Looking to showcase your rebellious style and greaser glory? Can you carry off the hairstyle that’s been making fans swoon since the 50s? If you’ve got the scumbag grit to go big or go home, we can show you how to make your pompadour hairstyle stand up and stand out.
The modern pompadour has its roots in the 1700s, when it was first sported by the daring mistress of King Louis XV. Two centuries later, Elvis Presley took it to the stage and made a shocking statement with high volume and rockabilly style. Johnny Cash and John Travolta sported this greaser masterpiece, and it keeps coming back because it’s just that bad ass.
Learning how to style a 50s pompadour starts with the cut: long hair on top, weighted toward the front, and short scissor-cut sides and back. Slicked back and high shine like a muscle car, it's the products that keep a classic pompadour hairstyle loud and in your face.
For an authentic 50s pompadour, grab all of these greaser go-tos:
- Pink Pomade Grease for a strong hold with beeswax and classic greaser sheen
- Extreme Hold Matte Pomade for a grittier matte finish in a water-based formula
- Grooming Tonic for blow drying and scalp care
Once you’ve got these icons in hand, use this infographic guide on how to style a 50s pompadour and you’ll be ready to shape the future of rock and roll, or just shock your local cell block.
