Styling products can help create beautiful blowouts, but they can also hinder them.
Improper use of gel, styling paste, or mousse can discourage you from using styling products. That's why you should be careful to choose a product that's right for your hair type.
There are already many hair styling products available, and new ones are arriving on the market every week thanks to technological innovations. It would be impossible to list them all.
Instead, I'll give an overview of the most important classic styling products.
1- Foams and gels
Foams and gels are mostly made of polymers (polyquaternium). Polymers are synthetic substances formed from a collection of small molecules (monomers).
Hair polymers are cationic, meaning they bond and coat each hair strand to maintain its style. They work similarly to liquid plastic applied to hair before drying.
Once the product is dry, it has the effect of coating the hair, giving it the desired shape and volume, or by raising a strand upwards.
2- Is there a difference between foam and gel?
Mousse is more malleable, easier to apply, and doesn't drip, not to mention it saturates the hair's surface. Mousse is ideal for styling with a brush or diffuser, regardless of hair type.
There are many different styling mousse formulas available, and some are more moisturizing than others.
Gels can be liquid or firm. They are most often used for short hair. Gels can be applied to dry or damp hair.
Letting the gel dry without a blow dryer to create a wet look is ideal for coarse hair. Liquid gels can be used in the same way as firm gels, but they are less resistant, as their fluidity makes it harder to hold the hair.
Liquid gels can be applied all over damp hair, much like mousse. Then simply comb through and blow-dry.
3- Problems related to foam and gels
For optimal results with the mousse, it is necessary to shake the container well beforehand to mix the ingredients thoroughly. Static issues can be resolved by switching to a different product, as the one you are using may not be suitable for your hair type.
If the static problem persists, apply a small amount of styling paste or wax to your wet hair, comb it through, then apply mousse or gel.
The moisturizing effect of the paste or wax will prevent static. It's also important to ensure your hair is thoroughly towel-dried before application, otherwise the products may dilute.
Conversely, if your hair is too dry when you apply it, it will be impossible to finish styling because the product will have already set in your hair. Also, use sparingly, as this will not improve the results.
Remember that the hair underneath supports the hair on top.
There are sprays designed to add volume to the roots. They should be applied before other products for optimal results.
4- Finishing products: pastes and waxes
Generally, pastes and waxes are moisturizing products to be applied to dry hair. They provide a specific hold: matte finish, shine, dryness, or a more oily effect.
You generally have to try these types of products to see if they work for you, as there are no set rules to guide your choice. However, for fine hair, avoid products that are too oily and can increase shine, such as waxes or creams.
Their hold ranges from low to medium and they can give a greasy hair effect.
Instead, choose a matte paste or even a clay product, which will give a “messy hair” effect without losing volume.
If your hair is coarse and dull, opt for waxes or creams, which will create a shiny effect and help tame flyaways.
For optimal results, coat your fingers well with the product and work it through your hair from root to tip, creating a shimmery finish. You can then style it as desired.
5- Fixatives
Choosing the right hairspray can be difficult. Usually, the first instinct is to smell it. A quality hairspray should have a subtle scent that doesn't linger in the air.
Spray the hairspray in front of a light source to see how the spray spreads. The shape of the nozzle has a decisive effect on the result.
Indeed, as soon as it is sprayed, the product begins to dry due to the action of the alcohol it contains. If the spray is wide, the product will be almost dry when it comes into contact with the hair. It will then be light and will cover a large area. It will therefore be possible to recomb the hair.
If the spray is very straight, it will cover a smaller area and the product will be firmer, making it difficult to recomb the hair.
In addition to the nozzle, the alcohol content and polymer selection are important. Unfortunately, the labels don't mention this, so you'll have to experiment.
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