Translation guide
A styling product for hair, typically giving a shiny, slick, or controlled look. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is ポマード, but other hair products and descriptive phrases are also used depending on the finish and context.
Referring to the specific oily or waxy hair styling product called pomade.
The direct loanword for pomade. Widely understood, especially for traditional oil-based pomades.
彼はポマードで髪を整えた。
He styled his hair with pomade.
A general term for hair styling products, including pomade, gel, wax, etc. Use when the specific type is not important.
整髪料をつけすぎると髪がべたつく。
If you use too much styling product, your hair gets greasy.
Referring to newer, water-soluble pomades that wash out easily.
Specifically means water-based pomade. Common in product descriptions.
水性ポマードは洗い流しやすい。
Water-based pomade is easy to wash out.
When the speaker might be confusing pomade with hair wax, or when a matte finish is desired.
Hair wax. Often used interchangeably by non-experts, though wax typically gives a matte finish and pomade gives shine.
ポマードの代わりにヘアワックスを使った。
I used hair wax instead of pomade.
When the speaker might be confusing pomade with hair gel, or when a stiff hold is desired.
Hair gel. Gives a stiff, often wet look. Not the same as pomade, but sometimes used as a generic term for hair styling products.
彼はヘアジェルで髪を固めた。
He hardened his hair with gel.
Describing the action of putting pomade in hair.
The standard way to say 'apply pomade'. つける is the general verb for applying creams, oils, etc.
毎朝ポマードをつけている。
I apply pomade every morning.
整髪料 is a broad category including gel, wax, mousse, etc. If you specifically mean oil-based pomade, use ポマード to avoid ambiguity.