Pompking, OG – heavy hold oil based pomade

THE COMPANY

Pompking pomades is a well known pomade brand among pomade lovers. It was founded by Hector and Manuela Tapia in 2012. The couple lives in Beloit, Wisconsin.

Pompking pomades deserves much more attention and recognition. Why?

• Their pomades are brewed by hand, in small batches and of great quality.
• They offer a bunch of pomades from light to super heavy hold.
• The scents are special, novelty, unique.
• The artwork catches the eye.
• Great old school vibe.

At the time of writing this review (June 2020), Pompking pomade is gradually shutting down, unfortunately. Their Etsy is still active, so you can still buy from them. I’m going to do a few reviews as a tribute and because many people have Pompking pomades on their shelves, some will purchase what’s left in the Pompking shops, some will do trades. In the future, there will be pomade users that did not had the chance to try out Pompking. They will be eager to get some since that happens to companies which no longer exist. Think of Grandad’s old fashioned and Tremolo’s (they are back in business by the way). Pompking is going to be hyped, for sure! And justly! Maybe, they make a comeback. Maybe, someone takes over Pompking.

Other important facts:

• Hector has also done collaborations with barbers.
• He brewed for private labels such as: Lucky Franc’s.

More info on Pompking pomades:

• Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PompkingPomades?ref=pr2018_faveshops

Please, check out my other reviews on Pompking pomades:

• Pompking, gamma grease (firm): https://piw74.com/2018/05/13/pompking-pomades-red-gamma-grease-medium-heavy-firm-hold-pomade/
• Pomking, KO (medium): https://piw74.com/2018/03/03/pompking-pomades-ko-medium-hold-oil-based/
• Pomking, grippie (medium): https://piw74.com/2020/05/11/pompking-grippie-medium-hold-oil-based-pomade/

POMADE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Pompking OG (original) heavy hold. I believe the OG was Hector’s first pomade which he made especially to control his curly hair. The OG is presented in a 4 oz (113 g) container with slip lid. Labeling in gray mostly, artwork by Chris Daylo; looks great. On the lid: a fierce lion putting his thumb up, OG on his jacket, the brand’s name on both sides. Bottom side: brand’s name and pomade’s name, ingredients, user instructions, artwork by Chris Daylo, 4 oz (113 g) content.

INGREDIENTS

Beeswax, coconut oil, lanolin, microcrystalline wax, scent, color.

SCENT

Classic, clean bay rum: a spicy, cultural blend of crushed cloves, cinnamon sticks and crisp pine needles, with a sweet orange freshness. I cannot describe the scent concretely but in my opinion, an agreeable one. In the tin: nicely balanced intensity. In the mop: lingers in a subtle manner.

STYLING PROCESS

My hair type: medium thick, wavy, somewhat unruly hair, medium length. I wear a contour.

My styling equipment: Denman brush D3, Bixby comb and a boar brush.

Application: 3 decent amounts on damp hair. Damp hair: reduces tug and pull since it’s a heavy, drier pomade plus damp makes styling easier, relaxes the waves.

Scooping: top layer is rather hard but you get it out without using your finger nail. Comes out dry and waxy.

Breakdown: easy. Rub a couple times, it will be broken down into a dry, waxy consistency. No greasy or oily bit noticeable.

Working in: expected it to be tug and pull due to its heavy hold but that wasn’t the case. Goes in pretty easy with some tension. Taking bigger scoops did not make application that difficult.

Combing back: this went fluent, my Denman went through giving some resistance.

Control: this pomade is a miracle, one of the easiest heavy-super heavies in existence for me. My hair obeyed and remained in place directly. This pomade contains a lot of wax but this does not translate into dryness or bangs fighting back, not getting through with the brushes or that sort of troubles. This is most certainly a slicker heavy. You notice the subtle counterpoise between waxes, oil and lanolin. It does contain petrolatum to balance out the slickness. My cowlick and waves didn’t rule. Height of the front: great. Sides: nicely slicked down. There’s nothing sticky or tacky in here but it kept everything together very well. No flyaways or loose strays. Used my boar brush sparingly. When using heavy pomades, my Denman is the best option to make a slick, neat whole. The boar brush will give splits and does not lay down the hair so perfectly as the Denman does plus my hair begins to stick up. Pompking OG feels light in the hair. Got some nice shape out of the OG (not blocky or too flat due to the hold). Again, Hector creates great pomades!

SHINE

Matte as you would expect for a heavy? There’s some slight sheen, a semi-matte one that won’t disappear. Alright shine for this strength.

HOLD

Described to be a heavy to super heavy. To me: a heavy, tending to the lighter side.

ENDURANCE

Tested in temperatures of 17° C (63° F), no sun, rain, no strenuous activities. My hair didn’t change. It kept great shape, didn’t sag and except for a few couple, normal occurring flyaways. Great endurance. Perfect for thick, curly, waxy, coarse, unruly hair types and for summer time.

RESTYLING

Restyling is key when using an oil based. No problem here. I even did not need to restyle.

BUILD UP

Don’t wash my hair on a daily base. Build up for me: water, tonic and 2 scoops to revive everything. This build up feels clean and manageable, the waxiness is moderate. I will swap for a medium hold after 2 or 3 days because the hold gets too heavy for what my mop needs, my medium thick hair has enough with the strength of a medium then.

WASH OUT

Ease of wash-ability is different for everybody. A few washes and all will be gone.

SIMILAR POMADE(S)

• Lockhart’s heavy.
• B’s grease.
• Pomps not dead, lardage.
• big slick firm.

Interested in oil based pomades only? You can join our ‘Oil Based Pomade Enthusiasts’ Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/OilBasedPomadeEnthusiasts/