Finding a styling product that provides a firm hold without turning your hair into a stiff, crunchy helmet isn't easy. Slick Gorilla Clay Pomade targets this exact sweet spot, promising a natural matte finish, reworkable texture, and heavy-duty control. If you're tired of gels that flake or heavy waxes that require a chemical peel to wash out, this formulation takes a different approach by combining natural clays with a pliable base.
Slick Gorilla Clay Pomade delivers a reliable, medium-to-firm hold with a true natural matte finish, making it best suited for short-to-medium styles that require volume, separation, and texture. It stands out for its lightweight feel and ability to be restyled throughout the day, though it does have specific quirks regarding hair types and scent that you should know before buying.
What is Slick Gorilla Clay Pomade?
Originating from UK barbering culture, Slick Gorilla built its reputation on edgy, high-performance styling products designed to give an effortless barbershop finish at home. The clay pomade is formulated to bridge the gap between heavy styling waxes and light texture powders.
Unlike traditional petroleum-heavy pomades that leave a greasy slickness behind, this product relies on a blend of earth-derived minerals and conditioning agents. It's marketed as vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and versatile enough for various hair textures—from fine straight hair to thick, wavy strands.
Key Ingredients and Performance
To understand why a product performs the way it does, look at what is inside the tub. Slick Gorilla packs its formulation with specific active components that drive its texture and finish:
- Bentonite Clay: This natural clay provides the structural backbone of the product. It absorbs excess moisture and oil while offering deep conditioning properties that reduce frizz.
- Kaolin Clay: Working alongside bentonite, kaolin adds weightless volume and texture while ensuring the final look stays matte rather than shiny.
- Hydrogenated Castor Oil: This ingredient smooths and strengthens the hair shaft from within, locking in hydration so the hair doesn't dry out or brittle under the clay's grip.
- Petrolatum Base: Unlike all-natural organic clays, the foundation includes petrolatum, which provides the pliable, reworkable hold and prevents the clay from drying out too fast in your hair.
Because of this hybrid formula, you get the matte texture of a pure clay combined with the easy scoop and glide of a traditional pomade.
Hold, Finish, and Shine
When evaluating how it performs in daily wear, three factors matter most:
The Hold
The brand classifies this as a firm hold. In practice, it offers a medium-plus grip. If you have fine or medium-thick hair, it locks your style in place all day without drooping. However, if you have extremely thick, coarse, or unruly hair, you might find that it lacks the heavy-duty muscle of a heavy wax or an oil-based pomade by late afternoon.
The Finish
The finish is where this product excels. It provides a true natural matte look that looks like nothing is in your hair. There is zero crunchiness and no wet-look gloss unless you apply it heavily to damp hair. It leaves hair looking fuller, thicker, and naturally textured.
The Scent Profile
The pomade features a distinct fragrance profile blending warm spice, fresh coriander, smoky tobacco, patchouli, and woody cedarwood bases. It leans masculine and complex. While most users enjoy the scent, it is strong upon initial application, so if you prefer scent-free or subtle grooming products, keep this in mind.
How to Apply Slick Gorilla Clay Pomade
Getting the best results from a styling clay depends heavily on your application technique. Poor application leads to clumping or greasy patches. Follow these steps for an optimal finish:
- Start with clean, dry hair: For maximum texture and a true matte finish, ensure your hair is completely dry. If you want a slightly sleeker, lower-shine finish, apply it to towel-dried damp hair.
- Scoop a small amount: Take a dime-sized amount out of the tub. Remember that a little goes a long way. You can always add more, but overloading your hair upfront ruins the volume.
- Emulsify thoroughly: Rub the product between your palms and fingers until it disappears. This friction warms the waxes and clays, ensuring an even distribution.
- Work from roots to tips: Push your hands through your hair, starting at the back and working forward. Ensure the product reaches the roots to build structural support.
- Style and texture: Use your fingers, a comb, or a brush to shape your hair into a quiff, crop, slick-back, or textured fringe.
Washability and Daily Maintenance
One of the biggest pain points with strong styling products is the removal process. Many heavy clays require multiple shampoo rounds and leave a waxy buildup that damages hair health over time.
Slick Gorilla designed this formula to rinse out surprisingly cleanly. Thanks to its emulsifying agents, a standard shower with regular shampoo clears the product completely in a single wash. Your hair feels clean and soft afterward, without that stripped, straw-like texture common with inferior styling clays. For more grooming insights, you can check styling guides on GQ.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even a great styling product underperforms if used incorrectly. Watch out for these common missteps:
- Applying to soaking wet hair: Water dilutes the clay particles, destroying the matte texture and eliminating the firm hold. Always towel-dry thoroughly or use dry hair.
- Scooping too much at once: Piling a massive glob of clay onto one spot creates heavy grease patches and weighs down your volume. Build your style in thin layers.
- Skipping the palm-rub step: If you don't emulsify the product until it's clear in your hands, chunks of white clay will stick to individual strands of hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I restyle my hair later in the day?
Yes. The formula remains pliable and reworkable, meaning you can run your hands through your hair after wearing a hat or heading outside, and reshape it easily.
Is this product suitable for thin or fine hair?
It works well for fine hair because the kaolin and bentonite clays absorb excess oils and add immediate weightless volume, making fine hair look thicker. Just use a very sparing amount so you don't weigh it down.
Does it cause breakouts or acne?
Because the formula contains petrolatum, individuals with extremely acne-prone skin on their forehead or hairline should wash their face thoroughly after washing their hair, as pore-clogging ingredients can occasionally trigger breakouts.
How long does a single tub last?
A standard 70g tub typically lasts between two to three months with daily use, given that you only need a small fingernail-sized amount per application.
