Which hair styling product should you choose?
Photos Louis Canadas
Words Anthony Vincent
Translated by Sébastien de Turenne
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There is a hair styling product for every hair type.
Wax, cream, spray, gel… Hair styling products proliferate and are all very different, since they allow us to obtain various results in hold, shine and texture. Therefore, depending on the nature, density and length of your hair and the desired result, you can turn to specific products. Hair overview.
Wax pomade
Styling wax is presented in the form of a greasy paste that gives body to the hair. Most provide a heavy hold that suits those who wish to tame very thick hair or look for a very structured hair style like Don Draper’s in Mad Men. Depending on the quantity of fixing ingredients, the wax has more or less hold. Used sparingly, it is ideal to highlight the parting of a pompadour cut (tapered sides and lifted mid-length hair on top), a comb-over (tapered sides and mid-length hair on top swept to the side with a comb) or slick back (tapered sides and slicked back mid-length hair on top). It suits all hair types and lengths: the dry, greasy, straight, curly and frizzy. It is particularly adapted to short to mid-length haircuts.
Texture-wise
Styling waxes are made of an emulsion with a lot of oily substances which gives them the aspect of a paste/balm, with a shiny or mat finish depending on the product. It is generally a mix of animal wax (like beeswax, “Cera Alba” in the ingredients list), vegetal wax (such as the wax of certain palm trees like the carnauba) and/or mineral fats (such as ozokerite or paraffin oil). Certain compositions need to be warmed up for ten seconds in the palms of the hands before being spread on hair.
About our wax pomade
It doesn’t need to be warmed for long in the palms of your hands, just spreading it is enough. To spread it easily, we have chosen oils that liquefy fast. The beeswax and carnauba sculpt the hair fibre and strengthen it at the same time. The white clay that is kaolin adds holding power to the wax and gives it a mat effect to obtain a hairstyle that stays perfectly in place, with the right amount of suppleness. Since the formula doesn’t harden the hair, we can rework the hairstyle throughout the day. Lastly, it rinses off easily with clear water.
Cream pomade
The styling cream can be presented under the form of a smooth cream, like ours, or a balm. It offers hair a more supple hold than a wax, since its oil content is lower. That is why the styling cream suits short to mid-length hair in particular, normal to dry, kinky, frizzy or curly hair, and those who love to run their hands through their hair.
Texture-wise
It has two advantages: it is easy to absorb, and since the hair absorbs it easily, it is especially attractive to dry hair and those looking for moisture. It should be used sparingly on fine hair so as to not weigh it down.
About our cream pomade
Beeswax holds hair in place with a natural look. Castor oil strengthens it and gives it shine. Sapote butter (extracted from the seed of a Caribbean fruit) nourishes and softens the hair fibre, which straighten the frizz. It rinses off easily too.
The texturising hair styling spray
The texturising hair styling spray reconciles most hair types around the same bottle, apart from the very dry as it usually contains alcohol. It provides density and a fairly light hold. Its lightweight texture particularly suits fine hair looking for thickness, straight and curly hair of all lengths.
Texture-wise
Sprays are water-based, with silicones and fixing ingredients, forming an aqueous solution.
About our texturising hair styling spray
The spray’s holding power is flexible according to the quantity of product sprayed. Even with a heavy hand and over ten sprays, it leaves hair soft and silky thanks to the acacia fruit extract and the provitamin B5 (also known as panthenol). The hydrating agents added to the formula save hair from the drying effects of the salt that gives density. Its “just got back from the beach” effect doesn’t create a wet hair look but real texture, like dried surfer hair or your hair at the end of a holiday. This effect can be magnified by roughly tousling and twisting the hair, with the head upside down for even more volume. It can be added as a finishing touch after other styling products. Of course, it rinses off easily.
As you sure understood, it is important to pick your styling product according to the desired hairstyle, as well as the hair type so as not to weigh it down, grease it up or dry it. With great hair come great responsibilities.