The Pento was the quintessential cream used in the 1950s-60s to give hair a wet look.
Even today, although there are other less greasy products that have flooded our shelves, Pento still remains a reference for this type of hairstyle.
Origin of Pento
It was in 1947 that Pento made its appearance in the world of hair care. This French cream for hair has remained identical to the original product to this day.
Pento acts like a gel, giving hair a wet texture, with the only difference being that here, they are neither stiff nor sticky.
Originally, Pento was inspired by brylcreem, a hair product that had a fixing effect.
It was mainly used by Royal Air Force aviators and served to keep their hair in place, even when wearing a helmet every day.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the “sleek wet” style was very fashionable. Pento thus became the flagship product of the time for hair care.
Its particularity was to allow hair to maintain its flexibility, something that gel and hairspray did not allow.
It’s no wonder that in the 1950s, more than 5 million samples of Pento were sold in France.
But 20 years later, new trendy hairstyles emerged, causing Pento users to become tired of its greasy texture. The product ended up being used less and less.
However, despite its “old-school” aspect, Pento remains to this day the reference hair product for achieving a retro chic wet look.
Why Choose Pento for Your Hair?
First, know that Pento is not only for women but also for men. It is a cream that is suitable for both men’s and women’s hair.
So, anyone who wants to give a wet effect to their hair without having to fully fix it can use Pento cream.
Furthermore, Pento can give a very classy rock ‘n’ roll effect to your hair, provided you know how to dose it to avoid the accompanying greasy effect.
Also, a few minutes are enough to give your hair a retro chic style. Finally, Pento allows you to maintain this effect for a long time. It holds up well all day long.
What are the limitations of Pento hair cream?
It is true that Pento hair cream is a reference in terms of hairstyling in the “sleek wet” style.
However, it has some disadvantages that are important to be aware of before deciding to use it for your hair.
The first disadvantage of Pento concerns its very greasy texture. Indeed, it adheres too much to the hair, making the product difficult to wash out.
This is one of the main reasons why many users end up getting tired of this product.
The other disadvantage to note is the smell. Indeed, Pento cream has a rather peculiar smell that several people do not appreciate.
The smell of a product matters a lot for hair! That is why the number of Pento users has decreased over time, although it guarantees impeccable results in terms of the “sleek wet” look.
At the time of its launch, it was the only solution, replacing gel, to allow hair to breathe.
But know that today, there are many products with a less greasy texture that offer the same sleek wet effect, whether it’s styling wax or even gel.
Thus, Pento is no longer the only alternative for wet and flexible hair that does not harden.
How to Use Pento on Your Hair?
Now that you know what Pento is, its action as well as its advantages and limitations, it is also important to know how to use it.
Incorrect product dosage, improper hair preparation, or poorly done application can prevent you from achieving the desired result, even damage your hair.
So to use your Pento hair cream, you will need to:
- First, moisten your hair: no need to drown all your hair in water. A light misting will do.
- Take a hazelnut-sized amount of Pento in the palm of your hand: whether your hair is long or short, a single hazelnut will suffice. Do not use more, as it is a very greasy product.
- Apply the cream evenly to your hair.
- Style your hair to give it a rock ‘n’ roll style. You can do this by parting your hair on the side and applying the cream on the opposite side. This will somewhat reduce the greasy effect.
If you already have naturally greasy hair, applying Pento could exacerbate this. However, there are treatments you can do yourself to treat your greasy hair.
Click here to learn how to get rid of greasy hair.
Where Can You Find Pento?
It is very widespread and can be easily found in several supermarkets. For example, it is available at Monoprix where the tube is sold for €2.65.
Intermarché also sells Pento and sells the tube for less than €2.
Amazon, of course, needs no introduction! It is the number 1 online selling platform. You can also find your Pento cream there at an even lower price.
What is the composition of Pento?
Apart from its greasy effect, which is not appreciated by everyone, Pento is nevertheless composed of elements that contribute to the nutrition of the hair.
Indeed, this cream is very rich in calcium (Calcium Hydroxide, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Sulfate) and magnesium (Magnesium Hydroxide), which are minerals that are very beneficial for hair health.
Calcium, the number 1 mineral for bones and teeth, also plays an important role in our hair. The absence of calcium can make your hair dull, which could cause it to fall out.
Calcium thus contributes to maintaining the shine and brilliance of your hair. As for magnesium, it also helps to fight against various hair problems:
- stops hair loss;
- soothes the scalp;
- activates vitamin B, which in turn stimulates keratin;
- promotes hair growth;
- slows down gray hair.
Here are the other components of Pento hair cream: Tocopherol, Perfume, Benzyl Alcohol, Geraniol, Limonene, Aqua, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cera Alba, Citral, Linalool.
In conclusion, remember that Pento is a hair cream whose use is specifically reserved for giving hair a wet and flexible texture.
However, it should be applied minimally to avoid the too greasy effect it can give.