The pompadour is one those looks that never seems to go out of style. Throughout the years, people from all backgrounds have worn these seemingly timeless hair styles. A proper pompadour will make a man look classic, cool, and edgy. The pompadour will also fit a lot of face and head shapes due to its ability to be contoured and cut accordingly.
YOU NEED THE RIGHT HAIRCUT
Being a barber, I get a lot of questions regarding how to style and maintain the classic pompadour look. First, a barber has to create the foundation with a proper haircut. Without the right haircut, one will have extreme difficulty in creating the pompadour shape. It is imperative that the barber is reputable with cutting men’s hair and has a wide breadth of knowledge concerning traditional hair styles.
The ideal pompadour haircut is long in the front and tapered back shorter as it moves to the crown (forehead to top of the head). The amount of height in front will depend on the person’s hair texture and preference. The sides and back of the haircut should be cut with a short and tapered look in mind. This includes cutting the hair off of the ears and creating a neat neckline. The closeness of the sides will depend on factors such as hair texture, preference, and head shape.
The ideal pompadour haircut is long in the front and tapered back shorter as it moves to the crown (forehead to top of the head). The amount of height in front will depend on the person’s hair texture and preference. The sides and back of the haircut should be cut with a short and tapered look in mind. This includes cutting the hair off of the ears and creating a neat neckline. The closeness of the sides will depend on factors such as hair texture, preference, and head shape.
FIRST...
The first step, and the most important step, in my opinion, to styling a pompadour, is to use a blow dryer. People, especially males, may be not accustomed to using a blow dryer. However, investing the time to learn to use it will make styling the pompadour a lot easier. Blow drying your hair will create the base shape and the elevation necessary for the style. If your hair is straight or fine, you will definitely need to blow dry. People with wavy or curly hair should also blow dry their hair to straighten everything out.
Either way, start with towel dried hair. If you want more control and hold while blow drying, you can use a light hair spray or gel to aid in the process. While using a round brush, start blow drying the sides and top of your hair straight back. Save the front of your hair for last. With the round brush, blow dry the front straight up to create elevation. Then, use the round brush to grab the front of your hair, and quarter turn the brush to fold the front back while you continue to blow dry.
The step just mentioned will require practice and patience. But once it is perfected, it makes styling the pompadour a lot easier, saves you time, and eliminates stress. When blow drying the front, try to think of bending and turning over the hair with the brush. Remember to always blow dry the hair from the roots to the ends of the hair, as this will provide more control and shorten the blow drying process.
Either way, start with towel dried hair. If you want more control and hold while blow drying, you can use a light hair spray or gel to aid in the process. While using a round brush, start blow drying the sides and top of your hair straight back. Save the front of your hair for last. With the round brush, blow dry the front straight up to create elevation. Then, use the round brush to grab the front of your hair, and quarter turn the brush to fold the front back while you continue to blow dry.
The step just mentioned will require practice and patience. But once it is perfected, it makes styling the pompadour a lot easier, saves you time, and eliminates stress. When blow drying the front, try to think of bending and turning over the hair with the brush. Remember to always blow dry the hair from the roots to the ends of the hair, as this will provide more control and shorten the blow drying process.
NEXT...
If all goes according to plan, you will have a dry pompadour that will look nice but will need added holding power to keep your pomp looking solid all day or night. As a barber, I prefer Layrite Pomade to style pompadours. The holding power, scent, and its ability to wash out with water makes Layrite an obvious choice.
Start with a small amount of pomade -- usually two fingertips worth -- and rub it in both of your hands 'til the pomade is smooth. Now, apply the pomade in the same steps you blow dried your hair. Start with the sides, then move to the top. Again, save the front for last. The front of your hair will require the most Layrite, because you will need the added strength to hold up your pomp.
Start with a small amount of pomade -- usually two fingertips worth -- and rub it in both of your hands 'til the pomade is smooth. Now, apply the pomade in the same steps you blow dried your hair. Start with the sides, then move to the top. Again, save the front for last. The front of your hair will require the most Layrite, because you will need the added strength to hold up your pomp.
THEN...
When combing the Layrite through your hair, follow the same steps that you used to put in the pomade. I prefer to use a regular styling comb. Start by combing the sides back. Then comb the top back. If you have trouble running the comb through your hair, you can add a little lightweight gel to help disperse the pomade through your hair. Again, save the front for last.
Start by combing the front straight up to spread the pomade throughout your hair and to elevate it. Now, with one hand holding the comb and one hand free, comb the front of your hair up and into your free hand. Your free hand will act as a guide for your hair to fold over and to also serve as a limit to how high the front will go.
Comb your hair up, and pat it down. Follow this step 'til you achieve the desired look. Hopefully, you will end up with the classic pompadour. If you want to add even more hold throughout the day, you can use hairspray to solidify your pomp.
Start by combing the front straight up to spread the pomade throughout your hair and to elevate it. Now, with one hand holding the comb and one hand free, comb the front of your hair up and into your free hand. Your free hand will act as a guide for your hair to fold over and to also serve as a limit to how high the front will go.
Comb your hair up, and pat it down. Follow this step 'til you achieve the desired look. Hopefully, you will end up with the classic pompadour. If you want to add even more hold throughout the day, you can use hairspray to solidify your pomp.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!
There are many variations on how to style your pompadour, from loose and messy to tight and slick. Every person that I have talked to about styling their pompadours has developed extra steps that help them achieve their own look. Find what works for you, and practice, practice, practice. Every person will have difficulty combing their hair at first. Stick with it, and don’t get too discouraged. The end product is well worth the wait.
Famous Pompadour Haircut
Bruno Mars
source :http://www.layrite.com/blog/how-to-style-a-pompadour-using-layrite-pomade