With so many products on the market for hair care, from styling and molding creams to sculpting gels, there are so many ways to style your hair. You can give yourself a wet, crisp look or a frizz-free hold, depending on which product you choose. It can get a bit confusing, deciding whether you should go for a hair gel, hair wax or a hair cream. Take a cue from our expert.
Difference between hair gels, hair waxes and hair creams
* Gels
* generally use gels as a wet-styler or a pre-styler (the foundation for what my finished style is going to be). I only use gels on certain people, as well.
* Hair wax
These are a finishing product, the last thing you'll use (or second to last if you use hairspray, too). For a messy style, you'll concentrate it at the scalp/root, for a sleeker look. Then you may rake the product through with your fingers. Regardless, this is what you use to create your final shape/style. The gel is more for direction, smoothness, or control.
*Hair cream
Also known as styling cream, this adds a subtle, natural-looking shine to hair. It gives a low to medium hold that tames stray hairs, but doesn't weigh your ‘do down’. Simply put, it banishes frizz without the greasiness.
Ingredients in hair gels/ wax/ creams
Styling products generally contain a hair stiffener to keep hair in place. Examples of stiffeners are oils, petroleum jelly, beeswax, carnauba wax, and xanthan gums.
Most suitable time to apply hair gel/ wax/ cream
Many types of pomade are water-based, so they are lightweight and wash out easily. For a slicked back look, apply to wet hair and style as desired. If you have dry hair or want a flexible hold, pomade is your ideal product. Look for pomades with a matte finish for everyday wear, and apply it to dry hair as you would when using a wax.
Applying hair gel frequently
The use of hair gel on its own does not cause hair loss. In fact you could use gel regularly for a long period of time without experiencing any negative side effects, providing you wash your hair and scalp well every day and avoid going to sleep with gel in your hair.
Natural hair gels
There are plenty of home remedies for styling gels, flax seed gel and gel made out of gelatin to name a few.
Compiled by Ruwini Jayawardana
Hair gel for hair types
* Straight hair
Those with straight hair needn’t worry about styling restrictions. Due to the ‘blank canvas’ nature of straighter hair, it’s more about choosing the right products to suit the finish you’re going for.
* Wavy hair
When choosing a product for wavy hair, it’s good to go for something that’ll hold moisture as, when not styled, wavy cuts have a tendency to become wiry. You can also curtail this drying with the use of quality, moisturizing shampoos and conditioners.
* Curly hair
Even the best hair gels for men, although quite wet in consistency, have a tendency to dry hair out after some time, so are best avoided. Clay and wax will be too dry and mattifying, possibly creating an undesirable texture. With a mousse, although it can dry out hair, it can also be used to give curls or waves a more defined finish, so if this is the look you’re going for, try incorporating an oil to counteract drying.
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