"There’s a huge return to polished men’s grooming styles—guys really care hair how their hair looks,” says American Crew stylist, Paul Wilson. “That trend is what brought back the pompadour—both classic looks and newer versions.” What makes today’s pompadour cool and modern? “Product,” says Vaughn Acord, founder of V76 by Vaughn. “The product gives each pompadour character—be it flexibility and movement, or being ironed into place and strong.” Here, we break down three different pompadour looks that salute this iconic, masculine style.
The Angled Pompadour
This look takes the classic pompadour—with hair pulled straight back—and gives it a structured sweep to the side. To keep that sweep perfectly placed, comb through a high-hold product that’ll lock down the style. Perfect Product: American Crew Molding Clay
The Angled Pompadour
This look takes the classic pompadour—with hair pulled straight back—and gives it a structured sweep to the side. To keep that sweep perfectly placed, comb through a high-hold product that’ll lock down the style. Perfect Product: American Crew Molding Clay
The Piecey Pompadour
For a slightly unstructured looking pompadour, Acord suggests using a more flexible-hold styling product and exaggerated volume at the front. “When you’re blow drying, really go for it to get that volume at the top. You can always tone down the hair, but it’s hard to build it back up.” Perfect Product: V76 Styling Cream.
The Piecey Pompadour
For a slightly unstructured looking pompadour, Acord suggests using a more flexible-hold styling product and exaggerated volume at the front. “When you’re blow drying, really go for it to get that volume at the top. You can always tone down the hair, but it’s hard to build it back up.” Perfect Product: V76 Styling Cream.
The Classic Pompadour
This pompadour personifies The King—that “king” being Elvis, The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. “It has length on the sides, reminiscent of how Elvis wore it,” says Wilson. “Start with a firm-hold gel and blow dry the sides up toward the crown to create the basic shape. Then finish with lots of pomade, grooming it to the final look.” Perfect Product: American Crew Pomade.