Rejoice ladies, contrary to what one might think, shiny, voluminous and healthy hair is not only within the reach of famous models or movie stars. It is generally the result of suitable and regular care and styling products chosen carefully according to your hair type and the result you want to obtain.
This is why it is important above all to know your hair texture and your needs in order to make the right product choices.
So let's start at the beginning.
The classification of hair is done according to four main criteria:shape , density , porosity and thickness .
According to the famous American hairdresser André Walker, the shape of the hair is classified into 4 categories:smooth, wavy, curly or frizzy. Knowing which category you are in often indicates certain "problems" or needs that the hair may have.
It's about whether you have a lot or little hair. If you don't already know, two options are available to you:either tie your hair with an elastic and determine its density according to the circumference of the ponytail. Either draw a parting and observe if your scalp is easily visible or not.
Knowing the density determines not only the texture but also the quantity of the products you will use. The denser your hair, the creamier and more abundant your products can be. On the contrary, if you have little, do not use too much product and choose fluid textures, otherwise the hair will be too heavy.
Porosity determines the hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture. This is an important characteristic because it determines how the hair will absorb and retain the care you give it.
To determine the porosity of her hair, place one of your hairs on the surface of a glass of water. If this remains on the surface then the porosity is low; your hair will hardly absorb the care you give them. If it stays in the middle of the glass then the porosity is average; the hair absorbs the care well. And finally if the hair sinks to the bottom of the glass then it has a high porosity. It easily absorbs moisture, but the hydration leaves just as easily.
So if your hair is not very porous, wrap it in a hot towel to open its tight cuticles. Then apply products with moisturizing active ingredients
If on the contrary they are very porous, strengthen them with keratin-based products to restore their elasticity and protect them from breakage, close their scales and seal in hydration.
The thickness determines the diameter of the hair. It is therefore a question of whether your hair is fine, normal or thick. To find out, lay one of your hairs next to a sewing thread and compare it. If it is finer than the wire then your hair is fine. If it is the same size, it is a normal hair. And thick if it is thicker than the wire. The thickness of the hair also gives indications on the right texture of the product to adopt. If the hair is fine choose fluid textures, if it is thick you can go for creamier textures.
After the shampoo and the conditioner (adapted of course to your hair type), a whole series of products can be applied to your hair according to their needs or the shape you want to give them. For optimal results, it is important to follow a certain order:preparation and protection products, styling products, finishing products.
These are usually applied directly after shampoo and conditioner, to damp hair.
The leave in conditioner is a hair care product that puts the hair in condition and does not need to be rinsed out. It is a concentrated care that provides a boost of hydration, helps with detangling and brings immediate shine to your hairstyles. It is used either just after shampoo and care or between 2 shampoos to revive hydration and can come in several textures:fluid, creamy, jelly or spray...
If you have fine hair, use a fluid leave in conditioner. Because a texture that is too creamy would weigh down the hair. Choose it if possible with a volumizing action.
If you have thick, unruly hair, choose a creamy leave-in conditioner to soften the hair and reduce frizz.
If you have porous or dry and damaged hair, choose a leave in conditioner treatment containing dense oils such as coconut oil.
Leave in conditioners are also well appreciated by curly, curly or frizzy hair because they often lack hydration. Choose it preferably in cream and containing oil; which helps to deeply hydrate them.
Although it could be misunderstood, these two products have very different properties.
Hair oil is above all a treatment that helps replenish the hydration film of the hair fiber.
The serum, on the other hand, is more intended for styling. Composed of silicone, it smooths the fiber and makes the hair shiny and soft. But because it sheaths the hair, it offers protection around the hair that fights against external aggressions, heat and frizz.
Apply a small amount to damp hair and to the lengths (so as not to grease the roots too much).
If you have dry and damaged hair, preferably choose oil. This treatment is ideal for repairing the hair and sealing in moisture.
If you suffer from frizz and unruly hair, prefer the serum that will shape and smooth the hair, giving it all the shine it needs.
If you plan to use a hair dryer or a straightening / curling iron, it is important to finish its preparation with a heat protectant spray. Spray your hair, comb it to apply the product more evenly, then let the product penetrate for a few minutes if possible before drying.
Some products include directly in their properties the protection of the hair against heat.
But if you have really badly damaged hair, apply a product that is meant for heat protection only. The latter will bring full efficiency to its function.
There are several categories of styling products. Volumizing products, products that add shine, maintenance products and texturizing products . Below you will find a whole series of products that will help you achieve the result you want.
The mousse is a styling treatment to be applied to damp hair before drying.
Acting as a shape memory, it helps maintain the hairstyle.
Applied to the roots, the mousse adds volume. Applied to the lengths, it is a texturizing product that is also ideal for adding definition to curly or wavy hair. However, be careful not to add too much, to avoid the cardboard effect.
If you have fine hair, opt for a light mousse. Apply it on the roots to give them volume.
If your hair is straight, flat or limp you can apply a small amount to the lengths. Hair will appear fuller and with texture.
Applied to the lengths, the mousse will redefine natural curls or waves. Be careful though if you have really dry hair. Instead, go for a cream that will hydrate the hair and give it a nice silky curl while giving it a little hold.
As mentioned above, the cream is a texture that can be used as a leave in conditioner to fill a need for hydration. The cream can also be used to increase the vigor and shine of damaged hair. Other s use it to fight frizz and redefine curls.
It is therefore ideal for dry and/or curly hair of medium or thick density and thickness.
This product provides great support and shine.
Apply it on damp hair, it makes your hair very shiny once dry and provides great hold to the hair.
Multi-purpose, it allows both to style the hair "styled-disheveled", or to flatten the hair, handle flyaways and remove frizz.
This product offers medium hold and shine.
Very versatile, the wax can be used on short hair but also on longer hair. It adds texture and definition to the hair without too much shine and leaving it very manageable.
Remember to warm the product well in your hand before applying it.
This product is a good mix between gel and wax. It offers a medium hold and very flexible just like wax, with the shine of gel.
There is also “clay” pomade. Its texture is supple but matte. It is an ideal product to fix the small frizz of a bun or hairstyle.
These products are the last essential touch to your hairstyle for greater hold, extreme shine or incredible volume.
This product is often a must-have in the female hairdressing arsenal. It is often the last touch to fix the hairstyle and avoid frizz.
There are more or less fixing lacquers. Choose it according to the maintenance you want.
These products are applied at the root to add volume to the hair.
While the dry shampoo is a product that absorbs the sebum accumulated on the roots, it is used between washes to refresh the hair and give it back a little body.
The volumizing powder is the product to have if you want to have maximum volume. It is sprinkled on the roots. Then by massaging the scalp, this product takes off the roots like never before.
These products are ideal for fine and/or flat hair or if you have little hair.
These products can be applied at the beginning as well as at the end of the hairstyle.
As finishing products, they will smooth out stubborn cuticles and bring maximum shine to the hair. No more frizz and beautiful, healthy, shiny hair on the program.
Want a "back from the beach" look? This spray is ideal for bringing texture to the hair and a "undone" side.
Be careful however because, containing salt, this product can dry out the hair a little. So if you have already dry hair it's not ideal.
That's it ladies, now that you know how to recognize your hair type and know the order in which to apply your products, I hope it will be easier for you to choose them. Remember not to use too much, to use light textures for fine hair, serums for frizzy hair, and products with moisturizing active ingredients for curly or frizzy hair.
So good routine and see you soon for a next article on "cocktailing"
