Yesterday we talked about leave-in hair treatment types. Today let’s talk about hairstyling products!
We all know about hairsprays and wax, but are you familiar with styling hair balm and styling oils?
Let’s start with hair balms. Hair balms, depending on the brands, usually range from a soft cream-like texture to something like hardened butter. Which is pretty similar to wax.
So what makes balm different?
The ingredients are mostly made from natural ingredients like herbs and oils. So it has some level of hair treatment properties (though it will never replace an actual treatment product!) and depending on the balm brands, the leftover residue you get after styling your hair can be used as hand creams and lip balms! However, unlike traditional wax, it has less holding power and the product will have a shorter shelf life since it contains more organic ingredients (it might smell bad if not kept well), which is why they are usually sold in smaller packaging.
Now, onto hairstyling oils. Hair oils are usually used to give your hair this glossy-moist-looking finishing touch. But it doesn't hold any curls so it's more suited for straight looks or soft waves. If you want to have some level of defined wavy hair and want to use oils for the shine or beach look, you will need to make extra defined curls (like Marilyn Monroe level) and mix it with a bit of wax or balm to have some level of hold.
So to summarize the basic properties:
Spray
Good for: Keeping a slightly natural but defined style.
Downside: Hard and/or once it breaks, it's hard to get back a clean shape. Not very good at taming stray hairs.
Wax
Good for: Keeping a very defined style.
Downside: Looks greasy and unnatural, sticky to the touch.
Balm
Good for: Taming stray hair, and giving styles a natural-like hold with a slight shine-more matt, airy look.
Downside: Shorter shelf life compared to wax. May smell if not stored properly or washed off hair properly.
Oil
Good for: Natural smooth silky look or wet styles and taming stray hairs.
Downside: Not much hold for styling, not suited very for defined curls because it will tone down curls when applied.
That is all for today. Again, I hope this was useful info!
~Nez
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