Disclosure: this article contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. It does not change what we recommend.
Walk into most barbershops and you will see the same few jars on the shelf. Here is what barbers actually reach for, and which one fits your hair.
We did not test these ourselves. This guide sums up what barbers say in public videos and barbershop reviews, and we link every source so you can watch or read it yourself.
Pick if you want shine and control
Suavecito Firme Hold
- Water-based, rinses out with water
- Strong hold, medium shine (Suavecito)
- Slick backs, side parts, pompadours
Pick if you want matte texture
Layrite Cement Clay
- Strongest hold in the Layrite line (Layrite)
- Clean matte finish, water-based
- Thick or stubborn hair, short crops
Pick if your hair is fine or thin
Layrite Natural Matte Cream
- Medium, flexible hold
- Natural matte finish
- Keeps fine hair light, not flat
“I want my hair to look like it does when you cut it.” That request, one barbershop says, is usually answered with a clay.
In this article
Quick Answer
Barber-Approved Picks at a Glance
| Product | Pick | Best for | Hold | Finish | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suavecito Firme Hold | Best pomade overall | Slick backs, side parts | Strong | Medium shine | Check price |
| Layrite Original | Best light-feel pomade | Fine to medium hair | Medium | Light wet shine | Check price |
| Layrite Superhold | Thick hair and cowlicks | Coarse, thick, curly hair | High | Medium shine | Check price |
| Layrite Cement Clay | Best matte clay | Short textured cuts | Extreme high | Matte | Check price |
| Uppercut Deluxe Matt Clay | Runner-up clay | Thick hair, messy texture | Strong | Matte | Check price |
| Layrite Natural Matte Cream | Fine, thin hair | Hair that goes flat | Medium | Natural matte | Check price |
| American Crew Fiber | Best paste | Short to medium styles | High | Low shine | Check price |
Hold and finish as the makers list them. Amazon prices change often.
Pomade vs Clay vs Paste: The Quick Barber Answer
Barbers sort styling products by two things: hold and shine.
- Pomade gives shine and control. It is the go-to for slick backs, side parts and pompadours.
- Clay gives a matte finish with strong grip. The Bus Stop Barbershop says clay is often what barbers use when a client asks for the just-cut look (The Bus Stop Barbershop).
- Paste sits in between. It has a natural finish and is easy to rework, so it suits everyday short and medium styles.
Quick take
Want shine? Pomade. Want texture with no shine? Clay. Want something in between that is easy to rework? Paste.
1. Suavecito Firme (Strong) Hold Pomade: Best Pomade Overall
Suavecito is one of the most familiar jars on barbershop shelves. Firme Hold is the stronger of its two main pomades. It is water-based, and Suavecito lists it as strong hold with medium shine (Suavecito).
What barbers say: In shop reviews on a barber supply site, Man Cave Barbershop wrote, “My barbers and my clients love it,” and Nabils Barbershop said it holds well, is not greasy and washes off easily (Ultimate Barber Supply).
Source: Suavecito Firme Pomade Review, The Workmans Pomp.
The catch
Not everyone loves it. The reviewer in the video above calls it a solid water-based pomade that gets the job done, but says it dried out his hair. If your hair runs dry, try Suavecito Original Hold or use a light conditioner.
Check Suavecito Firme Hold on Amazon
2. Layrite Original Pomade: Best Light-Feel Pomade
A barber from The Barbershop Selection in Copenhagen walks through the whole Layrite line in one video. He describes the Original as “a mix between a gel and a wax.” He says it holds through the day without flaking, leaves “a little nice wet kind of shine,” and washes out easily because it is water-based.
Source: Layrite for Barbers: Choosing the Right Pomade for Your Clients, The Barbershop Selection.
How he applies it
Start with towel-dried, damp hair. Take a small scoop, warm it in your palms, work it through, then comb it into shape.
Check Layrite Original on Amazon
3. Layrite Superhold Pomade: Best for Thick Hair and Cowlicks
The Copenhagen barber calls Superhold “a stronger version of the original” and recommends it for thicker, stronger hair, and for short hair you want to stand up or slick back.
In Layrite’s own tutorial, the barber says it works best on medium to curly, coarse and thick hair. He says a dime-size amount is enough, and that the heavy hold will “hold down cowlick, your whirl, all those tough spots on your head.” Layrite is the maker, so treat this as the brand’s own advice.
Source: How Barbers Control Thick Hair & Cowlicks | Layrite Super Hold Pomade, Layrite Deluxe.
Good to know
Start with a dime-size amount. Superhold is strong, so more product usually means a heavier, greasier look rather than more control.
Check Layrite Superhold on Amazon
4. Layrite Cement Clay: Best Matte Clay
When barbers need real hold without shine, Cement Clay comes up again and again. Layrite calls it the strongest hold in its lineup (Layrite). The Copenhagen barber says it is made for “really strong hair.” He has used it on Latino and Asian hair, and likes it for short haircuts and for gray hair that “has difficulty laying down.”
“It’s strong with no exaggerations.” The Barbershop Selection, on Cement Clay
Barber tip: For textured styles, Layrite’s barbers “cocktail” Cement Clay with Natural Matte Cream for strong hold that does not feel heavy. Blend the two evenly in your palms so you do not leave white streaks.
Source: The Ultimate Textured Hair Combo (No Heavy Feel), Layrite Deluxe.
Check Layrite Cement Clay on Amazon
5. Uppercut Deluxe Matt Clay: Runner-Up Clay
Uppercut Deluxe is an Australian barber brand, and its Matt Clay shows up on several barbershop product lists. The Two Barbers lists it as a top pick and best-seller with an “authentic matte finish” (The Two Barbers), and Charlemagne’s 2026 clay comparison recommends it for thick hair (Charlemagne).
Check the formula
Uppercut has sold Matt Clay in both an older wax-based version that needs a degreaser to wash out and a newer water-and-wax version. Check the listing before you buy if easy wash-out matters to you.
Pick this if… Cement Clay feels too stiff for you and you want a matte look you can rework through the day.
Check Uppercut Deluxe Matt Clay on Amazon
6. Layrite Natural Matte Cream: Best for Fine, Thin Hair
This is the Layrite product the Copenhagen shop sells most. The barber explains why: many of his clients have fine, thin hair, and a strong product “will basically just slump it down.” The cream keeps fine hair light and gives it movement without weighing it down. You can see him use it in the Layrite video above.
Barber tip
On really thin hair, spray in some sea salt spray first for volume, then use a small amount of cream. You will need less product and the style still holds through the day.
Check Layrite Natural Matte Cream on Amazon
7. American Crew Fiber: Best Paste
American Crew Fiber is one of the longest-running products in barbershops. American Crew lists it as high hold with low shine (American Crew). One review describes it as the product barbers have recommended to “normal men with normal hair” for so long that “it has essentially become infrastructure” (Looksmax Man).
Pick this if…
You want hold that looks natural and is forgiving to use. The finish is not as dry or dusty as a true clay, which makes it easier for beginners.
Check American Crew Fiber on Amazon
Which One Fits Your Hair
- Fine or thin hair: Layrite Natural Matte Cream, with a sea salt spray first.
- Thick, coarse or curly hair: Layrite Superhold for a polished look, or Cement Clay for texture.
- Classic slick back or side part: Suavecito Firme Hold or Layrite Original.
- Messy, textured crop: Layrite Cement Clay or Uppercut Deluxe Matt Clay.
- Not sure yet: American Crew Fiber. It is forgiving and works on most short styles.
Pairing a product with a fresh cut? See how to cut a fade at home and our guide to men’s hair styling.
How Barbers Apply It
- Start with clean, towel-dried hair. Damp hair gives more shine and an easier spread. Dry hair gives more hold and a more matte look.
- Scoop a dime-size amount. You can always add more.
- Warm it between your palms until it spreads evenly with no clumps.
- Work it in from back to front, down to the roots.
- Shape with your fingers for texture, or a comb for a neat finish.
Quick take
Less product, warmed up properly, beats a big scoop every time.
FAQ
Do barbers prefer water-based or oil-based pomade?
Most of the barber-recommended picks here are water-based. Barbers keep pointing to the same reason: they hold all day and rinse out with water, with no scrubbing or buildup.
How much product should I use?
Less than you think. The barbers in these videos use a small scoop, about the size of a dime. Warm it up in your palms first so it spreads evenly.
Should I apply it to wet or dry hair?
For pomades and Cement Clay, the barbers here apply to damp, towel-dried hair. Clays and pastes also work on dry hair for a more matte, textured finish.
Can I mix two products?
Yes. Barbers call it cocktailing. A clay plus a cream, like Layrite Cement Clay with Natural Matte Cream, gives strong hold that does not feel heavy.
What is the best pomade for thick hair?
Of the picks here, Layrite Superhold is the one the barbers point to for thick, coarse or curly hair. For a matte look, try Layrite Cement Clay.
