35 Timeless Pompadour Hairstyles For Men

The pompadour is a cool and popular choice for men who want to show off their volume and texture with a stylish look. The pompadour haircut is a classic style that features short sides and longer hair on top with a brushed up fringe. While there are several timeless and traditional variations, the modern pompadour style comes with a fade and a textured finish to achieve an effortlessly fashionable feel.

Versatile and striking, the pomp has become a barbershop favorite and can work with different lengths and textures.

For inspiration, here are the best pompadour hairstyles for men who want to experiment with a modern take on a classic style.

What Is A Pompadour?

The pompadour is a classic haircut for men that involves longer hair on top with a “poof” in the front and shorter sides and back. Voluminous and dramatic, the hair is longest at the front of the head to give a “pomp”, which can be styled in many ways. Towards the back of the head, the length of hair is shorter and more similar in length to the cropped back and sides.

Today, many versions of the classic pompadour exist. For example, you can style the pompadour short or long, with an undercut, faded, or disconnected. With the right styling and maintenance, pompadour hair is a fantastic way to show off color and texture.

Popular Pompadour Haircut Styles

With so many variations of the pompadour haircut, you can style a different men’s hairstyle every day of the week. To inspire you to get the cut and experiment with different pomps, here’s some of our favorite pictures of pompadours.

Disconnected Pompadour

The disconnected pompadour is defined by a blunt break between the hair on top and the shorter sides, thereby accentuating the length and height of the pomp. While some prefer the more gradual and cohesive look offered by the pompadour fade, the disconnected pomp is more adventurous and outgoing.

Modern Pompadour

The modern pompadour involves a natural, wavy pomp rather than the 50’s-style sleek pomp. The tousled look is elegant and fresh, taking the high pomp and reinventing it with subtle styling that speaks to the minimalist hairstyles of recent years.

Classic Pompadour

Contrary to the modern version, the classic pompadour is more sleek and smooth, generally employing a high-shine or even oil-based pomade for a glossy finish.

Undercut Pompadour

Following the short sides with long top trend, the undercut pompadour offers buzzed sides that are not faded. Because there is no taper fade, the undercut pomp provides a distinct contrast between the top and sides.

Pompadour Fade

Unlike the undercut, a faded pompadour allows for the sides to decrease in length gradually. The best part is that guys can choose from a number of different types of fades, including high, mid, low, and skin/bald.

Short Pompadour

The short pompadour allows guys who prefer shorter hair the ability to still style the look. While a strong pomade or hair wax will be needed to keep the short pomp in place, the hairstyle will still look dapper and classy.

Long Pompadour

The long pompadour is also feasible for guys with medium to long hair. The benefit of styling a pompadour with long hair is that men can also switch their hairstyle and comb a variety of other looks, including the slick back, quiff and comb over fade.

Slicked Back Pompadour

Low Skin Fade with Pompadour and Hard Part

Classic Pompadour with Short Sides

Pompadour with High Skin Fade and Shape Up

Modern Pompadour with Taper Fade

Thick Modern Pompadour with Bald Fade

How To Get A Pompadour

To get a pompadour, you’ll want to show your barber examples that fit your desired style, especially when you plan to visit a barbershop or stylist. If you need, bookmark this page and show your barber the exact pompadour hairstyle you want so he knows exactly how to cut your hair and give you the style you want.

In terms of how to cut a pompadour, the haircut is surprisingly easy – short sides with long, thick hair on top. Your barber will section off the top of your hair and taper fade the sides to your desired length. To get a disconnected pompadour, you will need to ask for a high skin fade.

Then your barber will proceed to layer the top of your hair to give the iconic long front and short back. Ensure that you have at least three inches of hair length at the top of your head before requesting the pompadour haircut, as this will make the hairstyle more impressive and easier to style.

How To Style A Pompadour

Styling a pompadour is essential to how good it looks. Adding volume and hold to your hair will emphasize the pomp at the front, and the style can be modified by parting your hair to the side instead of combing it straight back.

To style a pompadour:

1. Start by showering and towel-drying your hair. Clean, damp hair will give you the best base when applying a hair styling product.
2. Scoop a few fingers of your hair product, rub between your hands to warm it, and work it into your hair. Make sure to evenly distribute the pomade, wax or putty into all of your hair in the front and back.
3. Brushing your hair up and back with a comb, gently blow dry into a pomp. This stage will begin the curved pomp look, so ensure that it is the desired shape and height.
4. Comb your hair from the roots up to maximize the volume and hold of the pomade. Use the comb to style your pomp into the shape you want. You can even use your fingers to lift and texture certain parts of your hair.
5. Depending on how long your hair is, you can style the pomp between your hands by pushing the pomp up from the back while smoothing it at the front. This can create more emphasis on the pomp itself. Otherwise, for a short pompadour, focus more on styling it back rather than up.
6. When you have the exact pompadour style you want, blow dry your hair in place.

Hair Products For The Pompadour Hairstyle

The best hair product for the pompadour depends on how you want to style your pomp. The right pomade or wax for your hair depends on how much hold you need to maintain a pomp and whether you want a glossy shine or matte.

Men with hair that is difficult to control will want a strong-hold pomade to keep the pompadour all day, while other guys may find that less hold is necessary. As a general rule, thicker hair requires a stronger hold.

Suavetico and Layrite both offer two strengths of water-based pomade. Suavetico Firme and Layrite Super Hold are perfect for those who need a high-hold pomade that stays strong all day. The Layrite Original and Suavetico Original Hold are the slightly weaker alternatives with medium-hold, but won’t feel so stiff in the hair. The decision is mainly up to personal preference and hair type since both brands use water-based formulas that wash out easily in the shower.

For a matte finish, hair wax can be a great styling product that is easy to use for a clean look. If you want more flow and movement coupled with a natural, textured finish, then use a good wax. In fact, we recommend buying a high-quality brand of each styling product so you can change your look throughout the week.