Confused About Stylers? Everything You Need To know About Stylers For Curl Definition

Finding the perfect product to give you gorgeous hair is a never-ending quest for many naturals. I do not want to say most as I feel most just want healthy, happy hair and that is always going to be gorgeous. But for some naturals, their curls, coils and kinks must always look a certain way for them to be happy. I’m not knocking your preferences…I’m really not. I get it, more than you know. I have my own perceptions of what looks good, and on most days I am winning the fight on frizzy hair with my Wash and Go.

Natural hair has certain quirks that require specific products like a styler whether it be a gel, mousse, lotion, or wax. However you decide to describe it, the outcome is the same and that would be to control the frizz! Now, I get that frizz is a bad thing to many, but oddly enough it can be a welcoming volumizer that some naturals either have no issues with, or take in with open arms.

Then there is the other function of hold. How much hold are you looking for and will that hold be for a straight look or a curly, coily one? Will your styler have the main function of blocking humidity or protecting your tresses from heat? When you factor those questions into the equation, you alter your outcome drastically.

Most naturals know what a gel is but do they know what a styling lotion is or do you know how to use a wax? Are they all going to give you the same thing or do you really need to know the difference so you can better manage your style? Let’s try to get these questions answered:

Gel

Wikipedia defines hair gel as “a hairstyling product that is used to stiffen hair into a particular hairstyle”. For naturals that means holding your curls, coils and kinks to your desired texture or frizz-free and in place. The thicker the gel, the better the hold!

Either way, gel is a huge component in our hair care routines. They help to define and sustain curl patterns, minimizing frizz and even add shine. Asking a lot of one product? Maybe, but ask any natural who is in love with her hair gel how she feels, and you will probably get a big broad smile.

Traditionally, gels were usually alcohol-based and were used to achieve styles that require medium to strong holds. Spiked pixie cuts or slicked back ponytails were all the rage a few generations ago but all that gel did a whole lot of damage. To achieve those coiffures required some serious heavy-duty ingredients and that often meant using alcohols.

The look was fierce but those gels that worked so well were using the bad or drying alcohols because the evaporation of the alcohol would causes a stiff finish. You would be left with hard hair, flakes, or even breakage if used to often.

Styling Cream

A styling cream or wax will provide your tresses lightweight moisture, frizz-free smoothness with long lasting definition of your curls, coils and kinks. These are lighter than gels because they provide less hold.

Wanting a softer hold is perfect for some styles especially if volume is desired curl definition is not necessary or will only limit the volume.

Neither product is necessarily better than the other its just a matter of preference for that particular hairstyle. With so many natural rocking softer styles we have seen a resurgence styling creme as the styler of choice.

Styling Wax

A styling wax is just like it sounds. It is a milky-like gum substance that smoothes into a paste, and can be just a wax, or even a gel wax. A gel wax looks like a gel, but acts like a wax.

They work best with layers, and also if you are working on a messy look. It’s is better on shorter hair and great for a pixie cut but watch out as it is tough to wash out. It will last as long as you do so if you are in for a long day or night it might be the ideal product.

Volumizer

They can come in sprays, foams and other forms but the basic premise of the volumizer is to add height at the roots. If you have curly hair that falls flat, then you may be interested in this product. They give the hair temporary thickness with the humectants to draw moisture from the air to make your tresses fuller and polymers to coat the hair, and make the strands look thicker.

Do not make the mistake of adding it all over the hair, or it could weigh it down. Just add to the roots to thicken the base and allow the rest of the hair to seem bigger but lighter.

Mousse

Anyone and everyone can use mousse. It also adds volume but shine as well and even a little hold. It is lighter than a cream and foamy. Usually has no clumps and often dispensed in an aerosol foam spray or in cream form. It was big a few generations ago but many naturals are finding this product to be just what it they need for soft but effective hold, bounce, shine and conditioning.

Well, that’s it: hopefully we cleared things up for you all, so that you can make the best choice in styling products for you!