Pompking, grippie – medium hold oil based pomade

THE COMPANY

Pompking pomades is a well known pomade brand among pomade lovers. It was founded by Hector and Manuela Tapia in 2012. The couple lives in Beloit, Wisconsin.

Pompking pomades deserves much more attention and recognition. Why?

• Their pomades are brewed by hand, in small batches and of great quality.
• They offer a bunch of pomades from light to super heavy hold.
• The scents are special, novelty, unique.
• The artwork catches the eye.
• Great old school vibe.

At the time of writing this review (May 2020), Pompking pomade is gradually shutting down, unfortunately. Their Etsy is still active, so you can still buy from them. I’m going to do a few reviews as a tribute and because many people have Pompking pomades on their shelves, some will purchase what’s left in the Pompking shops, some will do trades. In the future, there will be pomade users that did not had the chance to try out Pompking. They will be eager to get some since that happens to companies which no longer exist. Think of Grandad’s old fashioned and Tremolo’s (they are back in business by the way). Pompking is going to be hyped, for sure! And justly! Maybe, they make a comeback. Maybe, someone takes over Pompking.

Other important facts:

• Hector has also done collaborations with barbers.
• He brewed for private labels such as: Lucky Franc’s.

More info on Pompking pomades:

• Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PompkingPomades?ref=pr2018_faveshops

Please, check out my other reviews on Pompking pomades:

• Pomking, KO (medium): https://piw74.com/2018/03/03/pompking-pomades-ko-medium-hold-oil-based/
• Pompking, gamma grease (firm): https://piw74.com/2018/05/13/pompking-pomades-red-gamma-grease-medium-heavy-firm-hold-pomade/
• Pompking, OG: https://piw74.com/2020/06/11/pompking-og-heavy-hold-oil-based-pomade/

POMADE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Grippie: his medium strength oil based. Grippie comes in a black tin with slip top lid. On the lid: a mad hippie greaser, pomade’s name, scent + hold. Bottom side: Pompking’s logo, ingredients, directions, original artwork done by Hector Ivan Garcia, made in the US and its 4 oz (113 g) content. Labels are stickers. A fresh blue is the main color along with white, black, purple, violet and yellow lettering. Nice hippie design. The grippie pomade has a natural, yellow color. No dye was added.

INGREDIENTS

Beeswax, microwax, petrolatum, coconut oil, fragrance.

Old school, short list of ingredients.

SCENT

Patchouli: hippie scent. Smells fresh, tart, sort of an incense aroma, earthy and woody. In the hair: noticeable breezes, non-abrasive, fades out during the day. Special scent, not a favorite but I can look past that. Reminds me of Dax high and tight pomade but that has more woody notes. Hector added lavender to the patchouli in later batches as a result of people disliking the basic scent. Whether mine has the lavender in it yes or no, I don’t know. I bought mine from Pomade club. The ‘old’ and the new pomades’ labels say both: ‘patchouli scented’. My nose is not so talented to differentiate there’s lavender or not.

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: 3 scoops in freshly wash hair. My hair is damp to relax the waves, eases styling.

Scooping: comes out right away after a little push.

Breakdown: easy into a slick and smooth creamy petro substance, some greasiness from the petro and coconut oil, not sticky. Although having waxes as a base: no dryness or lots of waxiness here.

Working in: goes in easy with very little grip.

Combing back: slight resistance. Disperses very easy throughout the bangs. Combing the hair to the side won’t give any discomfort whatsoever.

Control: Grippie laid down my hair immediately and held everything in place. Very slick and smooth pomade. My sides were slicked down nicely, my cowlicks too. My front was easy to lift without waves showing through. Obtained great height. No strays. There’s a great balance between wax, petro and oils!

SHINE

Nice medium shine which won’t fade.

HOLD

Hector speaks of a real medium and yes, Grippie is a straight medium.

ENDURANCE

The hair didn’t have much the endure. Weather: around 70° F (20° C), cloudy, no wind, no sweating. Just had a few walks, that’s all. Results: my hair did not move! No sag, no straying, no splits. Great endurance for a medium. I’m sure Grippie will cope with more active activities and warmer weather. It tames my wavy mane well.

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. Very ease to manipulate build up.

WASH OUT

The ease of wash-ability is different for everybody. You’ll need a couple showers.

SIMILAR POMADE(S)

• Pomps not dead OG (original).
• Pomps not dead, pompage.

Interested in oil based pomades only? You can join our ‘Oil Based Pomade Enthusiasts’ Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/OilBasedPomadeEnthusiasts/