Matte or shine: how to choose and use men's pomade

Most guys own the wrong product, or the right one used the wrong way. The choice comes down to two questions: what finish do you want — matte or shine — and how much hold your hair and style need. Get those right and styling takes two minutes.

Matte vs. shine, in one line

Matte looks natural and dry, like your hair just falls that way. Shine is the classic slick, combed, polished look. Neither is better — it depends on the cut and the occasion.

For a matte, natural finish

Reach for a clay or a texture product. A clay like the Reuzel Clay Matte gives medium hold with zero shine and works well on textured, tousled styles. For softer movement and volume, a texture cream or foam adds grip without looking wet.

For a slick, high-shine finish

Use a water-based pomade. The Reuzel Red (medium hold, high shine) combs through easily and rinses out clean at night; the Reuzel Blue steps up to a stronger hold for a sharper, controlled look. Both are water-soluble, so no waxy build-up.

Somewhere in between

A fiber pomade like Reuzel Fiber gives firm but flexible hold with a low shine — a good all-rounder if you restyle through the day. There's a 35 g mini if you travel.

How much to use (this is where it goes wrong)

Start with a pea-sized amount. Warm it between your palms until it's clear, then work it through nearly-dry hair, back to front, roots first. You can always add more; you can't take it out. Too much product is the number-one reason a fresh cut looks flat and greasy.

Styling in Miami humidity

Humidity fights hold. Two things help: a product with enough hold for your hair (don't under-buy), and drying your hair most of the way before you style — wet hair plus humidity equals a style that drops by noon. A quick blast with a dryer on low sets the shape.

The 2-minute morning reset

You don't need to wash and restyle daily. Wet your hands, run them through the shape to reactivate yesterday's product, add a touch more if needed, and you're done. Washing every day dries the hair and the cut loses shape faster.

Not sure which one is yours?

The honest answer depends on your hair type and the cut you're wearing. We'll show you exactly which product and how much at your appointment — and you can see the full line-up on our grooming page.