THE COMPANY
Lockhart’s story, by Steve Lockhart
‘Nichole and I got married very young. Both 21 years old, we moved out on our own, with the help of our parents and a best friend, completely broke and trying to navigate our way in the world. Eventually, I landed a sales job at a local car lot after wrenching on cars for several years to scrape by. It was at that point I knew I had to do something about my look and really clean myself up. Working on a hot black top pavement all day meant that virtually nothing could hold my hair in the heat so I decided I wanted to create something specifically for my situation. By this time I had formed a good relationship with my barber in downtown Flint, Michigan who was really encouraging me to go forward with crafting an entire line of products. Word spread, and more and more people wanted to try out what I had created so we opened up a simple Etsy page just so we could get our products into our friends hands. From there, customers from all over the world starting asking for specific products and giving critique for product enhancement in their region of the world.
It’s very important to us that we’re able to create products that can be used by any person, any walk of life, any part of the world.
The feedback we received led to more product development out of our own kitchen, and to pretty rapid growth. At this point we had created a healthy following organically online and that helped to form the Facebook group ‘Everything Pomade’ where we gathered even more feedback directly from our customers. We quickly grew our wholesale business across the globe, and I was finally able to quit my car sales job and jump into Lockhart’s full time. After welcoming Nichole’s sister into our home, and growing our product line and complexity, as well of number of accounts we were serving, the home kitchen was just no longer feasible. So, we opened up our own Apothecary in downtown Perry, MI (population: 2,000).
I think our story is very unique as it really is a rag to riches story (I use the terms riches loosely of course haha!).
Some of the different things that we really enjoy doing is hybridizing products, or at least experimenting with hybridizing products and seeing what comes of it. There’s a lot of trial and error that goes into the process, but that normally results in very unique formulations that you wouldn’t find from any big lab production facility. I like to view the craft as an art form and the products really are my canvas. I’m actually a nationally recognized Stuckist artist and used to be an avid painter and sketch artist. Now that we have two young daughters, I no longer have the time or energy to paint so I pour all of my creativity into my products.
We have a strong belief that supporting others will result in success for everyone in the long run. Both professionally and personally.
You will find many of our ‘competitors’ products on our site because we believe that a strong and flourishing pomade market leads to success for everyone. As they say ‘A high tide raises all ships.’ I’ve always compared the pomade market to the local Flint metal music scene that I grew up in. The bands that supported each other, stuck around for everybody’s sets, promoted each other on social media (myspace back then…), and purchased each others demos and merch were the bands that received the most love from their fans and always seemed to be enjoying themselves much more than the elitists who turned their noses to the openers. That’s why we always want a strong and vibrant pomade community. One that will challenge everyone to always get better and create more unique and creative formulas. That’s the beauty of it all. The connections and friendships made. We hope to connect with as many of our fans as possible.‘
Steve Lockhart. (source Lockhart website).
Sneak peak: behind the brew (Modern man TV). How Goon grease is made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8bz83QMM8Y
More info on Lockhart’s: https://www.lockhartsauthentic.com/
POMADE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Today’s choice is Lockhart’s fire and brimstone, the medium oil based. For the heavy hold users, there’s also a heavy version. The F&B pomades are Halloween editions. Design: black and red sticker labels. The red stands for fire and black for brimstone. Nice design work. F&B is poured into a 4 oz (113 g) black, metal container. Has a twist top lid with the name of the brand, F&B and the symbols of both. All around the tin: the brand, F&B, medium hold/medium shine, proudly made in Michigan, directions and an ingredients list. This medium pomade is black.
INGREDIENTS
Petrolatum, Microcrystalline Wax, Beeswax, Lanolin, Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, Fragrance, Black Oxide*.
*Black oxide: gives the pomade its black hue. Black oxide is not harmful for the hair. I was a bit on the fence because of the color. Will it stain my pillows? Does it make my hair less shiny, and that sort of questions. I can say at once, my combs were not stained and my pillows neither, my hair has a nice medium sheen.
SCENT
Fire and brimstone: smoky, burnt, bonfire smell. Scent’s similar to Pomps not dead Necronomipomp ex mortis (Book of the dead) pomade. Rather strong scented (opening the jar). Hair: a whiff now and then, balanced and yes, kind of clean. Bought my tin a few months ago, didn’t try it until now. I thought the scent would put me off. Now it’s in my mop, I can only say the scent is alright!
STYLING
My hair type: medium thick, wavy, somewhat unruly hair, medium length. I wear a contour with some height on the front.
My styling equipment: Denman brush D3, Bixby comb and a boar brush.
Application: damp hair, it manages my waves and makes styling a lot more comfortable. I took 3 average scoops to style on freshly washed bangs.
Scooping: no hard top layer here. Comes out immediately. Typical medium hold scoop. Reminds me of Pomps not dead OG.
Breakdown: emulsifies easy. Feels somewhat waxy, ‘petrolatumish’ and smears out creamy, a bit sticky, not greasy.
Working in: slight resistance. No tug and pull. Easy to spread evenly.
Combing back: again with some tension. You can switch the hair’s direction to the side without any hassle.
Control: this medium is smooth and slick which helps to lay down the hair in a second. There’s the right amount of stickiness to keep everything together well. You’ll feel the presence of the waxes but this is balanced out by the brewer terrifically. It tames my cowlicks and my waves very well. Get some good height with it. The sides are tucked away well. No straying here.
SHINE
Steve names it a medium shine. Although containing black oxide (can dull the shine), the medium has a good medium shine which persists.
HOLD
Medium hold according to Steve. The F&B pomade is a bit lighter than a medium but it is not a light medium. Comparing this to the OG medium, that one is a straight medium in my opinion.
ENDURANCE
I wore it in temperatures of 70° F (21° C), sunny, did have a few walks, no sweating and it held up good for a lighter medium. No sagging, no more strays or splits. My hair looked well the whole day.
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. Workable build up.
WASH OUT
The ease of wash-ability is different for everybody. You will need a few showers to get it all out.
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/
POMADE IN WORDS 