The first step, and the most important step, in my opinion, to styling a pompadour, is to use a blow dryer. People, especially males, may be not accustomed to using a blow dryer. However, investing the time to learn to use it will make styling the pompadour a lot easier. Blow drying your hair will create the base shape and the elevation necessary for the style. If your hair is straight or fine, you will definitely need to blow dry. People with wavy or curly hair should also blow dry their hair to straighten everything out.
Either way, start with towel dried hair. If you want more control and hold while blow drying, you can use a light hair spray or gel to aid in the process. While using a round brush, start blow drying the sides and top of your hair straight back. Save the front of your hair for last. With the round brush, blow dry the front straight up to create elevation. Then, use the round brush to grab the front of your hair, and quarter turn the brush to fold the front back while you continue to blow dry.
The step just mentioned will require practice and patience. But once it is perfected, it makes styling the pompadour a lot easier, saves you time, and eliminates stress. When blow drying the front, try to think of bending and turning over the hair with the brush. Remember to always blow dry the hair from the roots to the ends of the hair, as this will provide more control and shorten the blow drying process.