4 Incredible Pompadours For Long Hair [2023]

Having long hair does bring you some serious versatility. If you’re looking for a way to keep it tidy without having to go for a top knot, a long pompadour may be exactly what you need. 

Pompadours are becoming increasingly popular and with good reason. They’re a phenomenal throwback to a sophisticated era of men’s style. 

Defined by their vertical volume and fullness, it could be argued that pompadours are easier to style with long hair than they are with short hair. 

You’re about to see some incredible examples of this style done right, followed by some basic but essential tips on styling pompadours with long hair. 

Let’s get to it. 

4 Best Pompadours For Long Hair

This is the fun part. Use this list as a source of inspiration when styling those long locks of yours. 

Be sure to experiment regularly and with purpose. Enjoy. 

1. Modern Long Pompadour

In contrast to the classic style, modern pompadours are more shapely. 

There are more interesting angles and the curvature isn’t as basic or simple. 

Although it isn’t the case with this example, modern pompadours often have the sides and back faded or clipped short into an undercut. 

Styling may take a little longer because the shape you want might be a little harder to achieve. 

More complex shapes often call for heavier duty pomades or waxes with stronger levels of hold. 

With longer hair, the opportunities are pretty endless and the variety of pompadour shapes achievable is very broad indeed. 

But at the same time, the longer the hair, the stronger the hold you’ll need. Just something to bear in mind.

2. Wide And Relaxed Pompadour 

Relaxed pompadours definitely have their appeal. 

They don’t focus on getting perfect form, shape, curvature, or angles. 

A little asymmetry doesn’t do it any harm. With long hair, the outcome is often impressive regardless of shape. 

This is a great example of just how great a heavy stubble beard looks with a pompadour. 

There’s just something about the ruggedness of stubble that perfectly contrasts the traditionally more pristine pompadour hairstyle. 

3. Side Swept Pompadour

This pompadour has been swept to the right instead of directly backward. 

The neat, layered, textured appearance can be achieved by using either a round brush or a comb, together with a blow dryer at maximum speed and medium heat. 

If you aren’t looking for that glossy shine, go for a matte clay as opposed to a “wetter” pomade or gel. 

Clays, pastes, and even putties are great for producing lift and volume while also giving you that matte finish.

They aren’t the “typical” product used for pompadour styling. After all, pomades are the kings when it comes to pompadours.

But a lot of men aren’t a huge fan of the weight and shine that come with pomades – particularly oil-based pomades.

Alternative products may be more appropriate and still get the job done.

For men with long hair, sweeping the pompadour to the side may be simpler than pushing it straight back.  

This is particularly the case for men with thinner hair, where sweeping it directly backward may make it tougher to stay in place. It may naturally tilt to one side or the other. 

If you find this is the case, it’ll most likely just look better swept all the way to one side like this. 

4. Long Pompadour Undercut

An undercut is where the hair on top is left long while the sides and back are trimmed short. 

I know what you’re thinking; how is this different to your every day “short back and sides”?

It’s different because the contrast between the top and the back/sides is very obvious. 

There’s no gradual transition. As you travel up the sides and back, it suddenly goes from very short to much longer as you cross over onto the top. 

The long hair on top can be styled any way you want. You may choose to keep it flopping forward into a fringe. Or, you may choose to tie it back into a top knot. 

But a very effective option would be to sweep the hair on top upward into a pompadour. 

This is what’s known as the pompadour undercut, and it’s an excellent option for men with long hair on top. 

The reason for this is that the short back and sides contrast the top so strongly that the top looks even larger and fuller in comparison. 

Pompadours pride themselves on volume, height, and fullness, so this is a benefit that shouldn’t be underestimated. 

Undercuts also make the face look slimmer and narrower as there’s less fullness on either side when you look at the face front-on. 

For men with rounder or shorter faces, this may be very appealing. 

Pompadour Styling Tips For Men With Long Hair

You’ve seen just how versatile the style can be. There are many, many variations out there. 

Here’s a summary of general tips for any man with long hair looking to style a pompadour of any sort.

• Pompadours are easier to style with clean hair. Greasy, oily, unclean hair is harder to sweep into position and is less likely to stay in place. 
• Pre-styling mousse is essential for protecting the hair from the blow-dryer, as well as gaining fullness and volume. 
• Experiment with your styling tool of choice. Try a round brush, comb, and your fingers, and see what textures you’re able to achieve with each. 
• Pompadours do look great with fades. If you’re interested in trying this out, head to a barber you trust and talk through your options. Short and faded sides often make the pompadour on top look even fuller and taller in comparison. 
• Experiment with pomades, gels, and matte clays to see what type of finish you prefer. The differences in what you end up with maybe very broad indeed. 

Conclusion

The additional maintenance requirements of having long hair are nicely offset by the incredible versatility it brings. 

There’s just so much you can do with it. 

If you’re looking to try something new, a pompadour may be the one. 

Hopefully, this article has inspired you to try out some of the many different style variations out there. 

Enjoy.