When it comes to caring for your hair, it’s not enough to know how to wash and dry it–if you want your hairstyle to last, you need to learn how to use the right styling products for your hair type and the look you want to achieve. To get you started, we’ll guide you through 5 different types of common styling products, from hairspray to hair pomade, and help you figure out which one is right for you.
Hairspray
Hairspray is one of the most common and recognizable hair styling products, with a history that dates back to the 1920s. And that’s precisely the problem: because hairspray is so very old, you may think of it as this old-fashioned, clumsy product that doesn’t belong in modern hair styling. We’re about to change your mind!
Let’s start with the basics: hairspray works by coating the hair strands in a lightweight film that bonds each hair to the next, bonding them together in order to “freeze” the style as the hairspray dries. In the past, this effect often made the hair feel tacky and stiff to the touch, but modern hairsprays have evolved a lot since then, featuring lightweight textures that allow for plenty of natural movement.
Hairsprays differ according to the level of hold, and the kind of texture and finish they leave on the hair. Some are designed to add volume while others are better suited to a sleek, polished finish. (For a hyper-smooth finish, you can also apply hairspray to the palm of your hand and then smooth it over your hair to tame flyaways and unruly baby hairs.)
Whatever hairspray you choose, our recommendation is the same: always apply hairspray to your hair from a distance, to avoid product build-up and achieve a light, natural finish; too close, and you’ll simply be drenching your hair in product, which will almost certainly result in that sticky finish you want to avoid.
Hair gel
Another well-known styling product, hair gel has been a staple in hair styling routines since its invention in the United States during the 1960s. Made primarily out of polymers, hair gel works by creating a thin film around the hair, bonding individual strands together to provide structure and long-lasting hold.
Due to its ability to provide strong hold and long-lasting control, hair gel is a favorite styling product among men. It’s also popular among subcultures like punk, where its sculpting properties are used to create spiky, bold, and unconventional hairstyles.
In recent years, hair gel has also gained popularity in curly hair communities, due to its unique film-forming ability; not only does it create a protective barrier that locks in moisture in the hair strand, it also prevents frizz, enhances curl definition, and helps curls clump together more naturally.
As you can see, hair gel can be a valuable ally whether you’re looking for structured styles or soft, well-defined curls. Look for a hair gel that matches your desired hold and finish, and you’ll never look back!
Hair mousse & foam
Moving on to another product with an old-school feel: it’s time to look into hair mousse, also known as hair foam, a versatile product that increases the volume, texture, and definition of the hair while offering light hold. Like the previous products, hair mousse also works by coating the hair, which in turn helps it take on and maintain its desired shape without becoming clumpy or crunchy.
Hair mousse is a popular choice for both short and long hairstyles, but we think it really shines on medium to long hair with a bit of a wave or curl. Not only does it help waves and curls maintain definition and bounce, hair mousse also forms a protective layer against humidity, which in turn helps reduce frizz. When applied to wet hair and dried with a hair dryer or diffuser, hair mousse can also be instrumental in shaping waves and curls that look and feel soft, rather than stretched out or overly stiff and crunchy.
In addition to wavy and curly hair, hair foam can also work wonders on fine or thin hair, as it can provide body and texture without weighing down the strands or locking them into a flat, limp shape. And remember how hair mousses usually offer a light hold? They’re a great way to add “fullness” to fine hair without compromising natural movement!
Hair wax & pomade
We’re now entering the territory of hair styling products that come in pots and are mostly marketed to men: waxes, pomades, clays, and so on. These are all different types of products, similar in appearance and mode of application, but you can tell them apart by the results they produce.
Let’s start with pomade. Hair pomade is a classic men’s styling product with a slick, creamy consistency and a high-shine finish. Available in water-based and oil-based versions, pomades are perfect for creating smooth, polished styles like pompadours or side parts.
Moving on to hair wax, this is a versatile styling product that offers medium to strong hold with a flexible, pliable texture. Hair waxes add definition and texture to short to medium-length hairstyles, and they’re commonly used to create messy, tousled hairstyles with natural movement.
Finally, hair clay is a (very) matte styling product known for its ability to add volume, texture, and a natural finish with minimal shine. These clay-based formulas absorb excess oil and leave the hair with a velvety appearance that works perfectly with tousled, natural-looking hairstyles.
If you wanted to order these three types of products from high to low shine, you could do it as follows: pomade, wax and clay. If you wanted to try the same exercise for the level of hold, however, you’d probably find it depends a lot on specific brands and products. Some brands offer pomades with such strong hold they make your sleek pompadour seem bulletproof, while others reserve their strongest hold for very matte clays–basically cement for your hair.
Hair volumizers & texturizers
Hair volumizers and texturizers are newer additions to the hair styling world that do exactly what they claim to do: adding volume, body, and texture to fine or thin hair.
The first group, hair volumizers, can work in one of two major ways: by creating lift and separation between the hair strands, thereby increasing the total volume of your hair, or by boosting the thickness of each individual hair strand.
The first type of volumizer often works by lifting the hair at the roots and generating friction and tension between the strands to prevent them from lying flat next to one another. The result is hair that looks and feels light, airy, and full of natural volume and movement. On the other hand, the second type of volumizer uses lightweight ingredients, such as proteins or polymers, to coat the strands and add bulk, making the hair look thicker and fuller while maintaining a lightweight, non-greasy feel.
It’s all very technical in the real of volumizers, but texturizers are simpler to figure out–in fact, you may already be familiar with some of them, such as salt or sugar sprays.
Hair texturizers, often referred to as texture sprays, are styling products designed to add volume, grip, and texture to the hair. The aforementioned salt sprays used to be the gold standard of texture sprays, back in the day, but more modern formulas have evolved to feature lighter formulas that don’t leave the hair feeling quite so stiff. Salt sprays are still the perfect choice for beach waves, of course, but now you have options!
Texture sprays are great for creating relaxed, tousled looks with carefree volume and lived-in texture, but they are also the key to perfect updos. If you have straight hair and have ever tried to pin it up in an elaborate updo, only for it to slip out of place the second you let go, a texture spray can add grip and be a real game changer.
There are many more styling products out there, of course, but if you get to know these five types well enough, you will feel much more confident when it comes to hair styling! With your favorite products in tow, you’ll be able to achieve the hairstyles you want without much effort–just remember to invest in a clarifying shampoo too, to remove product build-up between styling sessions, and you’ll be good to go!
