noun / verb

pomade

puh-MAYD/pəˈmeɪd/

An oily hair-styling product, or to apply it to hair.

The woman applies glossy pomade to her short hair from an open tin.

A woman applies a small dab of thick, glossy pomade to her short hair, with an open tin of the greasy styling substance prominently visible in her other hand.

Etymology

Pommade meant an ointment, and its name ultimately refers to apples because the original recipe contained mashed apples. This ingredient explains the unexpected fruit connection in the name of a perfumed hair preparation.

In context

New York Magazine1:59

I'll use the remnants of my hair Pomade or whatever I'm using for my mustache then uh I'll utilize my own beard oil

Meet the Very Hairy Men of New Jersey’s Beard Society

More examples

He pomaded his hair and combed it straight back.
She used too much pomade, leaving her hair greasy.
Some pomades provide a stronger hold than others.

Forms

pomade · pomades · pomaded · pomading

Similar words

gel: Gel usually sets more firmly and feels less oily.
wax: Wax typically gives hair a thicker, more moldable hold.