Hair Pomade vs Gel: Which One To Use?

Hair pomade and hair gel have many differences but still are great products to use. If you want to achieve a messy hair look that will be a bit more flexible, you should consider buying pomage, but if structured hairstyles are your way to shine, definitely buy hair gel. In this article we will dive into details of each of those products.

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Main Takeaways

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• Hair pomades might be both oil-based and water-based. They are great for giving your hair some texture or structure. But the hair still remains relatively flexible.
• Hair gel is water-based and ideal for structured hairstyles, like slicked-back

Today You Will Learn

• What’s The Difference Between Hair Pomade and Gel?
• Should You Use Pomade or Gel For Curly Hair?
• Pomade vs Gel for Thin Hair
• Which is Better for Wavy Hair: Pomade or Gel?
• How To Use Hair Pomade and Hair Gel?
• What Are Some Other Styling Products?
• Top 3 Best Hair Pomades To Use Right Now
• Top 3 Best Hair Gel Recommendations

How’s it going, my friends? Have you wondered about what product is the best for your hair type and hairstyle? Is it hair pomade, or it’s better to use gel instead? And in today’s article, I will answer this question. I’m also gonna tell you whether pomade or gel is best for men’s curly hair, wavy hair, and thin hair. We’ll also talk about which one you should use in case you have a middle-part or slicked-back hairstyle

By the way, on our website, you will find many different articles related to hair topics, such as Best Middle-part Hairstyles, or How Long it Takes for Hair to Grow?

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Are you excited to learn more about the most popular hair products? If so, let’s get started, and we’re gonna start with the main question: Is there any difference between hair gel and hair pomade?

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Yes, there’s a difference, and let’s understand how big it is!

What’s The Difference Between Hair Pomade and Gel?

Not everyone knows what are those products. Many people don’t use them and don’t understand why on earth they need to do it. Well, in a few seconds, we will understand which one is good and why you should use it.

Hair Pomade

Now, let’s start with hair pomade. It might be either water-based or oil-based. I recommend you choose the water-based pomade because it will not affect your scalp skin as much as oil-based with its oils, and water-based pomades are easier to apply. But oil-based pomades are better for holding hair, and don't let the hair break up easily, unlike water-based variants. They’re also harder to apply, so I’d recommend using water-based for beginners.

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This product is very good, and one of the best for middle-length hair. You can also use it for styling shorter hair, it’s not a mistake, and it will be looking just fine.

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Another advantage (for someone it’s not) of pomades is that they don't have a lot of this shine, and your hair looks pretty natural. Since we have a trend in natural beauty, people tend to like natural-looking products more.

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Now, let’s talk a bit about washing. It’s not a product that will be washed away immediately after one use. From my personal experience, I had to wash my hair 1-2 times to completely get rid of pomade. Of course, it depends on the particular product you use, and the amount of product used. I used Uppercut Matte Pomade, and it wasn’t so easy to get rid of. This might be an advantage or disadvantage, depending on who you’re asking about it. For me, it’s not very good, but this product holds the styled hair longer.

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Generally, for many people it’s their favorite product to use, so give it a shot!

Hair Gel

And now we’re moving to hair gel. This product is only water-based, and it’s great because you can avoid buildup on your head skin. But it doesn’t mean it’s not going to hold the hair efficiently. It will, and it does. Generally, hair gels hold the hair better, but there’re some disadvantages we should talk about:

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First and foremost the shine. It’s very noticeable and gel will not simply match the look of some hairstyles. Think of slicked-back kind of hairstyles, the gel is really great for them.

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It’s even harder to wash away from your hair. It depends on many factors, but if you wash your hair with a good shampoo very well, one time should be enough to completely get rid of the hair gel you applied to your hair.

Should You Use Pomade or Gel For Curly Hair?

As I told you a bit earlier, pomade is an ideal product to emphasize the texture of your hair. Curly hair has many beautiful curls, and it’d be a crime to not make those curls look their best. Hair pomade will help you define curls, add a bit of shine, and reduce the frizz, not making it feel stiff or crunchy. 

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Thought you should be careful in choosing the right pomade, and I’d recommend you choose a pomade with moderate hold and a natural finish, this will definitely make your curls stand out!

Pomade vs Gel for Thin Hair

Hair gel is the best for thin hair. There’s a reason for it: gels usually provide volume and lift, which makes hair thicker. 

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How to choose the right gel? It’s easy! Choose a lightweight one, because it will not weigh the hair down. It’s exactly what we’re looking for!

Which is Better for Wavy Hair: Pomade or Gel?

Wavy hair is a bit more convenient type of hair because you can use either pomade or gel, everything depends on the desired style. If you want this beachy, surf look, applying hair pomade will be a great option. This will make the hair even more textured, and oh, boy, it looks awesome!

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Another hairstyle might be slicked-back or a hairstyle similar to this. It’s where you should use hair gel with a good hold and high shine. 

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Generally, you can experiment with this type of hair, use both products and see which one is best for you. 

How To Use Hair Pomade and Hair Gel?

Hair Pomade

1. Start with a small amount of pomade and warm it up in your hands. You can use your fingers, or warm it up by rubbing it between your palms.
2. Apply the pomade evenly throughout damp or dry hair. Make sure you cover all your hair with the product, spreading it mainly on your hair ends.
3. Style your hair using your fingers or a comb as desired. This is the time when you can do literally whatever you want with your hair. Want a textured look? Do it with your finders. Want a slick-back or other structured hairstyle? Use the comb! The way your hair looks only depends on your creativity.

Hair Gel

1. Apply a small amount of gel to your fingertips. 
2. Work the gel through damp or towel-dried hair. Again. make sure you’re spreading it all over the hair.
3. Shape your hair into the desired style, and allow the gel to dry for a strong hold. The gel dries out quickly, so it’s not gonna take a lot of time.

What Are Some Other Styling Products?

Hair pomades or gels are not the only options available for us. We should also know that there’re plenty of other products that are great for styling our hair. 

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There might be hair waxes, creams, mousses, and clays. Each of those products is unique and suitable for different types of hair. I will recommend you surf the Internet and find the best options among those products to expand your hair styling knowledge!

Top 3 Best Hair Pomades To Use Right Now

Now, let’s take a look at the best hair styling products out there:

1. Suavecito Original Hold Pomade

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For a range of hairstyles, this water-based pomade's firm hold and modest sheen are ideal. 

2. Reuzel Blue Strong Hold Water Soluble Pomade

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For individuals who want a high hold with a high shine, this pomade is ideal. It can be removed with water with no problem.

3. Baxter of California Clay Pomade

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This clay pomade offers a firm hold without any shine and is perfect for people who like a matte look.

Top 3 Best Hair Gel Recommendations

1. American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel

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This well-liked hair gel has a strong hold and great shine, making it ideal for building structured designs.

2. Got2b Ultra Glued Invincible Styling Hair Gel

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This hair gel is excellent for individuals who require their look to last all day because of its strong grip.

3. TRESemmé TRES Two Extra Hold Hair Gel

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This affordable hair gel provides a strong hold and natural shine, making it suitable for a variety of hairstyles.

FAQs

Q: Can I use both hair pomade and hair gel together?

Yes, definitely you can! Using both hair pomade and hair gel might be required to achieve a specific look, so don’t hesitate to do it and get all the benefits from both of them. The only thing to pay attention to is to not use too much product, this will lead to greasy hair.

Q: Can I switch between hair pomade and hair gel without washing my hair?

It’s allowed to switch between both hair products without washing your hair.  But if you're using water-based products, they should wash out easily with water, which allows you to switch products without any issues.

Q: How often should I apply hair pomade or hair gel?

The frequency of application is determined by your own preferences, hair type, and desired style. While some people might require daily application of the product, others might only need it occasionally or on special occasions. A timeline for your application should be determined via experimentation.