Choosing a hair styling product shouldn't feel like decoding a barbershop shelf. Pomade, clay, paste, fibre, cream—the options can start to blur together, especially when several products promise hold, texture, definition, or a natural finish.
But the difference isn't just in the name on the jar.
The right styling product can change how your hair looks, feels, and behaves throughout the day. Some products are made to create a polished, controlled finish, while others are better for adding texture, volume, or a more effortless look.
At Tommy Gun's Original Barbershop, the styling assortment includes everything from traditional pomades to matte clays and flexible pastes, giving you plenty of ways to build the finish you want.
So when it comes to pomade vs. clay vs. paste, where should you start?
The answer depends on four things: hold, shine, texture, and your hair type.
First, Decide What You Want Your Hair to Look Like.
Before choosing a product, think about the finish you're actually trying to create.
Do you want your hair slicked back and polished? More texture and volume? Or are you looking for a hairstyle that appears styled but not excessively so?
This is where the differences between pomade, clay, and paste become easier to understand. Each category is designed to create a different balance of hold, texture, shine, and control—and understanding those differences can help you choose a product that works with your hairstyle rather than against it.
Of course, there is overlap between categories. Modern styling products are increasingly versatile, so the product's actual hold and finish matter just as much as its label.
Pomade: For Control, Polish, and Shine
If your ideal hairstyle is neat, defined, and controlled, pomade is often the natural starting point.
Traditional pomades are associated with sleek hairstyles and more noticeable shine, making them particularly useful for classic looks such as slick-backs, side parts, and pompadours. Tommy Gun's current assortment includes pomades with different levels of hold and shine, from natural finishes to high-shine options.
Try Reuzel Blue Pomade for strong hold and high shine.
While Reuzel Red Pomade offers medium hold with high shine.
That distinction matters when you're choosing between a more structured, glossy finish and something slightly easier and softer.
But pomade isn't automatically synonymous with a shiny finish.
Just like Reuzel Fiber Pomade, it delivers strong hold with a low-shine finish while adding texture, separation, and volume. It's designed for shorter to medium-length hair and can create anything from a textured style to a more dishevelled look..
Choose pomade if you want:
- Controlled styling
- Definition
- Classic or polished looks
- Medium to strong hold
- Shine, depending on the formula
Best for: Short to medium hair, particularly when you want your hairstyle to look intentionally styled.
Clay: When Matte Texture Matters More Than Shine
If you're asking about pomade vs. clay because you prefer a more natural-looking finish, clay may be the better direction.
Styling clays are generally associated with matte finishes, texture, volume, and a less polished appearance. They're especially useful when you want your hair to look fuller and more textured rather than slicked down.
American Crew Classic Matte Clay provides medium hold with a matte finish and is designed to build texture and manageability. It's suited to short-to-medium lengths and is water-soluble, making it easier to wash out.
For stronger control, Layrite Cement Clay offers a strong hold with a true matte finish. It is designed for both messy and structured styles and can be reworked throughout the day.
This makes clay particularly interesting for men who want texture without obvious shine.
Choose clay if you want:
- A matte finish
- Texture and separation
- Added fullness
- Stronger control
- A less polished, more natural-looking style
Best for: Short to medium hair and styles where volume and texture are more important than shine.
Paste: The Middle Ground for Flexible Styling
Now for pomade vs paste.
If pomade feels too polished and clay feels too matte or texturizing, paste can offer a versatile middle ground. But not all pastes create the same finish—some lean natural and flexible, while others offer stronger control and definition.
18.21 Man Made Paste is a versatile styling option for creating texture, definition, and control without making the hair feel overly stiff. Its workable consistency makes it easy to distribute through the hair, making it a practical choice when you want a styled look that still feels touchable and natural.
For a stronger, more defined finish, L3VEL3 Paste offers another take on the category. It provides added control and definition while helping create a more structured style, making it useful when you want your hairstyle to hold its shape throughout the day.
This is why paste doesn't necessarily mean one specific finish. Depending on the formula, it can range from natural and flexible to more controlled and defined. Instead of choosing based on the word “paste” alone, consider the hold and finish you want from your hairstyle.
Choose paste if you want:
- Flexible or workable styling
- Texture and definition
- A natural to controlled finish
- Easy application and distribution
- A style that doesn't feel overly rigid
Best for: A wide range of hair lengths and styles, especially when you want definition and control without committing to the high-shine finish of some pomades or the distinctly matte texture of many clays.
Your Hair Type Changes the Equation
The best hair product for men isn't determined by product category alone. Your hair's thickness, length, texture, and natural movement all influence which type of styling product is likely to work best.
Fine or Thinner Hair
Fine or thinner hair can be easily weighed down, so look for styling products that add texture, definition, or the appearance of fullness without making the hair feel heavy.
Lighter, texturizing formulas can help create more dimension and movement, particularly when you want a fuller-looking style.
Thick or Coarse Hair
Thicker or coarser hair often needs more control to maintain its shape throughout the day.
Products with stronger hold can help manage volume, keep individual strands in place, and create more structured styles. The key is finding enough hold to control the hair without making it feel unnecessarily stiff.
Straight Hair
Straight hair offers plenty of styling flexibility, so your choice can come down largely to the finish and overall look you want.
For a polished appearance, look for products that provide control and definition. For a more relaxed style, choose formulas that add texture and movement without making the hair look overly styled.
Wavy or Textured Hair
With naturally wavy or textured hair, the goal isn't necessarily to flatten the hair or eliminate its natural movement.
Instead, choose styling products that enhance definition, control frizz, and work with your natural texture. The right amount of hold can help shape the hair while allowing its natural movement to remain visible.
Ultimately, the best styling approach is one that works with your hair rather than against it.
Don't Ignore the Finish
Two styling products can offer a similar level of hold and still create completely different hairstyles.
That's because finish changes the overall appearance of your hair.
A high-shine pomade can make hair look smoother, sleeker, and more polished. A matte clay can create a fuller, more textured appearance, while a natural-finish paste can give the hair definition without looking overly glossy.
When choosing between different types of hair styling products, don't focus on hold alone. Think about the visual result you want your hairstyle to have.
Ask yourself:
Do I want shine, a matte finish, or something more natural?
That simple question can immediately narrow down your options.
The Quick Decision Guide
Still not sure which one belongs in your routine?
Choose pomade if:
You want a polished, controlled hairstyle and you're comfortable with some shine.
Choose clay if:
You want matte texture, volume, and stronger control without a glossy finish.
Choose paste if:
You want flexible definition, a natural finish, and a product that's easy to work through your hair.
Choose fibre if:
You want texture, separation, fullness, and pliable hold—particularly on shorter hair.
There isn't one universally best styling product. The right choice depends on your hair, your hairstyle, and the finish you want to create.
A Better Way to Choose Your Styling Product
Instead of choosing a product based on what's popular, start with the result you want.
Want shine? Start with a pomade.
Want a matte texture? Try clay.
Want flexibility? Look at a paste.
Want fullness and separation? Consider a fibre.
From there, consider your hair's length, thickness, and natural texture. A product that works beautifully for one hairstyle may not give you the same result on another.
Find Your Finish at Tommy Gun's
Good styling isn't about using the strongest product on the shelf. It's about finding the right balance of hold, shine, texture, and flexibility for your hair.
Whether you're after a classic polished style, a matte textured finish, or something in between, Tommy Gun's Original Barbershop has a wide selection of styling products to help you create a look that works for you.
Explore our styling products and find the formula that fits your hair, your style, and your finish.
