Imperial Barber Products has spent decades refining a lineup built on one principle: make products that do exactly what barbers and their clients actually need. The team behind the brand brings a combined 30 years of professional barbershop experience to every formula, and Blacktop Pomade is one of their most specific and considered solutions - a product that addresses something most grooming brands quietly ignore.
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Hold: Medium-Strong (7/10)
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Finish: Low Shine (3/10)
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Base: Water-based (water-soluble)
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Scent: Clean and subtle, a light fresh fragrance
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Best For: Salt and pepper, grey, and lighter coloured hair; curly and wavy hair; anyone who wants to cover grey partially while maintaining a strong, polished style
Blacktop Pomade is Imperial's most distinctive styling product, and deliberately so. It does everything Classic Pomade does in terms of hold, finish, and washout behaviour, but with the addition of a black tint from Black Iron Oxide and Red #40 that deepens hair colour, makes styles look more dramatic, and covers up to 60% of grey hair per application. It's designed specifically for salt and pepper or lighter coloured hair where the tinting effect is most visible and most effective. For naturally dark or black hair, the tint won't be visible and Classic Pomade is the better choice. Like Classic, hold strength is adjustable based on hair dampness, dry hair delivers maximum hold with the most intense tint, while damp hair gives a softer hold and a slightly more subtle colour effect. The tint washes out completely in the shower, so there's no commitment beyond the day, no staining, and no buildup. One practical note worth flagging: because Blacktop is water-based, take care around light coloured clothing and in wet or sweaty conditions, as the tint can transfer if the product gets wet before it's fully set.
Who's It For
Blacktop is for anyone with salt and pepper, grey, or lighter coloured hair who wants to deepen and darken their look without committing to a dye. It works particularly well on curly and wavy hair, where the tint adds drama and definition to natural texture. If you've been using Classic Pomade and want to try something with more visual impact, Blacktop delivers the same fundamental hold and washout experience with the added dimension of colour. It's not recommended for dark brown or black hair, where the tinting effect simply won't show.
Key Benefits
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Medium-strong hold (7/10) that delivers consistent, all-day structure across most hair types, with hold strength adjustable based on how damp the hair is during application.
- PVP provides the structural hold backbone, creating a flexible polymer network that keeps styles in place throughout the day without stiffening or flaking.
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Black Iron Oxide provides the black tint that deepens hair colour, enhances darker tones, and covers up to 60% of gray hair per application for a more dramatic, intentional look.
- PEG-7 Hydrogenated Castor Oil provides conditioning slip during application, ensuring smooth, even distribution without dragging or clumping through the hair.
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Low shine (3/10) finish is polished without crossing into greasy territory, keeping the overall look clean and refined.
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Tint is fully temporary and washes out completely in the shower with no residue, no staining of the scalp, and no lasting colour commitment.
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Water-reactivatable for mid-day restyling, a few drops of water softens the hold and allows reshaping without reapplying.
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Works particularly well on curly and wavy hair, where the added tint enhances natural texture and adds visual depth and definition.
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Water-based and fully water-soluble, rinses out cleanly with no degreasing shampoo required.
- Contains Methylparaben as an antimicrobial preservative, the same naturally occurring compound found in blueberries used in Classic Pomade to maintain product integrity over time.
- Not tested on animals, all Imperial products are tested on the team themselves and on barbershop clients to ensure real-world performance.
How To Use
Scoop out one to two knuckles' worth and emulsify between your palms until evenly covered. For a stronger hold and more intense tint, apply to dry hair starting at the roots and work through to the ends, then style with a comb. For a softer hold and a more subtle colour effect, apply to towel-dried damp hair instead. Style as usual and allow to set before getting the hair wet. Take care around light coloured clothing and in wet or sweaty conditions before the product has fully set, as the water-based tint can transfer if exposed to moisture. The tint washes out completely in the shower at the end of the day, no special shampoo required.
Why MASC Recommends This
Blacktop is the product that makes gray hair a style choice rather than something to manage. The tinting effect is genuinely effective at covering salt and pepper tones, and because it washes out completely every time, there's zero commitment involved. It holds as well as Classic Pomade, looks as clean, and adds a layer of visual impact that no other product in the Imperial range delivers. If your hair has been going gray and you've been curious about darkening it without the permanence of a dye, this is the most low-stakes, high-reward way to try it. Highly recommended for curly and wavy hair in particular, where the tint adds real depth and drama to natural texture.
