Fettkopp – heavy oil based pomade

THE COMPANY

Fettkopp pomade is a European pomade out of Germany, made by 2 Berlin barbers Call-a-Barber. The name ‘Fettkopp’ is derived from ‘Fettkopf’ in German. Greasy head in English. The base of Fettkopp is petro. The reviewed one is a strong hold. A medium-light and a super strong exist as well.

More info: http://pomade-berlin.de/

Pomade shop (Germany): https://pomadeshop.com/marken/fettkopp/846/fettkopp-pomade-strong. For USA + other non-Europeans: an expensive one.

POMADE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

4 oz (113 g) tin. The pomade is yellow.

INGREDIENTS

Petrolatum, beeswax, lanolin, essential oils.

Basic, classic formula like the old times.

SCENT

Citrus. In the jar: strong but not overbearing. In the hair: whiffs from time to time in the beginning, they disappear.

STYLING PROCESS

My hair: I’ve medium thick, wavy hair. I wear a side part with a contour.

My styling equipment: at the moment, I’m using a brush with wild boar hair, a Denman brush plus a wide tooth comb (detangler). During styling, I use brushes most.

Application: 3 likcs, damp hair. Don’t overdo because weighs down hair easily.

Scooping: hard waxy top layer. A serious amount of pressure required. 

Breakdown: some force and some decent rubbing between the hands to become a waxy and oily, not sticky substance.

Working in: goes in with some tension and not slick, doesn’t spread easy. Gives a solid grip.

Combing back: some tug and pull but no hairs ripped out.

Control: pomade is thick, heavy and not slick, lacks stickiness to keep hairs together well, feels heavy which results in repeatedly loose strays. Waves, sides, cowlicks managed okay but not great. Hair shape ain’t bad. Great height but sags somewhat.

SHINE

Few notches above neutral, all day long.

HOLD

The tin mentions: strong (heavy) hold. Yes, it’s really strong.

ENDURANCE

After initial styling, hair began to sag in the front and waves came through. Waves didn’t get worse during the day. Cowlicks managed okay, sides held down okay, no splits. Didn’t try it out in the wind or rain, cycling or a walk and not in the heat but it will survive. At the end of the day: strays, sagging (waves visible). Soft and not so greasy feel.

RESTYLING

No problem. Hold about the same. Waves didn’t show up more. Sides held down okay. Not much of a resistance as I restyled (Denman brush). I needed to restyle.

BUILD UP

Bit greasy, strong build up. Days after: do not use too much because the styling process becomes difficult (not sticky enough, weighs down).

WASH OUT

Around 3 shampoos to wash out with shampoo. After the rinse, hair felt okay.

SIMILAR POMADE(S)

Murray’s, superior heavy.

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