Shear revival, the one who knocks (TOWK) – medium oil based pomade

THE COMPANY

Shear revival grooming & beauty is a company founded by barber Zachary West out of New Jersey. The company abides between the high status pomade brands such as: O’Douds, Big slick, Lockhart’s and Pomps not dead.

Bonus, interview by pomade reviewer Michael Bateman, Spruce and sharp –https://spruceandsharp.wordpress.com/2015/07/06/beyond-the-products-an-interview-with-shear-revival/amp/

More info: http://www.shearrevival.com/

POMADE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Today I’ll be reviewing: ‘The one who knocks’, named after ‘The breaking bad’ episodes. On the pomade channels pomade users refer to it as: ‘TOWK’. TOWK is an infamous and popular product among pomade lovers.

The batch I’m talking about is the latest: glass jars, without the petrolatum. Zachary swapped the petro for hydrogenated castor oil to obtain a cleaner product. TOWK’s main ingredient is beeswax now.

I’ve never tried the previous TOWK thus I cannot compare. If you’re curious how both relate: The Western Gent (Gary G. Nobriga) did a competitive review in his informative ‘FYI series’. I’ll post the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bKAYOfTvAo&list=PLGsk3vSk5mj-0IuVUPTimlTlSyH1o2gj9&index=2

TOWK is poured into an amber colored, glass jar, 4 oz (113 g) size with very clean labeling. Color of the TOWK pomade: yellowish.

INGREDIENTS (minus the Latin)

Beeswax, hydrogenated castor oil, microcrystalline wax, coconut oil, shea butter, jojoba oil, castor oil, fragrance & therapeutic grade essential Oils.

SCENT

Atlas, cedarwood, sandalwood and bergamot. For me: sort of baby powder aroma. Smell is a bit odd in my opinion, don’t like it. Noticed a few whiffs from time to time, not overwhelming.

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: 4 1/2 scoops as I was not sure of the hold. Put into damp hair.

Scooping out of the jar and breaking it down: there’s some resistance.

Breakdown: the waxy texture becomes buttery and shiny: this predicts the pomade will have a good amount of shine.

Working in: it went in easy, some grip, no real tug or pull. Spreading evenly: piece of cake. 

Combing back: some resistance but not painful at all, hair won’t be ripped out.

Control: I was glad to notice it straightened my waves. Most mediums are not capable to straighten my waves, certainly not on the first day. My cowlicks: tamed immediately. Sides held down well. Didn’t need a great amount of time to style, easy thing. Got some good height and a nice, slick, clean hairdo.

SHINE

Nice medium, all day long.

HOLD

Medium hold.

ENDURANCE

After initial styling: tiny bit of sagging and a few strays, few flyaways. Waves under control. Cowlicks and sides held in place: good. No splits. Bit of cycling and a walk with temperatures around 70° F (21° C) didn’t wreck my hair: just a few strays. At the end of the day: few flyaways, some strays, tiny bit of sagging, no real waves coming through. The pomade does not feel heavy in the hair nor doesn’t weigh the hair down.

RESTYLING

No problem. Hold about the same. Waves did not show through much more. No resistance when restyling (Denman brush).

BUILD UP

Build up is waxy. Days after: a few scoops extra. Build up on the second day didn’t give me a more solid hold: bit of waving and some loose hairs. Better option: styling on wet hair.

WASH OUT

Around 2-3 washes. Afterwards, my hair felt healthy and soft. 

SIMILAR POMADE(S)

Lockhart’s medium.

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