Best Hair Pomades, Pastes & Clays for Men: Picks & How to Use Them

Anyone who’s ever built a quiff in the morning and watched it collapse into a flat, greasy mess by lunch knows the real problem isn’t your hair — it’s picking the wrong product. Pomade, paste, clay, wax, gel: they all promise hold, but they behave completely differently once they hit your hair, and the label rarely tells you which one you actually need. Below we break down the differences, then organize our favorite picks by category so you can match the product to the look you’re after.

If you’re still nailing down the fundamentals, start with our guide to how to style hair for men — this piece is the product companion to it.

What’s the Difference? Pomade vs. Paste vs. Clay vs. Gel vs. Wax

Most men reach for whatever the barber used and never question it — but the finish you get comes down to which of these five formulas is in the tin, and they’re not interchangeable. Here’s what separates them.

Pomade is the classic. It delivers hold and shine at the same time, which is why it’s the go-to for slicked-back, side-parted, and pompadour styles that want a wet, polished look. Two things to know up front: pomades split into water-based (rinse out with a single shampoo, reactivate with wet hands, generally lighter shine) and oil-based / petroleum (heavier hold and gloss, but notoriously stubborn to wash out — more on that below).

Paste is typically thicker and lands on a matte-to-low-sheen finish with a medium-to-firm hold. It’s the versatile workhorse — great for adding texture and separation to shorter, choppier cuts without looking wet. Think of paste as the “styled but not slick” option.

Clay is built around a mineral clay (kaolin or bentonite) that gives you firm hold, real volume, and a dead-matte finish. If your hair is fine or you want the look to read thick and textured rather than glossy, clay is the pick. It grips hard and lifts the roots.

Wax sits between pomade and paste — pliable, reworkable, usually a low-to-medium shine. It’s forgiving for guys who restyle through the day, and lighter formulas double as a glossing or finishing product over damp hair.

Gel is the outlier. It’s water-based, dries to a hard, high-shine “cast,” and holds like nothing else — but that stiffness is exactly why a lot of men have moved to paste and clay for a more natural, touchable finish. It still has its place for structured, ultra-slick looks. For the full head-to-head, see our pomade vs. gel breakdown and our roundup of the best hair gel for men.

Quick Reference: Which One Do You Want?

For the skimmers, here’s the whole thing in one glance:

• Want shine + a slick, classic look? → Pomade
• Want texture with a matte-ish, natural finish? → Paste
• Want max volume + dead-matte + firm hold (esp. fine hair)? → Clay
• Want a pliable, restyle-all-day finish? → Wax
• Want maximum hold and don’t mind a stiff, high-shine cast? → Gel

How to Choose: Hold, Finish & Hair Type

Three variables decide whether a product works for you. Get these right and the brand almost doesn’t matter.

• Hold. Match it to your style’s ambition. A textured crop or messy fringe needs only light-to-medium hold; a towering pompadour or a tight slick-back wants firm. More hold isn’t “better” — over-holding a casual style just makes it look stiff and product-heavy.
• Finish. Shine reads polished and dressy; matte reads modern, casual, and thicker. As a rule, the shinier the finish, the more “done” the look — choose accordingly for the occasion.
• Hair type. Fine or thinning hair does best with clay or matte paste, which build the illusion of volume and density without weighing strands down (read: no greasy flattening). Thick or coarse hair can carry heavier pomades and firmer pastes. Curly and wavy hair usually wants a lower-hold paste or a glossing wax that defines without crunch.

One more: if your hair falls flat before product even goes in, a pre-style sea salt spray on damp hair adds grit and lift that clay and paste can then lock down.

The Best Pomades, Pastes & Clays for Men

We’ve grouped our favorites by category so you can shop straight to the finish you want. Blurbs lead with what’s actually in the tin and how it behaves.

A note on availability: this roundup spans several years of testing. Every product below is tagged — confirm current availability and formulation before publishing, as some 2019-era SKUs may be discontinued or reformulated.

Pomades

L’ANGE HAIR Salt + Séa Texturizing Pomade
A New-Zealand-born, Brooklyn-based formula that plays against type: it’s a pomade that finishes matte rather than glossy. Spreads easily, holds brilliantly, and skips the grease — a good entry point for men who want pomade-level control without the wet look.
– Pros: Matte finish, easy to spread, non-greasy
– Cons: Less shine than pomade traditionalists expect

Dapper Dan Heavy Hold Pomade
A Sheffield-brand oil-based pomade with genuinely heavy hold and a mild scent. It washes out more easily than most oil-based formulas and won’t leave grease on your pillow or collar.
– Pros: Strong hold, easy application, cleaner than most oil-based pomades
– Cons: Can look dry and cracked in the tin before it warms up

Uppercut Deluxe Matte Pomade
A silicone-free, water-soluble pomade with medium hold and a strong blend of movement, hold, and texture. Non-greasy and rinses clean with one wash.
– Pros: Holds all day, water-soluble, great movement
– Cons: Scent could be more pleasant

Murdock Classic Pomade
A water-based pomade with a citrusy scent that spreads like a gooey orange gel without stiffening. Built for slicked-back, glossy quiffs that still want to move.
– Pros: Glossy classic finish, spreads without stiffening
– Cons: Water-based shine sits lighter than oil-based

Imperial Classic Pomade
A water-based pomade with a watermelon-Jolly-Rancher scent. It dries slightly stiff but reactivates instantly with wet hands, so you can restyle on the fly.
– Pros: No crunchy feel, reworkable with water
– Cons: Hold can fade after a couple of hours

18.21 Man Made Pomade
The highest-shine, lightest-hold member of the 18.21 line, with a flexible hold that suits classic side-parted styles across most lengths and textures. Carries the brand’s signature sweet-tobacco scent.
– Pros: Flexible hold, high shine, versatile across hair types
– Cons: Could offer more hold for demanding styles

Pastes

Sachajuan Fibre Paste
A Swedish fibre paste offering strong hold with a subtle sheen — not fully matte, not shiny. It excels at quiffs and structured styles that need grip without the wet look.
– Pros: Strong hold, doesn’t feel tacky
– Cons: Can read slightly greasy if over-applied

Fatboy Perfect Putty
A kaolin-clay-based putty that trades vice-grip hold for flexible “ruffled scruff” — soft, full, and matte. A nickel-sized amount does the job, so a tub lasts.
– Pros: Economical, soft matte finish, flexible
– Cons: Some find it overly sticky

Martial Vivot Paste
A soft-to-medium-hold paste built on an organic aloe base, with hemp seed oil, castor seed oil, and Vitamin B to moisturize as it styles. Ideal for a disheveled, curly finish.
– Pros: Nourishes hair, natural-looking soft hold
– Cons: Pricey

18.21 Man Made Paste
A firmer paste that smooths out as you work it between your palms, balancing medium shine with a soft, workable hold. Carries the signature sweet-tobacco-and-saffron blend.
– Pros: Smooth application, balanced shine and hold
– Cons: Firm texture needs warming before it spreads

IGK Beach Club Soft Texture Paste
A medium-hold paste that delivers a second-day, lived-in finish with light shine, plus argan oil to strengthen and nourish. Notes of black pepper, blackberry, and leather.
– Pros: Effortless lived-in texture, conditioning argan oil
– Cons: Light hold won’t anchor a structured style

Clays

Jack Black Clay Pomade
A clay-pomade hybrid that adds flexible, messed-up texture to shorter, choppier styles. Matte-leaning finish with enough grip to define without locking hair rigid.
– Pros: Great texture for short cuts, flexible hold
– Cons: Not built for slick or high-shine looks

Aveda Men Pureformance Clay
A lightweight clay that emphasizes volume, particularly on fine hair, scented with lavender and citrus. Builds body without the weight that flattens thin strands.
– Pros: Lightweight, excellent for fine hair volume
– Cons: Pricey

Baxter of California Clay Pomade
An unscented, silicone-free clay with firm hold that layers well — combine it with other Baxter products to dial in your finish.
– Pros: Firm hold, unscented, customizable
– Cons: Needs a thorough wash to fully remove

Truefitt & Hill Euchrisma Clay
A bentonite-clay formula that offers a little more movement than most firm clays while keeping a strong hold, with scalp-stimulating properties built in.
– Pros: Strong hold with movement, scalp benefits
– Cons: Premium heritage-brand price

18.21 Man Made Clay
A looser, wetter-textured clay that finishes natural-matte with separated, texturized definition — tailor-made for thin or fine hair and blow-dry styling.
– Pros: Natural matte look, ideal for fine hair
– Cons: Not recommended for thick hair

Texturizing Waxes

R+Co CONTINENTAL Glossing Wax
A lightweight, water-based glossing wax that adds shine without grease. Works on damp hair before blow-drying or on curly hair for definition, with eucalyptus, green tea, and crisp amber notes.
– Pros: Shine without grease, doubles as a curl definer
– Cons: Light hold — a finisher, not a foundation

How to Apply Pomade, Paste & Clay

Most product failures are application failures. Follow the same core method regardless of formula, adjusting for finish:

1. Start with the right hair state. Apply pomade to towel-dried, damp hair for a slicker, glossier finish; apply paste and clay to fully dry hair for maximum matte texture and volume.
2. Take less than you think. Scoop a nickel- to dime-sized amount to start — you can always add more, but over-loading is what creates the flat, greasy mess.
3. Emulsify it first. Rub the product between your palms and fingers until it’s warm, thin, and evenly spread. Never dab it straight from tin to head.
4. Work back to front, roots first. Push it through from the back and sides toward the front, distributing at the roots for hold and lift before touching the ends.
5. Style, then set the shape. Use a comb for slick, defined styles (pomade); use your fingers for texture and separation (paste, clay). For extra volume, blow-dry the roots up before you apply clay, then lock it in.

For style-specific technique — quiffs, pompadours, side parts — pair this with our how to style hair for men guide.

How to Wash Out Pomade (Especially Oil-Based)

Water-based pomades, pastes, and clays rinse out with a single shampoo. Oil-based (petroleum) pomade is a different beast — it repels water, so a normal wash just smears it around. If you’ve ever showered twice and still felt the grease, here’s the process that actually works.

1. Cut the grease with dish soap. Liquid dish soap is formulated to break down oil in a way shampoo isn’t. Work it into dry-to-damp hair before you get in the shower.
2. Let it sit. Give the soap around 30 minutes to break down the petroleum before you rinse — this is the step most people skip, and it’s why the pomade won’t budge.
3. Rinse thoroughly, then follow with a dedicated pomade-cutting shampoo (Dax, Suavecito, and Uppercut all make one) to strip the last of the residue.
4. Condition. Dish soap and clarifying shampoo are drying, so finish with conditioner to put moisture back.

If your scalp is irritated or flaking from buildup, mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle, spritz the scalp, wait 15 minutes, then rinse. Repeat about twice a week until it settles.

The honest truth: there’s no single miracle product here. Specialty shampoos are part of the process, not the whole solution — the dish-soap-and-dwell step is what does the heavy lifting. And the easiest fix of all? If washing it out is a recurring headache, switch to a water-based pomade and skip the ordeal entirely.

The Takeaway

The one decision that matters is finish: pomade for shine and slick classics, paste for natural everyday texture, clay for matte volume on finer hair. Get that right, pick a hold that suits your style’s ambition, and — if you value your mornings — favor a water-based formula so wash day stays a single shampoo. From here, see the cut this all pays off on in our textured fringe guide, weigh your options with pomade vs. gel, and prime limp hair with a sea salt spray before the product goes in.

Mark Grassick

Writer

Mark Grassick joins us with over 17 years' experience as a journalist covering pop culture in the UK and Ireland. He's interviewed everyone from Alan Rickman to Iron Maiden and is currently a bearded, music-mad father of two and husband of one residing in London, England.