REUZEL Heavy Hold Grease – Impressive and Simple!

Today I finally tried out REUZEL’s Heavy Hold Grease, or the one commonly referred to as the pink jar.  I honestly can’t believe how fast time has gone by. I have been a fervent REUZEL follower since the brand became available in Canada in 2015/2016.  Since then I have tried essentially everything coming out of the Schorem lab under the REUZEL name.

Sometime around 2009-2010, I was introduced to pomade.  This was like no other hair fixative I had ever encountered.  This stuff had incredible hold, was re-workable, could be easily washed out and had personality!  All a sudden I was able to do what I wanted with my mope for more than just 30 minutes.  Needless to say, this was a new chapter in my hair styling endeavors. It is the period I like to refer to as the “Revelation”.

But during this period (between 2010 -2015) there were very few pomade options out there and I would spend hours searching the web for pomade makers and distributors who would ship to Canada.  This was somewhat of a dry period with few alternatives, but the Barbershop/pomade movement had clearly started. By 2015/2016 came REUZEL with their unique pig label, vintage looking metal thin can and phenomenal pomades.  It was clear that REUZEL was putting down a serious claim on the men’s hair grooming business.  This was probably somewhat of a back street – underground thing at first but REUZEL is now a world renowned brand with Barbers and Stylists flocking to listen and see Bertus and Leen, the masterminds behind Schorem and REUZEL.

Because of the limited pomades choices during those days, I jumped on the first REUZEL jar I came across and fell in love.  That was the blue jar.  Since then, the water based blue and red jar hold a special place on my pomade shelf because of the incredibly original and unique labeling along with real all-day results.  This observation on quality and performance has also been true of everything coming out of the REUZEL shop since.  Check out my other REUZEL reviews here.

I was recently in contact with the folks at REUZEL and mentioned that although I was a REUZEL disciple, I had sadly never tried their Heavy Hold Grease.  So here we are today with a pink jar on the test bench!

Why did it take so long to try the pink grease? Fair question!  The first pomades I worked with were water based and left such a positive impression on me that I really didn’t think that there was any point in considering other concoctions. That said, because these new water based pomades were inspired by much earlier grease pomades, I figured I should try the originals. These tests gave disappointing results: limited hold, constant restyling and a washing scenario I just wasn’t prepared for.  These early grease based pomade tests thus re-enforced my conviction that water based was the way to go.

Over time, I got to try more and more pomades and pomades of completely different compositions until I finally got to work with grease pomades that didn’t just melt and could hold my mope in place.  My curiosity and desire in trying grease pomades having been renewed, it just became a question of time before I got around to trying a pink jar of REUZEL.

Opening up the jar, you will find a white opaque firm grease. Scent wise this fragrance is humble. Think: sweet, fresh, apple with a touch of spice.  The guys at REUZEL describe it as: traditional pomme fragrance with a hint of salsa. I don’t smell the salsa but considering the guys behind this pomade I totally believe it.

If my previous testing has taught me anything is that moderation is key with any pomade.  Don’t overdo it!  I took a very small scoop.  The other crucial teaching is that having the terrain prepped will make the whole difference.  In my case, I have found that working with oil or grease pomade gives much better results if it is blended in dry hair.  It might even do better if that hair has a slight left over of yesterday’s pomade.

The grease pomade disciples swear by the concept of build-up.  Basically, that it takes a couple of days of pomade accumulation to reach that perfect state.  This is something that has taken me quite some time to come to terms with, mostly because I had never been able to recreate a proper styling in hair that wasn’t freshly washed.

Water based pomade becomes re-workable if soften a bit using hair tonic or water sprayed on.  Grease based pomade will also respond well to a tonic but since it doesn’t dry as much it will be workable by simply adding a small coat of fresh pomade.

On the first morning I simply scooped out some of that pink grease and blended it in.  WOW!  I was instantly impressed with the results and the ease of styling. I used perhaps the size of dime.

Here is the rating on a scale of 1 to 5 where 5 is a perfect score and/or level of shine:

• Hold: 5
• Shine: 4
• Texture: 5
• Feel in hair: 5
• Facility to wash out: 4

We are now on day 2 and I repeated the approach by simply adding a small fresh coat and was rewarded by a splendid styling that lasted all afternoon.  The build-up concept referred to by the Greaser is true: things get better over time.

I have tried a number of greased pomades over the course of the Style4men adventure and the pink grease is nothing short of impressive.  I am finally seeing what the fuss is about.  It’s almost like rediscovering pomade in some way.  This pomade holds and doesn’t melt in your hair.  It is also very nice to the touch; no greasy or slimy residue.

My final words will be for how to say good bye to this pomade when the time comes.  When washing your hair you will be doing things in reverse; after wetting your hair start by giving it good conditioning.  The oils in the conditioner will essentially dissolve the grease in the pomade and prep the path for the shampoo to wash things out. After the shampoo, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to do another conditioning treatment just to help restore your hairs natural state. If for some reason that approach is not enough, my secret weapon is olive oil. A tea spoon portion blended in your hair will break down a grease pomade.

There you have it!  I will venture to say that REUZEL pink is now my favorite grease pomade.