Lockhart's Matte Clay

Before I start do note that this is a clay pomade; it should combine characteristics of a matte finish along with texture/separation that may not be ideal for very neat pompadour/combover styles.Background: I have straight, flat, medium thick Asian hair in a southern California climate. I use this product to style a high and tight undercut with my hair side-swept towards the back.Hold (5/5): As a clay you should expect your hair to hold as you styled it, but more importantly it should be malleable and easily reworkable with just the hands. This product achieves that well. Throughout the day you may see a dip in volume or shape, but as stated before the advantage of this product is it's ability to rework into that messy, yet refined-enough for shape look.Volume (4/5): You'll get a lot of it from this stuff. I don't actually blow dry my hair like recommended. I just towel dry after lightly damping my hair; the volume i get is more than enough.Application (5/5): It scoops out like a tough clay but actually emulsifies quite easily. It runs through my hair without tugging unlike other clay pomades (I'm comparing to Baxter which is good, and Layrite Cement which is horrible).Shine(5/5): I would describe it as a subtle matte finish that gives your hair a healthy look. It's matte so it's more ideal for showing texture and separation.Wash Out (5/5): I've never used a clay pomade that washes out this easily (again comparing to Baxter and Layrite Cement which are relatively tougher to rinse).Value(5/5): This is Lockhart's Clay's biggest strength. You will get performance and utility that rivals Baxters Clay Pomade, but at a significantly better price point. 2oz of Baxter is $20 This stuff gives you 3.7oz for $18. I won't compare to layrite cement because no matter the price it's just garbage.Summary: There's no downside to this clay pomade. It combines the best attributes of clays (texture and malleability) and pomades (easy application and washing) into a product that rivals the excellent Baxters Clay pomade at a cost that easily superior. I will say that both Baxters and Lockharts are my two go to products. Lockhart's as my daily go to work product, Baxter as my weekender. I also like how they refrained from over scenting it. It has very pleasant and 'natural' notes of lavender and other nice s***. Get this stuff!

So I have been using this product for a while now and I have used it in numerous different cuts and styles as well. This is great for voluminous and textured styles, if used correctly.I have thin (but a lot) very straight hairThe hold it provides I would describe as "sticky". Like It will hold all day if you have a good cut and did a good job styling without the need for hairspray. It will allow you to run your fingers through, but it will be sticky and rough. This I found good because it allows you to shape your hair throughout the day. That's why it is considered "medium". I almost feel like the more you run your fingers through the more it "warms it up" so you can almost like redo your style without anything but your hands. I don't really need to restyle it, but sometimes I will run my fingers though just to give it a little texture. After it is first applied it will take 20 minutes or so to settle and not look all sticky. I like the smell, and it doesn't overpower/ linger throughout the day.How I apply it: When I first began to apply it, my hair was super clumpy and it did NOT work out. I didn't feel like I was applying a lot either. The key here is to use super small amounts and really work those in and adding more small amounts. You should have more product in the back than in the front. The moment it begins to LOOK sticky and clumpy, that is when you're done (or when you decide that you have a sufficient hold). I generally have to use about 3 pea sized amounts through my hair in order to get a good hold/ texture. After that you can wash your hands off and with clean hands go in and it should be easier to clean up any messes you have going on, and it almost feels like it picks up excess.This product washes out fairly easily with water.

First, the scent is great. It's a very mild Earl Grey/light musk smell, it's very light, unisex, and will not take over. Second, I will talk about the feel, since the product is very dependent on the user's hair.The hold is a true medium for me, and for my hair it tends to actually break down into a very nice looking loose look throughout the day. This is a very waxy product, given beeswax as the first ingredient, and will become a bit heavy in the hair if a lot is applied. Having said this, the product works pretty well in short hair to keep hairs together (better than other clay pomades I have tried on short hair). However, having said this, longer hair will require more/less product depending on the style. Depending on how your hair handles heavier pomades, this may weigh it down, look a bit shiny (it is oil based, and some of those qualities will "shine" through), or look too clumpy if too much is applied.However, even though this is oil based, this does come out pretty easily with water, and therefore you must style your hair dry. If you DO NOT style dry, this product will not leave you with good results.

I hate to say it but this stuff is HORRIBLE and virtually unusable. Maybe i got a bad one?? This stuff is so hard to apply and even get out of the jar. It has the consistency and stickiness close to that of salt water taffy. I tried it wet, i tried it dry, i tried rubbing my hands together quickly for a minute to get it warm and see if it spreads better.. It didn't. This is the only product I've ever used that rips the hair out my head. I have thick hair about 1.5-2" in length. As my hands go through my hair with this product i can feel it sticking to and ripping hair out. I really don't understand it and an VERY disappointed. Lot# July 2322.21 not sure what that means but like i said.. Maybe a bad one?