O'DoudsStandard Pomade for Men - Natural Styling Hair Pomade - Firm Hold & High Shine Finish for Classic Looks - Bay & Blood Orange Scent (4oz)

As a recovering “high end hair products” user with a very sensitive scalp and persnickety styling preferences, I do believe I’ve found my new favorite. I used shu uemura products until they discontinued not one, but both of the products I liked. One of them was replaced with a solid product, but it is still very expensive and doesn’t quite do exactly what I would like. I have medium length super straight hair with a ton of volume. I wear the slicked back / classic combover type style. It’s been challenging to find something that weighs my hair down without looking like I haven’t showered in days, remains malleable throughout the day, and gives a bit of shine. O’Douds, upon first use, is perfect for me, aside from the scent. I don’t love the scent. I actually bought two different “natural” or plant based products to use and compare after extensive research on reviews and ingredients. The “other” product smells amazing but is going straight in the trash after first use due to the fact it leaves my hair dry and fuzzy (odd for a pomade I must say). So back to the scent, it’s very “lemony” which is why I don’t use American crew fiber. It is very similar in that aspect (also American crew products make my head itchy). That is where the similarities end. O’Douds is superior to many other products I have used and midrange on the price so I’ll be sticking with this for now. The scent does dissipate quickly once applied and styled. I wish I could take the caramel musk scent from the other product and apply it to the superior ingredients and functionality of the O’Douds. But due to the fact that it dissipates quickly and I don’t walk around smelling like mosquito repellent, I can live with it. Solid product for half the price of my previous product. I’m happy with the results. It is a little tougher to wash out, but that doesn’t bother me. It is also water RESISTANT so hopefully I don’t look like a homeless person the moment I walk out in the rain like other products. It is a little tougher to work into my thick assed hair as well but I expected that from a product that can hold it all in place as I would prefer without drying out or flaking or losing all composure at the first hint of any precipitation. I also play music and perform under hot lights and have yet to find a product that remains malleable for a restyle after leaving the stage. I think this is really going to cut it for that issue as well. Will add a picture when I’m freshly styled. Right now I look like Harry from Harry and the Henderson’s after sleeping with the other product in my hair.EDIT - added photos. Photo on the left is actually the next morning. Ran my fingers through and restyled after coffee and it pops right back into place. Photo on the right is later in the day, after chores and wearing a beanie all day. This stuff is the real deal, for this kind of style anyway. At the moment I’m at two full days and head still not itchy. Amazing.

This is not your standard water based pomade. It's not the gel type and I will say that it does not wash out as easily as the gel type--but that's ok. It's not greasy or anything but I did find that I could actually go a couple days without having to add more even after showering--just dry my hair a bit, comb and go. It is white, so when you apply it it is a bit difficult to work it all in or get it to apply evenly, but I did find that even if you had a bit of white left in your hair after applying it, it fades and blends in to your hair after a little while. The hold is not super stiff so it's easy to re-comb your hair when necessary. If you want a great smelling, lower shine and non-helmet like hold, the you'll like this.

O'Douds pretty much created this type of pomade. Prior, you had water based that were more gelatin-like texture (i.e. Lay-rite, Suavecito) and oil/wax-based that were really hard to wash out, but held well (i.e. Goon Grease.) O'Douds created, a now popular style, of a water-based that acts like an oil based in texture and hold, while remaining like a water-based—as in, it's still easy to wash out.I was so excited to try the new formulation out, and was not disappointed. It's super easy to spread now. It still has that icing type consistency, but spreads easily and goes through your hair no problem. It's not a super-hold, this is still not a true oil or wax (hence the name leaning it towards water-based still) but I feel it holds very well, while still allowing your hair to move and look natural. I don't go for the stiff pomp look, and if that's what your hair style is this probably is not the pomade for you. But, if you like to style your hair with hold that can easily be restyled and moved when wanted, this is the stuff.The only downside to the original O'Douds Water Based was how hard it was to spread in your hands. (If you had the original formula you know what I'm talking about.) Basically, after scooping a little into your palms, you would rub your hands together and the water would separate from the other ingredients. This didn't make it impossible to use but you really had to focus on getting it re-mixed and spread in your hands after separation, which was time consuming and annoying—BUT THAT HAS BEEN FIXED!I lean more towards oil-based now, as I like the hold and look, but I HATE HATE HATE (yes, that much hate) how hard oil/wax based pomades are to wash from your hands after application. No one ever talks about this. They always talk about how hard/easy pomades are to wash out of your hair, but I could care less because I like a two or three days of build-up before washing and starting again. But washing your hands needs to be done after every application and oil/wax based literally take so much soap and gunk up hand towels easily. If you have this concern too, you can rejoice. This O'Douds Water Based washes away from your hands easily with a little soap and water.Smells great, holds well, easily to apply, easy to wash hands after. A+ O'Douds.