Hair Paste, Hair Pomade, and Clay so what’s the difference? Our simple and basic guide to understand hair styling products that we sell in our Horbury based barber shop.The world of hair styling products can be a confusing one, and often times its overwhelming trying to understand what each one does for your hair. Do you know the difference between a hair paste, hair pomade, or a clay? How about hair gels, hair cremes, or waxes? And don’t forget about mousses, hair sprays, oils, and serums.

All of these different names can make it quite difficult finding the right one styling products for your specific hair styling needs. Which one is right for you? Well I hope we can answer some of these questions here on our website.

Star Barber Shop in Horbury sells a few hair pastes, hair pomades, and hair clays in our styling products, so we’ll begin with each of these products to give you some bearing and you will be able to decide which one is right for you but please don’t forget all very good quality products that we sell in our shop which you will be able to search online always however you will not be able to find in every barber shop in Horbury Ossett or Wakefield.

Hair Pomade

Pomade is one of the most commonly used words to describe men’s hair styling products today. Now whether the word pomade is used correctly is a completely different story, but it seems to be the catch-all term to describe anything that’s not a gel or fiber. They are primarily designed to showcase your hair in a slick, neat manner while providing a high shine finish (ie pompadours, ducktail, or classic side parts). Basically, pomades work extremely well for hairstyles that are formed using a comb. Unlike gels, pomades do not dry out or leave your hair hard and crunchy allowing you to style your hair again and again throughout the day. Options for medium to high shine pomades are widely available.

Pomades can be broken down into two major categories: Oil-based (the more traditional version) and Water-based (the more popular option)

Hair Paste

There is no consensus on the definition of “hair paste”, but there are obvious similarities between them all when you see and touch them. In general hair pastes are a bit thicker in consistency than pomades, and their consistency and texture can range from something like a thick toothpaste to tacky glue. A hair paste usually gives your hair a medium to very firm hold, and can leave your hair with a natural matte finish or add a touch of shine.

This makes hair pastes the most versatile men’s hair products out there and can be recommended for practically any hairstyle. Hair pastes are ideal for all hair lengths, types and styles…from short to long, fine to thick, messy to combed. And they are water-based, so washing them out is super easy. You really can’t go wrong with choosing a product in the hair paste family!

Hair Clays

Clay hair products are a relatively new classification for men’s styling products and these products can range from very thick to very creamy consistency. The one thing in common with all clay hair products is the fact that they actually contain a clay ingredient in their formulations. The most commonly used clay is bentonite, which is completely natural and usually forms from weathering of volcanic ash. It’s incredibly fine and powdery making it almost “velvety” to the touch, and can swell as much as 6x when contacting water.

Clay (bentonite) makes your hair feel “fatter” by adding body, thickness and structure to the individual hair strands, and ultimately gives your hair structure and stability throughout the day. Hair clays are ideal for hairstyles that require tons of volume without having to worry about the styling product weighing down your hair. There are other benefits of using hair clay products including:

Clay has the tendency to draw dirt and impurities from the hair without drying the hair of its natural oils
Clay has properties that are naturally healing and stimulating of the hair shaft and scalp (making it good for men with sensitive skin and scalp) and promotes hair growth. It nourishes the hair and scalp because it’s rich in mineral and nutrients
It conditioner and moisturizes the hair to control and maintain fizzy hair, particularly for men with curly or longer hair.

At Star Barber Shop you will be able to find most quality hair pomades, clay and paste and all made in UK because Dapper Dan hair products available now and many others to choose from for your hair.