Table of Contents
Quick Summary / At A Glance
- Hair grease adds hold, shine and moisture, helping styles last longer and leaving hair softer and easier to manage.
- The two main types are gel, which gives the strongest hold but can stiffen hair, and pomade, which is softer and more flexible.
- When choosing a grease, check the shine level, the hold, your hair length, the scent, and how easily the product washes out.
- Avoid greases containing sulfates, parabens, alcohol, formaldehyde or dimethicone, which this guide flags as ingredients to steer clear of.
- Apply grease to clean, sectioned hair, working it through with your fingers; it can generally be used daily, including on fine hair.
The best hair grease can significantly improve the appearance of your hair. Day to day, your hair is exposed to dryness and pollution, and oils and ointments can add the special touch that combing alone does not give.
Generally, hair grease gives you a stronger hold on your hair, and its formula helps to protect it. When your goal is straight, wavy but shiny hair, the right grease helps the style last much longer.
Is Greasy Hair Healthy or Unhealthy?
Oily hair is not always to everyone’s taste, and many people tend to think that it is unhealthy. However, it is not unhealthy at all when grease is used properly.
Fat tends to keep your hair in perfect condition: healthy, silky and very soft. In this way, you can avoid dryness and breakage, although you may need to brush daily and be more consistent than before.
Grease is most often used on dry hair, where it helps most. Take care not to overdo it, as too much can leave hair looking overly greasy instead.
The Two Main Types of Hair Grease
Fats come in two types that are most common to find: gel and pomade. They differ in hold, in finish, and in how easy they are to remove.
Gel
These gels are used when you look for a stronger hold than other types of products can offer you. One of the biggest problems with gel is that it can make your hair stiff.
Pomade
The ointment is not as strong as the gel. This makes it the preferred choice between these two types of products for many people.
There are oil-based ointments that are usually a bit difficult to remove. Bear this in mind if you want a product that washes out easily.
Two Hair Grease Products From the Original Review
The original version of this guide reviewed two hair greases in detail, and their key points are summarised below. A short comparison table follows.
Mielle Pomegranate and Honey Set
The extraordinary thing about the Mielle line is that it gives you all the hydration you are looking for. It promises to improve the appearance of your hair and make it much more manageable.
The set has six pieces, all of them 12 oz, including a pomegranate and honey curl smoothie, a moisturising pomegranate and honey shampoo, and a 12-ounce souffle. It does not contain sulfates, parabens or any other toxic substance for your hair, it has a light aroma, and it helps keep your hair hydrated. Its one listed drawback is that it is not suitable for all types of hair.
Jovinno Pomade: Medium to Strong Hold
Jovinno brings you a hair wax type cream with a formula designed in France. This cream is made with water, so you can wash it easily and will not have to spend hours trying to remove it.
It gives you a medium to strong hold with a transparent formula and a matte touch, without leaving your hair shiny or greasy. The review found no cons for the product itself, although some people had problems with shipping.
| Point of comparison | Mielle Pomegranate and Honey Set | Jovinno Pomade |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | Six-piece set; all pieces 12 oz | Wax type cream; 5 ounces |
| Main focus | Hydration and manageability | Medium to strong hold with a matte finish |
| Includes / formula notes | Curl smoothie, moisturising shampoo and souffle; no sulfates or parabens | Transparent formula designed in France; water-based, so it washes out easily |
| Watch out for | Not suitable for all types of hair | No product cons found; some shipping problems reported |
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Hair Grease
There are many aspects that you must take into account before you buy. Work through the following points to get an overall view of what to look for.
1. Brightness Level
Almost always, the grease that you are going to buy must declare the degree of shine that the product will give you. Choose the level that best suits you.
- Matte: this will not give you any shine.
- Semi-gloss or semi-shine: you will have a not so exaggerated shine in your hair.
- High-gloss: it will provide you with a lot of shine.
2. Do You Have Difficult Hair to Control?
The fixation of the product can help you when your hair does not stay in one place, and you will need a stronger hold. Instead, if you have manageable hair, you could opt for a light hold, and a medium hold pomade is a good middle option.
3. Length of Your Hair
Hair fats work depending on the type of hairstyle and the length of hair you have. Some pomades work best on particular hair lengths, so match the product to your hair; our guide to how to get thicker hair covers a related goal.
4. Smells
Smells are usually a bit bothersome for some people. Generally, the greases that have castor oil as an ingredient tend to smell stronger, so if you do not like strong smells, try to avoid products that contain a lot of castor oil.
5. Way to Remove It
Another concern you should have is how easy it is to remove the product from your hair. Oil-based pomades are often difficult to remove, so if you are looking for something that is not difficult to remove at all, you should choose a water-based product.
6. Quality and Budget
Quality is always essential, because low-quality products are usually made from ingredients that only damage your hair. If you want quality, you should invest a little more money.
The budget is essential too, because you do not want low-quality products to make you spend more money later. Balance the price against the quality on offer.
7. Investigate the Techniques, and Check the Label
You must know whether the type of grease you are going to use should be applied to wet hair or dry hair, as using it the wrong way could cause problems. Labels are excellent when we go to buy a product, so read the ingredients carefully instead of buying blindly.
What Ingredients Should You Avoid in a Hair Grease?
Like all products, certain ingredients are not entirely beneficial for your hair. Generally, hair oils tend to have ingredients that form moisture barriers, and this causes your pores to become blocked.
We show you some ingredients that you should avoid at all costs in the fat you will acquire:
- Sulfates (do not allow nutrients to be absorbed)
- Paraben
- Alcohol
- Formaldehyde
- Dimethicone
Tips to Apply Hair Grease
Healthy hair is maintained when you follow the instructions on how to apply each product to your hair. The guide’s application steps are:
- Thoroughly cleanse your hair by washing and conditioning it when you shower.
- Do not dry your hair with terry towels or anything that could damage your hair.
- Apply a styling cream to avoid damaging the hair.
- Part your hair into small sections to continue applying the hair grease.
- Put a considerable amount on the fingers of your hand and put it in all the hair separated by sections.
- Comb your hair as you usually do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use grease every day without complications?
Generally, hair grease can be used every day. There are even some types that you should only use a few times a week, so follow the product’s own directions.
When should I use hair grease every day?
A good option for using grease every day is when your hair dries quickly. There, you could use it daily to help keep moisture in your hair.
Could grease damage your hair?
People used to think that fat damaged your hair, a view that gained force in the 50s and 90s because of the products used then. Modern greases are easier to remove and have more natural ingredients, so they are no longer harmful to the hair.
Should I apply grease to wet hair?
Yes, the fat tends to hydrate your hair in the best way, and this is done by retaining moisture. So, it can be applied to wet hair.
Is fine hair an impediment to use this type of fat?
No. In fact, some fats provide you with ingredients that help your hair grow much more robust.
Conclusion
The best hair grease can ultimately enhance the appearance of your hair. These fats help you to have much more manageable hair, and they can become an essential element in your daily routine.
You can use it daily for the best results, and there are fixing options from light and medium to the strongest. If you are concerned about hair loss, consider all the previous points in this article to find the grease that best suits you.
This article is general information only and is not medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for personal advice.