What’s the first image that pops into your mind when you think of old-school barbershops? For many, it’s bound to be a vintage barber chair or a reclaimed barber’s pole–but for many in our team, it’s a sturdy little tin of Reuzel pomade. Intrigued? Then keep reading to learn more about this iconic product and figure out how to choose the ideal Reuzel pomade for you.
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What is hair pomade?
Pomade is a men’s hair styling product that creates a shiny, firm, and long-lasting hold. Traditionally made from lard, petroleum jelly, beeswax, or lanolin, early pomades were a thick, waxy substance used to create classic male hairstyles like pompadours or quiffs. They were also popular with textured, curly, or coarse hair, due to their ability to add moisture and create better control over the hair.
Hair pomade provides a wealth of benefits over regular hairspray or gel: it creates longer-lasting hold and a shinier, darker finish, all the while taming even the wildest heads of hair. Pomade works well on hair of different lengths and styles, but also on mustaches, sideburns, beards, and other facial hair.
The history behind Reuzel pomade
Reuzel (pronounced roo-zel) is a Dutch brand of men’s grooming products inspired by a love of classic barbering and rock’n’roll. The brand’s founders, Leen and Bertus, tapped into their experience as the owners of Schorem Haarsnijder en Barbier, a classic barbershop in the heart of the working class city of Rotterdam, to create pomades worthy of even the strictest standards. The resulting formulas are among the world’s finest, which certainly explains their popularity among grooming-conscious men.
Fans of Reuzel pomade have even adopted the term “scumbags” as a badge of honor. This was done in reference to Schorem, the barbershop where the brand was created. According to Leen and Bertus, Schorem has a double meaning in Dutch: on one hand it means “scumbags” or “bad boys”, on the other, it means “I shaved him”.
And that’s not even the end of the wordplay. The brand’s name, Reuzel, is actually the Dutch word for lard, a key ingredient in traditional pomades.
How to choose the best Reuzel pomade for you
Reuzel offers a range of pomades with different characteristics, based on three main attributes:
- Shine (low to high);
- Hold (light to strong);
- Formula (oil-based vs water-soluble).
Matte vs high shine
A matte pomade will leave your hair with a velvety and textured feel that looks “dry”, without much shine or reflection; on the other hand, a shiny pomade will provide an elegant shine and a mirror-like appearance to your hair.
Depending on your hairstyle, one finish may be naturally more suitable than the other: textured and casual beachy looks look better with a matte finish, while vintage-inspired or more formal styles generally benefit from a shinier look.
A matte pomade, like the Reuzel Extreme Hold Matte Pomade, works very well if you want to give your hair a fuller and more voluminous look, without a trace of shine or grease. Conversely, a shiny pomade like the Reuzel Red Pomade Water Soluble High Sheen can lend a luminous finish to naturally dull and lifeless hair.
When in doubt, try this cheat sheet: matte finishes for more modern and casual looks, and shiny finishes for more classic and formal looks.
Light vs strong hold
You might think that the goal when choosing a hair pomade is always to opt for the strongest hold possible, but that’s not necessarily true. There are cases where a product with a lighter hold might a better choice: if you have fine or thin hair, for example, or if you want a casual hairstyle with a natural finish that can be restyled throughout the day.
Generally, the stronger the hold, the heavier and more “solid” the product. The Reuzel Blue Pomade Strong Hold Water Soluble High Sheen, for example, offers strong hold for vintage-inspired hairstyles with hard, glossy finishes that need to stay in place all day. A product with very strong hold is also a great option for very thick or coarse hair, but it can leave fine hair looking oily and greasy.
If you’re looking for a good balance between hold and flexibility, without a very heavy formula, try a medium-hold pomade like the Reuzel Clay Matte Pomade!
Oil-based pomades vs water-soluble pomades
Pomades can be oil-based or water-soluble, which gives them different characteristics:
Water-soluble pomades are generally more flexible, easier to restyle throughout the day and easier to wash out–the Reuzel Fiber Pomade, which offers strong but pliable hold with a natural finish, is a good example of this type of product.
Oil-based pomades, like the Reuzel Green Pomade Medium Hold Grease, generally create a firmer, longer-lasting hold that works well with pompadours, quiffs, and other classic men’s hairstyles.
Reuzel pomades: A comparison
| Pomade | Shine | Hold | Formula |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reuzel Clay Matte Pomade | 1/10 Matte |
6/10 Medium hold |
Water-soluble |
| Reuzel Extreme Hold Matte Pomade | 1/10 Matte |
11/10 Strongest hold |
Water-soluble |
| Reuzel Fiber Pomade | 3/10 Low shine |
8/10 Strong hold |
Water-soluble |
| Reuzel Green Pomade | 5/10 Medium shine |
5/10 Medium hold |
Oil-based |
| Reuzel Pink Pomade | 5/10 Medium shine |
9/10 Strong hold |
Oil-based |
| Reuzel Red Pomade | 9/10 High shine |
5/10 Medium hold |
Water-soluble |
| Reuzel Blue Pomade | 9/10 High shine |
9/10 Strong hold |
Water-soluble |
In the end, Reuzel is sure to have the solution for your every grooming and styling need. Browse our full selection of Reuzel products in the shop and rest assured–even if pomade isn’t your thing, there’s bound to be a product for you.
