This stuff is terrific. A great alternative to Brylcreem for those seeking a truly authentic, old-school pomade. While Brylcreem is an oil (main ingredient is mineral oil, albeit in a "cream" format), Yardley brilliantine is primarily petroleum and paraffin. The result is that, in the jar, this pomade is a little sticky compared to Brylcreem. But the good news is that it's not sticky to the touch once it is worked into your hair and it's not hard to wash out.Technique is simple but important. Take a fairly small amount-- not too little, you do want to get the shine, the hold and the smell-- and rub it between your two palms, actually rubbing the pomade into your hands a little. Then rub your hands through your damp hair (take a few seconds to really massage it in well, especially if your hair is thick). Comb into place and you've got yourself a head of hair that is shiny and smelly (in a good way) and easily managed.Nice, high shine and pleasant, masculine smell-- this is probably what Cary Grant' or the young Prince Phillip's hair smelled like. Not smell-it-across-the-room strong but strong enough so that someone standing a couple of feet away will probably catch a good whiff of your hair. And strong enough that you can skip a day of shampooing without getting that stinky men's-hair smell.If you have a partner, she/he will love this stuff, will have a field day touching and smelling your pomaded hair. Do it for her/him.