Remember when we mentioned in a previous article that we ask our customers whether they use styling products and how often they use them? Now we're adding on to those questions and are also asking what type of styling products you use.

And there's no reason to get defensive or try to hide your hair routine secrets. We're not asking so we can make you buy our products or are advertising for products that you don't want to use. It's because we need to know what products you use in your hair routine to get a better understanding of your current lifestyle and your daily look to give you the best haircut possible.

If you're still questioning the “why” of it all, it will all make sense, I swear.

If you think about your daily hair routine, whether you use pomade, clay, paste, etc., the results can greatly vary depending on what kind of look you're going for and what products you're using. And the same reasons apply when you're getting your haircut.

To create the best haircut for you that can cater to your current lifestyle, your barbers need to know what products you use since your product usage can affect how they cut your hair and how they recommend you style your new hairdo.

So how exactly do barbers categorize the difference between the distinct styles? How would they know what type of product would work best for you and the look you're going for?

Easy. We at Eddie's Edition have split the difference into two separate categories: shine and matte.

We separated the two styles into different categories because oftentimes products that give your hair that shiny finish tend to look a bit more formal. So this is great for the office, interviews, school pictures, or any event where you want to pull off a more formal look.

On the other hand, products that give a matte finish usually look a little more casual and laid back, giving a different air about you. So this style is great for those date nights with your significant other and casual Fridays at the office.

However, I do want to stress that this is not always the case. You can style your hair solely based on your preference. So if you want to wear products that give you that shiny finish casually, or wear products that give a matte finish formally, it is your choice to do so.

So to continue, because the products you use are so important and can make such a difference in your hairstyle, we need to know which products you use so that we may cut and style your hair accordingly.

Okay, I guess you might now be wondering, “which style will be better for me?” or “which products should I be using?” and unfortunately, I won't have an automatic response that will sufficiently answer that question.

Because different products can provide wildly different outcomes, it's hard to pinpoint what product to recommend outright that will give you that perfect look that you're trying to go for. And because there's no be-all-end-all product for styling, it simply comes down to what your preference is.

Do you prefer styling your hair with products that give off a shiny finish? Do you want to continue using the products you're currently using or would you like to try something different? Do you want to cut back on some products and focus your attention on other products? Do you want a haircut that can pull off multiple styles?

Again, many different factors can affect your hairstyle and how barbers will cut your hair. And suffice it to say, your hair product usage is an important factor that I have focused on in this article.

So next time you're at your barber's, instead of asking “what product works best for me?”, you should be asking “what products would you recommend for this hairstyle and cut?”—as you show us the style you want us to replicate. At that point, we'll be able to focus the rest of the appointment to create that haircut as well as give you product recommendations in addition to tips and tricks to maintain that hairstyle at home.

And if you're looking to try out new and different products, I recommend asking your stylist if you can try out a product you're interested in after your haircut. Since it's hard to find places that offer samples for men's hair products before purchasing, use your stylist to find different products that you wanted to try before but didn't necessarily want to invest an entire bottle for (I know, we've all been there). They have a wide variety and should be more than happy to let you test one out for the rest of the day.

So in conclusion, the next time you go in for your haircut and your barber asks you if you use any products, just let them know what you use to make the appointment easier for everyone involved, ask them for any product recommendations (depending on the style you want to go for), and ask to try out some new and different products. Not only will this make you seem more informed and courteous, but your barber will also appreciate it.