Professional Hair Products: What We Use at Montana Fades

Ever left the barbershop with the perfect fade, tried to recreate the look at home, and ended up looking like you styled it with cooking grease? We've heard that one before.

The truth is, what we use behind the chair at Montana Fades isn't the same stuff you'll find at the drugstore. Professional barber hair products work differently, hold better, and actually deliver results. Whether it's sea salt spray for texture, clay for hair that needs matte hold, or professional pomade for a polished finish, the products matter just as much as the cut itself.

If you've ever wondered why your fade looks sharp for three days but falls flat by day four, or why that $8 pomade leaves your hair greasy instead of textured, you're asking the right questions. The difference between barber-quality products and mass-market alternatives isn't just price—it's formulation, performance, and how your hair actually behaves.

At Montana Fades, we don't gatekeep. We want you looking fresh on day six like you did on day one. That's why we're breaking down exactly what we use, how we use it, and why it matters for your style between cuts.

Whether you're rocking a skin fade, taper, or textured crop, the products we use make all the difference. And the best part? You can take them home.

What Makes Professional Hair Products Different?

Professional hair products are built for precision. They're formulated with higher concentrations of active styling agents, cleaner ingredient lists, and better hold-to-finish ratios.

The professional difference:

• Higher quality ingredients: Professional pomade, sea salt spray, and clay for hair use premium ingredients that perform better. You're not paying for fancy packaging—you're paying for formulations that actually work with refined oils, plant extracts, and proven styling agents.
• No fillers or heavy alcohols: Drugstore products bulk up their formulas with cheap fillers, synthetic waxes, and drying alcohols. That's why they feel sticky, look overly shiny, or leave white flakes in your hair by afternoon.
• Concentrated formulas: A dime-sized amount of professional product does what a quarter-sized glob of drugstore stuff can't. You use less, it lasts longer, and it works better.
• Better for your hair and scalp: Cheap products dry out your hair and cause buildup that makes styling harder over time. Professional barber hair products keep your hair healthy, your scalp clear, and your styling routine simple.

Sea Salt Spray: Texture Without the Crunch

If you've searched "sea salt spray" trying to figure out what it actually does, you're not alone. It's one of the most misunderstood products in men's grooming, but when used right, it's a game-changer.

Hair Clay vs Pomade for Faded Styles

This is the question we get asked most: Should I use clay or pomade? The answer depends on your hair type, your style, and the finish you want.

Clay for Hair: Matte Finish, Strong Hold

Hair clay is the go-to for modern, textured styles with a natural, matte finish. If you've seen someone with a perfectly messy fade that looks styled but not shiny, they're probably using clay.

Book Your Next Fade and Ask About the Products We Use

The best way to figure out which barber hair products work for you is to try them in our chair.

Every time you book and ask about products at Montana Fades, your barber will walk you through what they're using—whether it's sea salt spray for volume, clay for hair for texture, or professional pomade for polish. We'll show you the techniques, how much to use, where to apply it, and how to recreate the look at home.

Whether you're rocking a fresh skin fade, a classic taper, or a textured crop, we've got the professional pomade, styling powder, and products—and the know-how—to keep you looking sharp long after you leave the chair.

This isn't about upselling. It's about making sure you walk out looking good, and stay looking good until your next appointment. A great fade deserves great products, and we're here to make sure you have both.

Book your appointment now and ask your barber what's right for your style.