Is Pomade or Clay Better for Styling Men’s Hair? Our Advice & Recommendations

Wondering if pomade or clay is better for your daily styling routine? We’ve compared both of these hair styling classics to determine which will help you achieve your ideal ‘do.

Both hair pomade and clay are popular choices for men’s hair styling, and that’s because they’re both good in their own right. They do have their differences, though, such as the consistency of the product itself and how it performs.

You might find one or the other (or even a combination of both) the best for your hair, depending on what style you’re looking to achieve.

So let’s break down the basics of pomade and clay so you can make an informed decision about which one is better for styling your hair.

With the number of products in the hair styling market (spray wax and texture powder? Luckily, we prefer to keep our products simple), it's difficult to get a good grasp of what each product actually is and what it's used for.

It's also difficult when each brand has different ingredients, so you really don't know which way is up.

To make it simple, we've outlined the key differences below…

When you use hair clay, there is no added shine, leaving you with a natural, matte finish – perfect for those with greasy or fine hair.

To apply hair clay, you would warm a small pea-sized amount in your hands (you can add more later, but it's best to start off small so you can build it up). You'd then work it through your hair from root to tip, styling and manipulating the hair as you go.

The versatility of the product means you can apply it to dry or damp hair.

Like most hair products, you’ve got to watch the label. Hair clays can contain unnatural ingredients like phthalates, sulphates, and silicones, which are damaging to hair. Best to steer clear of these.

Natural hair clay is exactly that. It’s formulated using natural ingredients rather than harsh, synthetic chemicals. It’ll contain natural clay, commonly Bentonite or Kaolin, as well as other hair-nourishing ingredients, like vitamins and minerals.

You’ll still get the great styling effects, but only using ingredients that are kind to the hair.

Our Compound Clay is a prime example of a natural hair clay. Its unique formula is perfect for those who require sleek styles with maximum hold. Let's pay special attention to our ingredients.

Men's hair clay can be used for lots of styles, the list is pretty endless. But hairstyles that work particularly well with hair clay are those that need controlling. And a lot of controlling at that.

That doesn’t mean to say you can’t use hair clay if you have less hair, on the contrary, you can use it to build volume and texture and support healthy hair growth.

Here are some hairstyles you can try using hair clay:

Hair clay is a fantastic addition to every man’s product collection. It’s so versatile that it can be used for many different hairstyles and every single hair type.

Looking after your scalp, whilst creating voluminous hairstyles isn’t just relevant to one hair type, which is why Compound Clay is created with everyone in mind. It’s ideal for mid-short-length hair, but we recommend it for all hair types.

Pomade is another popular choice in men's hair styling. Due to its shiny formula, it is often used for hairstyles that require a wet, sleek look, like classic pompadours or mid-length waves.

There are two main types of pomades: oil-based and water-based.

Oil-based pomades have a thick, creamy/waxy consistency, providing a medium-strong hold. It's difficult to remove from the hair, so if you use this type of pomade, you'll need a clarifying shampoo to remove dirt and impurities before they have a chance to linger on your scalp.

Water-based pomades have a gel-like consistency and are much easier to remove from hair. They offer a stronghold without hair looking stiff, and some even condition the scalp.

The main ingredients you need to watch out for when buying pomades are:

• Parabens
• Phthalates

Modern pomades are activated by water, so before application, you'll need to dampen your hair by spraying it or running it under the shower and letting it air/towel dry for a few minutes.

Once you've done this, you can warm the product in your hands, apply it to your hair starting from the thickest point, and style how you wish.

When the pomade is in, people often blow-dry their hair to help it set in place for a stronger hold.

Pomade could be quite useful in a few hairstyles and types, and we’ll give you a few ideas below.

Of course, you can replace the use of pomade with Compound Clay for any of these hairstyles.

Due to the heavy formula and wet look that comes from most pomades, they’re probably best used on thick or curly hair. 

If it’s used on fine hair, it could weigh it down, making it look more sparse and greasy.

Unfortunately, hairstyling isn't always black and white, so you'll need to do a little trial and error to find out what works best for your hair. But, as you've now heard, there are many benefits of opting for our Compound Clay over pomade.

That's not to say you can't use pomades, but there's a time and place.

To put it plainly, pinning clay and pomade together probably isn't fair game (especially when our Compound Clay is in the mix). They both offer different styles for different hair types, so it's impossible to say which one's 'better'. 

Salt Grooming only offers natural, premium products designed to improve your hair, not damage it.

You can shop our entire collection below and transform your hair styling game today.