HAIR WAX – HAIR GEL – POMADE
What’s the difference?
Written with barber Simon
As a consumer, you often come across different categories of hair styling products. The most common is wax, but there is also hair gel, while pomade is a classic product that has seen a strong comeback. But what’s the actual difference? Do you have the right product for your hair type? In this guide, we clarify the jungle of styling terms and help you choose the right product.
Summary
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Hair wax provides flexible control and comes in many textures for different hair types.
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Hair gel gives strong hold and shine but can feel stiff and drying on some hair types.
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Pomade offers classic shine and smooth control, ideal for sleek styles and retro looks.
HAIR WAX
Hair wax remains the most common and popular product for styling hair. Its main advantage is the huge variety of textures and finishes for different hair types. The range from American Crew is a great example, offering a wax for nearly every hair type with different levels of texture and shine. The same applies to Sailor’s, which offers two different waxes tailored to different styles and hair types. Many other brands have also established themselves with products designed for specific needs. Whether you prefer a matte wax or want a wet look, you’ll find what you need.
If you have short hair and want a matte finish with strong hold or a spiky, textured look, Sailor’s Fiber Wax is a safe choice. Matte waxes are also ideal for that tousled “just rolled out of bed” look, which can also be achieved with clay-based waxes (often called “clay” or “mud”). For medium shine and medium hold, the green Sailor’s Foaming Wax is a go-to product. Styling longer hair can be more challenging, especially if you want both control and some shine.
If you want high durability with low natural shine, Benjamin Barber Hair Wax is a great option. It’s easy to work with and offers an excellent balance between hold and flexibility. Fans of Benjamin Barber’s Oud fragrance will appreciate its subtle scent with notes of leather, dates and sandalwood.
Start by warming a small amount of wax between your hands. Apply it just like shampoo—massage it from roots to ends.
HAIR GEL
Hair gel is a liquid, transparent product most often applied to damp hair. As the hair dries, the gel hardens and becomes very firm, keeping the hair securely in place. It’s perfect for achieving a wet look with strong hold, which makes it a favourite among those with longer, slicked-back styles—but it also works for short hairstyles that want a glossy, defined finish.
Hair gel can feel heavy on the wrong hair type and may contain alcohol, sulphites or ammonia, which can irritate the scalp. Eco-friendly alternatives do exist, however. Despite potential drawbacks, gel remains a popular option, even if not as widely used today as in the 1980s and 90s when wax varieties were limited. It usually comes in a tube but is also available as a spray.
POMADE
The traditional pomade has seen a strong revival among those who want a classic backslick or a natural-looking shine without the stiffness of gel. It’s a product with heritage often associated with retro styles, but it has regained popularity thanks to modern trends and well-known actors like Leonardo DiCaprio. Pomade is also an excellent choice for dry or brittle hair—some even mix a small amount of pomade with a stronger wax for balance.
The name originally came from formulations containing apple (from the Latin “pomum”). It later transitioned to animal fats such as bear fat, and by the 20th century to beeswax and petroleum jelly. Many, therefore, associate pomade with an oily finish, but today most pomades are water-based, making them less greasy and easier to wash out. Pomade also comes in different strengths; Italian brand Tenax offers both soft and firm pomades, and American Crew’s pomade remains a popular staple.
Apply pomade to dry or towel-dried hair. Use a thumbnail-sized amount, warm it between your palms and style as desired. Best results are achieved with sleek, combed-back hairstyles.
