Pompadour Origins
The pompadour was named after Madame de Pompadour, a mistress of King Louis XV. Originally a women's style in the 18th century, it became popular among men in the 1950s, notably rocked by Elvis Presley.
Essential Tools Needed
To create the perfect pompadour, you'll need a fine-toothed comb, a hair dryer, strong hold pomade or wax, and hairspray. Optional: texturizing powder for thicker hair.
Preparing Your Hair
Start with clean, towel-dried hair. Apply a heat protectant. Use the hair dryer to pre-dry your hair, directing the hair upwards and back to create volume at the roots.
Volume and Shape
Apply pomade or wax evenly. Then, comb your hair back, lifting it at the roots while blow-drying. For increased volume, use a round brush and roll it backwards.
Sculpting the Pompadour
Sculpt the hair into a rounded shape. The front should be higher, gradually decreasing towards the back. Use a texturizing powder if needed for extra lift and hold.
Finishing Touches
For a sleek look, comb the sides back tightly. For a modern twist, try a fade on the sides. Finish with a blast of hairspray to lock the style in place.
Pompadour Variations
The classic pompadour suits thicker hair, while the disconnected pompadour is edgy. The side-part pompadour adds a formal touch, and the undercut pompadour is profoundly stylish for thinner hair.
Who was the pompadour named after?
An 18th-century queen
King Louis XV's mistress
A famous 1950s singer
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