The Pompadour Haircut: How to Get the Retro ’50s Look

Do you know that stylish retro ’50s greaser look that’s been popping up lately? The pompadour haircut has made a significant comeback and is a hot hairstyle for the modern man. The Pompadour might be cut if you’re ready to jump on the trend and get an eye-catching new ‘do. Achieving the perfect pompadour style does take some work. Still, with the right tools, techniques, and pomade, you’ll soon be sporting a gravity-defying style straight out of the ’50s. Follow along, and we’ll show you how to get the pompadour haircut and become the coolest cat. The ladies will swoon, and the fellas will be jealous of your slick new style.

What Is a Pompadour Haircut?

The Pompadour is a stylish hairstyle with a lot of height and volume at the front of the head. It was popularized in the 1950s by cultural icons like Elvis Presley and James Dean. To get the retro ’50s pompadour look, you’ll need the proper cut, products, and styling technique.

What You’ll Need

To start, you’ll want a fade or undercut on the sides and back, with longer hair on top – at least 3 to 5 inches in length. You’ll also need a strong hold product like pomade or wax to lift and shape the Pompadour. A comb, brush, blow dryer, and styling product like hairspray will help complete the look.

How to Style a Pompadour

1. Start with damp or towel-dried hair. Apply a nickel-sized amount of pomade or wax and distribute evenly through the hair on top of your head.
2.   Use a comb to lift the hair up and back from your forehead. Blow dry while brushing the hair up and about. This adds height and volume.
3.   Use the comb and blow dryer to lift hair at the crown of your head. Move the comb in small circular motions while blow drying to create lift.
4.   Use a brush to sweep hair up and back from one side of your part. Repeat on the other side, brushing in smooth, upward strokes to join the sides together.
5.   Check how even and symmetrical the style looks in a mirror. Use the comb and blow dryer to make any touch-ups or adjustments needed.
6.   Finish with a light misting of hairspray to hold the style in place. For extra hold, you can also apply another dab of pomade.
7.   Style the sides and back with a comb to complete the look. Trim as needed to maintain the pompadour shape.

With some practice, you’ll be sporting a retro pompadour in no time. Keep at it, daddy-o! The key is using the right products and tools, lifting at the roots, and practicing your technique. Soon, you’ll look as slick and stylish as the kings of calm from the ’50s.

The History of the Pompadour Hairstyle

The pompadour hairstyle has a long and storied history. This stylish coif dates back to the mid-18th century in France, gaining mainstream popularity in the 1950s. The pompadour was named after Madame de Pompadour, the mistress of King Louis XV. Her hairstyle inspired a tall, upswept style that became popular for women in the 1760s.

Men began wearing a similar style in the early 20th century. It consisted of sweeping longer hair up and back from the forehead into a quiff. The style became popular with “greasers” in the 1950s, who used grease or pomade to create the signature height and shape. Stars like Elvis Presley and James Dean helped propel the Pompadour into widespread popularity.

To get the retro ’50s pompadour look today:

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Gather the necessary supplies.

You’ll need a comb, brush, blow dryer, pomade or wax, hairspray, clips or bobby pins, and a fine-tooth comb for styling. You can also use a teasing comb and volumizing product for extra height.

Wash and blow dry your hair.

Shampoo and condition your hair as usual. Blow dry while combing hair up and back from your forehead. This will give you a head start on creating height and volume at the roots.

Apply product

Rub a dime-sized amount of pomade or wax between your hands and distribute evenly through damp or dry hair. Start with fewer products; you can always add more. Comb hair straight back from your forehead and sides.

Create height at the roots.

Use a teasing comb to backcomb the roots gently in short sections. Lift longer hair and pin it in place with bobby pins. Remove pins once the style is set.

Finish and set

Use a fine-tooth comb to smooth the surface and shape the Pompadour. Spray with hairspray to lock in your creation all day long. Touch up with some pomade, and you’re ready to rock this retro hairstyle!

The Pompadour has enduring style and appeal. When done right, this bold hairstyle will make you look put together and ready to take on the world.

Classic vs Modern: Choosing Your Pompadour Vibe

When choosing your pompadour style, you’ll want to decide between a classic retro ’50s look or a modern interpretation. Both are stylish options, so go with what fits your vibe.

Classic Pompadour

For an iconic pompadour reminiscent of Elvis Presley or James Dean, ask your barber for a high-volume style with lots of height and a deep side part. Use a strong hold pomade or wax to get that gravity-defying lift in front. Slick the sides back, and you’ll look like a Grease extra. This eye-catching coif is all about making a bold retro statement.

Modern Pompadour

If you prefer a trendier cut, opt for a pompadour with more volume on top but tapered sides. Leave the top longer and style it loosely swept up and back rather than shellacked into place. This creates a casual, tousled look with lots of flow and movement. You can fade the back and sides very short or shave them for an extra edge. This style has the silhouette of a classic pompadour but with a relaxed, undone vibe that’s perfect for right now.

Whether you’re a rockabilly rebel or prefer to push the envelope, the Pompadour has enduring appeal. By choosing between the retro roots or a modern remix and using the right products and techniques, you can craft a pompadour to suit your style. Slicking it back or sweeping it up, shaving sides, or tapering—make it as dramatic or casual as you like. The Pompadour is about making a statement, so pick your vibe and pomp it up!

How to Get the Perfect Pompadour: Tips and Styling

You’ll need the proper cut, products, and technique to get a pompadour like Elvis Presley and James Dean. Follow these tips to style a retro ’50s pompadour.

Get the proper cut.

Start with longer hair on top of your head and shorter on the sides and back. Ask your barber for a fade with longer hair on top, around 3 to 5 inches. The longer hair on top will give you more to work with for styling a pompadour.

Use high-hold pomade

Pomade is essential for achieving an authentic pompadour look. Apply a palmful of high-hold pomade, like an oil-based or wax-based product, to your damp hair. Work it through with your fingertips to distribute it evenly. Once styled, these thick pomades will give your hair a slick and shiny finish.

Blow dry while brushing back.

While blow drying your hair in a high heat setting, use a round brush to brush your hair back and away from your face. Start with the roots in front and brush up and back using short, quick strokes. Work in sections, brushing the sides up and back as well. This gives volume and lifts hair at the roots.

Tease and shape

Use a comb to tease and lift hair at the roots even more—comb in short, upward strokes to create height. Shape your hair into place with your hands, combing the sides and back over and up to meet at the crown of your head. Check how it looks from multiple angles in a mirror.

Set with hairspray

Finish with a layer of strong hold hairspray, especially at the roots where you created height and volume. This will set your style in place for the day. Reapply pomade and touch up your style to prevent flyaways and maintain your Pompadour’s shape.

With the right tools and technique, you’ll turn heads with a retro pompadour in no time. Practice makes perfect, so keep at it, and soon you’ll be styling a pomp like a pro.

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The Best Pompadour Variations: Classic, Modern, Undercut, and More

The pompadour hairstyle has seen many variations over the decades. The classic ’50s pomp is still famous, but modern takes on the style are edgier and more textured. There are options for every personal style.

Classic Pompadour

The quintessential pompadour style features slick, combed-back hair with volume and height on top of the head. To get this look:

• Start with damp hair and comb it straight back. Blow dry while combing to train hair back and up.
•   Apply a firm hold of pomade, wax, or gel, and comb hair straight up and back from the forehead into a wave.
•   Tease and fluff the roots at the crown to get maximum height and volume.
•   Smooth the sides and back with a comb and apply the product to keep stray hairs in place.
•   Finish with a strong-hold hairspray to keep the style all day. 
•  Modern Pompadour: A more casual, messy take on the classic Pompadour. It has more texture and volume on top with shorter sides and back. To style:
•   Apply a matte pomade or wax to damp and blow dry while scrunching and tousling hair up and back. This will create volume and texture.
•   Use your fingers instead of a comb to loosely sweep hair up and back from the forehead into a wave. Please make it neat and symmetrical.
•   Tease and scrunch the roots at the crown to boost volume and height.
•   Taper and fade the sides and back very short for contrast. Finish with a medium hold spray. ##Undercut Pompadour Combines an undercut—shaved sides and back—with longer hair on top styled up and back into a pompadour shape. It’s a bold, eye-catching style:
•   Get an undercut at the barber with longer hair left on the head, about 4 to 6 inches long.
•   Apply a strong wax or pomade to the longer top hair and comb straight back from the forehead.
•   Lift and tease roots at the crown while blow drying to maximize height and volume.
•   Use a comb and your fingers to smooth the sides and back of the longer top hair up and over the undercut sections.
•   Finish with a firm-hold hairspray, and you’ll be rocking an edgy pompadour undercut style.

Battle of the Pomp: Which Style Suits You Best?

The pompadour hairstyle has two main variations: the sleek retro and messy modern pomp. Which style suits you best depends on your style and how much time you want to spend styling your hair daily.

The Retro Pompadour

This is the classic ’50s style pompadour made famous by Elvis Presley and James Dean. To achieve this look:

1. Grow your hair on top to at least 3 to 4 inches in length. The sides and back should be tapered short, around 1/2 inch.
2.   Apply a generous amount of high-hold pomade or wax to damp hair and comb it straight from your forehead.
3.   Use a comb or vented brush to lift hair at the roots and direct it straight up and back from your face. Pull sides towards the back of your head.
4.   Use a blow dryer on a medium setting while combing hair up and back. This will add volume at the roots and set the style in place.
5.   Finish with a strong-hold hairspray to keep your retro pomp looking stylish all day.

This polished style takes some effort but will make a bold statement. For an authentic ’50s look, pair it with sideburns, jeans, a white t-shirt, and a leather jacket.

The Messy Modern Pompadour

For a more casual pompadour style, go for a looser, messier look. This style has more volume and flow, with pieces swept up and back at different angles. To get this style:

1. Grow the top layer of your hair at least 4 to 6 inches long. Have the sides and back tapered to 1/2 inch at most.
2.   Apply a medium-hold matte pomade or paste to damp hair. Use your fingers instead of a comb to lift hair up and back from your face, sweeping it at different angles.
3.   Blow dry on low or medium heat while lifting sections of hair up and back using your fingers. This will add height at the roots and lock strands into place.
4.   Finish with minimal hairspray for a touch of hold and lots of movement.

The messy modern Pompadour has an effortless, stylish vibe that pairs well with stubble, t-shirts, jeans or chinos, and high top shoes. Minimal time needed to style means you can achieve a fashionable pompadour look even in a hurry.

Pompadour Wars: Classic Elegance vs Modern Swagger

The Pompadour is a stylish hairstyle that has been popular for decades. There are two main types: the classic retro elegance of the ’50s greaser style or a more modern pomp with extra height and volume.

The classic Pompadour evokes images of ’50s greasers and rockabilly rebels. To get this look:

1. Comb your hair up and back from the roots while blow drying to give it a lift at the roots.
2.  Use a comb to smooth the sides back and up, pinning them in place.
3.  Apply a strong hold pomade like Murray’s to keep your pomp in place all day and get that slick, shiny finish.

This style works best on hair that is at least 3 to 5 inches long on top.

For a modern pompadour with extra height and volume, start with longer hair on top, at least 5 to 8 inches. Blow dry while brushing the hair up and back from the roots. Then, use a round brush to roll the hair under at the ends to create volume and lift at the roots. Apply a matte finish styling product with medium to firm hold. Rather than combing the sides straight back, leave them loose and messy for a casual vibe. This pompadour style allows for more texture and natural-looking volume.

Whether you prefer the retro cool of the classic greaser pompadour or a more significant, messier modern pomp, the key is using the right products and tools to create maximum lift and volume at the roots. Blow drying while brushing up and back is essential. Finish with a product that provides the level of hold and shine you want. Practice makes perfect, so keep at it, and soon you’ll be rocking a pompadour that would make Elvis proud!

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Maintaining Your Pompadour Haircut

You must commit to regular maintenance and upkeep to keep your Pompadour looking slick. This signature hairstyle from the ’50s requires frequent trims and styling to prevent it from becoming unruly or losing its distinctive shape.

Get frequent trims

Every 4 to 6 weeks, head to your barber or stylist for a trim. They’ll tidy up the sides and back of your haircut and ensure your Pompadour is proportional to the rest of your style. DIY trims are not recommended and could result in an uneven, messy look. Regular trims are vital to keeping your hairstyle balanced and shaped correctly.

Style it daily

To achieve the height and volume of a pompadour, you’ll need to style it every day after showering while your hair is still damp. Here are the basic steps:

1. Apply a pre-styler product like mousse or thickening cream and comb through your hair to distribute evenly. This will provide grip and fullness.
2.   Blow dry using a round brush while brushing your hair up and back from your face. Aim the heat at the roots to add lift.
3.   Use a strong-hold pomade, wax, or paste and comb up and back from the crown of your head. Spread it through the sides and back to keep all the hair slicked into place.
4.   Finish with a firm-hold hairspray to lock everything in place and prevent frizzing or drooping throughout the day.
5.   You may need minor touch-ups in the mirror to reign in any flyaways. Carry a pocket comb and mini hair product with you for quick fixes on the go.

With the necessary commitment to upkeep, the pompadour hairstyle can look as slick and stylish today as it did in the 1950s. Keep up with regular trims and daily styling, and you’ll turn heads with your retro ‘do in no time!

Conclusion

So there you have it, the keys to achieving the iconic pompadour hairstyle. With the right tools, products, and technique, you’ll be rocking a stylish retro ‘do. A little practice and patience are all it takes. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll step out with a bold new look that will turn heads. Pompadours aren’t for the faint of heart, but for those with the confidence to pull it off, it can be a statement-making style. Now, show off that gravity-defying pomp – you’ve earned it! The King himself would surely approve.

FAQs for the Pompadour Haircut :

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