Value Ratings

• For the average hair type (rating 7.3/10), I think this is quite a good product, offering versatile styling options to suit styles from short to long hair. 
• If you’re on a budget (good value rating 6.1/10) and just need a product to cover the essentials then fifth sample might be a bit not be what you’re looking for. It’s got lots of benefits which justify the price, but it sacrifices a bit of performance to get them. There’s probably cheaper products out there that achieve a similar finished style.
• If price isn’t an obstacle and you’re opinion of value is just the products quality (you’re expected value is 8.3/10), then this is something that is worth a try. Its hair nurturing ingredients will help your hair look good and stay healthy.

OVERVIEW 

Blumaan’s Fifth Sample is a Styling Mask Pomade. Its lightweight and low shine formula is designed to give make it a versatile styling option that nourishes the hair to keep it healthy. Personally, I don’t feel like it improves the health of my hair (because you can’t really repair damaged hair) but unlike some other products, it keeps my hair feeling strong and healthy. 

Its medium hold will last through the day in less active environments, and gives good definition that works well solo or with other pre and post stylers. It gets a bit greasy loses hold after reworking, but if you use enough it can minimize the need for reworking.

PRICE AND AFFORDABILITY 7.4/10

$$ Premium Range Price 

At $23.50 USD (£20) for 102g, it is more on the expensive side, however, but I think it’s reasonable for the quality you get, and if you’re lucky you might find some coupons floating about.. It comes in a fairly big container with nice. And depending on the sort of style you’re going for, you don’t always have to use a big scoop, so it can last a while, especially if you’re only using it in clean hair.

WHAT IS IT

Blumaan’s Fifth Sample is a low shine medium hold pomade with nourishing ingredients to make it double as a hair mask. Its lightweight low shine finish gives it lots of definition.

WHO IS IT FOR 

Fifth sample is a versatile product that could be usable for most hair types. Due to its pomade nature you will probably see the greatest benefit in medium to longer hair styles. It’s a product that I don’t use everyday, but it’s nice to have when I want to give me hair a bit of TLC.

HOW AND WHEN TO USE IT

To use as a styling mask:

For best results, start with clean hair. It’s quite smooth, but a bit sticky, so begin with a liberal amount of product; emulsify and warm the product into palms of hands. Push hands through your hair from the roots to the tips, and start at the back of your head working towards the front. Be mindful and use more if necessary, make sure that you use less each time you apply more product to your hair. Once evenly spread, use a comb to slick back and brush away tangles.

As a regular styler:

To apply, rub it across both palms, distributing the product evenly throughout your prestyled hair. Start with the back of your head and work your way to the front. If desired, you can try using it as a prestyler or use another product before blow drying to achieve more shape and volume.

WHERE TO BUY IT

It is available from the in the US, UK, and EU for reasonable shipping. 

US: Amazon https://amzn.to/2ChYqDm

US: Blumaan https://blumaan.com/products/fifth-sample-styling-mask-pomade-low-shine-edition

UK: Amazon https://amzn.to/2JQg3OQ

EU: Slikhaar Shop https://www.slikhaarshop.eu/blumaan-fifth-sample-styling-mask-pomade/

Australia: The Pomade Shop https://thepomadeshop.com.au/collections/all/products/blumaan-fifth-sample-styling-mask-pomade

HOLD 6.8/10

Blumaan’s Fifth Sample has a lightweight medium hold with a wax-like structure. Volumized styles will likely start to drop before the end of the day, but it does usually handle slicked back styles a lot better. It remains reworkable, but loses hold after doing so. If left untouched it is capable of making you style last through the day.

APPLICATION 8/10

The touch and feel of the product is smooth a sticky like a wax. It is quite thick, but easy to scoop. It can be a bit hard to emulsify in the hands,  but when applying it goes into the hair quite gently with just a bit of stickiness. It just isn’t easily spreadable, so you may need to apply in small amounts to evenly apply it across all your hair. 

After applying in dry hair after blow drying:

After applying in dry hair after prestyling with Original by Blumaan:

SCENT 8.8/10

The pomade has a nice Peppermint and Eucalyptus smell. I find the strength and aroma are well balanced to suit multiple users. It is kind of a medical scent, but it isn’t overly strong so you can look past it if you want to, but it’s present if you’d like to subtly enjoy it.

DURABILITY 5.5/10

For a casual day with a relaxed or slicked style this does the job throughout the day. When used for work or active days the hold doesn’t last. I like using this to boost hold and definition by mixing it with a clay post styler and make sure I use a pre styler before hand. Like most products, it loses hold and texture the more you rework. It doesn’t stand up to sweat or water very well, as its dissolving presence lets your hair reset.

I don’t think this product is completely lifeproof, but as a styling mask, I don’t think it is supposed to be. It compliments other more lifeproof product well as an occasional substitute or costyler. Alternatively, if you use enough to slick back you hair and and use a bit of hair spray it probably can make do for most people, but then you end up with more than a low shine and a non reworkable finish. 

INGREDIENTS 8/10

Blumaan’s Fifth Sample has a fine list of ingredients, most of which will help to promote healthy hair. 

water (aqua), beeswax, euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, hydrogenated castor oil, cetearyl alcohol, vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, vp/methacrylamide/vinyl imidazole copolymer, polysorbate-60, propylene glycol dibenzoate, pvp, polysorbate-80, ceteareth-20, glycerin, ceteareth-25, propanediol, mentha piperita (peppermint) oil, phenoxyethanol, ‘, disodium edta, ethylhexylglycerin, biotin (vitamin b7), panthenol (pro-vitamin b5), hydrolyzed keratin, silk amino acids, blue 1 (ci#42090)

WASHABILITY 8.4/10

It has some resistance to water, so you’re hair might be left a bit oily after washing out, unless you use a shampoo. 

FINISHED LOOK 7/10

When applied to dry have hair, fifth sample does a could job of holding the shape of pre styled hair, but struggles a bit more to reshape the hair. The hold is lightweight giving off a medium hold with a low shine. However, as is a pomade you can apply more to have a more defined slicked look with a strong hold and slightly higher shine. 

For casual days it leaves my hair feeling and looking nice by the end, even though the hold and style has faded. It is capable of getting you through busier days when accompanied by a good prestyler. 

After a day at work:

WOULD I BUY IT AGAIN 

No. I think this a great product, and I enjoy using it in a cocktail with a matte clay, but the low shine finish doesn’t suit my fine blonde hair type.