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50 Pompadour Hairstyle Variations + Comprehensive Guide

Get creative and make the most out of your naturally volumized hair

written by The Editors

Pompadour is one of the most easily recognizable hairdos out there. We’ve written about it several times, and we’ve decided to give it the Haircut Inspiration treatment. In this post, we’ll talk about the pompadour hairstyle and its many variations. This article starts with a gallery followed by a detailed guide about this extraordinary style. Scroll down to learn more!

What Is The Pompadour Hairstyle?

In a word: Elvis. The King of Rock and Roll sported a high-volume pompadour as part of his iconic style. But rock and roll didn’t give rise to the ‘do: truck driving did. In his youth, Elvis was training to be a truck driver, and the pompadour hairstyle was the cut of choice for truck drivers nationwide.

Today, there are many variations. You can have it short or long, disconnected, paired with an undercut, and more. There are also tons of products available to help you style it, and we’ve included our favorites for you.

Guys with round faces might want to pass on this one, as it tends to round the face out. However, it’s great for most other face shapes as well as nearly all hair types.

How To Get The Pompadour Hairstyle?

As with most hairstyles, we recommend taking pictures to your stylist when you go to get this hairstyle. Surprisingly, the energetic pompadour is mostly style. The cut itself is rather simple: short sides, long on top.

The sides can be buzzed with any razor length. Shorter guard settings (#2) will go well with shorter hair, and longer guard settings (#5) will go well with longer pompadours. This is all up to your preference. Finally, ask your barber or stylist to taper your cut so the hair fades into the skin of your neck.

How To Style The Pompadour Hairstyle?

It’s best to style it right after you’ve gotten out of the shower, since damp hair is necessary. Styling is a three step process. You apply the pomade first, make the part, and then create the pompadour itself. It is quite tricky to style it correctly, so it may take a few times before you get what you’re satisfied with, but don’t give up!

Step 1

The first step is to coat your hair in pomade. You can do this in a couple of different ways. The easiest approach is to take a few generous scoops of pomade and work it into your hair. Alternatively, you can lift your hair up with a comb and apply the pomade to your lifted hair, working it in and backward.

Either way, to finish the pomade application, take a comb and comb backward, down to your neck. This helps to even out the pomade and gives you a nice coating.

Step 2

If you desire, you can part your hair. This is an optional step, so if you don’t want a part with your pompadour, go on to step 3.

To part your hair, simply pick a parting line (above the left eyebrow is good) and comb the hair in opposite directions there. All of the hair to your left should be combed to your left, and all of the hair to your right should be combed to the right. Both sides should be combed in an outward direction.

Step 3

Now you’re ready to make the pompadour. There are a few different ways of creating it, but we’ve outlined a fairly basic process that’s easy to pick up.

For the following instructions, you’ll only be concerned with the hair to your right, which is the larger section of your hair that’s parted. Use the comb to lift up the hair. With a rolling motion, comb the hair backward. This should give the curved pomapadour. You can use your fingers (and perhaps a little extra pomade) to lift the hair up and back to further style it. Looking at pictures while you’re styling could be beneficial.

Continue styling in this way until you have a good pompadour going. Depending on how long your hair is, you can go for a short or long one. If you want it shorter, style it more backward than upward. If you want it longer, use the comb to draw the hair more upward than backward.

Alternatively, you can comb your hair upward and then push it down and forward. This might be a better option if you’re going for a shorter hairdo.
If you want more volume to your hair, you can blow dry it in the direction of the pompadour for a taller style.

Products For The Pompadour Hairstyle

To get this truly standing-out hairstyle, you’ve got to use the best product out there. It relies almost exclusively on pomade, and the pomade has to have a firm hold. Pomades can also give your hair a glossy shine, but hold is the most important factor.

Suavecito Firme or Layrite Super Hold are two of the best high-hold pomades. They’re both water-based, so they wash out more easily and don’t make your hair feel greasy. If your hair is lighter, the regular versions of these pomades (Suavecito Original Hold and Layrite Original) should provide more than enough hold. However, if you have really tough, thick, or coarse hair, go for the stronger hold pomades.