Hair styling and styling aids

I was wondering what you guys use to style your hair; brush or comb and styling aids if any. And are there certain types of styling aids you should steer clear of? And are there any bad styles or application processes that should be avoided?

Growing up I never used anything cause I typically had a buzz cut, in the teens I grew my hair long (grunge phase) and late teens till few years ago (4-5 years total) my hair was shorter and spiky like Tyler Druden and I was using a product similar to a consistency of vasoline, I will have to find the bottle for the name.

The last 3-4 years since my hair loss has increased I started cutting it shorter and also been switching between different gels (nioxin tried number of theirs) pomades/paste, was using Axe for about 1 year, then switched to Amercian crew the last few months current its their Citrus Mint paste.

When I apply any of these my hair is damp, I run it thru the hair trying to avoid the scalp, then comb it style it. When my stylist does it she can do it damp or dry and combs my hair to my style the runs the styling aid thru and it comes out the same as if I did, but I don;t have her touch. The only other difference is when I do it looks alittle wetter or more shiny almost greasy, and when she does its got some shine to it that you can tell there is something on there. The only think I can think of is maybe my hair is too damp the way I do it? I know I use less product that she does... IDK

Not what I was looking for... looks like a spammer...

Can anyone here give any thoughts on this? Or what you use to style your hair?