You're standing in front of two jars. One says pomade. One says clay. The descriptions sound similar; hold, definition, organic ingredients, and you've got no idea which one actually belongs in your bathroom.
It's a genuinely confusing decision if no one has ever broken it down for you. Pomade and styling clay are both hair products for men, both can be made with natural ingredients, and both deliver hold throughout the day. But the experience of using them, and the results you get, are meaningfully different.
This post breaks it down clearly so you can make the right call for your hair type and the look you're going for.
The Core Difference: Shine vs. Matte
If you only take one thing from this article, it's this: pomade gives you shine, clay gives you matte.
That single difference drives most of the other choices. Want your hair to look polished, sleek, or wet? Pomade. Want a natural, lived-in, textured look where it doesn't look like you used product? Clay.
Neither is better. They're just different tools for different outcomes.
What Is Hair Pomade?
Pomade is a styling product with a smooth, cream-like or wax-like consistency. It coats the hair shaft, which is what creates that characteristic shine. Traditional pomades were petroleum-based (think 1950s slick-back styles), but modern organic pomades swap petroleum for natural waxes and oils like beeswax, coconut oil, jojoba oil that condition while they style.
What you get from a good organic pomade:
• Firm, reworkable hold throughout the day
• A smooth, shiny finish that looks intentional and polished
• Moisture and conditioning from the oil base so hair feels softer after regular use, not dried out
• Easy washout with warm water and shampoo
Pomade works best for:
• Straight or wavy hair that you want to comb or brush into a defined shape
• Classic styles: side parts, slick-backs, pompadours, textured quiffs
• Hair that holds a shape well and doesn't need a lot of volume added
What Is Hair Styling Clay?
Hair clay is a thicker, drier-feeling product that typically uses mineral clay (like kaolin or bentonite) as its base. Clay absorbs excess oils from the scalp and hair, which gives it a matte, dry finish which is the opposite of pomade's shine. It also tends to give more volume and texture, making hair look fuller and less flat.
What you get from a good natural hair clay:
• Natural, matte finish which looks like your hair is just doing that on its own
• Texture and volume that is especially noticeable on fine or thin hair
• Scalp-friendly: absorbs excess oil without stripping moisture
• Strong hold that keeps shape without looking product-heavy
Clay works best for:
• Thicker, coarser, or unruly hair that needs structure
• Casual, textured styles: messy quiffs, textured crops, natural-looking volume
• Anyone who hates the 'wet' look or wants their hair to look unstyled-but-styled
• People with oily scalps, the clay helps absorb excess oil throughout the day
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pomade | Styling Clay | |
| Finish | Shiny / polished | Matte / natural |
| Hold | Firm, reworkable | Strong, structured |
| Best for | Straight / wavy hair | Thick / coarse / fine hair |
| Feel in hair | Smooth and soft | Dry and textured |
| Volume | Minimal | Adds lift and body |
| Scalp type | Normal to dry | Normal to oily |
| Wash out | Easy with warm water | Easy with warm water |
How to Choose
Still not sure? Answer these two questions:
1. What finish do you want?
If you want your hair to look shiny, polished, or like you put effort in, go with pomade. If you want your hair to look naturally styled, textured, or like you barely touched it, go with clay.
2. What's your hair type?
If your hair is fine, thin, or tends to fall flat, clay will give you volume and texture that pomade won't. If your hair is straight or wavy and you're going for a shaped, defined style, pomade will give you the control and finish you need. If your hair is thick, coarse, or hard to manage, both can work but clay tends to handle bulk better.
Can You Use Both?
Yes, and some people do. A small amount of clay applied to dry hair first gives texture and volume, then a small amount of pomade layered on top adds shine and definition without losing the body. It takes some experimentation, but if you can't decide between the two, there's no rule that says you have to.
The Takeaway
Pomade for shine and defined shape. Clay for matte texture and volume. Both made from organic ingredients, both handcrafted in small batches, both worth trying if you've been using whatever you grabbed first at the drugstore.
If you're still on the fence, the simplest advice: pick the finish you want first, then pick the product.
| Try SiMPL Both the Pomade and the Styling Clay are handmade in small batches by CJ in Baltimore, MD. Organic ingredients, nothing synthetic. Shop Organic Pomade →Shop Styling Clay → |