Product Review- Layrite- Original Pomade

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Reviewed at 4.6/5 on Amazon (3515 ratings/reviews), this classic men's hair staple is undoubtedly one of the best pomades you can use to achieve timeless styles that last all throughout the day.

Simple Review

Pros:

-Great hold

-Doesn't dry out

-Reworkable throughout the day

Cons:

-Shine may appear greasy

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Long Review

My Experience

If you read my review on the Fiber Pomade by STMNT, you'll know that is the pomade I've been using daily as my go-to product. But I have to admit that I made a mistake. There is one thing about the Fiber Pomade that I didn't like despite its positive features.

It would dry out.

Some days it would completely dry out in my hair and lose it's semi-gloss shine and texture. I would find the hold would also start falling apart. Even if I reworked it with water, it wouldn't hold for long afterward.

To be fair, the Fiber Pomade does exactly what it says it will do. It just doesn't do what is expected when one thinks of a "pomade" in the traditional sense.

I was looking for a product that had a great hold that would last all day, and if my hair started coming undone, I'd be able to easily throw it back in place. What I was looking for was actually the Layrite Original Pomade.

Now, here are a few disclaimers. The barbershop I work at retails this product, but I make no money from telling you about it on the internet.

Also, I have only used this product a few times on myself and on clients.

But a few times have been enough for me to be able to confidently tell you that this is the classic pomade I wanted in the first place.

Positives

Great Hold

The first thing I noticed about this product is that the hold is unmatched as it has the ability to really slick back unruly hair that would otherwise stick out and flop around.

One day, I was absolutely slammed at the shop going from one client to the next, and it wasn’t until 5 hours of nonstop moving about was I able to take a break.

When I finally had a chance to look up at myself in a mirror, I saw my hair was still securely in place. Something I don’t usually experience with other products, as all the hustle and bustle tends to make my hairstyle fall apart.

Nothing else has even come close.

Doesn’t Dry Out

I found that the product held my hair throughout the day without any issue, but if things were starting to get out of place I simply smoothed my hair back with my hand and it felt like my hair had just been freshly styled.

Perfect for Asian Hair

I tend to gravitate towards the Layrite Pomade for sleek and classic hairstyles and I personally think it works best in straight, stiff Asian hair types.

There are two reasons for this:

1- The malleable hold is able to keep the stubborn hair in line, and due to the gel consistency of the product, the hair tends to stick together instead of flying out all over the place.

2- Asian hair is usually as dark as it can get and can lack dimension when paired with a matte product. The shine of the product allows light to bounce off the hair where you can see the shape of the strands clearly.

That isn't to say that pomades can't be used on other hair types and no one is stopping you from using it if that is your preferred product. I just think the properties of classic pomade complement Asian hair the most.

Easy to Put In and Take Out

Another benefit of this product is that it is applied effortlessly in the hair and washes out just as easily with just water. This is to be expected of any water-based product, but I find that it's always worth mentioning as we want to mitigate product build-up on our scalps as best we can to ensure everything stays healthy.

Scent

I also find that the scent of this product carries the same notes you'd expect of Layrite's signature fragrance, but it's definitely more subtle compared to the Natural Matte Cream which I found to be quite overpowering.

Others Feel The Same

Looking at the 5-star reviews on Amazon (2861 ratings out of 3515 in total), many have found it to be their favourite product with comments about the great hold, light fragrance, and that it doesn't harden in the hair.

Many claim it to be the best pomade they have ever used, or the product they will buy again and again.

Negatives

Knowing what styles a pomade is intended for, it would seem that the Layrite Original Pomade is perfect and for the most part, it is. Except for one thing…

Can Appear Greasy

The only negative is that I would not recommend it to anyone who has lighter-coloured hair.

Blondes and lighter brunettes tend to have more colour variation naturally within the hair which catches the light very nicely on its own and so shine products, like this pomade, can make them appear very greasy, very quickly.

If you struggle with hair appearing too greasy, then a matte finish product is better suited for you than the Original Pomade.

What Other People Have to Say

Between the 1 & 2-star reviews (71 & 49 ratings, respectively, out of 3515 in total), comments were made about potentially receiving a bad batch of the product that didn't match the customer's previous experience (which may be more of an Amazon issue than a Layrite one).

Other comments talked about the product drying out, irritating the scalp, and either having too heavy and hard of a hold or no hold at all.

It would appear that there is a bit of a quality control issue at some point along the way if you order through Amazon, so be wary of that. Hopefully you can find a place near you that sells the Original Pomade in store, so that you can have the ease of returning if needed.

How to Use

For this product, I would follow the exact same steps I outlined in my previous review for the STMNT Fiber Pomade.

1- Starting with damp hair, I spray in texture tonic and spread a tiny amount of matte paste.

2- I will blow dry and style my hair into the desired shape, focusing on volume and direction of hair.

3- After blow drying, I take a double pea-sized amount of pomade and gently spread it throughout my hair.

4- With the Layrite Original Pomade, I focus on my parting and the front of my hair. These are the areas where I want the most hold.

5- I then spread the remaining product to the rest of my hair to create an even gloss throughout.

Summary

If you're looking for a product that offers the hold and finish or a traditional pomade while still having the ease of washability, then the Original Pomade is the way to go.

I would much rather recommend this product as opposed to the STMNT Fiber Pomade, as I find that the Layrite has the unique benefit of not drying out. With that, you'll be able to restyle your hair throughout the day and always come out put together. Never having to deal with a bad hair situation at the wrong time!

Keep in mind though, that purchasing through Amazon seems to run the risk of getting a faulty product. So it would be better to try to get it directly from Layrite or through a shop in your area so that you can get all the benefits of this product without any of the headaches!