Pompadour Hairstyles for Black Women: Bold, Chic & Full of Attitude
Pompadour hairstyles are one of those looks that remain imprinted in your mind for a long time. I remember rocking a few pompadour hairstyles at friends' birthday events and looking outstanding in simple dresses. That's because these hairstyles are remarkably stylish.
You can wear them effortlessly as a black woman, styling just your natural hair or adding hair extensions to achieve a fuller look.
The fun part is you aren't stuck to a style. Although many people believe you're limited in how you can style your hair if you go for a pompadour look, that's not entirely true. Your creativity can run wild. Check out more details about the hairstyle and the different amazing ways to style it below.
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What is a Pompadour Hairstyle?
A pompadour is a high, slick back hairstyle named after Madame de Pompadour in the 18th century. It is characterized by its fullness and height around the middle part of the head, as the hairstylist raises your front hair from your face and brushes it backwards to give you a high look.
This hairstyle has evolved, with many ways to style it for men and women. Right now, there are different techniques you can use to achieve the look.
Aside from the popular undercut you can incorporate into the hairstyle, a hairstylist can give you a sleek look either upwards or backwards on the sides of your hair before working on the major highlight (the middle part).
You can also go for an up and down pompadour style, leaving the back to flow freely. It is a style that takes the pompadour and gives it a modern feel.
How to Create a Pompadour Hairstyle?
There isn't one way to create a pompadour hairstyle. This is because there are different versions you can achieve. As I mentioned, you aren't limited to just one style. However, here are some simple steps you'll most likely take when styling a pompadour hairstyle with full hair.
1. Gather your hair styling tools. That's a few pins, a comb, a brush, hair bands, a claw clip, a blow dryer, and a rattail comb.
2. Stretch out your hair using a blow dryer for a smoother texture. Make sure your hair is properly combed before you stretch.
3. Next, use your rattail comb to divide the front of your hair from the back. (You'll be working on the back part later on). So, for now, hold the back section with a claw clip.
4. Divide a small piece of the front part and secure it with the elastic band.
5. Now, back-comb the front section (except that small piece) to add volume and apply hair spray to hold.
6. Remove the elastic band and slightly brush it to blend with the back comb section and secure it. You can do a ponytail or secure it with bobby pins.
5. Now, move to the back section and brush it to the middle before holding it with some pins. Be sure both sides are brushed properly, then flip it over and roll it to create something like a French roll. Keep twisting until you reach the front, then style it any way you like.
Pompadour Hairstyles for Black Women
Your gorgeous strands can achieve different versions of the pompadour hairstyle depending on your hair length and vibe. Check out some pompadour hairstyles for black women you can try out below.
1. Pompadour with Braids
Would you love to incorporate braids into your pompadour hairstyle? That's absolutely possible.
Like in the image above, simply add a few braids to the sides of your hair to achieve the look. Although it's different, it is stylish.
I can't deny that it's one of the looks any woman can rock to a wedding event. And to elevate it for such occasions, a few clips to the hairstyle would match your dress.
2. Twisted Pompadour
The twisted pompadour hairstyle looks good on any face shape and size. I guess the twist offers the balance you need, making it suit you beautifully.
Taking a first glance, the style looks a bit difficult to achieve. However, that's not the case.
Your hairpins, brush, and some tucking will give you this beauty. It would be the perfect style for brides walking down the aisle, as it can flaunt your natural, full hair and edges. It also wouldn't be bad for your events.
3. The Pin Up Pompadour Hairstyle
You can go for a more retro pompadour hairstyle with the pin-up hairstyle.
This puts your front hair into a high roll while the back part lies flat behind. I would recommend using a few pins to hold the back section in place first before rolling it to the front.
However, you can also simply braid it, then style the front. The pin-up style gives you a vintage look that is still trendy today. Get a few pins, and the style is achievable.
4. Full Pompadour
This pompadour hairstyle takes time and effort to achieve. However, it's a gorgeous look you should style at least once.
The different sections created are the highlight of the show. Not only do they make it appear serious, but they also elevate the look.
I also have to mention that the fluffiness of the braid adds a cool and individualistic edge to the pompadour hairstyle. Imagine flaunting this at a casual event; that would be epic.
5. Rihanna’s Pompadour Hairstyle
Can Rihanna's blonde pompadour hairstyle ever be forgotten? I highly doubt it is happening any time soon.
The style totally made us visit our stylists for a new hairdo, and I am once again recommending it to you. It reminds us of how chic the singer and businesswoman can be with any hairstyle, and you can, too.
Try a new color, add the undercut style, and slay this gorgeous blonde pompadour hairstyle. This is the perfect time to take this inspiration and try it out.
6. Pompadour Hairstyle with Half Down
You should get your hands on this pompadour hairstyle with half down and rock it just like Beyoncé did. I'll advise you to attach hair extensions for this style because you need those long tresses.
Divide your hair into two sections, like you would when styling a pompadour, then attach your hair extensions and cover it with a small section of hair. Create a pompadour with the top section and leave the back as it is. Keep in mind that before you style, you need to stretch your natural hair.
7. A Wavy Pompadour Style
Girl, no hair texture is left out in this style. If you have wavy hair or want to style with your wavy hair extensions, then you can do that. It looks great in this texture as well.
Just take out time to choose the color, what style you want, and how much volume you want, then go ahead. The pompadour at the front will add volume, and the waves will give it another level of class.
8. Rolled, Side-swept Pompadour
Do you know you can achieve a pompadour style by rolling your hair at the front? It's not the case that it must be twisted and pinned.
You can roll your hair to the side of your face for a side-swept pompadour hairstyle. I see it as the perfect hairstyle for anyone who loves to rock a pompadour multiple times a week. Cut out the front section, leaving the sides. Clip the front part, then braid the back towards the front part, adding the sides. Roll the pompadour to the side and pin well.
9. A Classic Pompadour
Tichina Arnold took us back to the classic with her pompadour hairstyle. The singer and actress styled this back in the last decade, but it is still as chic as ever.
Her hairstyle looks simple, slicking back the sides of her hair, and achieving height and volume at the middle part in front. This elongated her face, and the earrings created the right amount of balance for the look.
10. Rope Pompadour
Issa Rae was also in the loop. She slayed a rope pompadour hairstyle at an event, giving us another way to wear the style.
As she did, you can separate the back section from the pompadour and put it in a bun. Choosing a slick down for the back part wouldn't be such a bad idea, too. That's genius. But what I love the most was the use of a different color of extensions from her natural hair. It made the style pop even more.
11. Tamera Mowry's Pompadour
It doesn't have to be slicked back completely. You can decide to allow your curls to take the shine in the middle, just as Tamera Mowry's pompadour hairstyle.
While the sides were brushed to the center, her hair at the front and back was in charge of the volume and height. The little curls at the top and ends of her hair also added to the details. It is the perfect hairstyle to try if you do not want the classic pompadour versions; toned down a bit, yet serving big time.
Final Thoughts
Pompadour hairstyles take effort to style and maintain. This is mostly because the hair is slicked back from the face, and a little external crush can give it another look (basically).
If you'd love to wear it for more than a day, make sure to wear a satin bonnet to bed and sleep on your back to avoid pressing on the volume. However, a one-time wear is the safest option since you may not have to worry about how it'll turn out the next day.
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