Back in the day, there was hair spray, and that was pretty much it. There are many more hair styling options now, but it can be pretty confusing understanding all the terminology and determining what each of these hair styling products actually do. Here’s a quick primer on gel, paste, wax and more.
The Most Common Hair Styling Products Explained
Cream. Hair creams are generally used to defrizz and moisturize hair, much like a leave-in conditioner. You might use one on its own if you’re going for a very relaxed, natural style, or you could use it to calm flyaways and smooth your hair before using your other styling products.
We like: TIGI Copyright Custom Create Multi-Tasking Styling Cream.
Paste. Also called a molding paste. A hair paste has a consistency that is somewhat like a thick toothpaste. It usually provides a more flexible hold that can be reshaped as needed throughout the day. Pastes are very versatile and can be used for medium to strong hold.
We like: Enjoy Molding Paste.
Wax. There is often confusion about what a wax is, and some products that get called waxes really aren’t. The attributes that make a styler a wax are that they don’t solidify (i.e. you can comb or brush through them) and usually they leave some shine on your hair. They are good for relaxed hairstyles that don’t require a lot of hold.
We like: TIGI Copyright Custom Create Creamy Finishing Wax.
Clay. Hair clays are a newer category of styling product. They usually contain a bit of powdered bentonite clay, which is water absorbent. They add thickness and structure to your hair, so they are great for adding volume without weight or greasiness. Clay also draws out dirt and impurities and has nutrients that nourish the hair and scalp.
We like: L’ANZA Healing Style Sculpt Dry Clay.
Gel. Hair gels have gotten a bad name over the years due to their tendency to be drying and to leave your hair feeling crunchy and stiff. But newer gels have eliminated those drawbacks and can be great for managing and defining curls without the “crunch factor.”
We like: Amika Curl Corps Enhancing Gel.
Mousse. Hair mousse is another one of those styling products that got a bad rap due to the foamy residue tending to leave hair feeling sticky and stiff. But give mousse another try if you want an effortless way to create weightless volume. The newer formulations have eliminated the stickiness and mousse is great for adding body to thinning or fine hair.
We like: Moroccanoil Volumizing Mousse.
You may also encounter hair care products called pomade (usually for slick, shiny styles), putty (similar to wax but usually leaves a matte finish), hair oils (just like they sound) and more. Keep in mind that not all the terms are used correctly, so do a little research on any new hair styling product to see what effect it might have on your hair.
Be sure to check out the full line of hair styling products available on our website. We guarantee that all beauty lines offered are 100% authentic, never from a third-party, and are items that our beauty team uses on our own hair and skin. Plus, Pandora Beauty offers some of the best prices available on all your favorite salon-quality products at our online discount beauty supply store.
