With so many different hairstyle finishing products available in the market today, it can be a very daunting task finding the one that will give your hair and your particular hairstyle the perfect hold and look. What may be the right finishing product for long curly hair will not give the same result if used for short straight hair, for example, so it is important to choose wisely when making the decision.
The following list of simple guidelines will help you to determine what product is right for your particular hair type.
Hairspray
Hairspray offers the perfect hold throughout the styling process, using the product while styling the hair, rather than as an exclusive finishing product.
For example, hairspray should be used while curling the hair with a curling iron or curlers. The hairspray will help get the curl to hold during the styling process. When the curl job is done, spraying the entire head with hairspray will help the curls to stay in place. When spraying hairspray, it should be held it at least four inches from the head to avoid stiff and sticky hair.
When taming or straightening curly hair, hairspray is not the best product to use. It is best used during the styling process, as mentioned above, or as a finisher to maintain the look of another product.
Mousse
In order to create a light base for adding body or for natural curls; it is best to use mousse as a finishing product. Although it will work to control natural curls, frizzy and hard-to-control hair types won’t be managed well with mousse. Mousse will help to keep hair natural-looking, more so than other finishing products. For best results, mousse should be applied to wet hair.
Pomade
While using pomade can be tricky, it really does work for a great many different hairstyles. The more waxy or gluey pomade products work best for spikes or hard hairstyles. Cream-based pomade will work well for less defined hairstyles, such as choppy bobs and feathered short cuts. Only a little pomade should be used and rubbed on the hands before styling to avoid any clumping or a greasy finished texture to the hair. The pomade should be worked carefully into the ends of dried hair to add shape and control unwanted frizz. The look can be finished with a light spray.
Hair Gel
Hair gel, similar to pomade, though more sticky and less greasy, works best on wet hair to maintain a long-lasting wet look. Hair gel is certainly a great option to avoid any frizz in curly hair. Along with pomade, hair gel is also great for men’s hairstyles.
Hair Glaze
Hair glaze is light and almost resembles a lotion of sorts. It is used for fine hair and curly hair that is in need of being toned down. It works well in both wet and dry hair and never leaves hair feeling stiff.
The best way to find the right hairstyle finishing product is to experiment and find the one that is right for you, and more importantly, your hair. Always pay attention to the packaging of a hair finishing product. You will often find information on the package that will tell you what types of hair, hairstyles, and finishes that the product was made for. Just because you have a friend who uses a hair product that you really like on them, doesn’t mean that the product will work well for you.
Another option is to talk to your hairstylist about which finishing product might work best for your hair type and hairstyle. Many hairstylists sell products at their location or salon, so you won’t have to go far to find the recommended product.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and keep trying until you find the perfect finishing product for you.
