A pompadour is a hairstyle in which the front of the hair is combed into a high mound and swept back. That is how Merriam-Webster defines the men's style (entry updated 2 July 2026), and it is also the whole brief: height at the front, a clean line back, and a product that keeps both where you put them. This guide answers the questions people ask about the style, then covers which hold and finish to choose and the steps in order.
What is a pompadour?
A pompadour lifts the front hair and rolls it back. Britannica (entry last revised in 2013) describes the style as the front hair rolled back, with the side hair brought up to meet it in a roll drawn high over the forehead. It adds that men brushed the front hair back and that the style was favoured in the early 20th century.
Three things decide how a pompadour looks on you. They are how high the front sits, how smooth or textured the surface is, and how much shine it has. The hold you choose controls the first, and the finish controls the last two.
Why is it called a pompadour?
The name comes from Madame de Pompadour, a mistress of Louis XV of France. Both Britannica and Merriam-Webster trace the word to her, and Britannica says her version of the style was imitated at court.
What do you need to style a pompadour at home?
- Enough length at the front to stand up and be combed back. Ask your barber to leave length on top.
- A towel, and a hair dryer if you want to build the lift while the hair dries.
- A styling product with the right hold and finish (next section).
- A comb. The Carbon Hair Comb has wide teeth on one side for shaping and fine teeth on the other for the line.
- Optional: a sea salt spray on soft hair that slips. The sea salt spray guide covers how to use it.
Which hold and finish suit a pompadour?
Hold is how firmly a product keeps the shape in place. Finish is how the surface looks, from matte to glossy. A pompadour stands against gravity at the front, so hold does a lot of the work.
Start with Medium. Move to Strong if the front sags before the day is over, and drop to Light if you want a looser, softer shape. Then pick the finish that matches the look you want. The Charlemagne range covers three finishes, and each product comes in Light, Medium and Strong.
| Product | Finish | Hold levels sold | Reach for it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Hair Pomade | Glossy | Light, Medium, Strong | You want the classic pompadour: smooth surface, visible shine |
| Matte Hair Pomade | Matte, low shine | Light, Medium, Strong | You want a modern pompadour that looks styled but not shiny |
| Concrete Hair Clay | Matte | Light, Medium, Strong | You want a rougher, more textured pompadour |
Finish and hold levels are as listed on the product pages. The Concrete Hair Clay is sold on its own and in the Hair Styling Kit. If you are choosing between pomade, clay and wax in general, see clay vs pomade vs wax, the pomade guide, or our comparison of water-based and oil-based pomades.
How do you style a pompadour, step by step?
- Start with dry or towel-dried hair. The directions call for dry hair, or towel-dried hair for the pomades. None of them call for wet hair.
- Build the lift with a dryer. Blow-dry the front upward and back, combing or brushing it that way as it dries. This gives the product a shape to hold.
- Take a fingertip-sized amount. Warm it between your palms until it is even.
- Work it in from the back to the front. Finish at the front hairline so the front is not weighed down before you shape it.
- Shape the front. Sweep it up and back. Use the wide teeth of the comb to lift and the fine teeth to clean up the line.
- Add a little more if you want extra structure. Add it in small amounts. It is easier to add than to take out.
- Check the profile from the side. The shape shows from the side, so look at the height and the line before you leave the mirror.
The guide to applying matte pomade shows the same technique on other cuts, such as the quiff and the slick back.
How do you stop a pompadour from falling flat?
- The front sags by midday. Go up one hold level next time, for example from Medium to Strong.
- It looks heavy. Use less product and work it from the back forward, so the front gets the least.
- It looks too shiny, or too flat and dry. Change the finish, not the hold. Glossy and matte products suit different looks.
- It has moved during the day. The directions say to restyle with damp hands.
For more on getting a style to sit where you want it, see our hair styling tips for men.
How do you wash it out?
Shampoo it out when you wash. Choose the shampoo for your hair rather than for the styling product, and our guide to choosing a men's shampoo and conditioner helps with that. Use styling products as directed: for external use only, keep them away from your eyes, and stop using a product if it irritates.
Pompadour questions
What is a pompadour haircut?
It is a style in which the hair at the front is combed into a high mound and swept back, as defined by Merriam-Webster.
Why is it called a pompadour?
It is named after Madame de Pompadour, a mistress of Louis XV of France, according to Britannica (entry last revised in 2013).
Which pomade should I use for a pompadour?
Choose the finish first: Original Hair Pomade for a glossy pompadour, Matte Hair Pomade for a low-shine one. Then start at Medium hold and adjust.
Should I put pomade on wet or dry hair?
The Charlemagne directions call for dry hair, or towel-dried hair for the pomades.
How much pomade should I use?
The directions call for a fingertip-sized amount. Add a little more if you want extra structure.
Can I restyle a pompadour during the day?
Yes. The directions say to restyle with damp hands.
How long does my hair need to be?
There is no single length. The front needs to be long enough to stand up and be combed back, so ask your barber to leave length on top and show them a reference photo.
This article is general information, not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. For a persistent or worsening symptom, or any concern about your health, speak to a qualified healthcare professional.
The short version
Choose the finish first, start at Medium, and go up a hold level only if the front sags. The Original Hair Pomade gives the classic glossy pompadour, and the Matte Hair Pomade the low-shine one. The Hair Styling Kit puts the Matte Pomade, the Original Pomade and the Concrete Clay in one set, which is the simplest way to compare the three finishes on your own hair. All three are made in Germany. To see where the pompadour fits in a wider routine, read the complete men's grooming kit or browse the Barber's Blades & Tales archive.
Last reviewed 13 October 2026. Written by The Charlemagne Editorial Team.
