pomade

A tin of Royal Crown Hair Dressing

Pomade (English pronunciation: /pɒˈmeɪd/; also regionally pronounced in the same way as the French word, pommade) is a greasy or waxy substance that is used to style hair. Pomade makes hair look slick and shiny. Unlike hair spray and hair gel, pomade does not dry and often takes several washes to remove. It can easily be removed using a high-detergent shampoo or other de-greasers such as dishwashing liquid and or using olive oil and rinsing with warm water.

Difference between hair wax and pomade

Traditionally, the difference between hair wax and pomade was that pomade gave the hair a slicker, shinier appearance, while wax did not. Today the difference between pomade and hair wax is becoming somewhat ambiguous. Oftentimes hair wax and pomade are not marketed by those names, instead given names such as paste, putty, glue, whip etc. These products come in various textures and consistencies, and essentially achieve the same effects as either hair wax or pomade.

Origin of the name

Use of "pomade" in English is derived from French, pommade, meaning "an ointment", itself arising from Latin pomum ("fruit, apple") via Italian pomata from pomo, meaning "apple", because the original ointment recipe contained mashed apples.^[1] Modern pomades may contain fragrances, but they are not often particularly fruity.

History

A tin of Murray's Pomade

In the early 19th century bear fat was a common pomade ingredient,^[2] but by the early 20th century petroleum jelly,^[3] beeswax, and lard were more commonly used.^[4]

Pomades were once much more popular than they are today, although they have made somewhat of a comeback in 2010 with recent additions to the marketplace that feature far less lanolin or bees wax in their formulations. They are associated with the slick men's hairstyles of the early to middle 20th century. Other more modern hairstyles involving the use of pomade include the Ducktail, Pompadour, and Quiff.

Early 20th century examples of pomade are Royal Crown Hair Dressing, originating in 1936 pictured above, or "Murray's Superior Pomade", originating in the 1920s ^[5] pictured right. Dixie Peach Hair Pomade was a popular pomade in the USA from World War II through the 1960s with teenage boys.

See also

• Brilliantine
• Brylcreem
• Hair wax
• Moustache wax

References

External links

Look up pomade in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Pomade Acne
•  Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Pomade". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 
• Appropriate Styling Aides

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