Learn how to apply clay to hair so you don’t waste time doing it the wrong way. This easy clay pomade tutorial helps you get it right.
I watched YouTube videos. I read how-to articles. I reviewed the instructions on the jar.
And I still didn’t know how to use clay pomade.
I styled my son’s hair for six weeks before I finally figured it out.
But don’t worry, you’ll get it right much faster than that. Because I’ll show you how to apply clay to hair (the stupid simple way).
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What To Do Before You Apply Clay to Hair
Learning how to apply clay to hair starts with knowing what to do before you ever put any product in your hair.
1. Get a Good Haircut
I know you know this (and if you don’t, now you do), but a good haircut makes a huge difference.
Because clay pomade provides a medium hold, you might find that it’s hard to tame unruly cowlicks. Get a haircut that works with – not against – your hair’s natural direction.
2. Buy the Best Clay Pomade
The best clay pomade works well and has high-quality ingredients.
Most clay pomades include nasty ingredients like petrolatum, artificial fragrances, and polyethylene glycols (PEGs). One of the most popular brands promotes its clay pomade as paraben-free, which would be great if it didn’t include other toxic ingredients.
I use Jack Henry Clay Pomade on my young son’s hair. This organic pomade performs the way I want it to and is made with just four natural ingredients: organic coconut oil, bentonite clay, organic beeswax, and organic lavender oil.
It’s simple and it simply works.
(Want to try Jack Henry Clay Pomade? Use the discount code HOWELLKAREN for 15% off your purchase.)
3. Prep Your Hair
Prep your hair to make styling easier.
Clay pomade works best on clean hair, but you can also apply it to second-day hair. (My son doesn’t shower every day so I apply it to second-day hair.)
After cleansing your hair, blow it dry to make sure all your hair is going in the direction you want it to go.
You can also let it air dry if you have time, as long as your hair dries in the correct direction.
My son showers at night, so sometimes his hair is still wet when he goes to bed. If he wakes up with bed head and hair sticking up, I have a hard time getting it to look right with the clay pomade.
How to Apply Clay to Hair
Like I said earlier, I applied clay pomade to my son’s hair for six weeks before I realized the right way to do it. Here’s what I wish I knew from the start.
1. Start With Dry Hair
Applying clay pomade to dry hair provides a firmer hold than applying it to wet hair.
I’ve also found that the clay pomade looks more matte when I apply it to my son’s dry hair.
2. Use a Small Amount of Clay
Start with a small amount of hair clay – about the size of a dime. You can always add more once you’ve worked it into your hair.
3. Warm Clay Between Hands
Warm the clay between your hands to break it down. Clay pomade is thick and gritty, so this step is absolutely necessary to avoid clumps of clay in your hair. (Ask me how I know…)
4. Work Clay Pomade Into Hair
Evenly apply the hair clay and work it from roots to ends.
Really get it into your hair. Move your hair every which way to make sure it’s distributed evenly. My son’s hair looks crazy during this step, and he thinks it’s hilarious.
5. Repeat (If Necessary)
Add more clay pomade if you think you need it. I usually apply it twice.
6. Style Hair With Brush, Comb, or Fingers
Style your hair depending on the look you’re trying to achieve.
Brush or comb your hair for a clean hairstyle. Tousle with your fingers for a messy look.
I do both. I like a neat but textured look on my son’s short hair. Once I have all the product evenly distributed in his hair, I brush his hair forward and then use my hands to lightly separate his hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is clay pomade?
Clay pomade is a pomade made with clay. Duh.
Just kidding.
Clay pomade is a hair styling product that provides a medium-firm hold with a matte finish. Use clay pomade if you’re looking to add thickness, volume, and texture.
Clay is best used on short to medium-length hair, but it can work on all lengths.
2. Is hair clay good for your hair?
Hair clay can be good for your hair – if you use the right product.
Jack Henry Clay Pomade’s four simple ingredients nourish and hydrate the hair and scalp, instead of stripping them like other hair styling products. It’s also easy to wash out, which means you can use it daily.
The clay also helps absorb excess oil, so it’s great for oily hair.
But conventional clay pomades are not good for your hair – or your health. Clay pomades are typically oil-based, which means they most likely contain petrolatum. If not properly refined, petrolatum can be contaminated with a toxic chemical associated with cancer.
In addition to petrolatum, conventional clay pomades can include other ingredients associated with serious health problems.
3. Can I use hair clay every day?
Yes, you can use hair clay every day as long as you’re using a product with good ingredients.
Conventional clay pomades are hard to wash out, so people use questionable methods to clean their hair. These methods – like using dish soap and hot water – aren’t good for your hair or your skin. Yes, dish soap will cut the grease in your hair, but it could also strip the hair and scalp of natural oils needed for healthy hair and skin.
4. Do you apply clay to wet or dry hair?
Apply clay to dry hair for a more firm hold, and to wet hair for a softer hold.
Final Thoughts on How to Apply Clay to Hair
There’s a learning curve with clay pomade, but following this tutorial will make you a pro in no time.
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- Jack Henry Clay Pomade Review: A Safe Organic Pomade That Actually Works
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Learn how to apply clay to hair so you don’t waste time doing it the wrong way. This easy clay pomade tutorial helps you get it right.
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