Pomade vs. Fiber vs. Paste (What is the Best Hairstyling Product?)

Pomade vs. Fiber vs. Paste

Products specifically created for hair styling keep increasing every year. There’s always a new kid on the block each time you want to buy a good and effective pomade, fiber, or paste. But to be honest with you, choosing the best product in a particular subcategory is your second priority. The first should be getting to know the actual differences between pomade vs. fiber vs. paste.

What does each hairstyling formula do? Finding the answer to this question is quite an overwhelming task. On top of that, you have to keep a check on the new products releasing every single day.

So how do you find something that is the most suitable for your hair type, style, and personal preferences? As far as the decision between pomade vs. fiber vs. paste is concerned, I’ve got your back. Read the article to know everything about the three different types of hair products. And also to find out the best-selling options!

Suavecito Pomade Firme (Strong) Hold

Suavecito Pomade Firme (Strong) Hold

Hair Styling Fiber for Men - Pliable Molding Wax Product with Medium Hold & Minimal Shine

Hair Styling Fiber for Men

American Crew for Men Defining Paste Medium Hold Low Shine

American Crew for Men Defining Paste Medium Hold Low Shine

best-pomade-for-men

Photo credit: theclassicmen.com

This is the most commonly used hair product. But not all manufacturers employ the term POMADE correctly. So that’s an entirely different story. A hair product that is not a fiber, paste, or gel automatically becomes pomade. Now that’s misleading, isn’t it?

Pomades are intrinsically designed to make your hair look neat and slick. While also providing that perfect shiny finish! Generally speaking, pomade works best for hairstyles you can create with a comb.

Don’t expect pomades to dry out like gels. Or even leave the hair crunchy or hard like them. This means you can style your hair at any time of the day after application.

There are two types of pomades. The first is oil-based and the second water-based. The former is a more traditional option. While the latter is more popular!

Oil-based pomades take the form of petroleum or grease. The ingredients present in here are insoluble in water. And that makes the formula extremely tough to wash away. And when it does, the pomade strips of all your natural oils too. So your hair ends up looking very unhealthy after the shower.

Here’s another drawback of oil-based pomades. They make your skin more susceptible to acne. Especially along the forehead region! After all, oil tends to clog hair follicles and pores. The result of which is an unwanted buildup of undesirable acne.

Now let’s talk about water-based pomades. The good news here is that these types of pomades are incredibly user-friendly. They give you the same look like the oil-based version. And at the same time, the water-based formula washes out quite easily.

The only setback of water-based pomades is that they don’t offer the much-needed firm hold. Unlike their oil-based counterparts! Even so, they do an excellent job at maintaining flexibility. So you can restyle your hair throughout the entire day. Without much difficulty!

How To Use Pomade

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In the light of the matter, here are the best pomades on the current market. The first option is oil-based. And the second is water-based.

  • Reuzel Green Pomade
  • Suavecito Pomade Firme Hold
Reuzel Green Pomade 4 oz

Reuzel Green Pomade 

Suavecito Pomade Firme (Strong) Hold

Suavecito Pomade Firme (Strong) Hold

What is Fiber?

Fiber is a tough and powerful pliable hair product. Particularly for those with untamable short hair! Fibers are the go-to option when you want to comb down your short, standing hair. That tends to grow in every direction.

Now you should know that fiber is a thick solution. Much like wax but dried out! 

So scooping it from the container requires a little bit of force. The formula comes off in tiny chunks. And that sort of makes combing fiber into the hair difficult. The best way to go about it is to let the fiber relax on your palms by working it into them. Once the product begins to spread, apply it into the hair.

The dryness of fiber adds volume to the hair. There’s no doubt about that. Plus, it has the perfect matte finish, which means you can achieve the “bedhead” look. However, much like pomades, fibers don’t allow you to run your fingers easily through. Both hair products bind strands together. So your chances of pulling out a few hairs are quite high when not careful.

Even so, are you more inclined toward using fiber instead of pomade? If so, then here’s a fiber product I think you might want to take into serious consideration:

  • Smooth Viking Hair Styling Fiber for Men
Hair Styling Fiber for Men - Pliable Molding Wax Product with Medium Hold & Minimal Shine

Pomade vs. Fiber: What to Pick?

Suavecito Pomade Firme (Strong) Hold

Suavecito Pomade Firme (Strong) Hold

Hair Styling Fiber for Men - Pliable Molding Wax Product with Medium Hold & Minimal Shine

Hair Styling Fiber for Men – Pliable Molding Wax Product with Medium Hold & Minimal Shine

Just keep two things in mind during the decision-making process.

  • Fibers work exceptionally well when you wish to texture or spike your hair.
  • But if your main concern is to achieve a wet, sleek look, then pomades do a better job at that.

Also, fiber is more commonly used by men with shorter hair. Cause when applied to longer hair, it can cause a huge tangled mess.

Pomade vs. Paste

What is Paste?

best-hair-paste-for-men

Photo credit: theldndiaries.com

Now it’s time to talk about another type of hair product. Known as paste!

If you ask any expert, he/she will tell you that there’s no actual definition of the term HAIR PASTE. However, there are unmistakable similarities between all pastes. And you don’t need to do more than just look at or touch them to figure it out.

Generally speaking, hair paste is relatively thicker than pomades. The consistency is more like a tacky glue or thick toothpaste. The formula usually offers a hold ranging from very firm to medium. On top of that, pastes give you a natural-looking matte finish. Or if not that, then a hint of shine!

So what does all this mean? In my head, it implies that hair paste products are the most useful in terms of versatility. I would recommend them for all types of hairstyles.

A paste is ideal for any length too. It doesn’t matter if your hair is long/short, combed/messy, or fine/thick. The solution has the ability to adapt to whatever structure.

An even better news is that hair pastes are not oil-based, but water-based. So you can even wash them off quite easily. Needless to say, you simply cannot go wrong when choosing a hair paste. Especially the one mentioned below!

  • American Crew for Men Defining Paste
American Crew for Men Defining Paste Medium Hold Low Shine

DEFINING PASTE

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But you should also know that application, in this case, demands more effort. You have to warm up paste before using it.

So it’s necessary to rub the thick formula between the palms or fingers. This softens the paste, which makes even distribution throughout the hair much more convenient.

Once you apply it and style your hair with it, expect the thing to cool back again. Only to re-thicken! And this is exactly what gives the hair the firm hold it requires.

What is Pomade (with Regards to Paste)?

pomade-vs-fiber-vs-paste

Photo credit: hespokestyle.com

Pomades are products that provide the glossy sheen. They can make the hair look wet. And this is not really a bad thing. That’s because some hairstyles demand such a glossy appearance. Like the pompadour!

Here’s another important thing to note. Pomades are great products for hair nourishment too. So think of the product as serving two purposes. The first is to polish up the hair and clear off flyaways. And the second is to nourish the hair with nutrients. For glorious locks that look and also feel healthy throughout the day!

But once again, you cannot run your fingers through the hair easily with pomade. Plus, the formula is created to remain pliable. So it doesn’t dry out like mousse or hairspray.

That means pomades are not that effective when it comes to holding the hairstyle in place. With this in mind, opt for them only if you have long to medium length hair. As your hair weight, at such times, helps in keeping the style all set.

Now you already know that there are two types of pomades. These are oil-based and water-based, right?

The former is made using petroleum or grease. They might be an inexpensive option. But they’re also hard to wash out.

In the process, oil-based pomades destroy your natural oils present in the hair. And to add to the mess, they clog your pores, which tends to cause acne.

What about water-based pomades? These are a better option. But only if a firm hold is not your primary concern. However, you can wash this off quite easily. And these types of pomades maintain enough flexibility. So they give you an opportunity to restyle your hair throughout the entire day. This sort of makes up for the lack of the firm hold, doesn’t it?

In all, pomade is an ideal choice for curly or thick hair. It can offer light to medium hold. When it comes to grouping, defining, and slicking hair, nothing works better than this. And that too for straight as well as wavy hair!

Pomade vs. Paste: What to Pick?

Suavecito Pomade Firme (Strong) Hold

Suavecito Pomade Firme (Strong) Hold

American Crew for Men Defining Paste Medium Hold Low Shine

American Crew for Men Defining Paste Medium Hold Low Shine

In terms of differences, this is what you need to know.

  • The consistency of paste is comparatively thicker than pomade. So the holding capacity of the former is much better than the latter.
  • While pomades work best for only a few types of hair textures and styles. Hair paste products are perfect for anything and everything.
  • Pastes are only water-based. Whereas pomades are both water-based and oil-based.
  • Pomade type of a hair product is packed with nutrients for nourishment from within. This is something that pastes or even fibers doesn’t offer.
  • But it’s paste that enables an easier application. You don’t have to worry about pulling out a few hairs when applying it. Unlike the stubborn nature of pomade.

So you need to decide what factors matter more than the others.

Pomade vs. Fiber vs. Paste: Final Words

pomade-vs-fiber-vs-paste-comparison

Photo credit: clooneyclub.com

It’s time to sum up three different debates. The first is the comparison between pomade vs. fiber vs. paste. The second is the comparison between pomade vs. fiber. And the third is the comparison between pomade vs. paste.

I would like to state the conclusion as simply as possible.

  • Pick Pomade if you prefer a wet and sleek style.
  • Pick Fiber if your aim is to texture or spike the hair.
  • Pick Paste if a stronger and firmer hold is what you desire.

Each product type offers its own unique advantages. So you’ve got to list down your needs and requirements before selecting any one.


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