Favorite hair styling products: Pomade/brylcreem/etc...

PeterGunnLives · Oct 14, 2016

I looked through several months' worth of thread titles and didn't see a topic specifically for this.

So what do you put in your piece to get that vintage 'do?

When I was first getting into vintage living, I just put in hair tonic for some shine, but of course it doesn't have any hold. Then I tried brilliantine, but it was too greasy and overly fragrant. I also gave Brylcreem a shot, but it is about the consistency of lotion, and my thicker hair needs something with more hold. So I finally settled on pomade. Not just any pomade, either; not the stuff they sell at the chain salons, and not the newer boutique/craft pomades that tend to be rather pricey (though I would like to give the latter a try if I get a bonus at work or something and have a little extra money). I go for good old Murray's, available for a few bucks a can in the ethnic hair section of certain pharmacies and grocery stores. The "Super Light" variety works well for me. In my area, only a few places sell this. So for a while there, until I narrowed it down, every time I ran out of the stuff, I would go to several stores in search of it, and I felt like Everett in "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" looking for Dapper Dan.

So what's your preferred hair cream, pomade, or whatnot?

ElvisOnVelvet · Oct 14, 2016

For a long time it was Groom & Clean. With me growing my hair out for a pompadour, I have found Suavecito pomade to suit me well. Layrite is good, but I am liking the Suavecito.

I tried Murray's but never got used to the fact it is tough to wash out.

kaiser · Oct 15, 2016

Murray's Hair Glo, good hold, smells nice, and is not expensive.

Retro Spectator · Oct 16, 2016

Murray's or Brylcreem. Unfortunately Murray's seems to have a worse hold as of late.

PeterGunnLives · Oct 17, 2016

I did notice that Murrays Super Light seems to have a thinner consistency than it used to. I might need to mix in a bit of the regular kind.

VintageEveryday · Oct 18, 2016

I used a combination of Groom and Clean for the hold, and a thin veneer of Brylcreem for the scent and shine. I like how it's easy to fix in the morning if I shower, apply it when my hair is damp and let it dry overnight, since I'm a college student and I'm occasionally in a rush. the staying power works wonders. I cut my hair a few weeks ago, and I'll use it again soon when the weather gets cooler.

Cocker · Oct 20, 2016

Been using mostly Reuzel Green pomade for a bit more than a year, as well as their heavier pink one occasionally. Both are pretty good stuff, good hold, and the green has a nice shine to it, without being too much. Easy to use, combing easily, and the build up is pretty great after one or two days, just needing to de-grease my hair in the morning and apply a little dab to get everything smoothed out.

Schmiere's pomade range is also pretty good, but it's getting clogged up in your hairs quicker than Reuzel. Their medium and light one are pretty greasy, too.

dudewuttheheck · Oct 20, 2016

For oil based pomades, I usually go for Lockhart's. They easily make the best line of oil based pomades available.
For water based, I like Flagship pomade co, specifically Blackship and The Insubmersible.
For clays and matte products, Daimon Barber #4 clay, Morris Motley Chrome, Flagship Dead Sea clay.
I'm a bit of an enthusiast. I even have a youtube channel dedicated to this stuff

OceanBreeze · Oct 21, 2016

John masters (light hold), giovanni pomade, Port city pomade, seattle pomade co, reuzel oil based, Badger pomade.

I recommend sticking to as natural ingredients as possible since it stays in close contact with your skin for a very long time.

Workhorse · Oct 22, 2016

Groom & Clean all the way.

Vince in Philly · Dec 3, 2016

I've been using a number of water-based pomades including Billy Jealousy, Layrite, Uppercut, and Baxter of California. My favorite is probably the Billy Jealousy, although it borders on being a gel. I think the Layrite Supershine provides the most vintage look, and it can be restyled throughout the day with a little water if necessary.

PeterGunnLives · Dec 5, 2016

I've switched from Murray's Super Light to the regular Murray's. Much better hold with my thicker hair, and not too shiny; just a mild sheen.

johnnycanuck · Dec 6, 2016

Reuzel is my go to pomade as it is readily avalible in my city. Green or pink are my main stays but red or blue are great for a little freshining up.
Johnny

PeterGunnLives · May 24, 2017

I'm still using plain Murray's, as it works well in my hair. And, as I mentioned up-thread, $3 per can is a lot more affordable than a lot of these newer boutique brands. I mean, $20 for a little tin of hair product? Really?? Though I might give one of them a try if I get a bonus at work some time.

Sonero · May 25, 2017

Murrays Orange Can.

Trying a new one called Tres Flores. Famous with mexicans. Great Smell. Old School.

PeterGunnLives · May 26, 2017

I tried Tres Flores before, but the scent was a little too much for me. Tres Flores has the thick pomade-type hair dressing, and a liquid oil/tonic stuff in a glass bottle. Both have that same scent, from what I recall.

Sonero · May 26, 2017

PeterGunnLives said:
I tried Tres Flores before, but the scent was a little too much for me. Tres Flores has the thick pomade-type hair dressing, and a liquid oil/tonic stuff in a glass bottle. Both have that same scent, from what I recall.

The smell is very similar to Aveda's cologne for men Pure Performance. With fragrances being very weak these days the strong fragrance of Tres Flores could be a welcomed addition to using that combination.

Blowtorch · May 30, 2017

If you'd've asked Elvis back in the day, he'd have let you know that it's Murray's for hold, and Royal Crown for shine!

As a matter of fact, I wrote and recorded a song about it:
http://www.soundclick.com/html5/v3/player.cfm?type=single&songid=4647044&q=hi&newref=1
(please don't think I'm trying to sell you anything, I'm not)

sola fide · Aug 19, 2017

Growing up I used Tres Flore, Dixie Peach Pomade and best of all Old Spice Pomade in a small shallow frosted jar(the pleasing scent and good viscosity was perfect). After almost a 30 year vacation from pomade I am back. I started using Suavecito wanting to stay away from grease, but my son recommended Murrays and I haven't turned back. I keep my hair faded on the sides and a little long on top, the Murrays keeps everything in place and I don't like the effect of Suavecito on my fedora liners-too sticky.

Sco Atao · Aug 22, 2017

I'm not an expert regarding pomades, but I have recently tried a few tin of Murray's for reenactment. I was looking for brands and references that were already available during WW2.

- I appreciate their Hair-Glo (1920s) for its light hold that can easily be combed any time to put hair back into shape (that's important when you're wearing a helmet). You can still achieve a nice hairdo with a natural "movement" or shape. It's a light pomade, but it holds my hair in place very well. Nice, discreet scent.
- The eXelento (1912) is also a good pomade, slightly stronger than Hair-Glo. The scent was quite unusual at first, but I got used to it and now I do appreciate it.
- Murray's Superior V (around 1925) held very well throughout the day. It's a strong pomade but is easily applied. Quite a pain to wash off though... Nice scent too.

Favorite hair styling products: Pomade/brylcreem/etc...

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