We could remember a time when the only wave product for Black men was Murray's Pomade. It has been in the market since 1926, and we have to pay homage to the product made specifically for Black hair textures. It's a good product, but it has its pitfalls. It's thick and can be a challenge to manage and cleanse. However, there is a slew of hair products for waves on the market that cater to various hair types that offer great hold for waves, they moisturize and nourish the scalp, plus they are easier to manage and clean. Let's discuss their benefits and disadvantages of them in your quest for 360 waves.
Best Hair Products for Waves
We get many questions from customers asking, "Is this product good for waves?" or "Can I get 360 waves from this product?" Before we get into the product recommendations, we must first alert you to the fact that the product alone will not guarantee waves. It's the process involved that gives you waves. We've written our top three most recommended tips here. In a nutshell, achieving 360 waves starts with brushing, then compressing the hair with a wave cap or durag, and the final step requires patience and repetition of the steps mentioned above.
Wave products are an essential piece of this process, and they help moisturize the hair, offering shine and holding to the wave curl pattern. Here is a comparison of the top products on the market:
Murray's Pomade
As mentioned, Murray's Pomade is a good product and is versatile enough to satisfy many hair types for African Americans. However, a few hair types are unsuitable for, such as those with oily scalps. Because of the ingredients, it is known to clog the pores, be cumbersome to apply and be difficult to wash out. Let's delve into the ingredients to better understand why it's helpful for 360 waves:
- Petrolatum: also known as petroleum jelly, is good for preventing breakage and helps hair shine.
- Limonene: according to the ingredient's patent, it contributes to the prevention of hair loss and the promotion of hair growth.
- Linalool: is a terpene alcohol found naturally in flowers and plants such as citrus fruits and lavender. It is used as a fragrance in this product.
- Benzyl Alcohol: is a perseverative, which keeps the product from spoiling.
- Coumarin: is used as a fragrance in this product.
- Fragrance (Parfum)
Murray's Pomade Reviews (Good & Bad)
Here is what some real customers had to say about the product. We'll give the good and the bad, so you can make a better-informed decision about whether the product is suitable for you.
The Bad
"First, this stuff is no joke. My barber hates this stuff. It clogs his clippers and makes the cut hair stick to his hands. It is very thick and doesn't wash out well. I use only a little bit and work it in allot. There isn't much buildup and it lasts all day. And after a week you can use your pillow case as a candle." -JK
The Good
"Does your hair not want to cooperate? Welcome to the nuclear option, Murrays. I would not suggest this for your average person. It does not wash out of your hair. It requires a slight lifestyle change, to be honest. But it will tame your hair, if nothing else will. For best results use a water based pomade or some other gel in small amounts, mixed with the Murray's. Hair will stay where you set it. Smells great. Use Aussie 3 Minute Miracle (sitting in dry hair for about 20 minutes) to strip out." -Tom
The Verdict
As much as we love this product, it does have its drawbacks. Substituting water-based pomades for petroleum-based pomades alleviates the greasy mess associated with this hair product for waves. We recommend you try each product and see what works for your specific hair type.
Sleek Water Pomade by Frederick Benjamin Grooming
One of the best Black men's hair products for waves is Sleek Water Pomade by Frederick Benjamin Grooming. It's designed to hydrate your hair and scalp without weighing it down. It's a lightweight water-based pomade that won't leave behind any unwanted buildup. Plus, it contains hemp seed oil to help keep your hair healthy and looking its best. Let's delve into the ingredients to better understand why it's helpful for 360 waves:
- Water
- Glycerin: according to Healthline, this ingredient is good for hair that's curly, thick, or frizzy. It can help stop breakage, which can lead to better hair growth.
- Cetereath-25: is a chemical compound used in skincare and haircare products. It excels at hydrating, moisturizing, and smoothening hair, which provides slip to help detangle the hair.
- PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil: allows oil and water to mix. According to Naturally Thinking, this ingredient has a surfactant ability which acts as a cleansing agent, lifting dirt from the skin and hair.
- PVP: stands for Poly Vinyl Pyrollidone. It is the ingredient that gives the "hold" to hair.
- DMDM Hydantoin: is a perseverative, which keeps the product from spoiling.
- Argan Oil: helps moisturize the hair and scalp. Over time, this ingredient can help with hair loss as it helps prevent breakage.
- Phenoxyethanol: is used as a perseverative and as a fragrance.
- Fragrance Oil: this is a safer fragrance ingredient than alcohol-based fragrances.
Sleek Water Pomade Reviews (Good & Bad)
Here is what some real customers had to say about the product. We'll give the good and the bad, so you can make a better-informed decision about whether the product is suitable for you.
The Bad
"Just be careful if your allergic to wheat/glycine this product is not for you. Otherwise it smells good but not for me." -Omari M.
Via Frederick Benjamin Grooming
The Good
"The pomade is NOT sticky like some are and it does not leave a messy residue. It is also good to put a light film on my hair and wrap it in a du rag for a few minutes for a fresh look when there is not time to do serious grooming. My bald spot is filling in thanks to some other stuff and the Sleek Water is a constant feature in my regimen. Thanks for such an excellent product." -Jon B.
Via Frederick Benjamin Grooming
The Verdict
Although we're biased here, this product excels in holding 360 waves like a gel, yet it does not contain petroleum. The Sleek Water Pomade will leave a soft-to-the-touch, medium-to-strong hold, and matte shine. We recommend you try each product and see what works for your specific hair type.
Frequent Asked Questions about Black Men Hair Products for Waves
What hair product should I use for waves?
What cream is good for waves?
What products hold 360 waves?
These products hold 360 waves well:
- Sleek Water Pomade by Frederick Benjamin Grooming
- Murray's Pomade
- Ocean View Deep Waves Pomade
- Luster's 360 Style Wave Control Pomade
- Roller Coaster Waves Pomade
- WaveBuilder Natural Wave Pomade
There are many products in the market to try for 360 waves. It's important to pay attention to the ingredients to ensure they are suitable for your hair type, hold the wave pattern, and foster a healthy scalp. The best hair products for 360 waves help keep the hair and scalp nourished and prevent breakage, which contributes to healthier hair growth. Beyond product recommendations, we strongly encourage training your hair with a brushing and wave cap regimen. If you need advice on common problems most people experience with their waves, check out this page. When it comes to proper haircare... you do better when you know better!
