Water-Based vs. Oil-Based (what's the difference?)

Water-Based Pomades are clear, gel-like hair styling products, that will usually stiffen in your hair when they set, effectively keeping your style locked into place all day. To restyle your hair after the Water-Based Pomade has “set”, you simply have to mist or lightly wet your hair to re-hydrate the product and make it pliable again. Unlike gel, Water-Based Pomades will not flake if you brush or re-shape your hair when the product is “set.”

Oil-Based Pomades have a cream like texture and remain pliable and re-stylable throughout the day, giving you maximum flexibility to reshape your look. Oil-based Pomades are versatile enough to be used interchangeably as beard and mustache moisturizers and stylers when used sparingly.

They both come in a variety of hold and shine levels, the main difference between the two is that Water-Based Pomades  can be removed from you hair with a single rinse of water while Oil-Based Pomades are water-resistant and will require a shampoo to rinse out.

Style Guides

The style guide for Water-Based Pomades and Oil-Based Pomades have a lot of overlap, meaning that they are both great for achieving the same type of styles and looks. These products really shine (figuratively and literally) when used to style neat and classic looks, like side-parts, pompadours and slick backed hair. Oil-Based Pomades perform better with mid-length to longer hair because they permanently maintain pliability allowing for a more natural and weightless feel.

Using One Over the Other

Honestly, it’s just a matter of personal preference. Do you want your hair pomade to rinse out of your hair when you shower or not?

Oil-Based Pomades are what is considered “old-school” hair styling products, they’ve been around for decades longer than Water-Based Pomades and have stood the test of time for a reliable styling product. Some of the most iconic hairstyles have been styled with Oil-Based Pomades, think Elvis, Johnny Cash, Don Draper in Mad Men & early Marlon Brando. An Oil-Based Pomade has a tendency to relax when heated that will cause your hair style to fall apart and require you to restyle. This looks very cool (think Johnny Depp in the movie “Cry Baby”).

Water-Based Pomades are modern versions of this, they are easy to use and easy to wash out. They will not fall apart as easily and depending on the hold level they may not fall apart at all. Additionally, they will not fall apart as cool and relaxed as an Oil-Based Pomade, so that’s something to consider.

Final Thoughts

Whatever you decide, have fun! Bonafide makes several great Water-Based Pomades like the Original Hold, Super Hold, Special Edition, Summer Edition & Fiber Pomade. At the moment we only make one true Oil-Based Pomade, the All Around Pomade, but we make 2 Hybrid Products which offer the best of both worlds, the Clay Pomade and the Matte Paste. As always, if you’d like help choosing between the two, let me know in the comment section below.

Luis M.