrus, spearmint, vetiver, and lavender.
This hair product is recommended for people with short to medium length hair. It provides a moderate amount of shine for a natural look.
Aveda Men Pure Performance Pomade comes in a 2.5 fl oz container for the price of $37.
#2 – Cocoon Apothecary Pomade – Muskoka
Cocoon Apothecary Pomade in Muskoka offers a wax styling product that gives hair a slick, darkened shine.
The formula is 100% plant-based, mixing a variety of natural ingredients to create an unforgettable woodsy aroma, reminiscent of the Canadian cottage country that inspired its name.
Nature lovers are also sure to recognize the hints of shea butter and coconut oil as they spread this amazing pomade through their hair.
Providing a long-lasting hold, the product is perfect for styling mustaches and beards. Unlike traditional oil-based pomades, it also comes out easily with shampoo, perfect for keeping your hair clean and fresh.
It’s also a wholly sustainable option. All ingredients that go into this Cocoon Apothecary Pomade are certified organic, plant-based, and packaged in reusable containers.
Cocoon Apothecary Pomade in Muskoka comes in a small glass jar containing 1.76 fl oz, for $20.
#3 – Layrite Original Pomade
Founded in 1999, Layrite Original Pomade is a water-based product that claims to hold like wax while washing out like gel.
It comes in an old-school metal tin and is intended to be used like a classic pomade, giving traditional haircuts their shape.
Layrite has the perfect amount of shine with extra hold for a long-lasting hairstyle, and has the same classic vanilla scent Layrite products are known for.
This pomade is also notable for the versatility allowed by its packaging options. Layrite Original Pomade comes in two sizes, 4 fl oz and 1 fl oz, priced at $23 and $12, respectively.
The smaller option is perfect for people who need a smaller option for people on the go, for travel, and for hairstylists who want to minimize the size of their kit. This size is also ideal for those new to pomade, who want to give it a try with minimal investment and waste.
#4 – Brickell Strong Hold Texturizing Pomade for Men
Brickell Strong Hold Texturizing Pomade for Men is perfect for people looking for a matte finish, something significantly less shiny than the usual pomade slick.
The wax-like pomade is scented with a refreshing mint fragrance that perks up your senses.
It’s also made with argan oil which helps condition and refine the hair – an ideal product for someone in search of hair-boosting properties.
This gentle pomade is perfect for everyday use and comes out easily with shampoo. All the ingredients are natural and organic, making it an awesome option for eco-conscious buyers.
Brickell Strong Hold Texturizing Pomade for Men comes in a 2 fl oz container, costing $29.
#5 – American Crew Pomade
American Crew Pomade is a no-nonsense pomade that works with any hair type, one of the more versatile products on this list for that reason.
It provides a medium hold with a high amount of shine. The pomade has a gel-like texture, which is easy to rub into your hair, even if it’s super curly.
This product’s unique formula is what gives it so much styling power. It’s a water-based product, but contains lanolin like the very first pomade formulas, delivering a mix of classic texture and finish with modern wearability. It’s perfect for those classy hairstyles from the ’50s and ’60s, but is also suitable for a more everyday look.
American Crew Pomade made our list of the best smelling hair pomade because it barely has a scent at all!
American Crew is well-known for their subtle, “clean yet masculine” scent profiles. This fairly neutral-smelling pomade has a hint of lanolin oil, but the fragrance doesn’t project or interfere, making it perfect for those who are more scent-sensitive or conscious.
American Crew Pomade comes in 52 ml containers, available for $12.
#6 – Hanz de Fuko Claymation Pomade
Are you looking for a super tight hold? Does a product made with “a touch of Quicksand” sound exactly like the kind of cement your hair craves? Then Hanz de Fuko Claymation Pomade is the product for you.
This pomade has an intense hold for all the hair-sculpting you can dream of. It’s made of a clay-wax formula meant to deliver all-day hold for high concept hairstyles, with a semi-matte finish for a natural look.
Unlike many high-hold products, it washes out easily and is another product with a pleasant, neutral scent, so you can use as much product as you need without filling a room with fragrance.
Hanz de Fuko’s Claymation Pomade comes in a 56 g container and is priced at $29.
#7 – L’Oreal Professional Matte Sculpting Pomade
L’Oreal Professional Matte Sculpting Pomade gives hair a flexible hold with a laid-back, matte finish.
It’s perfect for creating a tousled or textured hairstyle for all lengths of hair. L’Oreal suggests warming the product between your hands and working it through your hair, which makes it easy to control just how much product you’re using.
This pomade has a fresh scent that evokes the salon or barbershop, but isn’t overpowering.
The cylindrical shape of this product’s container, similar to a miniature hairspray bottle, makes it a perfect travel option for people with luggage restrictions who need
L’Oreal Professional Matte Sculpting Pomade comes in a 2.7 oz container. Normally selling for $21, it’s currently on sale for $18.
#8 – Unisex Bed Head Hair Stick by TIGI
TIGI’s Bed Head Hair Stick is made for people whose hair is more runaway than runway. For people struggling with morning cowlicks and stray sections that love to pop out of place, TIGI’s gentle control and natural finish is the solution.
The formula creates texture and holds the hair without any product buildup. It gives a bit of shine, but is meant to control unruly patches of hair and add some definition without looking too slick or done-up.
It comes in a simple metal tube and applies easily on shorter hair with a quick swipe. People love the stick format because it saves them from getting their hands sticky and is great to use on the go.
This product lands on our list of the best smelling hair pomade for its fairly neutral, lightly gourmand smell. It’s ideal for people who want something subtle, sweet, and warm.
Coming in a 2.57 oz container, TIGI’s Bed Head Hair Stick is currently priced at $21.
#9 – John Masters Organics Hair Pomade
John Masters Organics Hair Pomade is made from a heavenly mixture of mango butter, essential oils, and beeswax. The blend of natural aromas gives this product a definite edge over the competition.
This product is targeted toward perfecting and protecting curly hair. It’s great for shaping and taming frizz. It also acts as a heat protector for when you want to work in some extra definition with a curling iron or press your hair straight.
The pomade adds a little bit of shine and its blend of rich oils helps nourish the hair shaft. It also contains certified organic ingredients and is suitable for use on wet hair.
John Masters Organics Hair Pomade comes in a 57 g tin, typically retailing for $27. It’s currently on sale for $21.
#10 – Aveda Brilliant Anti-Humectant Pomade
Aveda Brilliant Anti-Humectant Pomade offers users a creamy solution to frizzy and flyaway hairs. This rich pomade is perfect for giving hair a polished look, even in the most humid weather.
This fuzz-fighting pomade is meant to lock in texture and keep out environmental moisture, and is great for preserving curly or coily styles.
It’s also sustainably made, vegan, and cruelty-free.
To give your ’do a fresh, satin-shine finish, rub a little bit of this product between your hands and apply it sparingly.
The scent, like many of Aveda’s products, is best described as botanical – subtly powdery and soft, similar to a lightly scented unisex hairspray.
Aveda Brilliant Anti-Humectant Pomade comes in a 2.5 fl oz container and sells for $37.
Aveda also offers discounts on refills and free shipping with replenishment services – a great option for anyone looking to reduce their plastic consumption.
#11 – Phillip Adam Stick Pomade
Phillip Adam Stick Pomade’s formula consists of Abyssinian Oil, beeswax, and jojoba oil, which combine to create an unforgettable, woodsy, toasty aroma.
These all-natural ingredients also work together to achieve slight hold, boost shine, and lock moisture into your hair. It’s suitable for long and short hair, and can either be worked in for control and texture, or give you the firmer set of a traditional pomade.
Application of this pomade is easy. Just swipe this hair pomade stickonto your hand and apply evenly until you reach your desired look.
Best of all, its inviting scent is entirely natural. The Philip Adam Stick Pomade is technically an unscented product, meaning it has no added fragrance and is suitable for those with sensitivities or allergies to perfume or artificial scents.
Philip Adam Stick Pomade comes in a plastic container of 1 oz, priced at $18.50.
#12 – Bumble and bumble Semisumo Pomade
If you’re looking for hair that holds its shape but still has a bit of natural flow, look no further than Bumble and bumble’s Semisumo Pomade.
This low-hold pomade will help perfect and tame a wide range of hairstyles with a high-shine finish. Made with a combination of wax and oil, this pomade allows for significant flexibility while still maintaining your style until you wash it out.
This product has a thick, cream texture, ideal for those who like the feel of a heavy pomade but don’t want the weight or slickness.
Semisumo Pomade also has a classic Bumble and bumble aroma – fresh and a bit minty and masculine, yet still comforting thanks to a hint of warm, waxy sweetness.
Bumble and bumble Semisumo Pomade comes in a 1.5 oz glass pot and costs $36.
Which Of These Pomades Provides The Longest Hold?
Out of all these contenders, a few hair pomade brands stand out as having the highest hair-holding potential.
To start, Brickell Strong Hold Texturizing Pomade for Men is notable for its ability to lock in a structured style until you’re ready to wash it out.
This is a really versatile pomade that can give you shape without giving you the shine associated with a traditional pomade, and is easy to remove.
Next up is Hanz de Fuko’s Claymation, which is a “clay-wax” type formula that never gives up. The high-calibre pomade is perfect for sculpting and was made with durability in mind.
Claymation is ideal if you’re looking for a harder hold than a traditional pomade, for intricate or gravity-defying styles that need maximum support for all-day wear.
Finally, we have probably the most traditional pomade on our list, Layrite’s Original Pomade. This is the ideal choice for the true Dapper Dan man, who wants that slick, shiny, vintage pomade look and eternal hold.
Which Pomades Are Unisex?
Our list of the best smelling hair pomade focused on scent profiles that appeal to a wide range of men and are often found in men’s fragrance and products – like fresh and minty, or warm and woodsy. That said, it doesn’t mean these scents are exclusively made for a male wearer.
In fact, most pomades on the market are unisex and have scents that can appeal to anyone.
When it comes to function, all pomade is neutral. Many of the products on our list, like the Phillip Adam Stick Pomade, are suitable for use on different hair lengths and styles, whether you want to define a sharp crew cut or keep your Rapunzel braids free of flyaways.
As such, most brands on our list market their pomades in a unisex way. Product packaging is mostly neutral, if leaning more towards the traditionally masculine with dark colours, blues, greens, and design elements that evoke barbershops and male-targeted bath and body products. Their language and instructions, however, are entirely free of gender connotations.
In terms of scent, brands like TIGI, Aveda, Layrite, and John Masters use vanilla, fruit, plants, and luxe oils that can appeal to a wide range of people. Their scents don’t read particularly masculine or feminine, but rather hint at a mood or feeling – think crisp, fresh, warm, and clean.
Only a few of the listed products are targeted specifically at men, such as those offered by Brickell and American Crew. Their scents also read as more typically masculine than some others on the list.
Which Pomades Are The Most Affordable?
On average, a 2 oz, or ~50 ml, or ~50 g container of pomade will cost between $20 to $30.
Out of all the products on our list, American Crew has the most affordable hair pomade for men, for someone looking for a standard-sized container. Coming in at only $12 for 52 ml, or just under 2 oz, it’s nearly half the price of similar products.
The best deal, however, is Layrite Original Pomade. With 4 oz of product retailing for $23, and a mini-size 1 oz container retailing for $12, Layrite gives you the most pomade for your dollar and gives you the option to try out a smaller size for a smaller investment.
Final Thoughts
It’s time to conclude our journey through some spectacularly scented hair pomade.
Pomade has come a long way from the classic film screen to the modern man’s grooming arsenal. Today, pomade not only comes in a wide range of covetable scents, but comes in a range of formulas, textures, and finishes. Whether your style icon is Elvis, A$AP Rocky, or David Beckham, today’s pomade can help you achieve an endless number of styles.
People look for several qualities when choosing their pomade. It could be natural ingredients, high hold to take you from noon to the next morning, or other hair helpers like thickeners and conditioners. Whatever the task, there’s a pomade out there to suit your specific needs.
But in the end, even the best pomade won’t make it into your hair routine if you don’t love how it smells.
Whether you want something lush and complex like the citrus and vetiver-infused Aveda Men Pure Performance Pomade, something strong and ultra-masculine like Brickell Strong Hold Texturizing Pomade for Men, or just want a trace of freshness TIGI’s Bed Head Hair Stick, our list has a range of options for every man.
When you’re ready to start dabbling with a new product, or just need a change in your hair routine, we hope this list will help you choose the right pomade to help you turn heads.
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