Fear not, dear pro: Those stacked pucks containing goop in varying degrees of hardness are your friends, not your foes. To choose a styling product that fits your male customer’s individual needs, start with a friendly chat. “The deciding factor for me always, is to get a sense of the guy’s personal style—how he wears his hair on a daily basis. And, does he like to switch it up or not?” says V76 educator Damien Santiago. “Only then can I make recommendations that are right for him and his lifestyle.”
Seems simple enough, no? But if you still want to make sure you’re using and recommending the absolute best puck for your guys, Eufora educator Julie Cross says to keep in mind these three product aspects: “Strength of hold, degree of shine and ease of use.”
Strength of Hold
Does your client seek to freeze-frame his hair so not even a gust of wind can topple it? Or does he desire flexibility—so that fingers (maybe not his own) can roam freely through? No matter what he desires, “You should always select a product that is strong enough to hold his style all day long,” Cross says.
Degree of Shine
“Degree of shine is a choice of fashion and function,” Cross explains. “Added shine is an easy way to dress up your client’s look, but it isn’t great for all hair types—especially men with thinning hair, where the shine only works to emphasize thinness.” For sparser domes, choose pastes, which tend to leave a more matte or natural finish. If your client sets out to emphasize his razored or choppy cut, Santiago suggests turning up the shine. “Wax is the perfect product to highlight hairstyles that have texture designed into them,” he says.
Ease of Use
Your clients are men: “Easy” is their nom de plume when writing their hair story. “Ease of use is a big one, especially if your client is new to grooming,” Cross says. She suggests you direct guys who seek a simpler approach toward creamier products, like pastes. “They’re easier to distribute through the hair, while waxes and pomades may require more practice,” she says.
[Images: YURI_ARCURS, GETTYIMAGES.COM]
