Port City Pomade Water Based HEAVY HOLD Pomade - Unorthodox All-Natural Hair Styling Clay and Pomade for Men (4 ounce - Heavy)

I got this pomade because it had beeswax, an ingredient that provides the type of hold that satisfies my one condition, a pomade that wont hardern. I will compart Port City's product to my absolute favorite pomades, O'Douds and Teddy Boy. I prefer pomades that don't harden like Suavecito and Layrite (I like pulling my fingers through my hair, and my girlfriend does too, and this RUINS the hold of these pomades). I also prefer natural and water based pomades that smell amazing, like Teddy Boy (minty) and O'Douds (piney). Teddy Boy and O'Douds are the pinnacle of this, and I have tried so many pomades, but you truly do pay the price for them (about $4.50/oz each ). Port City Pomade seemed to hit the mark with a cheaper price tag (Under $4/oz), so I picked some up to test it. Keep in mind my hair is fairly long on top, about 4 inches, and very thick, I style it in a Beckham-esque undercut for those who are curious.Before I continue, I musty admit that I have had experience with Port City before, or at least a salesman. They always table at Disneyland's Dapper Day convention, which I have attended every 6 months for the last 4 years. The salesman asked me what pomade I was using, I was using Murray's at the time and said so, and he retorted that I should try Port City because Murray's is "radioactive". So needless to say my respect for Port City was essentially nil at the time of this review.On to the product:Who's idea was it to make this pomade smell like cookies and cream?? That person needs a pink slip. The smell is absolutely horrendous, and definitely not masculine whatsoever. I put it on about an hour ago and still smell it, albeit that may be sub-conscious PTSD-driven hallucinations remembering back to the first time I opened the tub and said, "Yes, I am about to put this chocolate mousse into my hair".The hold is nice, about what I expect in comparing to O'Douds, but its composition when distributing in my hands is very similar to O"Douds old formulation. The product essentially "pills" as you rub amounts over the amount shown in the picture in your hands, the product balls up into clumps and you can't get an even distribution, which obviously prevents an even distribution of the product in your hair, and lighter blotches for those who have darker hair like me, that have to be blended bit by bit. O'Douds has fixed this issue, but it seems Port City still has it.TL;DRThis product will give you a nice hold that doesn't dry. Even and uniform distribution is difficult unless you only use smaller amounts, which may not be sufficent for thicker hair like mine. This product must be applied with DRY hands and at the dampest, towel-dry hair, or else distribution becomes exponentially more difficult. All that being said, it is still manageable, but if you are looking for a good hold that won't harden, I would say give O'Douds (for a heavy hold) and Teddy Boy (for a medium hold) a shot if you have the extra scratch and you want to smell masculine AF. If you don't have the dough, and you are OK smelling like a combination of grandma's kitchen and a unicorn fart, I say pick up Port City.

Does its job well. Medium hold low shine. Easy to restyle, no flakes, soft, and a little goes a long way.I have short hair, longest parts at the front being 4 inches. I think many of the negative reviews are from customers (I purchased this from Amazon with my own cash) not using it correctly.Water based and waxy pomades like this one require significant breaking down before applying to dry hair. To anyone purchasing this product, make sure you vigorously rub the Port City pomade in your hands for 30 to 60 seconds until the white color becomes 100% transparent. Then apply to "dry" hair. Use light amounts of water only to restyle afterwards. Remember this won't behave like a greasy oil type pomade. Port City has a waxy light clay type texture.Although I give this product a perfect review there are a few things I would like improved. I don't care for the waxy synthetic chemical smell. It's not too strong so I can't dock a star for that. Second, my bottles top layer was significantly harder than the pomade below it likely because of a poor bottle seal. Again not enough to dock a star but it did require more effort to break down in my palms.If you are considering pomades from Dove, Old Spice, American crew etc - don't. A home brewed pomade like this Port City pomade is a significant upgrade. Spend some time with it, work it, get to know it.

This is the worst possible hair product I've ever used. It has the consistency of dried mud, attempting to run it through your hair feels like attempting to run glue through your hair. It leaves chunks and detritus behind in your hair, it looks like you have really filthy hair, it does not spread in your hands either. This is not pomade, it's more like an extremely dry face mask. Also, the smell is somewhat unpleasant.

this is my first pomade so i can tell only what i am seeing.1) its difficult to apply on dry or damp hair. the hair near scalp hardens on application so u cant use ur fingers in repeated backward motion to spread the pomade. the hair is just not fluid and it feels like u r pulling ur haid. u can use a comb though but comb gives different look and fingers give different look. but still initially u have to use fingers to spread the pomade.2) if u have long hair it might not be for u for above reason3) applying too much leaves some sprinkle of residue and removing that is just difficult as hair has already hardened. u feel ur hair being pulled near the scalp and at that point i just fear it might come off.4) it lasts me 9 to 5 so its all day technically.