How to Style a Pompadour: 7 Expert Tips

Are you currently sporting the pompadour hairstyle and looking for ways to style it? Or, maybe you are thinking about growing out your hair to be able to style it as a pompadour and wondering how much maintenance and styling it actually requires. Either way, you have landed on the right article.

Not only are we going to share a step-by-step styling tutorial for the pompadour, but we will also share which professional hair styling products to invest in to achieve the best look, as well as more information about the pompadour style itself. 

What Is the Pompadour Hairstyle?

If you’re wondering what a pompadour hairstyle is, we are here to introduce you to the style that has been a very trendy men’s hairstyle for quite a while. The pompadour dates back to the 1700s and was actually named after Madame de Pompadour…yes, a woman. While this hairstyle is a go-to for men, women can also sport a pompadour look as well. 

The pompadour style is known for its volume and the contrast between tapered sides and a well-defined hairline. The hair can be slicked straight back or wooshed to the side. If this sounds confusing, don’t worry. We will get into exactly how to create a pompadour style with STMNT hair products. 

What Kind of Hair Works for a Pompadour? 

Do you have what it takes to achieve the pompadour style? If your hair is longer on top and shorter on the sides, or if your hair is long and voluminous all over, you can easily achieve a pompadour. 

While you may be used to seeing pompadours styled with long, straight hair, pompadours can be achieved with curly hair and different hair textures. The goal of the pompadour is to have the volume on top and clean-cut sides, which gives it a dramatic edge. 

If you have long hair all over, we advise heading to your barber or stylist and asking them to taper and trim the sides and back of your hair, leaving the top of your hair long. This will prepare you to effortlessly create the style. 

How to Style a Pompadour 

Are you ready to get your pompadour on? Follow this step-by-step guide, modifying where necessary for your hairstyle and texture, to get the best pompadour look.

1. Brush and Prepare Hair
   If your hair is straight, make sure it’s dry and brushed through to alleviate any tangles or knots. For curly hair, wet the hair and brush it. If your hair is curly, you do not need to dry your hair before moving on to the next step. In fact, we recommend leaving your hair wet while applying the styling product.
2. Flip Hair Upside Down and Bring It to the Front
   For those with straight hair, once your hair is brushed and dry, flip it and bring it to the front. For those with curly hair textures, you can skip this step and move on to the next one.

3. Apply a Pomade or Gel to Hair
   If you have naturally straight hair, rather than opting for a gel, which can make your hair feel stiff and weigh it down, you will want to apply a pomade. Pomades are lightweight and it allows you to build volume in your hair, which is crucial for getting that signature pompadour look. For curly hair textures, you can apply your favorite curl enhancing gel or curl smoothie conditioner. This will lock your curls in place and allow you to define your curl pattern, as well as build volume if you’d like.

4. Work the Hair to Achieve Volume
   For straight hair, after you apply the pomade with your fingers, you can flip your head back up and slick your hair back with your fingers. Apply more pomade to your hand as necessary and work your fingers back and forth through the hair to build volume. Also, apply some pomade to the sides of your hair as we will slick those down soon. For curlier textures, you can use a comb or your fingers to add volume and separate your curls if you would like more height.
5. Use a Comb to Slick Hair Back
   For straight hair, use a comb to lightly comb hair back once you have created volume. Once your hair has been combed back, use your comb to bring hair to the center. This will create more volume toward the center of your hair.
6. Create a Part
   For both curly hair and straight hairstyles, you can use a rat tail comb to create a part on one side of your hair. From there, you will need to slick down your sides to better define the part.
7. Form the ‘Pomp’
   For straight hairstyles, you will begin to form the pomp by brushing hair back and forming the volume with your hand.

Are you ready to create this style for yourself? Follow these steps and you will have a new favorite hair look before you know it!