Best Pomade for Fine Hair & Thick Hair: A Complete Guide

Hair care products on a wooden counter with a mirror in the background

What's the best Pomade for Thin Hair & Thick Hair? Lets break it down.

Different hair types need different approaches. This guide explains the best pomade for thick hair, the best pomade for fine or thinning hair, and exactly how to use pomade for strong results, including water-based pomade options, extra-strong hold picks, and how to wash pomade out clean.

Why Choosing the Right Pomade Matters

Hair type makes a huge difference when it comes to styling. Thick hair can be heavy and resistant to shape, while fine hair often lacks volume and collapses easily. The right pomade will give your hair structure, help control frizz, and deliver the finish, matte or shine, that matches your look.

Pomade, Defined

Pomades are a styling product that adds hold and finish (matte or shine) to your hair style. Modern pomades fall into two broad families: water-based and oil-based.

Wolf’s Head How to use Clay Pomade - Scoop on fingertip detail – strong hold, matte finish grooming product made in California
Wolf’s Head Pomades on barber station beside Barbicide – barbershop-tested strong hold , matte and shine finish hair products

Water-Based vs. Oil-Based

Water-Based

  • Rinses out easily with water and regular shampoo.
  • Reactivates with a little water for light restyling during the day.
  • Cleaner day-to-day maintenance; ideal for frequent styling.

Oil-Based

  • Traditional feel and long wear, but harder to remove.
  • Can build up on hair and pillowcases without a deep-clean routine.
  • Heavy petroleum blends may contribute to scalp buildup for some users.

Wolf’s Head offers four professional-grade pomades designed to work across different hair types: Our strong hold Clay Pomade, our lightweight Cream Pomade, our Water-Soluble Pomade (a clean, water-based pomade), and our Styling Gel Pomade (an extra strong pomade for the toughest hairstyles).

All Wolf’s Head pomades are water-based and barbershop-tested in California.

Here’s how to choose the right one for you.

Let's Break it Down

Need Why It Matters Wolf’s Head Recommendation
Volume (fine or thinning hair) Fine or thinning hair collapses easily. Lightweight matte products create lift and make strands look fuller. Clay Pomade for matte lift & density;
Cream Pomade for soft, natural control without weight.
Structure (thick or coarse hair) Thick hair resists shape. You need a strong hold to compress bulk and maintain definition. Styling Gel Pomade — extra-strong hold & shine;
Water-Soluble Pomade — strong hold with classic sheen,
Clay Pomade — strong hold with true matte finish.
Zero shine + texture A matte finish keeps hair natural and touchable, while grit adds separation and dimension. Clay Pomade — matte, gritty separation for textured looks.
Touchable control Sometimes you want soft movement with light hold that lets you restyle with your hands. Cream Pomade — matte, flexible, hydrated finish for natural looks.

Best Pomade for Thick Hair


Thick or coarse hair is dense, can resist shape, and often expands (puffs) without product. Your priorities: control, compression, and durability. Here’s what works best:

  • Styling Gel Pomade — extra-strong hold with a polished shine; ideal for slick backs, parts, and structured silhouettes.
  • Water-Soluble Pomade — strong hold, classic shine; cleaner washout than old-school greasers.
  • Clay Pomade — strong, matte control when you want separation and bulk reduction without shine.

Wolf’s Head Styling Gel Pomade used in a slicked-back hairstyle on a tattoo artist mid-drawing—strong hold, high shine, water-based hair product for clean, precise looks.
Wolf’s Head Styling Gel Pomade in Use with Sunglasses – Strong Hold, High Shine Premium Water Based Hair Product

How to Use Pomade on Thick Hair

Technique: Layer for Control

  1. Start damp for compression.
  2. Emulsify a dime-sized amount in palms until smooth.
  3. Work from back → sides → top to avoid overloading the front.
  4. Comb to set the architecture; finger-detail to add texture.
  5. For extra hold, add a very light second pass on dry hair.

Best Pomade for Fine or Thinning Hair

Fine hair benefits from lightweight products that add volume without weighing strands down. Avoid greasy formulas that flatten the style. Here’s what works best:

  • Clay Pomade — matte texture that bulks up strands visually; best pomade for fine-hair volume and fuller-looking styles.
  • Cream Pomade — medium, flexible hold with a soft, matte finish; adds shape without heaviness.

Wolf’s Head Clay Pomade used on thinning hair at Wolf’s Head Barbershop in Santa Barbara – strong hold with matte finish. Adds texture and fullness.
Wolf’s Head Cream Pomade used on thinning combed hairstyle at at Wolf's Head Barbershop – thickening, medium hold, matte finish hair product

How to Use Pomade on fine or Thinning Hair

Technique: Build Volume First

  1. Blow-dry clean hair for lift (direct airflow at the roots).
  2. Emulsify a pea-sized amount; tap fingers at the roots first, then through mids.
  3. Use a vent brush or fingers while blow-drying to keep height.
  4. Optional: pinch a grain of clay at the front to lock the silhouette.

How to Use Pomade for Best Results

  1. Start with clean hair: Towel-dry for shine or blow-dry for matte texture.
  2. Use the right amount: Pea-sized for fine hair; dime-sized for thick hair. Add more gradually if needed.
  3. Warm the product: Rub between palms until smooth for even distribution. Should be a thin film before applied.
  4. Work back to front: Keeps the front from being overloaded.
  5. Finish with the right tool: Use a Kent comb for sharp definition or your fingers for texture.
Hand holding a small container of cream with a blurred background

How to Wash Out Pomade

Knowing how to wash out pomade is just as important as knowing how to apply it. Because all Wolf’s Head pomades are water-based, they rinse clean without leaving heavy buildup. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Rinse with warm water: This loosens the product and helps it break down.
  2. Use shampoo: Apply a sulfate-free shampoo to fully lift out pomade residue.
  3. Massage the scalp: Pay attention to the roots where product collects.
  4. Rinse thoroughly: Ensure no residue remains for a clean base.
  5. Condition: Follow with conditioner to restore moisture.

Wolf’s Head Clay Pomade jars on vintage red retail shelf with plant– strong hold matte finish hair product. Open jar shoes smooth clay in jar.

FAQs: About Pomade for Thick & Fine Hair

Answers to common Questions

Our Clay Pomade is the best choice for adding volume to fine hair because its matte texture creates separation and lift.

Styling Gel Pomade is our extra strong pomade. It delivers the strongest hold pomade control for structured styles, slick backs, and side parts that need to last all day. Our strong hold Clay pomade also offers a hold that lasts all day with no shine and washes out easy.

Water-Soluble Pomade is our top water-based pomade. It gives strong hold with a clean shine and rinses out effortlessly.

Yes. Many barbers recommend using Cream Pomade for softness, then layering a small amount of Clay Pomade for added texture or Water-Soluble Pomade for shine.

Use less product and stick with matte finishes like Clay or Cream Pomade. Always emulsify well before applying. Make sure pomade is a clear thin film before applying onto hair tips and mid sections. Avoid the roots.

Conclusion

The best pomade for thick hair provides strong control and structure, while the best pomade for fine hair creates volume without weight. At Wolf’s Head, every pomade is crafted in California, barbershop tested, water-based, and easy to wash out, so you can switch up your look as often as you like.

Wolf’s Head Pomades and vintage Motor Oil display on retail shelf – strong hold, shine and matte finish grooming products made in California

Dive In

Discover the secret lineup to keep your thick or thinning hair looking good. Wolf's Head Styling Gel Pomade, Clay Pomade, Cream Pomade, Water-Soluble Pomade, and Kent’s Combs.

Shop Men's Grooming

Learn How Each Pomade Works

Visit our Pomade Comparison Guide to see how each formula stacks up.

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Wolf’s Head Pomades on barber station beside Barbicide, Kent comb and scissors – barbershop tested, strong hold, matte and shine finish grooming products
Wolf’s Head Pomades and vintage Motor Oil displayed on wood retail shelf – strong hold, shine and matte finish hair products made in California Wolf’s Head Pomades and vintage Motor Oil displayed on retail shelf – strong hold, matte and shine finish hair products made in California

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