How to Make Your Own DIY Hair Pomade 

Wave goodbye to store-bought hair products! Dive into the wonderful world of DIY and create your very own hair pomade. Enjoy the recipe!

Transport yourself to a time when gentlemen wore top hats, waistcoats, and mirror-clean shoes. And then comes the hair – groomed to an inch of its life with not even a strand out of place. 

That’s pomade – in a nutshell! It tames curly hair, softens tangles, and keeps you looking sharp all day.

Gorgeously slick yet naturally styled hair in one snazzy pot. Not to be confused with hair wax, mind you, hair styling pomade is another breed altogether. 

Never heard of it? Or a big fan already? Wherever you’re at, this post is for you. 

You’ll find a fantastic recipe for my very own DIY hair pomade below, which is sure to bring a smile to male faces every time they use it.

What is pomade?

Pomade is a traditional hair styling product that offers a flexible yet natural hold to any hairstyle. 

It’s available in both water-based and oil-based forms if you were to buy pomade in stores. 

The recipe in this post is for an oil-based pomade, which tends to leave a slightly more gloss-like appearance, whereas a water-based one would look more matte.  

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure HERE.

How to make hair pomade

You will need:

• 2 oz of coconut oil – creates the oily base of this pomade
• 0.5 oz of beeswax pellets – adds texture and a firmer hold to the hair
• 0.5 oz of jojoba oil – moisturizing and soothing while helping keep the hairstyle in place
• 0.5 oz of sunflower oil – A light moisturizer that adds texture to the pomade
• 0.05 oz of vitamin E oil – Full of antioxidants that are amazing for the hair.
• (Optional) 0.05 oz of Cromollient SCE – this helps the pomade wash out at the end of the day.

Fragrance suggestion:

• 20 drops of cedarwood essential oil
• 10 drops of rosemary essential oil
• 5 drops of clove bud essential oil

Hair pomade recipe

1. Add the beeswax, coconut, jojoba, and sunflower oils to a double boiler or pan on the stove. On a low heat, melt the ingredients together, stirring occasionally. This will take around ten minutes. 

2. Once everything is melted and mixed together, let it cool slightly (another ten minutes should be enough). Then add the Cromollient SCE (if you’re using it), along with the vitamin E and fragrance oils. Stir everything together until it’s mixed well. 

Note: Oil-based hair pomades may take several washes to completely remove the product. The cromollient SCE will help to wash the product out of the hair. However, it can be omitted from the recipe.

3. Transfer to a storage tin and allow it to cool before securing the lid.

Top Tip: Use metal, glass, or heavy-duty PET plastic containers.

How to use pomade for the hair

It’s easy!

Essentially, start with clean hair. 

It’s your choice whether to use pomade on wet or dry hair, but the effects are different in both cases, so consider trying both to see which you prefer. 

First, take a small, coin-sized amount of pomade in your hands and rub it on your palms to spread it out. 

Then, smear the pomade on your hair evenly, paying close attention to the ends (which are the bits you want to stay put when it comes to styling).

And now for the fun part! Style your hair in whatever way you choose. 

Just remember to admire your look as you gaze in the mirror afterward!

Difference between gel and pomade

The big difference between pomade and gel is the finishing effect plus the feeling of the product when it’s on your hair. 

Pomade leaves a more natural finish with a flexible styling hold, meaning it’ll stay put but won’t leave visible product clumps in your hair. 

On the other hand, the gel tends to have a more rigid effect on the hair and an even stronger hold. Gel tends to be more noticeable if you don’t blend it in correctly, I find, but it’s still a great product.

Really, it comes down to personal preference.

Is pomade good for your hair?

For sure, the recipe in this post offers all sorts of goodness for your hair! Thanks to the natural oils inside, your hair should feel nicely moisturized after use. 

As for commercially made pomade, check the ingredients list before you buy. 

If the ingredients are 100% from natural sources, then there’s a high chance the pomade will do your hair some good. 

But be aware that other pomades use synthetic materials, fragrances, mineral oils, or even petroleum, which may leave your hair feeling dull and dried out. 

Tips

• Oil-based pomades are like hair butter and tend to last longer and hold firmer than water-based ones. Meaning they can be more challenging to wash out, too, sometimes taking a few attempts to get it out completely. 
• You shouldn’t need to use too much. A little goes a long way. 
• You can use pomade on either wet or dry hair (it’s up to you)
• Your hair might look a touch greasy when using this pomade, but that’s kinda the idea. Of course, if you’re after a wetter look, opt for hair gel instead, or a more matte look, opt for hair wax or styling cream. 

FAQs

What does pomade do?

Pomade has been around for decades as a popular hair styling tool. It offers a flexible yet long-lasting hold to many hairstyles without leaving clumps or flakes in the hair. 

Is pomade better than gel?

It’s a personal choice, really. Hair gel has a firm, rigid hold, whereas pomade has a lighter hold and a more natural finish. 

I would suggest testing both a pomade and gel before committing to either one to see which you like best.

Is it OK to use pomade every day?

You can certainly use the DIY pomade in this post daily (scroll up for the recipe), as it’s full of nurturing ingredients for your hair!

If you’re using any other pomade, ensure the ingredients are suitable for daily use. Most products have usage recommendations on them. 

And for whatever reason, if you do find your hair dries out from using a pomade (or any other styling product), consider doing a hair treatment or adding in some moisture between washes.

What is the shelf life of this hair pomade?

The shelf life of this hair pomade is approximately one year. It’s important to store the pomade in a cool, dry place and away from direct sunlight.

Additionally, please avoid getting any water into the container as this can dramatically reduce its shelf life.

To finish

So there you have it! A wonderful DIY hair pomade for the special gentlemen in your life. 

This recipe is super fun to make and takes no time at all, yet the results are great when trying the pomade out.

I hope you enjoy making this recipe. If you made it and loved it, I’d love for you to leave a review below!

For more great DIY hair recipes, check out one of these next!

• Simple curl-enhancing cream
• Homemade heat protectant spray