Types and selection of hair styling products

Selecting the appropriate hair styling products is crucial for perfecting your hairstyle. The correct products can up your hair game, just as the ideal nail polish can make or break a manicure. Knowing the various product types available can help achieve voluminous and tousled hair or sleek and polished hair.

There is a specific function for every styling product, ranging from mousses and gels to sprays and serums. While mousses add body and volume, gels can help you achieve a structured look with a strong hold. Serums can add shine and manage frizz, while sprays can provide anything from a light texture to a strong hold. Knowing the functions of each product enables you to match your selections to your unique hair requirements and styling objectives.

Choosing the appropriate product also entails taking your desired look and hair type into account. For instance, light volumizers may be beneficial for fine hair, while thicker creams or oils may be necessary for curly or thick hair. You can achieve the ideal look that lasts all day by matching products to your hair type and desired result.

We’ll break down the various kinds of hair styling products in this guide and provide advice on how to choose the ones that will work best for your hair type. Whether you’re a novice stylist or an experienced one, knowing these basics will help you consistently get beautiful hair.

Types of styling products

Cosmetic items with various textures and fixing abilities are called styling products. Depending on the product type and level of fixation, their application helps the hair stay in the specified direction for a few hours or until the next hair wash.

While there are many different styling products available, the following are the most popular:

• varnish;
• spray;
• gel;
• cream;
• wax;
• powder;
• mousse or foam;
• clay;
• paste.

Let’s examine each product in more detail and decide for which manipulations it is best suited. Each product has a different texture, composition, fixing properties, and indications for use.

But first, here are five things you should know about styling products:

1. Styling products are difficult to wash off with sulfate-free shampoos. Usually, styling products contain silicones and polymers that create a film on the strands that is insoluble in mild surfactants. If you used even a little styling product, it is better to wash your hair at the end of the day with a sulfate shampoo;
2. Apply them only to clean hair. If the strands are dirty, then a layer of hairspray, wax or cream will only emphasize this;
3. Do not leave the styling product on your head overnight – be sure to wash your hair in the evening. With prolonged "wearing" of the fixing product, itching of the scalp and increased dryness of the hair shafts are often observed. Of course, if you do not wash off the product 1-2 times, your hair will not fall out, but if this becomes a habit, problems cannot be avoided. There are exceptions and products that can be left, but more on them later;
4. Do not apply too much product. Under the weight of the product, the hairstyle will "settle" and the effect will be the opposite of what you want;
5. You need to select products not only based on the description of the product itself, but also on the length and type of scalp. If you have more than 3 styling products on the shelf, they are probably chosen incorrectly.

Hairspray

Of all the styling products, hairspray is the aerosol that has the strongest fixing power.

The composition, which modifies the hair shaft’s structure and increases its flexibility, is what produces the fixing effect.

Hairspray typically contains:

• solvent, usually alcohol of different groups;
• plasticizers;
• oils and other plant components;
• flavorings;
• fats;
• resins;
• propylenes.

Professional hairsprays have a slightly different formula; in addition to not including alcohol, they are packed with beneficial ingredients that will cause the least amount of harm to the hair shafts.

The degree of fixation in hairsprays is determined by an internal classification system; the higher the number, the more noticeable the effect. Typically, the gradation ranges from 1 to 5, but some manufacturers just specify the degree of fixation instead of using this scale. Additionally, there are varnishes that contain glitter and pigments to produce a tinted effect.

Let’s focus on dry hairspray in isolation. Unlike the traditional hairspray that most people are familiar with, dry hairspray is a powder that is also supplied from an aerosol can under pressure. While dry hairspray has less fixing power than regular hairspray, its primary benefit is that it doesn’t weigh down or stick together.

What is the purpose of hairspray?

• fixing hairstyles;
• giving volume to the roots of the hair;
• preventing frizz.

Utilizing hairspray when:

• for medium and long hair, especially if it is heavy and does not hold styling well;
• when creating complex multi-layered hairstyles;
• if a hairstyle or styling needs to be fixed for a long time, for example, for the whole day.

Based on the length and type of the hair shafts and the estimated amount of time you need to maintain the hairstyle, choose the degree of fixation. Weakened, thin hair will hold with a weak hairspray that has one or two fixation degrees. You can use a product with indicators 3–4 if your hair is thick and coarse.

Typically, a single manufacturer sells hairsprays in varying fixation levels. For instance, Schwarzkopf offers "Mobile Hold" and "Steel Grip," two extra-strong hairsprays in their Got2b line that make fixing hairstyles simple and produce a natural-looking finish.

When working with the final stage of the hairstyle, the hairspray is applied to the already styled, dry curls.

Spray

The term "styling" is synonymous with "styling," which refers to the process of using specific products to give hair shape, volume, and position. It comes in bottles that can spray normally or as an aerosol.

Sprays are categorized based on their intended use:

• for root volume;
• for styling strands along the length;
• for straightening.

Volume sprays are used on the root area, and traditional styling sprays are used all the way down the length. Afterwards, you can use a styler or a hairdryer, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations. Similar to varnishes, sprays have different fixations; the intended outcome dictates which of the strong, weak, and ultrasol products to use:

• for unobtrusive, easy fixation, which will not be striking, a spray with the weakest fixing properties, for example, from Matrix – “Total Results Wonder Boost” is suitable;
• If you want to make curls or pronounced curls and save them for the whole day, use the spray of medium or strong fixation, especially if the hair rods are dense, long and heavy – Silhouette “Flexible Hold Styling & Care Lotion» or Epica «Five Elements»;
• you can add volume to the root part of the head with a strong hold spray Estel Professional – "Push-up Airex".;
• to facilitate straightening and confident fixation of smooth curls, a spray with thermal protection "Flatliner" from OSiS is suitable.

Certain heat protection sprays have fixing qualities that help with styling while also shielding hair from heat-producing appliances like curling irons and hair dryers.

Gel

A styling tool for short, coarse, or unruly hair is gel. Due to the fact that men’s hair is thicker and more unruly than women’s, gels are used more frequently for styling than other products.

Gels are composed of gelatin, glycerin, and polymers derived from plants or chemicals.

Nearly all gels are designed to be used occasionally:

• on damp hair – for unobtrusive, easy styling;
• on dry – for confident fixation.

However, some products are meant to be used wet only. Take the gel from the CURL ROCK AND ROLL brand, which is applied only to damp strands and is meant to fix curls when washing with a curly method.

However, Kapous Professional’s "Gel Normal" gel works well for both dry and wet styling.

If not prohibited by the directions for a particular product, you can use other tools, such as stylers or straighteners, to dry your damp hair after applying. A hairdryer with a diffuser attachment is another option.

Similar to other items, styling gels come in varying degrees of hold, which affects the outcome:

• weak hold is suitable for creating the effect of wet hair, light curls, emphasizing natural waves and reducing fluffiness on medium and long strands;
• strong hold will help owners of short haircuts, as well as men whose hair does not hold a forced position well.

When selecting a gel for styling, bear in mind that:

• if used in excess, it makes the strands greasy, giving them a stale look;
• tends to stick together strands.

It’s critical to comprehend the various kinds of hair styling products that are available and how they can meet your individual needs. Every product, from smoothing serums to volumizing sprays, has a specific function and can have a significant impact on how your hair turns out. You can get the best results and maintain your hair’s gorgeous appearance by understanding what each product does and choosing the one that is best for your hair type and desired style.

Cream

Styling cream is a thick, creamy product that comes in jars or tubes and is used to make daily styling easier.

Cream is the least damaging styling product because, unlike many others, it doesn’t dry out or alter the structure of hair because of its safe plant-polymer composition. Both damp and dry strands can be treated with them, but check the product’s instructions to be sure.

There are numerous varieties of creams.

• to maintain the curl definition – for curly girls;
• for smoothing;
• to add volume;
• modeling cream for confident fixation of the hairstyle.

The following are some further benefits of styling cream:

• ease of distribution – the creamy consistency allows you to easily distribute the product along the strands without the risk of “accumulation” of the composition in one place;
• cost-effectiveness – for medium length, a portion the size of a couple of peas is enough;
• allows you to create a flexible styling that will be mobile.

For fine and normal hair, JOICO offers a styling cream that can be styled without a hair dryer, and ESTEL offers a strong hold cream called "ST 3D." The JOICO product can be used to style curly hair or create light waves; simply apply and distribute the product to slightly damp hair.

All hair types can use cream styling products, but because they don’t damage the structure, thin, weak, and dry hair are particularly recommended. The cream will visually saturate the hair shafts with moisture and lessen the appearance of split ends.

Wax

Wax is a product that adds volume, highlights texture, and draws attention to hair.

Other characteristics of wax

• adds shine;
• moisturizes and softens dry, dehydrated hair;
• glues split ends.

Wax’s resistance to moisture is its primary benefit. Wax hairstyles are more resistant to rain than other hairstyles, but they are also more difficult to remove. Girls with oily hair should avoid waxing their hair because it will only exacerbate the grease and make it more noticeable.

Applying wax to dry hair warms it up in your palms. There are numerous ways to use them:

• to tame long unruly curls – evenly distribute along the length;
• to fix curls – distribute with squeezing movements from the tips to the roots;
• to emphasize the texture of short haircuts – carefully distribute over the hair and then use your hands to give it the desired position.

Wax is a finishing product that is applied at the very end, so using thermal tools like hair dryers or curling irons after using it is prohibited.

The degree of fixation that the product offers determines the outcome of using wax. For example, you can create flexible styling and keep curls mobile with TNL Professional Wax Stretch "Elastic fixation" wax. Additionally, "Style Masters Creator Fiber Wax" from the Revlon Professional line of wax is made to give hair strands a brilliant shine and a strong fixation.

Powder

Powder is a powder-based product that works by giving hair volume at the roots and maintaining the effect over time.

Apply to the roots of clean, dry hair and comb out completely. The curls become lighter and more elevated at the roots as a result. The powder also has a matting effect, which makes it perfect for oily hair, which still shines at the roots from excess sebum even after washing.

Powders are safe for hair health because of their straightforward composition; however, frequent use can cause clogged scalp pores and hair loss.

A common substitute for specialized styling powder is dry shampoo. This lifesaver is actually effective, but dry shampoo doesn’t fix; instead, you can extend the life of your volume with specific powders that come in varying degrees of fixation.

For instance, Taft’s "Instant Volume" styling powder has an incredibly strong fixation that maintains the look for up to eight hours.

Mousse or foam

For use on hair of varying lengths, mousse and foam are styling products that have a light, weightless consistency.

In addition to adding volume, they also facilitate easier and more efficient styling with a styler, curling iron, hair dryer, or iron in the future.

After washing, mousses and foams are applied to damp strands. Curls are able to successfully maintain their given shape for up to 48 hours after using the product.

Actually, the duration is determined by the level of fixation:

• TRESemme mousse "Supreme Hold" with a strong but elastic fixation maintains the hairstyle for 20-24 hours;
• Wellaflex mousse from Wella with an extra strong fixation lasts up to 48 hours, and also has a UV filter for sun protection.

Clay

Although styling clay is a relatively new product and is not yet widely available, those who have tried it have noticed some of its special qualities.

The whole secret lies in the way modeling clay behaves on hair: after gels and wax, the head definitely needs to be washed because it does not look fresh. However, when the product "falls" from the hair shafts, the curls become clean again.

The product is made from white clay, or kaolin. The product’s safe and straightforward composition allows for the creation of gorgeous hairstyles with different levels of complexity without endangering the structure and hair shafts. Because they contain vitamins, minerals, proteins, and plant extracts, some products also have restorative qualities.

Clay excels at:

• men"s styling;
• for short hair;
• for medium length.

Used on hair that is dry. possesses a range of fixations, from mild to extremely powerful. You can get strong hold clay from Syoss, which not only fixes the styling but also has a matting effect. Wella clay "Eimi Texture Touch" has a rich composition of minerals and beeswax, and it has a matting effect that is useful for light fixation and weak and thin hair shafts.

Paste

A modeling agent called paste, also known as cream paste, has a consistency akin to thick cream. used in styling for texturing, repairing, and accent creation.

Pastes are separated into three categories by manufacturers:

1. Modeling – to give strands a given direction. The modeling paste is mobile, so the hairstyle turns out lively and elastic;
2. Texturing, as the name suggests, it is needed to emphasize the carelessness of the strands or to place accents;
3. Matting – fixes and mattes the strands.

Women can style strands of varying lengths with modeling and texturing pastes, and men typically select matting to prevent the styling from drawing too much attention to itself with excessive shine.

Using the paste on long strands is not advised because there is a significant chance of glue buildup and excessive curls. You can, however, apply the paste sparingly before using an iron to straighten. Short and medium hair types are not contraindicated.

The paste is classified as a medium fixation product, but there are three types of medium fixation products within it: strong, medium, and weak. For instance, Wella’s "Shockwaves Rough-Cut Putty" has a strong degree of fixation, while OLLIN’s styling paste has a medium degree.

Choosing a styling product by hair type

We have previously provided some recommendations regarding the selection as you learn about the various kinds of styling products, but let’s compile this information to avoid confusion.

By hair type

• For dry hair, it is recommended to choose styling products without alcohol in the composition, with a soft formula and a moisturizing effect. These include creams, clay, paste, mousse or foam. These products do not aggravate dryness and do not cause itching and flaking of the scalp. You should refuse hairsprays, some sprays – those with alcohol, as well as powder – it dries the scalp and, with a lack of sebum, provokes the formation of dry dandruff;
• for oily hair, the opposite rule applies – alcohol-containing products are suitable, including sprays and hairsprays. Powder with its drying effect is also appropriate. It is not recommended to use wax;
• normal hair types give you plenty of choice – you can use any type of styling products. At the same time, pay attention to moisturizing products – cream, clay or paste. They do not fix as reliably as varnish, but help maintain the beauty of curls and do not allow them to dry out.

By structure and appearance

• for fine hair choose light textures, otherwise under the influence of the product they will quickly fall out. Mousses, sprays, light gels, powder are suitable. If you need strong hold for a long period, it is acceptable to use hairspray. Do not use wax, gel, clay and paste;
• hard hair with a dense texture and a large thickness of the hair shaft usually does not hold the hairstyle well, since unruly hair tends to return to its original position. They can be held by weak and strong hold hairsprays, gel and wax;
• dull hair requires adding shine, so do not use matting products – clay, paste, powder. Give preference to spray, mousse or wax – they will add the missing shine.

By length

• short hair is perfectly textured and modeled with wax, gel, clay, paste. These products allow you to create both a deliberately careless hairstyle and a stylish, sophisticated hairdo. Avoid hairsprays – there is a high probability of using too much product and gluing the strands together. A similar situation occurs with the use of mousses, foams and sprays;
• for strong hold of long hair it is advisable to use hairspray – it will help tame the curls. For easy styling in the form of waves or curls, try gel, mousse or foam. Paste will not work – the strands will stick together.

Consequently, an examination of the length, texture, and type of hair yields the formula for the perfect hair styling product. For instance, mousse works best on long, dry, and dull hair, while spray or powder works best on thin, medium-length, oily hair. And how do you select a hair styling product based on principles?

Share with friends!

Popular on the topic Hair

Examples of how to use false bangs

How to apply and select conditioner for various types of hair

How to use and choose a straightening comb

Kanekalon hairstyles and braids: care and braiding instructions

Hollywood curls: a tutorial and picture examples

Everything about using oxides to dye hair

Which hair colors—all of the 2022 coloring trends—are in style

Ways to detangle hair

Which micronutrients and vitamins influence hair growth

Hair masks: definition, types, and reasons for use

Magazine Sections

Express your opinion or ask a question! Cancel reply

Product Type	Description
Hair Gel	Provides strong hold and definition. Ideal for slicked-back styles or spiky looks.
Hair Mousse	Adds volume and body to hair. Great for fine or flat hair to give it a fuller appearance.
Hair Spray	Helps set your style and add hold. Available in various strengths for flexible or firm hold.
Hair Wax	Offers a natural, flexible hold with a bit of shine. Perfect for textured and casual styles.
Pomade	Gives a shiny finish and strong hold. Best for slick, classic styles like pompadours.
Hair Cream	Provides light hold and frizz control. Good for a soft, natural look and to tame flyaways.
Serum	Helps smooth hair and adds shine. Great for reducing frizz and protecting against heat.

Achieving the look you want can be greatly impacted by the hair styling products you choose. Regardless of your desired volume, sleekness, or curl definition, a product is available to fulfill your requirements. Knowing what each product does, from mousses that add body to serums that tame frizz, will help you make wise choices.

Finding the right product to suit your hair type and style requires some trial and error. Remember that what suits one individual may not suit another. Experiment and see which option yields the best results.

Ultimately, the correct hair styling products can improve your appearance and self-esteem. To find the ideal match for your hair care regimen, don’t be afraid to experiment with different products and methods.

Video on the topic

HOW TO MAKE A LONG-LASTING VOLUME STYLING? 2 life hacks for styling with a styler without damaging your hair!

Top 5 STYLINGS from the mass market

Hair styling products, what and how to choose?

BEST PRODUCTS FOR STYLING. HAIRDRESSER TIPS!