THE COMPANY
Hi, guys and gals. I’m back with another review, it’ll be a pomade from Ace high co out of Michigan. Brewers behind the brand are Nathan Hamood and Christian Kettenbeil who founded Ace high co in 2016. These guys offer a wide range of grooming products, all handmade.
More information:
- https://www.acehighco.com/
- https://www.etsy.com/shop/AceHighCo?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=647459864
POMADE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Black cat pomade is their take on an oil based pomade with a firm hold. Nice to see a newly brewed oil based in times of water based pomades, clays, creams, matte pastes having the upper hand. Comes in a 4 oz (113 g) metal tin with screw top lid. The jar is in an attractive gold, labels are stickers. The design is a bit on the busy side, with old school vibes. It looks good. Read on the lid: image of the the black cat, co’s name, content, oil based pomade, a slogan: ‘Stay fly with Ace high’, made in Michigan, some figures. On the bottom side: how to apply, the ingredients, their address, again some decorating figures and a bar code. Unscrewing the lid shows an off-white tinted pomade.
INGREDIENTS
Petrolatum, microcrystalline wax, beeswax, castor oil, essential and fragrance oils.
SCENT
Orange peel, apple jack and eucalyptus: Ace high co’s signature scent and yes, a novelty scent. I catch both the orange and eucalyptus. Concrete: a fresh, mild Vicks* eucalyptus mixed with orange. Don’t get the apple jack. Intensity: rather strong opening the tin. In the hair: whiffs come and go, non-pushy, agreeable. On first smelling the scent, I was not a fan at all. Used the pomade a few times, then left it on the shelf. Reaching back, the scent has grown on me. I like it, not intending it to be among my favorites.
* The Vicks brand is infamous for combating colds and flu.
STYLING PROCESS
My hair type: medium thick, wavy, somewhat unruly hair, medium length. I wear a contour.
My styling equipment: Denman brush D3, Bixby comb and a boar brush.
Application: in damp hair to relax the waves and ease styling. 3 average sized licks on top of freshly washed hair.
Scooping: top layer is not hard. One little push and the pomade is on your fingers.
Breakdown: effortless. Comes out thick, waxy, a bit dry, rather sticky, not greasy. Scoops and breaks down like a solid medium.
Working in: easy to distribute throughout the bangs. Tension here.
Combing back: resistance noticeable. Pulled out/broke a few hairs due to the waxiness but nothing painful or Murray’s alike.
Control: offers a rather sticky feel which helps to lay down and keep the hair in place sufficiently. The wax in here makes it a tad dry and fought with my hair a bit, got somewhat of a bumpy look, hairs sticking up. After a few recombs, everything was in place. My sides were slicked down alright, cowlicks as well. The front had good height, waves straightened out pretty well. A few strays here and there. Not the most slick plus comfortable firm to style with but not the worst either. It did a great job to keep down my hair from sticking up at the back.
SHINE
Ace high co speaks of a high shine. For me, no high shine but a few notches below medium = a 2/5. Sheen persists.
HOLD
Firm hold, Ace high co says. Second that.
ENDURANCE
Black cat is most certainly a pomade to use during summer time. Has good endurance. I wore it in temperatures of 57°F (14°C), there was little sun, no wind. Had a walk. I experienced a few strays, waves showing through slightly.
RESTYLING
Restyling is key for an oil based. Restyles well.
BUILD UP
Don’t wash my hair on a daily base. Build up for me: water, tonic and 2 scoops to revive everything. Clean, waxy build up.
WASH OUT
The ease of wash-ability is different for everybody. This pomade rinses rather easily.
SIMILAR POMADE(S)
- Reuzel pink.
- Lockhart’s, goon grease.
Interested in oil based pomades only? You can join our ‘Oil Based Pomade Enthusiasts’ Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/OilBasedPomadeEnthusiasts/
POMADE IN WORDS 