Editors Note: The complete article is featured on the double cover in The Avenue Men’s Magazine Winter 2014. 

In the 4^th century Sun Tzu wrote The Art Of War that detailed theories and strategies in warfare. The title of the book indicates that warfare is to be intellectual and calculating. Ironically the book is used in universities and CEO/leadership trainings to understand conflict and strife with the goal of overcoming adversaries.

The men’s grooming industry is in a major boom, $4.7 billion in 2009 U.S., and products are hitting the market at an alarming rate but water-based pomades in particular are making a deep impact. Many pomade companies have cordial relationships but I have observed their conflict and strife with scenarios that seem to be ripped right out of The Art Of War. Case in point, the cover shot for this article received some “concerned” feedback because certain pomades were stacked on top of others, as if, there was a hierarchy or supremacy. In truth, the pomade stack is indicative of the products existence, i.e. Layrite was first and that is why they are on the bottom, not because they are inferior. I have heard stories of conflict due to using the same manufacturers and company espionage that will not be indulged.

Before I delve into the subject of pomade a historical examination is necessary. Hair products can be traced back to 3,500 years ago when Egyptians were using a fat based product to style their hair. The word pomade dates back to the 1500’s with roots in French- pommade, Latin- pomatum.  Both languages have the same etymological root of pom- fruit, apple, which was the basic or main ingredient but in modern terms, the word pomade denotes hair ointment. Pomades origin may be in fat based products and fruit but has evolved into a water-based booming industry……….

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