Pompadour: See It on Your Photo
A classic men's style with lots of volume on top, swept up and back from the forehead. Often flatters round, oval and square faces.
Included in Free, Creative Spark and Elite Pro
Face shapes it suits
- Round
- Oval
- Square
Volume is the whole story with a pompadour. The front is left long, usually three to four inches or more, then swept up and back from the forehead into a high, rounded shape. The sides are cut short or faded and often slicked back.
Building it takes a few minutes and the right order. Apply a pre-styling spray to damp hair, blow-dry the front upward with a round or vent brush, then shape it. Traditional pomade gives a shiny, sculpted finish; a firm clay or paste gives a matte, more modern look. Curly hair usually needs the blow-dry to smooth and lift it first.
Height at the front lengthens the face, which is why round faces often suit it. It also balances a strong square jaw, and an oval face can go as tall as you like. For oblong faces, a lower pompadour avoids adding more length. Tidy the sides every three to four weeks and the top every six.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does my hair need to be for a pompadour?
- Usually at least three to four inches on top, especially at the front, with shorter sides and back to make the volume stand out.
- What product holds a pompadour?
- Traditional pomades give a shiny, sculpted finish, while a firm-hold clay or paste gives a more modern matte look. A pre-styler before blow-drying helps with lift.
- Does a pompadour work on curly hair?
- It can, but curly hair usually needs a blow-dry with a round brush to smooth and lift it first.