By Theri DeJoode & Erica Grabczyk Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Nov 29, 2006 at 1:53 PM
With countless types and brands of hair products to choose from, the decision process can seem overwhelming.  When searching for the perfect product, there are a few important things to keep in mind.

In the morning a man should ask himself, "Do I want to style my hair and leave it for the rest of the day or do I want to be able to run my hands through it?”

For the first option, gels with polymers create a strong style that will hold its shape throughout the day.  These should be applied to damp hair.

But we caution against using excess gel.  It should be used wisely. All products have either a light, medium or strong hold -- so keep this in mind when comparing them.

If you are going for a more touchable feel that allows pliability, you can choose from waxes, pastes, creams or pomades.

When deciding whether to use a high, semi gloss or matte finish, always take into account the density of the hair.  Thicker hair types can handle semi or high glosses and will give the appearance of more separation and control.  But we recommend staying away from high or semi gloss for fine or thin hair.

If you have this hair type, you will want to opt for a matte finish. It will make the hair appear thicker and take emphasis away from the scalp.

Texture is also an important consideration.  Decide whether you would like fine, moderate or chunky separation.  It is very important to balance the shape for all amounts of separation.

When picking a style, we suggest finding one that is variable and then adjusting the product to cater to particular situations.

Theri DeJoode & Erica Grabczyk Special to OnMilwaukee.com

Theri DeJoode is the lead barbette and owner of groom, 330 E. St. Paul Ave. She also is the technical director for American Crew.

Erica Grabczyk is director of groom and has been a part of the American Crew All Star Team since 2001.

groom's blogs are compiled by Kate Kliner.