Jack Henry is a brand that has made quite the name for itself in the past year or so. The company is known for producing pomades, beard and hair care products, and other men’s grooming goods focused on using minimal ingredients. This is part of the reason why I wanted to review their Clay Pomade – because it only has 4 ingredients.
Looking at the label, we can see that this product is an oil-based Clay Pomade made from beeswax, coconut oil, bentonite clay, and lavender essential oil. That’s it. Beyond the ingredients, Jack Henry also advertises the product as one that delivers an “all-day” natural hold and matte finish.
Today, we’re going to see what it can do for us as users. I’m excited to dig in and present my thoughts on it to all of you.
Jack Henry Clay Pomade Video Review
First Impressions
Packaging and Presentation: 4/5. Like the ingredients list, Jack Henry’s Clay Pomade makes use of a minimalist aesthetic for its label. It’s a black label with white text making up most of the design work. While most brands that go for a similar aesthetic end up looking like a ripoff of Morris Motley, this one manages to avoid those pitfalls.
It should also be noted that this jar is the 2oz travel size. You can also purchase it at 4oz if you decide that better fits your needs.
Scent: 3/5. It smells like a smooth and not too-floral lavender. Some of you will like it, some of you won’t. Nothing worth complaining about from me.
Application
Consistency: 3/5. It scoops with a waxy thickness but won’t break your finger. The Pomade also breaks down smoothly but you should expect to feel the grain of the clay as it spreads.
Application: 3/5. Applies with relative ease, though there will be some inevitable grip from the clay. With this product, however, it should be noted that your method of application will greatly determine the end result that you get with this product. More on that in the “control” category.
Performance
Control: 3/5. One thing this Pomade lacks is a sort of identity. A product’s identity is based around its predictability to the user. A gel-Pomade, for example, has an identity in the sense that it will harden up in the hair and wash out more easily than any other type of hair product. As for the Jack Henry Clay Pomade, and the vague descriptors surrounding it like “natural hold,” cause it to not immediately communicate it’s characteristics to the consumer.
From a user perspective, this Clay is completely different depending on the method used to apply it. For example, when I apply the product to dry hair, it has almost zero hold and adds shine. When I apply a few scoops into damp hair, my hair is tamed, smoothed out, and given the ability to add texture with more direction and a natural finish. Application method is everything with the Jack Henry Clay Pomade, but once you hit your stride with it, you will find that it’s overall a usable product.
Hold: 3/5. As someone who doesn’t let brands get away with using vague descriptors like “natural hold” – I would peg this as a light-medium Clay for most users.
Endurance: 2/5. This is a light-medium clay that never dries or locks in. Expect your hair to require semi-regular attention throughout the day.
Finish: 3/5. Very few oil-based clays have ever managed to achieve a matte finish that looks anything like their water-based counterparts. Compared to water-based clays, oil-based ones will either have more of a natural finish (no shine added or taken from the hair) or a lower shine. Jack Henry borders somewhere between a low shine and natural finish.
Texture: 3/5. As with a wax-Heavy Clay, this one favors a coarser texture that still manages to be smooth to the touch.
Dryness/Greasiness: 4/5. This product is not dry nor is it greasy. It feels rather nice and soft to the touch.
Restyling: 3/5. It is possible, but does it yield desirable results? No. The hold is too light. You won’t restore something that looks like how you had it initially, because you will loose too much volume over time, but you can at least push the hair out of your face.
Rinsing: 4/5. For an oil-based product, this one thankfully will wash rather easily. All you need is some shampoo and it should mostly come out in one wash. Any buildup left behind is negligible.
Final Verdict for Jack Henry Clay Pomade: 3.17/5
Overall, the Jack Henry Clay Pomade is a simple, straightforward, and decent product. Does it redefine clays for me? Absolutely not. Is that bad? No. I would recommend this clay for those of you who want an oil-based clay that can cater to a looser or more natural look. Those who are particularly conscious of the ingredients in personal care products may also want to give this one a look. As for me, I typically prefer one with more hold that is less confusing to figure out when learning the best way to apply it. My experience was neither impressive nor underwhelming with this clay. It’s just a decent, simple clay for what it is.
If you want to try out the Jack Henry Clay Pomade or any of their other goods, check them out here.
Jack Henry Clay Pomade Product comparisons
Fuertes Styling Clay: Both are beeswax-based Hair clays with a lavender scent. Fuertes is stronger and a bit more matte. Fuertes also has a smoother consistency and applies easily.
Mailroom Barber Matte Clay Pomade: Similar Hold and finish, but Mailroom is a touch stronger and a touch more matte.
Spruce & Sharp 