A Decade of Barbering

Do you remember when I became a barber?

Roughly 11 years ago I brought everyone in the world of Pomade and Pompadours on my journey of becoming a barber. I had made a small handful of videos on my YouTube channel showcasing my barber school. Back in 2012 a ton of you followed that journey intently! I also had a lot of followers come to my barber school, as well as the first shop I had worked at in San Francisco. Do you know how good it felt when the other barbers and stylists took notice that I had a “fan” base? I was one of the only people who had no background in cutting hair, so I didn’t even have a handful of friends to give me any social proof of my barbering skills. By then, I had met so many people in that first year who were willing to come to San Francisco to get a haircut from me, and it was amazing. The feeling of support and community, the fellowship, and an unwarranted adoration from so many people were like no other.

Some people continued to support me as I took my barbering out of San Francisco and to Redwood City then Belmont; only about 20-25 minutes outside of San Francisco respectively, but too far for everyone to carry on with their support.

This level of risk was absolutely terrifying. Even though it wasn’t my choice (I got fired, heh,) the reality of starting over in an up-and-coming shop, in an area where I didn’t know the lay of the land, was truly the test of my wanting to be a barber. Having started my barbering career in a shop that was already established and had some world-renowned barbers occupying that space meant that I didn’t have to ‘earn’ my clientele, I was just fed them. This time around? It was all on me, and I had no idea if my reputation built in San Francisco carried any weight outside the 7 by 7 city…

The shop was Captain’s Sk8 & Cuts, where I was the first and only barber there. The owner (while his wife is a hairstylist) was anything but a barber. This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing! He had a vision that I wanted to be a part of, but ultimately that same vision was the reason why I would no longer be a part of that shop. I only knew the San Francisco level of service (which at that time, was considered “elevated,”) and I never knew how to operate a first-come-first-served style of shop. I never even went to that kind of barbershop as a kid! Eventually, I imposed my style of barbering, which was more by-appointment-only, and I had built a reputation. In a short amount of time, the reputation started to grow and people heard about the shop, Saturdays in the barbershop really felt like Saturdays in the barbershop! Working 9 to 9, kicking back with pizza and beer at the end of the day, it was fun! It was an amazing experience to have built out a barbershop reputation from soup to nuts. My reach had actually expanded, and I had clients from even further coming out to support me! They sacrificed their time and money to become my clients, and I really grew to appreciate that level of patronage. Ultimately, I had to part ways with the shop because money became an issue (business model,) and had me second-guessing my career as a barber.

Eventually, I found my way to Belmont, where I worked out of an old-timey shop called Bushwackers; which ended up buying and rebranding Captain’s Sk8 & Cuts some years later.

Bushwackers was fast-paced, reputation, and patrons stemming from the 1970s, and probably still had some hair on the floor from that era. What’s not to love? The money was constantly coming in, as it had been an established shop in the neighborhood for quite some time, but that also meant it carried the same price tag from back then. $20 for over 20 years! This level of work was hard on the body, because – by design – you’re supposed to optimize your work and do 3 cuts an hour. That’s some good money! But the end result was something I couldn’t say I was proud of because it lacked something important to me that I’d come to realize later in my career: connection. I, again, imposed my methodology and made less money, but had come to enjoy the overall work environment and quality of life it provided. Though I made less money than the other barbers, I still maintained a healthy connection with my clients, which will serve me well down the line.

While working there, Chris (whom I met working in San Francisco,) had reached out as he was finally opening up his shop and had wanted me to join the team. This was huge! The barbers that helped shape my career in 2013 finally reunited in 2014! One year apart doesn’t seem like a lot of time, but so much happened in that time frame. So being able to pick up where we left off was exciting! Everything felt like it did back then. Exciting, new, and hopeful for a long and fruitful future.

Being part of the Dogpatch journey, not just the barbershop, but the community, was everything I had wanted. It had the taste of a community barbershop in Redwood City, felt as if we were building a legacy barbershop like Bushwackers, but still had the contemporary vibe of being in San Francisco. Man… This was it for me! Or, so I thought…

Throughout the years I thought the place and environment were what I was after. I thought I wanted heavy old barber chairs, maybe some subway tile backsplash, or some obnoxiously loud music. All of these can be components of a barbershop, for sure. But after some time I came to realize that a barbershop without its patrons is just a room full of chairs…

One thing I took away from the various locations and shops I’ve worked at was that I liked the connectivity I had built not only with the barbers but also with the patrons and clients of the shops. I’ve met so many people in such a short amount of time! I mean, how often do you get to interact with dozens of people a day, with various backgrounds and upbringings, and get to know them in a very intimate way? And then rinse, cycle, repeat this process day in and day out for a decade? The way I got to connect with people in that time has made me more understanding and empathetic in ways I couldn’t have imagined when I first embarked on this journey. Barbering is typically looked at as a results-driven industry; very transactional. I cut your hair, you give me money — that’s it. This is a very linear business and has been that way since the beginning of time. But for someone like me who has grown and learned other aspects about what it means to be a barber, I’ve started to outgrow that old way of business…

My clients started off as just that: Clients. As time progressed and my ability to communicate improved, what was proposed as just a simple exchange in value became more than that. The value became more than a haircut or a service. It became a level of connectivity no one expected to make. Even clients that I’ve only worked with for 5-6 haircuts understood the value I brought to the table. It was far different than any barber they’ve encountered in their lives. We’ve developed a friendship from what started off as a business transaction.

Not friendly like you are with your local barista or bartender (unless you’re a hardcore regular!) But friendly to the point where even when my clients had moved across the other side of the Bay Area in 2020, they still came all the way across the bridge to support me. They’ve converted everything else to their locality. From bread makers, dentists, and restaurants, but the one thing they’ve maintained on this side of the Bay Area was me — their barber. Most people wouldn’t support their barber when they increase their price, but to invest their time and money into maintaining their relationship with their barber on a recurring schedule? I’ve even had clients move out of California make a point to make an appointment with me, or come by the shop to catch up! That amount of support is something I’ll always share my gratitude towards.

The amount of impact a lowly barber could provide is something else!

Ultimately, I’ve made the extremely difficult decision to transition away from barbering…

Why? Why would I build up this story to tell about the relations I’ve built with barbering? Why would I throw those connections away? Why would I invest the last decade into a trade and just give up on it?

The answer is simple: I have to.

As unfortunate as it is, I’m in the phase of life where I need to begin providing value away from barbering and into another field. It sounds ridiculous, but that’s where I’m at in life. I know the value I provide and tried and true in the barbershop setting. I need to know if it’s truly valuable outside of it.

Believe me, it is tough to walk away from an amazing clientele base that professed their unparalleled support for me with this career change. Many of them admit that I was the “best” barber they’ve ever had. While I will contest that they’ve had better haircuts out there, the type of connection and comfort a lot of my clients got from sitting in my chair will go unchallenged. To be able to converse with any and all walks of life without quantifying their value to a dollar amount is extremely rare in the barbering world. Every seminar or course out there for barbers and hairstylist overlook the value proposition and place it on a simple metric of dollar and time. While that isn’t objectively wrong, I’ve learned to appreciate barbering outside of that, and that’s why I need to step away from it.

Being in this place of growth means I can’t be doing the same thing I’ve done for the last 10 years and expect a different outcome. If any of the changes I’ve experienced over the last decade has taught me anything, is that I can adapt and rise to the occasion. And seeing the value outside of the surface level is a valuable skill set in and of itself. But allowing others to also see that same value is unique.

What does the next step bring? I don’t know. All I know is I hope to utilize everything I’ve learned through this blog and becoming a barber, in whatever the next adventure brings.

Until the next time,

Pomp Hard

Continue the journey with me on TikTok!

Pomade For Beginners: Layrite

Years ago on this blog. I had written an article about Pomade For Beginners. In that post, I had talked about some of the things to expect while entering the world of pomade (and hair product in general.) Click the link to read that post.

Since then, I’ve gotten familiar with a fair share of hair products both good and bad. Being a barber has given me better insight as to what various hair textures out there require when it comes to products achieving certain hair styles. It’s one hell of a learning curve learning how different products work for different hair textures and hair styles, and I’d like to think that this blog has helped with that understanding.

I will be starting a series of recommendations of products that I’ve not only used on myself, or clients, but have also recommended to various individuals throughout the years. The products in this series will be products that I stand by and have no worry about when it comes to quality. There are products that I do love that come from smaller brands, but my worry is the consistency of those products may have changed since I’ve personally handled them, so I can’t say I feel all too comfortable including them in this series, but they will receive honorable mentions.

Well, that’s that. Let’s get to it!

Disclaimer: This post will contain affiliate links, in which I may earn a small commission with qualified purchases. Each affiliate link will contain a product that I’ve purchased and used both personally and professionally. I wouldn’t suggest something that I haven’t tried on my person first.

To kick off this series, I will be introducing a company that has been around for a long time. And with good reason! They’ve been a mainstay within not only just the rockabilly community, but the barbering and hair communities as well. Layrite is a staple in many barbershops and salons, and can now be found in various retailers. If you’ve heard of it or have seen it, but have yet to experience it, you’re missing out!

Layrite Classic:

Starting with Layrite, is their classic Original Pomade. This has been a staple for both myself, as well as the various barbershops I’ve worked at. It’s just… great…

Layrite Original Pomade

Base Properties:

This product has since been deemed a “ringing gel” by various hair product communities, due to it’s gel-like properties and not being petrolatum based (traditional pomade base.) Like a gel, Layrite will wash out with just water. For many this is an absolute necessity. Whether it be due to sensitive skin, or not wanting any bits and bobs coming home with you after work, water will work just fine getting this out of your hair. But, using a shampoo wouldn’t hurt.

Application:

This stuff is a transparent orange and goes on without having to worry about any color streaks in your hair. Unless the product is a bit older or has oxidized, you won’t have to worry about any white streaks while applying or combing it through your hair. Depending on whether or not your hair is damp or dry, the application is easy. If you’re wanting more hold, I’d suggest applying it to your hair dry. If you’re looking for a little bit less hold but more malleability, then apply it to your hair while it is damp. Without fail, you can always emulsify the product in your hands first, quickly run your hands under the faucet for a quick splash of water, and go straight to it. You won’t have to worry about getting too much sheen from Layrite Original Pomade if you loosely rake it through your hair. If you comb your hair into a slick style, it’ll have a slight sheen finish. But if you comb through it after it settles, you’ll get more of a matte finish.

Hair Textures and Hair Styles:

The most important part!

Now, more often than not you’ll see this product being used for contours and pompadours. I mean, that’s expected! But, this stuff works surprisingly well for other hair styles. Granted, there may be a bit of extra work involved…

If you are indeed going for either classic hairstyle mentioned above, regardless of texture Layrite will work for you. Finer hair textures will require less product and water, while thicker hair textures may require more product. Your mileage may vary depending on weather and climate.

Now, if you have finer hair and are going for some more textured hairstyles, it will work. However, I would highly recommend using a tool like a blow dryer or hair straightener to lift the hair up. After that, you’ll only need about a pinch of product to help bring out some of the separation and assist in holding the hair up. In general, finer hair textures inherently have issue with certain hairstyles, but with using tools such as a blow dryer and hair straightener becoming more normalized over the last few years, it definitely makes it a lot easier to achieve certain styles, allowing those with fine hair textures to explore new styles!

Click here to purchase Layrite Original Pomade.

Layrite Matte Paste:

One of the newer products offered by Layrite, the Matte Paste has found it’s place in many homes and barbershops alike.

Layrite Matte Paste

Base Properties:

Unlike any of Layrite’s original pomade offerings, the Matte Paste has lived up to many people’s expectations and then some! It has a light creamy texture that reminds me of whipped cream cheese.. Yeah… But seriously, run your fingers through a can and you’ll pick up what I’m putting down! Being a considerably lighter product, you won’t need to use too much of this, but it is a little bit too easy to scoop out too much. It also washes out as easily as it is to scoop out!

Application:

As I mentioned, this stuff is liked whipped cream cheese. As weird as that sounds, it spreads in your hair just as easily! Due to it’s creamy white texture, you may find it a bit streaky when you make your initial application. But a quick comb through will break it up giving you a clean and even application throughout your hair. Since this is a very light product, there is very little variation when it comes to applying it to fine hair and thick hair. The main difference being using too much if you’re trying to find firm hold with this product…

Hair Textures and Hair Styles:

Being such a light product, you aren’t going to get too much hold from it. But hey, that’s fine. There’s plenty of other products that offer you hold! The Layrite Matte Paste does have it’s place in your hair product arsenal, regardless of hair type.

For lower profile hairstyles, you can’t go wrong with this. It has just enough hold to keep your hair in place, without worrying about it becoming untidy throughout the day. It’s that product that gives you a natural look without making you feel as if you have any product in your hair, while still offering “enough hold.” And for those that have grown their hair out throughout this year and are entertaining longer hairstyles, this is perfect for you. You can keep those little hairs neatly tucked behind your ear without worry of it flying around looking like Farrah Fawcett. I mean, unless that’s the look you’re going for.

Going for something that’s a bit more bouffant like a pompadour is a bit difficult with this. As I mentioned, this has very light hold. BUT… It’s not impossible… Just like the Layrite Original, achieving certain looks with this stuff is achievable… with the aid of a hair straightener or a blow dryer… If you have thicker hair, blow drying your hair into a pompadour then raking your fingers through your hair will give you a loose pompadour that won’t break up in the wind. I also know of individuals that will use this as a topper with a thicker pomade as a base, giving you firm hold while slightly breaking it up with the Matte Paste so you can shape your hairstyle a bit easier.

Click here to purchase Layrite Matte Cream.

Layrite Cement:

The real nitty gritty one of the bunch. This stuff is thick, holds like a beast, and still washes out with ease! If you want a matte finish and strong hold, you should definitely look into Layrite Cement!

Layrite Cement

Base Properties:

The closet hair product on the market I can compare this stuff to would be a clay. But, unlike some clays out there, this stuff won’t give you skid marks on your finger as you scoop it out. Sounds weird! If you’ve ever tried to use a clay that is hard like a brick, you don’t get a finger tip worth of clay, but just skid marks on your finger tip. Yeah, that was a weird way to describe it, but you know exactly what I’m talking about! But like other clay hair products, this stuff gives you a solid hold for any hairstyle, but less hassle getting it out to use!

Application:

In comparison to the rest, this is the “hardest” to apply. While you might not get any skid marks on your fingertips, you may see some streaks of Cement through your hair if your hair is a bit more than damp. Like the rest, simply combing through will quickly fix that. The best way I’ve found to apply this is to really emulsify it in your hands and get a quick splash of water in. Take your time to rake your fingers through your hair to ensure even application. You can always add more as you go along, but getting the excess out is a bit more difficult! But if you absolutely need some crazy hold, then hamfist away!

Hair textures and Hair Styles:

Similar to the Layrite Original Pomade, this stuff is great for every hair texture and style. But, just like the Original, you’ll have to go about it in certain ways…

For finer textures, a little will truly go a long way! While it’s not as easy to scoop out as the Matte Paste, you can equally get carried away with applying too much, which will cause your hair to fall flat and lifeless. So, take your time to gently add it to your hair by running your fingers through, versus slamming it on and letting your hair lay flat. I mean, if that’s your thing…

Thicker hair won’t have to worry about that too much. If you’ve got thick hair and are going for a pompadour, this stuff will easily do the trick. While you won’t have to hamfist it, taking your time to apply a decent amount in your hair will be more than enough to give you a pompadour or any bouffant hair styles with ease. The hold is more than enough to achieve such looks with minimal effort, especially for thicker haired folks.

Click here to purchase Layrite Cement.

Commonality:

For the most part, all of these products are water-soluble. Which means they will wash out well with just water. However, I would still suggest using a shampoo while washing your hair, just so you can get that little bit extra clean feel and don’t have to worry about any form of excess. Between the three the Cement will be the hardest one to wash out. And by hardest, I mean I would absolutely suggest using a shampoo when washing it out.

Another trait they all share is the scent. While not all of them are identical from what I can tell, they are all relatively sweet. So if you’re not into that, this might be a hard one to accept. I mean, if my lady could smell my hair from 3 aisles away in a store, you can only imagine how indistinguishable the scent is! That’s not a bad thing! Personally, the scent doesn’t bother me none. But if you’re all about the musk, earthy, more “classic” scents, then you might have a hard time with this. If you’re able to look past that factor, then you’ve got yourself one hell of a product line to work with!

There you have it!

These three are what I believe to be an absolute staple when it comes to Layrite products. From the various shops I’ve been a part of, to recommending them to other shops as to what product line they should carry, and to my personal usage, time and time again Layrite has been a part of it all. And no, I do not have any affiliation with Layrite (but that would be neat.) They’re just a fantastic company with a fantastic product line! There’s no doubt about it. To top off their product line, here are some honorable mentions.

Honorable Mentions:

Layrite Superhold is an all time favorite, so why not mention it? Well, simply put, it’s very similar to the Original hold, but considerably thicker. This isn’t something I would recommend right off the bat, as many of my clients have been turned off by such a product, when it’s their first venture outside of hair gel. You can only imagine how intimidating it is to go from a liquid gel to a gel pomade!

Layrite Supershine is a personal favorite, but it’s not for everyone. It has a lot of shine, and can transfer onto your hands as well as pillowcases. Some traits that beginners do not want! However, if you want to start getting into the more traditional petrolatum based products, I’d suggest starting with this one and work your way up. You’ll still get a lot of the similar traits, but without the hassle of washing it out with cola! Click here to read all about that!

Other items such as their beard oil, Grooming Spray, and their Styling Comb (my personal favorite) will be linked below if you would like to check them out.

I hope you find yourself using Layrite if you have yet to experience this product line. It was one of my first pomades years ago, and I know that I’ll always have a can on me. Layrite has been a brand I’ve wanted to work with for a very long time, but unfortunately there hasn’t been any collaboration. Hopefully the revival of this blog can make that happen? Who knows. I hope that your support can make something come to fruition!

Until the next time.

Pomp Hard.

Affiliate Links:

Layrite Original Pomade

Layrite Matte Cream

Layrite Cement

Honorable Mentions:

Layrite Superhold

Layrite Supershine

Layrite Grooming Spray

Layrite Beard Oil

Layrite Styling Comb

Pomade Review: Admiral Supply Co.

First pomade review of the year!

Brett of Admiral hit me up back when I was ready to take the few steps away from barber school, test for my barber’s license, and step into a barber shop. And unfortunately, that frantic time frame meant I wasn’t able to get back to him! But, when a bit of free time opened up I shot him an email and with open arms sent out a jar of his pomade. This stuff came pretty quickly, considering he was shipping it up from San Diego. Now relocated back to San Francisco, I could only imagine how much quicker it would come to my doorstep! Or maybe met up at the bar? Who knows. But, without further adieu, let’s get to the pomade review!

A few pomade brands have taken to the glass jar packaging. In my opinion, it’s a real nice and classic touch. But, no other water-soluble brands have went in this direction…

Admiral comes in a nice amber glass jar with a silver tin lid. A clean and simple style of package can go a long way. And the fact that you can use these jars for something else after you’re done with the pomade? And chances are, you’ll have a few empty ones? Man… You can’t beat that!

The labeling on the jar is clean, simple, effective, and most of all… proper.

Seamlessly printed onto the jar, the white Laurel wreath and anchor logo is perfectly centered on the jar, as well as the ingredient list and barcode. To add a bit of color-flare to the mix, a red and white trim sticker is placed on top of the silver lid. Like other brands with similar packaging (but plastic,) the hint of red really makes the packaging pop.

Twisting off the lid, you get a nice whiff of coconut. Now, personally, I hate coconut… Don’t you dare place no damn Mounds in my Halloween candy sack! Fortunately, this stuff isn’t too pungent, so the aroma of coconut doesn’t bother me one bit, instead its subtleties is rather pleasant.

Sorry, no picture of the pomade in the tin, I got too excited to use it on a client!

Scooping this stuff out is different than most water-soluble pomades. Rather than feeling like a gel, this stuff comes out feeling really creamy. It may be the hint of beeswax in it, but to the touch this stuff feels really nice, and you can tell it’ll apply evenly and smoothly. But, how does that affect the hold?

I tried this stuff on several clients of varying hair textures and it held their pomps up with no problem! Take a look:

Alex

Ed

Both of these clients have very dense and straight hair. Alex’s hair is a bit thicker than Ed’s, so seeing how this stuff works for both of these guys is pretty cool. Remember, the density of your hair is going to make a huge difference in terms of what hairstyle will work for you… Of course, depending on your barber or stylist – they should be able to work their “magic” with your hair and help you achieve various looks depending on your desires…

In terms of wavy hair, I found that this stuff won’t get the hair the straightest, since it isn’t the heaviest water-soluble pomade around, but decent enough to style up a smooth pomp without the waves kicking left and right.

With or without blowdrying, you’ll be able to comb up a nice tall pomp or a lower-profiled side-part. The way this stuff holds and sticks together is real nice. Like I said, it has a creamy feel to it as you scoop it out, which applies to how it’ll hold the hairs together, even the little ones that like to stick out!

As most water-soluble pomades go, this stuff has very little to no sheen and does harden (especially with a lot of water in the hair.) But, I noticed it doesn’t get crunchy… Get the difference? The sitff-crunchiness of water-soluble pomades is definitely a turn-off for many, while the hardening can be easily excused. And by that, I mean that when you run your fingers through the hair after it hardens, the now “messed up” hair feels relatively soft and not crunchy… Makes sense? I hope so! I applied this stuff to myself with dampened hair and noticed that it didn’t stiffen like some other gel-type pomades did, but hard enough to give it a solid hold throughout the day without the worry of it splitting apart. Pretty nice, yeah?

This Admiral impressed me. With an overall clean and simple product, this stuff would definitely suit several shops and individuals. The packaging: as I said, is great. The scent: not overbearing like most coconut scented pomades. The pomade: light enough to work smooth finishes with thicker hair, yet, thick enough to hold up finer hair. The product as a whole: a great addition to any personal collection or shop looking to add some diversity (in terms of packaging as well as product type.)

Big thanks again to Brett for shooting me some of his dope pomade! Look forward to meeting you in the near future!

Until the next time, folks…

Pomp Hard!

Christmas came a little bit early: Part 3

This time, got some killer stuff from across the pond!

Big thanks to Damon the Daimon Barber for some of his pomade! I’ve heard nothing but good stuff about it, so I know I’ll enjoy putting it to good use.

Another big thanks to Justin from Bluebeards Revenge/Dreadnought Shaving products for the shave cream and razor! Definitely came at a good time to use it at the new shop!

New Barber Shop: Captain’s.

Starting this Saturday, Redwood City’s Captain’s Skate Shop will have a soft-opening for their barber shop. Towards the back of the store, there will be three stations set-up. Can you guess who will be occupying one? The hours will be going alongside the retail stores hours, but may change given the demand. I’ll be there starting at 11!

Not only will quality haircuts and straight razor shaves be offered, but there will be quite a variety of pomade to purchase! Of course, I’ll be suggesting some brands to carry. They have quite a few brands to start with, but who said you only have to have a few? Can’t ever have too much pomade!

Here’s a sneak peak:

The shop is located at 2066 Broadway Street in Redwood City. Right in the heart of the downtown area, you can kick back in the shop or grab a bite to eat while you wait. It’s in an area where you won’t mind waiting around for a cut! Trust me, in due time, this shop will have a lot to offer!

So far, I’ll be retaining my Tuesday, Thursday, and Fridays at my current spot in San Francisco, but I’ll be available here for Wednesdays and Saturdays. Sundays and Mondays are also available upon request. To book an appointment with me for this shop, shoot me an email at therebelrouser@yahoo.com and we’ll get an appointment figured out.

For the time being, stay tuned on the Instagram page: Captainsbarbers and see how this shop will progress into a killer barber shop in the Bay Area!

Hope to see y’all soon.

Pomp Hard!

Recent Haircuts.

Here are a few more haircuts over the last few months. You can see slow progression from certain cuts, which is definitely something I’m excited to see! Can’t stop won’t stop growing with this profession… Once you start to get complacent or cocky, you’re fucked! Ain’t nobody got time for that type of barber!

Well, folks, I hope you enjoy the following haircuts!

If you like what you see and want to get a haircut from me, you can find me cutting hair at:

The Barber Lounge  (854 Folsom Street, San Francisco) – Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9-8 (Last appointment is at 7)
To book an appointment with me, you can call the shop number at (415) 934-0411 or email me directly at therebelrouser@yahoo.com and I’ll fit you in my books!

In the near future, you’ll also be able to find me at:

Captain’s Skate & Barber Shop (2066 Broadway Street, Redwood City) – Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
To book an appointment with me, you can call the shop number at (650) 568-1931 or email me directly at therebelrouser@yahoo.com. I’ll also be taking walk-ins!

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Christmas came a little early: Part 2.

Big thanks to Jessica at Lucky 13 for sending me out this killer care-package! The wrap and patches are dope as hell! I’m torn between putting the patches on my kids jacket or something of mine! Of course, she gets first dibs!

This stuff will definitely be reviewed soon and used on my select clientele!

Stay Greasy and Pomp Hard!

Christmas came a little bit early!

I’m definitely glad to have today off, or else I might’ve had to wait until I got these fine goods in!

Didn’t expect to get every thing in all at once. But hey, I ain’t complaining!

But, what’s in there???

One package had some Admiral Pomade. Big thanks, Brett!

Another package had a few products from Anchors Hair Company. Thanks, Benjamin!

Lastly, the final package was the Star Wax product line. Big thanks, Mark!

One thing that got me stoked when I opened the packages, was seeing how unique each and every product was, from one another. It wasn’t just the labels, product color, packaging, but the whole package. It’s great to see how much hair product companies are growing and being able to stand out from the other products that have been on the market. They’re definite eye-catchers and I could only imagine how killer it would be to see these on the shelves at a shop… Who knows… maybe I will soon… But, you’ll have to stay tuned to find out!

If you aren’t already, peep my Instagram account TheRebelRouser to see what I’m up to on a daily basis. Who knows, now that I have the means to blog again, maybe I’ll have some Instagram Exclusive giveaways or something… We’ll see…

Until the next time, folks…

Stay Greasy and Pomp Hard!

Pomade Review: Steadfast Pomade

A number of months ago, Cris over at Steadfast Pomade shot me a tub of their pomade. So, clearly, this is a long overdue review! Major apologies, Cris and readers! At the time I was focusing heavily on getting the most out of barbering school by staying all the way through till the end of the night class… You can only imagine how much energy I’d have after being in school from 9am till 10:30 at night! But, I now have the time to give a thorough review, especially since I’ve been able to use it on various hair types! So, lets get back on track with things and start the review!

Spotting Steadfast on your local barber shops shelves isn’t going to be difficult whatsoever. The pomade is packaged in a typical white tub, but the labeling is definitely eye-catching. The nautical themed label brandishes a killer color palette of warm brown, blue and red tones, with the black trim really making the soft-yellow lettered “STEADFAST” pop. And if you aren’t able to spot this on their shelves, it probably means you should tell them to stock it!

Opening it up, you get a whiff of a subtle fresh scented pomade. Most folks will find it refreshing as they’re preferring toned down scents.

Once you see the cool translucent blue pomade, you can kind of figure out the type of hold the product will offer. More-often-than-not, the clearer the pomade the lighter the hold.  And scooping it out proved just that…

One issue I had with Steadfast, was how light of a consistency it was. I wasn’t concerned about the hold, but rather how it’s a little too easy to scoop out. I’ve found myself taking out too much and having to scrape some back off into the tub. While this isn’t too big of a deal, it just makes using it on clients a bit tricky.

But, since it does come out easily, it also means it applies just as easily. Running this stuff through your hair dry is just as smooth as it is if you apply it damp. My thick hair had no trouble with it goin’ on splotchy, nor did my clients with fine hair.

Now, combing this stuff through your hair, thick or fine, is smooth sailin’. THEPUNZ?! Even if you’re combing it through dry hair, you won’t have too much pullin’ goin’ on.

In terms of consistency, it’s a bit lighter than the well-known yellow labeled product. The hold is strong enough to mold a high pomp, and since the product is light, it doesn’t weigh it down whatsoever, allowing you to sculpt a real smooth lookin’ pomp, when applied to damp hair!

Not only does this stuff do justice to my thick and wavy hair, but it also works great on fine hair… Take a look…

This was used on my client Adam, who has fine hair… BUT A LOT OF IT. Applying it to dry hair brings out more of the textured look, and not so much the slick look that you’d get from applying it to dampened hair.

While using it, I didn’t notice any flaking from recombing it dry. While it’s not exactly a recombable product, I didn’t deal with any flaking, which is always a plus! There’s a tiny bit of a glossy finish, so don’t expect a completely matte finish.

Overall, Steadfast is a pretty dope pomade. Not only is it affordable, differently colored, it works damn well! As mentioned, the only draw back I’ve dealt with was scooping out excessive amounts, which is more of a professional issue than an at-home issue. Again, not too big of a deal. If you’re in the market to change things up a bit with your water-soluble pomade market, I’d definitely say take a look into this stuff. Again, big thanks to Cris over at Steadfast, and major apologies for such a late review. But hey, better late than never, right?

Until the next time (which won’t be months away!,)

Pomp Hard!

Video: Using Lucky 13’s White Lightning Pomade.

Here’s a quick little video introducing y’all to Murray’s Lucky 13 White Lightning Pomade. Don’t worry, it will get a thorough written review as well! I’ve been meaning to put all of em to use, but I haven’t had the “right” haircut, that would warrant using this cool line of pomades! So major apologies, I’ll be putting them to good use soon.

So, until I get a cool haircut from Chris aka Cream The Barber, here’s the video!