Pomade is a waxy or greasy hair product often associated with men's hairstyles of the 1950s. It typically consists of petroleum jelly, mineral oil, and wax, with optional perfumes or colorants. The word pomade is derived from the French for "apple," because the original product, made in the 16th century, contained mashed apples.
Pomade is thick and offers the stylist excellent control over the hair. It also allows curly hair to be straightened. Pomade is commonly used to obtain a pompadour, ducktail, or quiff hairstyle, popular in certain youth cultures, such as rockabilly, since the 1950s. However, pomade was a popular hair dressing for men long before the 1950s, as stiff, wet-look hairstyles had been fashionable for much of the 19th century. 1920s film stars like Rudolph Valentino also popularized the look.
Pomade gives the hair a shiny appearance and, unlike most other hair products, leaves the hair greasy to the touch. It may require more than one washing to remove all traces of pomade from the hair. Pomade has waned in popularity since the 1960s, when dry-look hair became the style for men, though it is still popular in subcultures that emulate the fashions of an earlier era. Today, pomade has evolved into a more general term, and more common hair products, such as gel or mousse, may be marketed as pomade.
