Never in my life did I think I’d be here waxing lyrical about a hair pomade.
But that’s the thing with beauty — you never know when you’re about to discover a new holy grail.
Funnily enough, the R+Co Dart Pomade Stick came into my life by accident.
Many moons ago, I called in a press sample of one of my all-time favourite styling products R+Co BALLOON Dry Volume Spray 176ml for an article feature I was working on.
The brand accidentally threw the pomade stick in, too.
Pomade was something my boyfriend used, so I took it home and placed it on his side of the cupboard (#girlfriendoftheyear).
It sat there untouched until six months later when I cut my hair off.
I was looking for a way to tame my new baby layers when I saw it in my peripherals. I swiped it across my hairline and was floored at how well it smoothed out my hair.
With just a few swipes, things had gone from soft and fluffy to sleek and polished. Plus, no need for 101 hairpins. I was hooked.
It’s been a staple in my beauty routine ever since, fixing everything from frizz to flat brows.
And while a hair pomade stick isn't your typical beauty editor product recommendation, it’s one that definitely should be shared.
Keep reading for some more intel.
What is Hair Pomade?
It’s open to interpretation, but a pomade is basically a hair styling product that gives medium to strong hold and minimal shine.
Unlike a gel or wax, a pomade shouldn’t give you a glossed or wet look. Instead, it should have a natural finish.
You might be used to seeing pomades come in a tub, but R + Co’s version comes in a very smart (and mess-free) stick.
My R + Co Dart Pomade Stick Review.
So as the name suggests, the R+Co Dart Pomade Stick comes in a wind-up solid stick format.
What this means is there’s no messy tubs or sticky fingers. It’s portable and spill-safe, and lends itself incredibly well to on-the-go touch-ups.
The texture is also perfect. It’s thick and provides great hold, but doesn’t feel gluey or like it belongs to a 90s boy band member.
The pomade formula is also bolstered with castor seed oil and jojoba esters so it doesn’t dry out the hair (there’s no crunch).
And like all R + Co products, it smells beautiful — slightly sweet, a little floral, very expensive.
Shop it here:
R+Co Dart Pomade Stick
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How to Use R+Co Dart Pomade Stick.
By now, we've well and truly established that R+Co Dart Pomade Stick is an MVP in my beauty cupboard.
Here’s five ways I typically use it:
1. As a bobby pin substitute.
Recently, I cut some bangs. Styling my new fringe was all fun and games at first, but now with stay-at-home orders in place and hairstylists being closed, things have gone from cute to not-so-cute.
My motivation to style my hair has been at zero, but bobby pins have proven to be both ugly and inefficient (plus, they constantly go missing??).
Enter the Dart Pomade stick! It works like a charm to hold back those soft, wispy strands around my face — a lockdown miracle.
2. To elevate a sleek bun:
Sometimes, I just want my bun to be Kim Kardashian-level sleek — this is where a pomade comes in so handy.
Once my hair is secured, I’ll apply it all around my hairline and use a clean spoolie wand or toothbrush to smooth and secure every single strand.
The hold lasts forever, and doesn’t have that same rock-hard finish that comes with hairspray.
3. To tame frizz and flyaways.
This is perhaps obvious, but the Dart Pomade stick is excellent at reducing frizz and flyaways.
I like to really lightly run it over areas of concern, and use my fingers to smooth out my hair and ensure there’s no visible product left.
4. For fluffing my brows.
If you’re in a pinch, the Dart Pomade stick also makes for an excellent brow gel. Just take another clean spoolie and pick up the tiniest bit of product.
Comb it through the brows, fluffing them upwards. Because who needs brow lamination anyway?
5. To rough up soft hair.
My hair is really, really soft so I’m always looking to add texture and grip.
Pomade, while unexpected, is actually a really useful tool in this case.
I like to warm a little product between my fingers and almost massage it into my hair when it’s damp. I find as it dries, it’s got more body and movement.
See? There you have it. Now, add a pomade stick to cart and never look back.
Shop it here:
R+Co Dart Pomade Stick
add to bag
Want more easy hair styling tutorials? Check out these articles below:
From Curtain Fringes to Blunt Bangs, Here's How to Style Every Single Type of Fringe
Exactly How I Get Textured Waves Using a Hair Straightener
My Signature Sleek Bun Is Actually a Secret Disguise for Gross, Greasy Hair
