How to Do a Pompadour Haircut

You’ll need at least three inches of hair on top to achieve this look. Start with freshly washed hair or use a spray bottle to dampen your hair and then comb it down to remove tangles. 

Start with section 1 of the head, using a #2 guard on your Wahl clipper. (Here’s a guide to sections of the head.) Begin at the bottom and work up, using an upward rocking motion at the top of this section.

Move onto section 2 of the head using a #3 guard on your Wahl clipper. Use an upward rocking motion as you reach the top of section 2.

Switch to a #4 guard on your Wahl clipper and cut section 3 of the head using an upward rocking motion as you reach the top of the section.

Move onto section 4. This section should have the longest hair. Remove the guard from your Wahl clipper and use the clipper over finger technique to trim. Start with the bangs, which should be slightly longer than the rest of the hair on top. Once cut, they should easily fold back and over.

Once you’ve cut the bangs, continue to use the clipper-over-finger technique as you work your way back through section 4. Make sure to gradually cut shorter in length as you go. The difference between the length of the bangs and the hair at the crown of the head should be about two inches.

Next, clean up around the ears and neckline using your Wahl trimmer. You want to ensure all the focus is on your Pompadour.

To pomp it up, finish the look by applying some pomade or hair gel to the top of your hair, then blow dry it back to keep it in place. You can add a little extra volume by using one hand at the back of the pompadour at the crown to push your hair forward while using your other hand to comb the hair straight up.

Now that you have more height, lightly comb the hair at the top back so it looks neat and do the same with the sides. Finish with a little more product (or even a light mist of hairspray) to set the look in place.