Pomade formulations have come a great distance because the 18th century. As an alternative of weighing down hair in greasy oil, water based mostly pomades at the moment are thought of the way in which to go for a wide range of causes. The perfect water based mostly pomade goes to take care of the hair along with styling it.
The place oil-based pomades are formulated with mineral oil or petroleum and may dry out the hair whereas being tough to scrub out, water-based pomades use water as the primary ingredient. This makes them straightforward to rinse out and doesn’t accumulate build-up. They’re mild, extremely workable, versatile, and work on basically all hair varieties.
The place oil is slick, pomade is taken into account extra natural-looking. And but some water based mostly pomades maintain even higher than the strongest hair wax. I like that completely different manufacturers present barely completely different outcomes, and work higher on sure hair varieties. If you happen to’re questioning which is greatest to your particular hair kind, you’ve come to the appropriate place.
Let’s check out the highest 10 water based mostly pomades cash can purchase.
Key Takeaways
To search out the perfect water based mostly pomade, I pored over dozens of merchandise, being attentive to hair kind, texture, moldability, and scent, to whittle it all the way down to my high 10 picks.
Imperial Barber Traditional Pomade is probably the most approachable when it comes to worth and workability throughout all hair varieties. It’s bought a powerful maintain and is water-reactivable, for steady styling all through the day. You probably have notably thick and curly hair, you’ll love the great-smelling LayRite Superhold Pomade.
Why it’s Nice: It was robust to select the perfect pomade as the entire ones on this listing are nice, however Imperial Barber took the highest spot for me for a few causes. Not solely does it work on all hair varieties, even curly hair, and throughout most hair types, however it gives a brilliant robust maintain with that candy in-between sheen that’s neither too matte nor too shiny. Excellent for the pure look. However the coolest function needs to be that it’s water-reactivable. This implies you’ll be able to merely add water all through the day to re-style.
The way it feels: Apply a pea-sized quantity to towel-dried hair and comb into form. Be at liberty to tousle along with your fingertips afterwards, because it’s good and workable.
Flaws however not dealbreakers: If you happen to’re going for the high-shine look, you is perhaps higher off with one thing somewhat extra shiny.
Scent: Watermelon | Maintain: Robust | End: Matte | Dimension: 6 oz | Free Of: Gluten
Why it’s Nice: Within the phrases of my husband, who has thick, wavy hair: “It holds my hair together.” Easy, but true. He’s been utilizing American Crew for years as a result of it’s low-cost however will get the job accomplished. In case your hair is dry and frizzy, you’ll like that it moisturizes and situations the hair whereas taming it down. It’s particularly nice for creating that piecey look—simply don’t use an excessive amount of. It is a good, excessive shine water based mostly pomade that doesn’t have that greasy vibe.
The way it feels: Apply a dollop evenly all through the hair and benefit from the mild, never-sticky really feel in your hair. Very workable.
Flaws however not dealbreakers: It has a medium maintain, although some reviewers want it was stronger. Most likely not the perfect for haircuts that require rigorous styling.
Scent: None | Maintain: Medium | End: Shine | Dimension: 3 oz | Free Of:
Why it’s Nice: Simply the best-selling pomade on this listing, Suavecito pomade is aware of find out how to craft one horny coiffure. The Authentic maintain gives a fierce grip that’s nice for slick backs, elements, and pompadours. The shine right here is taken into account medium, which implies you’ll be able to play with the dampness/dryness of your hair for various outcomes. A must have staple to your rest room for an ideal worth.
The way it feels: A jelly-like consistency with a powerful maintain, that by no means has that crunchy, greasy feeling. Hair stays touchably tender.
Flaws however not dealbreakers: It’s identified for having a powerful scent, which is ok in case you’re into that, however is one thing to bear in mind.
Scent: Distinctive | Maintain: Robust | End: Medium Shine | Dimension: 4 oz | Free Of: Harsh chemical compounds
Why it’s Nice: If you happen to’re on the lookout for the perfect water based mostly pomade to run by way of your hair each morning, you want a simple, workable pomade with medium maintain. Woody’s is mild and moldable, and builds texture as an alternative of falling flat. Whereas it ought to by no means exchange conditioner, it does nourish and deal with the hair in case you’re styling in a rush. Substances like ginger, hemp seed oil, rosemary, and panthenol forestall breakage and promote hair development.
The way it feels: A water-soluble, gel-like pomade that appears probably the most like water. It’s going to offer you a shiny end.
Flaws however not dealbreakers: The maintain on this unhealthy boy is medium, so go for one thing stronger in case you want your locks caught in place all day.
Scent: None | Maintain: Medium | End: Shiny | Dimension: 3.4 oz | Free Of: Cruelty
Why it’s Nice: That is the perfect pomade in case you would describe your hair as unruly. Simply because the identify implies, LayRite pomade has a brilliant robust maintain on all sorts of hair, particularly if it’s coarse and curly. It’s nice for pure hair as a result of it defines curls and has low shine, giving a stupendous matte-like end to the hair. And it smells like cream soda. Sudden, however mild and scrumptious.
The way it feels: When making use of, you need to begin out small and use a dime-sized quantity, constructing as you go for better maintain and shine.
Flaws however not dealbreakers: It’s a bit on the dear facet, and hardly pure, however you probably have thick, curly hair, it’s a should.
Scent: Cream Soda | Maintain: Robust | End: Matte | Dimension: 4.25 oz
Why it’s Nice: Is your hair’s quantity on the decline? There’s a pomade for that. Billy Jealousy’s Lunatic Fringe is a vegan, robust maintain pomade that builds texture and, due to noticed palmetto extract, an natural DHT blocker, slows hair loss. And since it’s freed from sulfates, it’s appropriate for color-treated hair. And I’ve to notice the vanilla peach pineapple scent, which sounds aggressive, however smells like a tender tropical delight.
The way it feels: The skinny, jelly-like consistency, provides you a number of management, and received’t overwhelm high quality hair.
Flaws however not dealbreakers: As a result of it’s thinner than most pomades, it’s not going to be nice for coarse, thick hair.
Scent: Vanilla, peach, pineapple | Maintain: Robust | End: Shiny | Dimension: 3 oz | Free Of: Sulfates, cruelty
Why it’s Nice: Regardless of the identify, there’s nothing greasy about Fiber Grease Pomade, however it does include fibers that thicken hair. That is nice information in case your hair is straight. I find it irresistible as a result of it accomplishes the tough activity of holding the hair with out feeling too heavy or drying onerous.
The way it feels: It spreads properly and gives a pleasant, mild tack with loads of motion that’s a breeze to re-style all through the day.
Flaws however not dealbreakers: Whereas many fiber infused pomades are matte, this one stays shiny which is one thing to bear in mind.
Scent: Tropical fruity | Maintain: Medium-Robust | End: Matte | Dimension: 7 oz
Why it’s Nice: Possessing a cult-like following amongst the pompadour-minded, Uppercut Deluxe packs a punch in relation to management, definition, and maintain. Agency however not stiff, it’s the perfect water based mostly pomade for holding each adventurous hairstyles and timeless, basic appears to be like in place, particularly in case your hair is medium size. It’s extremely sturdy with reasonable shine, and naturally, it’s straightforward to rinse out.
The way it feels: Begin with clear, dry fingers and work evenly by way of dry hair utilizing your fingers adopted by a comb if you would like definition. If you need further maintain or shine, don’t glob it on, quite, construct up the product as you go.
Flaws however not dealbreakers: Not the perfect maintain for notably thick hair, sadly. Contemplate LayRite you probably have a number of hair.
Scent: Clean coconut | Maintain: Robust | End: Reasonable to excessive | Dimension: 3.5 oz |
Why it’s Nice: Despite the fact that it’s thick and creamy in texture, Clean Viking Pomade sculpts hair with a matte end. It’s a simple to work with pomade with medium maintain, and works for each tousled separation and glossy enterprise types. And since it by no means leaves a crunchy residue behind, it’s nice for beards as properly.
The way it feels: As a result of it has a lotion-like consistency, there’s no must emulsify earlier than working by way of hair. Dries naturally matte. Apply to damp hair for extra shine.
Flaws however not dealbreakers: For such a small dimension, it appears to go a bit quick for the value. However you probably have brief hair, which it’s greatest for anyhow, it ought to last more.
Scent: Mint | Maintain: Medium | End: Pure | Dimension: 2 oz | Free Of: Parabens, sulfates, silicone
Why it’s Nice: You realize I needed to provide you with a little bit of luxurious in relation to pomade. Church California makes all their pomades by hand in small batches and packs them with 26 completely pure and natural energetic components like avocado, coconut, and seaweed. However its primary ingredient is bentonite clay, which binds the hair follicles collectively so as to add beautiful form and quantity. Glorious for high quality hair that craves somewhat little bit of life. As you may think with clay, it gives a matte-finish.
The way it feels: A dime-size quantity is greatest when emulsified within the hand and massaged into clear, damp hair. Apply to dry hair for a matte end, or damp hair for a stylized look.
Flaws however not dealbreakers: You’re not getting very a lot product for the value right here, however you probably have the funds and desire a pure pomade, it’s good.
Scent: Cedar atlas, purple mandarin, blue tansy aroma notes | Maintain: Medium-Robust | End: Matte | Dimension: 1.7 oz | Free Of: Lab-made components

thehutbarbers / Instagram
Shopping for Consideration for Water-Primarily based Pomades
Dimension/Worth
The ratio between dimension and worth can assist you identify which is the perfect water based mostly pomade to your funds. No less than three ounces goes to offer you adequate product for just a few months. $10-20 is a normal worth for round this dimension. Top quality pure components will value you a bit extra, however will be price it.
Maintain
If you happen to don’t need your hair going anyplace, you’ll want a pomade with a powerful maintain. However you additionally need to be certain the robust water based mostly pomade you select remains to be extremely workable, like Imperial Barber Traditional Pomade. Medium holds are the commonest and greatest for on a regular basis, extra informal environments. Low maintain received’t hold a whole type collectively, however is nice for mild texture and a few piecey-ness.
End
You’re both going to get a matte or shiny look out of your greatest pomade. Shiny can learn skilled, formal, and even lean retro if used for a pompadour. It might probably additionally make it easier to obtain the moist look which is nice for summer time. Matte, however, is natural-looking. Textured. It’s in all probability not the perfect for coarse, frizzy hair. There’s additionally in between, which is barely shiny and hydrated-looking, which might normally be managed by the dampness of your hair earlier than making use of.
Why it’s best to belief us
As a trend and grooming author at Fashionbeans, I mix my love of analysis with fifteen years within the trend and wonder trade to carry you the perfect of each product. I exploit opinions, trusted sources, and my very own private experience to make sure that the perfect water pomade is on the market, no matter your hair kind and texture.

woodysformen / Instagram
Closing Verdict
When looking for the perfect water based mostly pomade so as to add to your equipment, take note of the maintain and hair kind it’s greatest for. It must be extremely workable, apply easily, however by no means look greasy and rinse out simply. Thankfully, Imperial Barber Traditional gives a powerful maintain on all hair varieties. It’s water-reactivable in order that it’s straightforward to re-style.
FAQ
-
- Water based mostly pomades are higher when it comes to versatility and supplying you with a extra pure look. In addition they rinse out simply, and infrequently don’t even require shampoo to take away.
- Water based mostly pomades are higher for the surroundings and are much less greasy, whereas oil-based pomades have the strongest maintain (and also can dry hair out).
- Individuals love to make use of water based mostly pomades each day as a result of they’re mild and water-soluble. They wash out like a allure and don’t construct up on the hair.
- Water based mostly pomades are higher for the surroundings and are much less greasy, whereas oil-based pomades have the strongest maintain (and also can dry hair out).
- Water based mostly pomades are higher when it comes to versatility and supplying you with a extra pure look. In addition they rinse out simply, and infrequently don’t even require shampoo to take away.