Hair styling products (styling) and their volume with a photo: mousse, spray, gel, varnish, foam
That is, styling products are cosmetic products that help make your hairstyle stylish without affecting its constructive basis. There are so many types of hair styling products that sometimes you can get confused looking at this abundance. How to use hair gel, which styler to choose, how to use hair wax – these and many other questions concern many. Let's dwell on the main hair styling products that allow you to cope with the task with the greatest efficiency.
Which styler to choose: styling spray for hair styling
Water-based styling spray allows you to not only style your hair, but also adjust your hairstyle throughout the day. All of you must have experienced such disappointment at least once in your life: after working for an hour on styling, during the day you began to notice that it was still losing volume and shape. In these cases, hair styling spray can be invaluable. With a light formula, this styler practically does not harm the hair, since its basis is not alcohol, as is the case with the vast majority of varnishes and sprays, but distilled water. And this means that using a hair styling spray, even several times a day, you will not dry out your hair at all. In addition, it is especially good at styling thin curls.
By and large, after using varnishes or sprays, you do not need to comb your hair: the hairstyle will instantly lose its fixation. But if you still comb your hair after using such a styling product, you will find that the hair has become more lush and manageable. Of course, this effect does not last very long, or rather, until the first shampooing, but still, even for a short time, you will be satisfied with the look of your hair.
Below are photos of hair styling products: styling sprays and mousses, foams and varnishes:
Hair styling products: styling and volume lotion
Hair styling lotion is a relatively light remedy, it is effective in cases where you need to add volume to your hair. Since the composition of the hair lotion includes many components that care for them, it is not only not harmful, but even useful, especially in cases where you either wind your hair in curlers or dry it with a hairdryer: the lotion perfectly protects your hair from injury.
Unfortunately, he is not able to create a strong fixation of hair, which will inevitably begin to fly apart when walking or in windy weather. However, the weak side can also turn into a strong one. Let the fixation of the hair is not so strong, but your hairstyle will be truly alive, because it is well known that hair overloaded with varnishes and gels often deprives the hairstyle of naturalness and, by the way, does not always delight representatives of the strong half of humanity. But the lotion creates a light and airy styling, in which the hair looks absolutely natural, while keeping its shape. As a styling and volumizing lotion, the lotion is especially good for styling long or semi-long hair, which usually does not require gluing.
Hair Styler: Serum
Hair styling serum is a product that consists mainly of oils and silicone. Serum is useful in that it styles the hair while caring for them, smoothes the cuticle and adds shine to the hair. Serum is especially good for styling very curly hair, as it has the ability to smooth out fine curls. Also, this hair styling tool is quite capable of replacing the conditioner, as it removes static electricity.
The consistency of serums can be very different – from light to heavy, with a visible oily tint. In accordance with this, the shine of the hair can turn out to be different: from the lightest, almost imperceptible, to rich and expressive.
Foam and styling mousse for hair styling
A lot of people use hair styling foam, but some people tend to literally swear by it, and some people apply too little. Experienced stylists advise the following dosage: for styling long hair, a ball of foam the size of a large apple is enough, medium hair is the size of an egg, and short hair is the size of an apricot.
Styling mousse and foam are originally conceived as two different styling products. Foam is a lighter, compared to mousse, product that does not stick hair together, but allows the hairstyle to keep volume. Mousse is a heavier product, not suitable for all hair. Gradually, however, the line between the two was blurred. We now perceive the words "foam" and "mousse" as synonyms. Thus, we are talking about the same foam fixatives with which we style our hair with a hairdryer. There is no point in using them without a hair dryer: foams are good because they allow you to model your hair under the influence of warm air, give it volume and protect your hair from drying out.
The benefit of foam fixatives is that they condition the hair by removing static electricity, so that, when fixed with mousse or foam, your hair will not reach for a comb or woolen hat.
Fixation with mousse or foam is free. This means that the hair will not appear glued. They will freely develop behind your back, but at the same time, with gusts of wind, the hair will not come into an indescribable mess: the hair will gently return to its place and lie exactly as you put it.
Hair, as you know, is different. Some of them are so obedient that they need minimal fixation, some tend to scatter, and stronger fixation of the hairstyle is indispensable here. Given these characteristics of hair, today, styling companies are developing lines for different types of hair: foam fixatives are available from the softest to super strong.
Foam or mousse must be used with some caution. The fact is that too much of these products will weigh down the hair and make it unkempt. So that the matter does not end with repeated washing of the head, learn that the volume of mousse applied to the hair should be small (for example, for styling semi-long hair, the “cap" of foam should be about the size of a medium-sized tangerine).
For styling, first squeeze a small amount of product into the palm of your hand. Then collect the foam or mousse on the comb and use it to distribute the product along the entire length of the wet hair. Style your hair. The hairstyle is ready.
Liquid as a type of hair styling product
Hair styling liquid is a relatively new development of cosmetic companies. This fixative is based on soft resins that envelop the hair, making it smooth and shiny. Many of the styling fluids add extra volume to the hair. They are especially convenient in that they can be used both for blow-drying hair and for styling without a hair dryer. The tool is ideal for creating youth hairstyles.
How to use hair styling gel
Styling hair gel gives the hair more strength and stability. If your hair is so unruly that you can't manage to create a hairstyle that will not fly apart after a few minutes of being outside, gel may be your only savior.
Styling gels are different. In addition to the usual gel, there are coloring gels that give hair different shades, as well as gels with the effect of wet hair, which allow you to add a new note to a hairstyle that has long become familiar and even boring to you. If we talk about the consistency of this product, it can be noted that in this sense, the gels are very different: from very dense jellies (usually such gels are sold in jars or tubes) to very viscous (such gels are sold in the form of sprays and are often called like this: gel spray).
Since the gel gives a very stable fixation to the hair, it will be advisable to use it in cases where the hair is, in fact, extremely naughty. The best option for using the gel is to create curls on very thick hair that is difficult to style normally. Since the gel glues the hair, it is not recommended to use it on long hair. But for short haircuts, this tool is often almost perfect. The gel can be used both for smooth combing and for modeling curly hair, which often looks especially interesting when deliberately glued.
Gel is far from the most harmful hair styling product, since its basis, as a rule, is a natural remedy. Usually it is glycerin or gelatin – substances often used for cosmetic purposes to nourish and smooth both hair and skin. Thus, using the gel (provided, of course, that it is at least of acceptable quality), you risk the health of your hair minimally.
How to style hair with styling gel
For styling, apply the gel evenly to dry or slightly damp hair. Your further actions depend on the nature of the desired hairstyle. For example, before styling your hair with a styling gel, comb it with a large-toothed comb for a smooth, concise hairstyle. Or wind your hair on curlers, and after drying it, do not comb it, but just separate the strands with your fingers: you get a very interesting hairstyle from curly, but not fluffy hair. Or, finally, gently move the hair with the gel spread over it with the edge of the palm of your hand: your hair will become like a beautiful wave to match the one that the heroines of Hemingway's stories flaunted and which is still relevant today.
Since you run the risk of weighing your hair down with gel, don't go overboard with the amount. It is best to apply a small amount of gel, lightly rub between the palms, and then run them through the hair to distribute it as evenly as possible. Or, alternatively, if your gel is in a tube and not in a jar, squeeze a small amount of styling product along the entire length of the comb, and then comb your hair: the gel will be evenly distributed over them, and you will get a spectacular and lasting styling.
How to use hair wax
Hair styling wax is another type of styler that has become more and more popular lately. Wax gives a strong hold to the hair and makes it very easy to structure it, making it ideal for curly or unruly hair. With the help of wax, young and daring can create the most extraordinary hairstyles that will not change their shape even under a strong gust of wind. In addition, wax adds shine to hair, making it an excellent tool for accentuating individual strands of hair.
How to use hair wax
Wax is applied to dry hair. Before using hair wax, a small amount should be rubbed between the palms (you will feel that it warms up quickly). After applying the product to the hair, give it the desired shape. If you do not want to apply wax to all your hair, select individual strands with it. Just don't go overboard with the amount. If you have short hair, a very small amount of wax (about the size of a thumbnail) will be enough to shape all the hair.
Substances are introduced into modern wax formulas that not only do not harm the hair, but even care for them. For example, it may contain components that protect the hair from ultraviolet rays and prevent them from drying out. Vitamin supplements nourish the hair, making it healthier. In addition, this tool, in fact, is made on the basis of natural wax with the addition of vegetable oils and lanolin. So it consists almost entirely of natural ingredients and does not contain alcohol.
Due to the high fat content, wax is completely unsuitable for styling oily hair, which will look messy even faster. But for dry and curly hair, wax is an ideal styling tool.
Hair Styling: Hair Styling Cream
Hair styling cream is similar to wax, but the consistency of this product is less dense than that of wax. The basis of hair styling cream is lanolin – a very important component of many cosmetics. Lanolin itself is good for hair (as well as for skin): it nourishes and moisturizes hair, making it stronger. However, the cream is not suitable for all hair types. Since lanolin is essentially a fat, it is absolutely not suitable for oily hair: the hair will look untidy in the first minute after styling. But for styling hairstyles with curly and dry hair, the cream is an excellent styling tool.
What's wrong with hairspray?
Hairspray is one of the most common styling products. He is so popular that most often they are ready to forgive him for the harm that he does to his hair. In fact, what kind of hair product can give your hair completeness and shine? Of course, varnish.
What's wrong with hairspray? Hairspray is harmful because it contains alcohol, which, as you know, deprives the hair of its natural moisture, which can result in overdried, weakened, brittle hair. The amount of alcohol in hairspray is very high. Even if the inscription on the front side of the can proudly announces that the varnish contains no alcohol at all, do not be too lazy to read what is written in small letters on the back: it often turns out that the amount of alcohol in the hair styling product is quite high – sometimes it exceeds 60% of the total amount of varnish. This is, of course, a serious drawback of hairspray. However, its harmfulness is partly offset by the fact that both caring and protective components are introduced into its composition: vitamins, agents that protect against exposure to ultraviolet rays on the hair.
What else is bad for hairspray?
The above points are far from all the “negative sides” of varnish. What else is bad for hairspray? The disadvantage of varnish is also that it seals the pores of the hair, which leads to their thinning. Of course, in modern varnishes they try to add components that care for hair (such as extracts of medicinal plants), but in general this does not solve the problem of closed hair pores.
The disadvantage of hairspray is that it sticks hair together. If, with a soft fixation, the adhesion of the hair with varnish is insignificant, then the super-strong fixation varnish falls on the hair, forming a crust. Unfortunately, this must be taken for granted. Of course, hair sticking happens anyway, so you most likely won't get a flying in the wind, but at the same time keeping your hair in shape with hairspray. Part of the problem is solved by the fact that modern varnish formulas make it possible to make the sticking of the hairstyle visually invisible. And yet, to the touch, the hair after styling with varnish becomes stiff.
Using Hair Styling Spray
However, along with the disadvantages, the lacquer also has its undeniable advantages (for example, the fact that with the help of lacquer it is possible to give durability to the hairstyle). Today, it is far from a novelty that varnishes give a whole spectrum of fixations, ranging from the softest to strong and even super strong. In addition, being easily applied to the hair, the varnish is just as easy to remove from them: it can be simply combed from the hair. That is why the use of hairspray is recommended as the final stage of styling: spraying it on your hair, you no longer need to comb your hair.
Some hairsprays, along with fixation, also perform a decorative function: together with a fixing agent, pigments and sparkles can be sprayed onto the hair, which will allow you to take a fresh look at your usual hairstyle. Those who like to change their image often will like this tool all the more, since it can be removed from the hair by simple combing.
Varnish can be used for the final stage of creating hairstyles, when it is important to try so that all your work does not scatter in the slightest breeze. However, you can use the varnish in two ways: both to fix the finished hairstyle, and to create volume in the hair.
How to use hairspray
In the first case, you need to evenly spray the varnish on the finished hairstyle, holding the balloon at a distance of 30 cm from the hair. If you do not follow this rule, you run the risk of sticking your hair more than necessary, because of which you will dry it out and turn nightly combing into a painful procedure.
In the second case, before using hairspray, you need to get close to their very roots and spray the product directly near the skin, successively lifting strand by strand with your hand. This styling method is equally good for hair of any length if your ultimate goal is to create a voluminous shape.