The pomade smells good and always works well!My son has very curly hair and it works so well on his hair. Perfect itemIf you fly a lot like I do, this is perfect for your carry on!Update: Since I wrote this, I've changed how I do things. Now, I blow dry my hair bone dry, and then use the defining paste (matte, and holds good with just a tiny spritz of hairspray). I also have some left over forming cream, and it works really well too, just gives the hair a shinier look. For me, that shinier look is nice if I'm going to a wedding, or dressing up...that sort of thing.I blow dry the hair in the front up, blow dry the rest totally dry, put some defining paste in my palm, rub my hands together vigorously and warm it up, and then work it into my hair. I love the way the defining paste smells, matte looks nice, and it's super easy to get that messy but controlled look. I have slightly wavy hair, not stick straight or curly.I decided to leave the rest of my original review below. Funny how the process changes over time! Experiment and have fun, but I personally think the Defining Paste is awesome for matte, and forming cream if you want a little bit of shine (but it's harder to work into your bone dry hair, and doesn't smell as good).********************************************Original ReviewI've used four different American Crew wax/pomades, and they are all great. They smell great, and they are relatively inexpensive. The hard part is figuring out...what product is good for what hair?I've gone from very short guy hair, to longer guy hair...and as I've done that, the American Crew product that I prefer has changed.With my hair really short, I was using their "classic wax," which they no longer make. I started trying their Fiber product on that short hair, and it worked pretty well. Get my hair fairly damp, work the Fiber in, and it would give me good hold...little spike in the front. Another product I was using with my short hair was TIGI Bed Head Men Matte Separation Wax. That stuff is REALLY sticky...which is fine for short hair.Before I move onto the Pomade, the other thing to consider is...varying the dampness of your hair prior to the product will have a HUGE effect on how it works. For example, you can have your hair fairly damp with the stickier (ie high hold) products, and still be able to work it in really well. As your hair gets drier though, two things happen. The hold becomes even MORE pronounced, but it also becomes harder to work into the hair.So as I grew my hair out...the Fiber began to work less well. I had a lot more hair, and because it's a "higher hold," it actually started to weigh my hair down. Spiking up hair that's only an inch or two long worked fine...but as my hair got to 3+ inches, it would start to fall over. And the Fiber is fairly sticky...so your hair needs to be fairly damp to work it in, but then it doesn't want to stay up.Now I will FINALLY talk about the Pomade!I had to move to a "lower hold" product...and I wasn't used to this at first. I was leaving my hair fairly damp, and putting the pomade into that didn't give it much hold at all (though depending the style you want...like a more traditional mad men kind of look without a lot of spike, then that would be fine). I wanted a little more spike and "verticalness" to my hair, so what I had to do was start drying it more. I've started using a blow dryer to "train" my hair in the direction I want, and to get it much drier (not 100% dry, but maybe 75%). Now the pomade has much more hold!The other product I've been using is the Forming Cream. It's similar to the pomade...but a little less shiny. It has worked well in my longer hair, and like I said before...to get any hold, I need my hair drier.You will probably have to try a couple different products until you find the one you really like. But before you give up on any one product, vary the dampness of your hair first. Hopefully my experience will point you in the right direction. For short hair, use the high hold products with damp hair. For longer hair, use the low hold products with drier hair.Been using this product for over 10 years nowHave been using this product over 20 yearsI brought this for my boyfriend who has fine hair and two stubborn cowlicks.It goes on easily, looks good, washes out easily, gives him a well groomed squared away look all day (his job requires being out in the elements and in people's homes so he needs to look professional)I have a short haircut that I slick back. American crew holds it all day with a nice shine and does not leave a nasty flaky mess.This is by far the best hair product I’ve ever bought!I identify as a fridge, but I do have the hair of a man, which is wavy, thick and suseceptible to frizz. My Dad has a full on slap head though, so my days could be numbered. Hopefully I take after my Mums side of the family who aren’t as follically challenged.I use it now everyday to tame my hair which can sometimes look like I’ve had a fight with a live socket and lost.10/10Having just used this product for the first time i am thoroughly impressed. It does exactly what it says on the tin. People buying this and negatively reviewing it clearly do not know what 'Pomade' is and what it is intended for. Pomade is mainly for slick back / side part hairstyles. It provides a nice slick hold but still allows you to comb your hair unlike other hair products like gel which make your hair hard and stiff to give it an all day 'hold'. This is not what Pomade is intended for. Furthermore this is a WATER BASED Pomade which means it works exactly like classic 'grease' Pomade without the headache of washing it out. This Pomade comes straight out in the shower and straight off your hands with just water making it the perfect modern day version of a classic mens grooming product.Although this product is clear in appearance, unlike others this one doesn't dry and does indeed remain fully pliable all day.On the downside, I have fairly short hair and it takes a fair bit to get the hair under control, so could prove expensive in the long run.It says high shine but I would call it medium and this is the problem with water based pomades, if you truly want high shine you have to use an oil or wax based pomade and all that goes with that.I had never used a pomade before. I have fairly thick hair and wanted to slick back or do a Pompodour. Firstly I think the smell is OK. Typical male fragrance really but nothing special. When putting through hair, feels lovely and lite. Does give hold but only average. I gave my hair a bit of a spray of hairspray and that kept it in place then. The only problem with that is that the hairspray makes your hair feel a little crispy, without the hairspray your hair feels lovely and moisturized. Without the spray I feel my hair would fall out of place on a breezy day.It washes out lovely leaving my hair feeling silky. Just the right amount of shine without making me look like Elvis Presley!!Overall, very good just wish the pot was bigger and the fragrance a bit more special for something so priced.So I have thick stubborn hair and saw this was medium hold, but was a bit tired of Uppercut Deluxe pomade keeping my hair in a virtual straight jacket and wanted to see if something with less hold would work. I saw some reviews on line that suggested American Crew is a good pomade with a nice smell. I also noticed some reviews on here saying people were getting delivered stuff that does not look like American Crew pomade and it looks white. I thought I would take a chance with the small tub at £5 just to try it myself and also chose Amazon as the seller to reduce the change of getting anything dodgy.The tub arrived in a small ziplock bag. On opening there was no material between the lid and the pomade which some pomades do have to protect them from air. It is a white colour (see photo) which some people find suspicious of being badly stored or being an imitation. I noticed the label on top of the jar was not centred which may give credence to this being a knock-off product (see photo). I was struck by the not-particularly amazing fragrance which wasn't so bad except for the slightly chemical cleaning agent smell.From looking at videos online I didn't think I would need much but ended up using a fair bit. I couldn't instantly say it was a great hold but it seemed to do... something. Anyway, walking to work, it got a bit windy - I could feel my hair blowing around - not a good sign. When I got in front of a mirror it wasn't all over the place so I guess there is some hold, but it doesn't feel like it. I guess I've only tried it for 1 day now, but not a good start...Bottom line - for £5 I am not bothered but don't think I'll be using this again.