If you guys follow me on Instagram, you'd know that I had a short vacation in Penang, Malaysia, a few weeks back. While there, I made a post on Everything Pomade asking the Malaysian members where I could buy local pomades and which ones would they recommend. That's how I came to know about the Malaya Pomade Shop. While there, the friendly merchant helped recommend me a few of their oil based products and that's how I ended up purchasing The Splendour Pomade's Crystallatum.
Packaging
Crystallatum comes in a 3.5 oz amber glass jar with red labels on the jar and lid. Has a similar design style to Butter Grease, but the red really makes the jar pop. Design is clean and simple, and the glass jar really helps to class it up a notch.
Scent
It's hard to find official information about the product so I actually sent the brewer a Facebook message to ask. Crystallatum comes in two scents; dark tobacco and bubblegum, which is the one I have. It's not a straight up bubblegum scent like Reuzel Pink. Has a more fruity tone to it, and to be honest I'm not too sure how much I like it. It doesn't put me off though, so it's still not too bad.
Application
Scooping it out feels like a medium, and breaking down the pomade is where it gets pretty weird. It breaks down really sticky and gummy and you even start to notice fibers coming out from the product. Many have stated the breaking down process feels similar to Original by Blumaan. However the fibrous nature of the pomade doesn't affect how it goes into your hair so there's no need to worry. Goes in pretty easily with minor tugging or pulling.
Slickness
Combs through without much resistance. However it does get less greasy throughout the day as it firms up just a little bit, especially in colder temperatures. Restyling is still a breeze though.
Control
It feels light in the hair and it styles just like a good medium would. Gives me great shape and height while still being able to retain it throughout the day.
Strength
While it styles like a medium, it firms up ever so slightly in colder situations. It doesn't completely harden up like a gel-type, but it does help to reinforce it's strength. The pomade still has no problem holding up in hotter weather though.
Shine
Has a nice, medium shine.
Durability
As aforementioned, the product does lose a touch of slickness as it firms up in cooler temperatures. Even then, it still doesn't deter the strength the product has when faced with warmer climates. I find myself being able to restyle throughout the day just like I'm using any other oil based pomade.
Washability
1 rinse and you barely even need shampoo.
Price-point
I bought this for 45 RM which converts to $14.26 SGD ($10.10 USD). Not entirely sure how much international shipping from them would cost, but I still think it's a ridiculously affordable product.Verdict
I will be completely honest, I went into this keeping my expectations fairly low as I've never tried a pomade from Malaysia. Seeing how most of them release typical gel-type water based pomades, you can see where my skepticism lies. After using Crystallatum on multiple occasions, I will admit that I am thoroughly impressed. It is an unorthodox water-based (or hybrid, as they call it) unlike any other that I have seen. The application and styling process is almost identical to that of an oil based pomade, and yet it washes out barely even requiring a shampoo. I've personally never been so crazy over UWB pomades due to their creamy and matte nature, but this is a game changer for me. As much as I'm aware that Crystallatum isn't the only one of it's kind, I wish more UWB pomades performed like it.
I do however, have a few gripes with the product. First of all would be the slightly odd scent. As much as it doesn't bother me that much, I'd actually be pressed to use Crystallatum more often if it came in a scent that I can fully appreciate. Secondly, is the lack of information about the product. It may sound like a silly complaint, but I feel that there needs to be a good and easy location for people to not only purchase the product, but find out more about it. I believe more pomade users would be aware of such products if information was readily accessible.
Nonetheless, I still think The Splendour Pomade knocked it out of the park with Crystallatum. Malaysia may be an underdog in the pomade game, but this product proves that they're a force to be reckoned with. I will definitely be paying closer attention to Malaysian pomades from now on, and I urge you to do so as well.
Click here to visit The Splendour Pomade on their Facebook page
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