Men's Grooming
Made in Germany
Charlemagne Premium Review: German-Crafted Men's Hair Styling
Professional-grade hair pomades, clays, and grooming products developed by trained barbers in Aachen, Germany. Over 1 million units sold worldwide.
4.5/5 (17,748 reviews)
Updated: February 14, 2026
2016
Founded in Aachen
1M+
Units Sold
Vegan
Cruelty-Free
$10-20
Price Range
Top Charlemagne Picks for Gifting
Best Seller
Original Hair Pomade
Classic shine with firm hold. Water-based for easy washout. Their signature product.
$20
Modern Style
Matte Hair Pomade
Medium-strong hold without shine. Noble Leather scent. No greasy finish.
$20
Strong Hold
Concrete Hair Clay
Strongest hold with matte finish. Ideal for textured and messy styles that stay all day.
$20
Best Value
Beard Oil — Tobacco & Vanilla
Premium beard oil with jojoba and argan oils from Morocco. Rich, luxurious scent.
$10 $20
What Is Charlemagne Premium?
Charlemagne Premium is a German men's grooming brand founded in 2016 in Aachen — the imperial city of Charlemagne. The founders are trained barbers who spent two years developing formulas in a basement workshop after their barbershop closed for the day. The result is a line of hair pomades, clays, beard oils, and skincare products that bring barber-level quality to home grooming.
The brand uses premium ingredients sourced globally — jojoba oils from Morocco, argan oil from Italy, natural beeswax, coconut oil, and almond oil. All products are made in Germany, free from parabens, phthalates, and harsh preservatives, and carry a vegan, cruelty-free certification.
The Product Range
Hair Styling
Charlemagne's core strength is hair styling. The Original Pomade ($20) delivers classic shine with firm all-day hold. The Matte Pomade ($20) offers the same control without shine — a more modern, natural look with their signature Noble Leather scent. The Concrete Hair Clay ($20) is the strongest option, built for textured and messy styles. And the Sea Salt Hair Spray ($20) creates effortless beach-wave texture.
Beard Care
The beard line includes oils in Tobacco & Vanilla, Leather, and Lime & Mint scents (currently 50% off at $10), plus a Beard Balm in Leather scent ($11). Ingredients mirror the hair line: jojoba oil, argan oil, coconut oil, grape seed oil — all natural, no synthetic fillers. For dedicated beard care, also see our Striking Viking review — they focus exclusively on beard grooming.
Charlemagne vs Beardbrand vs Viking Revolution
| Feature | Charlemagne | Beardbrand | Viking Revolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Hair styling + beard care | Beard care + fragrance | Budget beard care |
| Origin | Made in Germany | Made in USA | Made in USA |
| Price Range | $10-20 | $30-40 | $10-15 |
| Ingredients | Jojoba, argan, beeswax | Premium natural blends | Natural oils |
| Reviews | 4.5/5 (17,748) | 4.5/5 (~5,000) | 4.4/5 (~15,000) |
| Vegan | Yes | Most products | Yes |
| Best For | Hair styling + beard combo | Premium beard enthusiasts | Budget-friendly grooming |
Charlemagne fills a unique niche: it is the only brand here that excels at both hair styling and beard care. Beardbrand is more expensive and beard-focused; Viking Revolution is cheaper but has a narrower product line. If you are gifting to someone who styles their hair and maintains a beard, Charlemagne covers both.
Pros and Cons
What We Like
- + Developed by actual professional barbers
- + Made in Germany with premium natural ingredients
- + No parabens, phthalates, or harsh preservatives
- + Excellent value — $10-20 per product
- + 17,748 reviews averaging 4.5/5 — massive social proof
- + Both hair and beard care in one brand
What Could Be Better
- - Some products frequently out of stock (recovery cream sold out)
- - All sales technically final (though returns accepted within 30 days)
- - Less widely known in North America vs European brands
- - Scent descriptions are limited on the website
Gift Appeal
Charlemagne products are perfect stocking stuffers and gift sets for men who care about grooming. At $10-20 per product, you can combine a pomade with a beard oil for under $30 — a complete grooming upgrade. The German heritage and barber backstory add a layer of thoughtfulness that generic drugstore products lack.
Best for: Valentine's Day (grooming is a classic men's gift), Father's Day, birthdays for style-conscious men, groomsmen gifts, or as a "level up your grooming" present for someone who is still using whatever was on sale at the store.
The Bottom Line
Charlemagne Premium delivers genuinely good grooming products at accessible prices. The barber heritage is not just marketing — the formulas work, the ingredients are clean, and the 17,748 reviews confirm consistent quality. If you are choosing between Charlemagne and a $40 "premium" competitor, Charlemagne delivers comparable quality at half the price.
For gifting, the combination of quality, price, and story makes Charlemagne a reliable choice. A $20 German pomade with a real barber backstory is a better gift than a $20 drugstore product — same budget, much better impression.
Affiliate Disclosure: Giftegy earns a commission when you purchase through our links at no extra cost to you. This supports our research and helps keep our gift recommendations independent. All opinions are our own — we only recommend products we genuinely believe make great gifts. Full terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Charlemagne pomade types?
Original Pomade gives classic shine with firm hold. Matte Pomade offers medium-strong hold without shine. Concrete Clay provides the strongest hold with a matte, textured finish.
Are Charlemagne products vegan and cruelty-free?
Yes, all Charlemagne products are vegan and cruelty-free. They use natural ingredients like jojoba oil, argan oil, and coconut oil with no parabens or harsh preservatives.
Where is Charlemagne made?
Charlemagne products are made in Germany. The brand was founded in 2016 in Aachen by trained barbers who developed the formulas in their workshop.
How does Charlemagne compare to more expensive brands?
At $10-20 per product, Charlemagne delivers comparable quality to brands like Beardbrand ($30-40) at roughly half the price. The 17,748 reviews averaging 4.5/5 confirm consistent quality.