Pomatum (Hair Pomade)
A traditional homemade hair pomade made from mutton suet, lard, and beeswax, scented with essential oils. This recipe produces a firm styling product similar to Victorian-era hair dressing.
Ingredients
- 1 pound White mutton suet (Well boiled in hot water and washed to remove salt)
- 1 quart Hot water for boiling suet (For initial boiling and washing of suet)
- 0.5 pound Fresh lard (8 ounces)
- 0.25 pound Beeswax (4 ounces; use less if mixture is too hard)
- 15 drops Oil of cloves or preferred essential oil (Clove oil recommended, but any preferred scent may be used)
Instructions
- 1Place the mutton suet in a pot with 1 quart of hot water. Bring to a boil and boil thoroughly to remove salt and impurities. Drain and wash the suet well with clean water. Pat dry completely with a clean cloth.
- 2Allow the washed suet to dry completely. This may take 30-60 minutes at room temperature, or pat thoroughly dry with clean towels.
- 3In a clean pot over low heat, melt together the dried mutton suet, fresh lard, and beeswax. Stir occasionally until completely melted and well combined.
- 4Pour the melted mixture into an earthenware vessel or heat-safe bowl. Stir continuously as it cools to prevent separation and ensure even texture.
- 5Once the mixture has cooled to a thick, creamy consistency but is not yet solid, beat in 15 drops of oil of cloves or your preferred essential oil. Mix thoroughly to distribute the scent evenly throughout the pomatum.
- 6Continue stirring occasionally until the pomatum is completely cold and has set to a firm consistency. Store in a covered container at room temperature. If the final product is too hard, remelt and add less beeswax.
