Hair styling gels

In the 90s of the last century, when gels first appeared on the cosmetic market, it became very fashionable to use them for fixing unruly strands and texturing hairstyles. In those years, due to the dubious quality of the product and its excessive application, the mop at times resembled many icicles, moreover sticking together. Fortunately, times change, and technology does not stand still - today the market offers a wide variety of gels that allow you to create quite interesting effects on your hair.

First, a little history. Few people know, but people created the first prototypes of restyled gel more than a thousand years ago! In those days, fat, resins, and even animal droppings were used for this. Of course, the only positive thing about using such a "gel" was the exceptional fixation of the hair, and all the other characteristics of the mixture left much to be desired. However, we will not dwell on these negative points in more detail, and we will consider modern formulations that are widely represented on the cosmetic market. Fashion brands not only ensure the durability of styling, but also do not cause the appearance of sticky plaque, have a pleasant smell and do not have a harmful effect on the hair.

So, hair gel is water-based broad spectrum simulator... In appearance and consistency, it resembles a translucent jelly mass, which can be colorless or colored.In the cheapest brands, the degree of fixation is easily determined by the color of the product - the darker it is, the stronger the strands will adhere to each other, but the best manufacturers try not to introduce dyes into their products, so the fixation level can only be judged by the information on the package.

When applied to wet curls, the gel forms a thin, but at the same time, very elastic shell on each hair, making the hair much easier to collect in a hairstyle. High-quality gels necessarily contain fibrillar protein, better known as keratin - it nourishes the hair, heals it, restores silkiness and gives it shine.

The undoubted advantages of the product include:

• fixing effect - thanks to this property, you can maintain an impeccable state of the hairstyle for a long time;
• the ability to create the most complex hairstyles on your hair;
• the absence of any sticky plaque on the curls after application;
• weak aroma;
• hypoallergenic.

Gels are produced on the basis of water disinfected under UV radiation, in addition, the composition of the product includes all kinds of useful components that ensure the durability of the hairstyle, and also have a slight healing effect:

• cationic polymers - these particles have a positive charge, due to which they are fixed to negatively charged keratin;
• copolymer PVP / VA - provides the formation of a fixing film that prevents the penetration of the gel components into the structure of the hair shaft;
• carbomer - acts as a thickener;
• triethanolamine - is responsible for the regulation of the acid-base reaction;
• glycerol - helps to moisturize curls and nourish them.

At the same time, the structure of the gels includes substances that negatively affect the condition of the hair - these include preservatives and all kinds of artificial dyes. In addition, it contains ethyl alcohol, which causes dry hair, breakage and dandruff.

In order to mitigate the adverse effects of these components, the gel is additionally enriched with useful oils and plant extracts. For example, aloe extract gives a very good effect, which helps to moisturize and strengthen the curls.

Modern compositions have a wide variety of modifications. Well-known manufacturers have tried to make sure that a suitable product can be found for any type of hair and hairstyle features. The most common options are:

• jelly-like - the most common type of styling gels, it is versatile, sold in cans and varies in level of fixation;
• liquid - this gel is used for texturing strands that are too thin and sparse, which, when using compositions of a denser structure, immediately lose their entire volume;
• spray gel - simultaneously performs the tasks of both the gel and the spray, as a rule, it is applied already in the final stage, gently fixes the styling, while the strands remain mobile and quite alive;
• gel wax - it has a rather dense structure, intended for texturing the ends, not suitable for use on oily and weakened strands;
• gel paint - this gel not only fixes the strands, but also tones them additionally, emphasizing individual curls in the hairstyle, however, the shade itself turns out to be pale, unsaturated;
• lightening - due to the peculiarities of the chemical composition, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, it gives a lighter shade on the curls, without damaging the hair shaft;
• curative - a special gel, which contains vitamins A, E, D, is additionally enriched with panthenol, keratin and other components necessary to maintain a healthy look of hair; thanks to the use of such a tool, the hair is not only modeled, but also treated.

Depending on the level of fixation, there are:

• super strong;
• average;
• weak fixation.

By appointment there are:

• for extra pomp;
• with a light moisturizing effect;
• giving shine and shine;
• smoothing;
• medicinal;
• tint.

Choosing the right gel is not so difficult - it all depends on what effect you want to achieve. For daily hairstyles, it is better to use sprays, they have weak fixing properties, so they look quite natural. Such products are very easy to apply, while they do not weigh down the strands and do not glue the hair together.

For short and ultra-short haircuts, wax is ideal - it is very versatile, while it is used both at the ends and along the entire length of the hair. However, it is important not to overdo it here - you need to use a minimum of the product, otherwise the strands look dirty. It should be noted that working with wax requires a certain skill, and it is not the first time to use it correctly.

Gels with a creamy consistency care for hair, they have a pronounced regenerating effect and promote accelerated hair growth, but it is not possible to make styling with it that requires strong fixation, therefore such compositions are used mainly for everyday use and daytime styling.

Everyone has their own favorite composition for hair, often in search of the optimal remedy you have to try several dozen drugs, however, according to user reviews, the following products are distinguished by the best consumer properties.

Sea buckthorn hair straightening gel from Natura Siberica. This product has a natural composition, it fixes the styling well, without weighing down the strands, and also additionally heals them and restores natural radiance.

Super strong hold gel from the renowned cosmetic brand Revlon. A professional tool that allows you to model the most complex hairstyles.

Styling Gel Paste from Schwarzkopf. A universal composition that can be used with equal success both in salon conditions and for home.

Biokeratin preparation from Concept. An excellent gel that allows you not only to achieve a flawless look all day long, but also to heal damaged and brittle hair.

Any styling product must be used correctly, and gels are no exception. When working with it, you should adhere to the following recommendations.

• The gel must be taken in a small amount, otherwise the hair will look dirty or stuck together.
• Gels are used only on clean hair.
• If you plan to use a curling iron or iron for styling, give preference to gels with thermal protection.
• The composition should not be applied to the root zone; about 4-5 cm should be retreated from the head.
• Sometimes, when the gel is applied, it begins to lag behind or leaves a whitish trail. There may be several reasons for this: an excessive amount of the drug, the use of a poor quality product, or the use of an extra strong gel that does not suit your hair type.

When working with gel, you must observe the following precautions:

• do not let the gel get into your eyes, if this does happen, rinse with plenty of running water;
• if the scalp is inflamed or has wounds, it is better to be from the use of gels;
• when using the gel for the first time, observe the reaction - if rashes, redness or painful sensations appear, stop using the composition;
• non-dried gel can leave unaesthetic stains on clothes - be careful;
• gels should be kept out of the reach of children.

Let's dwell in more detail on the options for women's styling that can be done with the help of a gel.

This hairstyle is done by owners of short haircuts, the essence lies in the texturing of individual strands. To perform such styling, you should take a small amount of gel, distribute it over your hands and rub it into your hair, and then use a comb and hairdryer to style it in the usual way. At the final stage, you should scoop up a little more gel and form separate strands with your fingers, fixing them in the desired direction.

This is a very fashionable styling option, a real hit of recent seasons. To achieve the result is quite simple, the peculiarity of using the gel here is that it is applied to damp hair. As a rule, immediately after washing your hair get wet a little to remove all excess water, and then the gel is applied along the entire length, after which the hair is gently squeezed, forming curls.

With the help of the gel, you can make elastic curls and curls. It is very simple to build a curly hairstyle - you need to apply a little of the composition to clean, damp hair, then dry it slightly with a hairdryer, wind the papillotes and dry it naturally. After that, the curlers are removed and the styling is distributed with your fingers without using a comb.

With the help of the gel, even the most unruly coarse hair can be styled; for this purpose, a small amount of gel is applied to the comb, evenly distributed over it, and systematically combing one strand after another. After that, they are passed through the hair again, forming the desired styling, dried with a hairdryer and additionally fixed with varnish.

It should be noted that the product is used not only by women, but also by men. For daily styling, they need very little of the composition, it needs to be rubbed into the hair and left in the desired form, after which the hair is dried without the participation of a hair dryer.

Among young men, “careless” styling is very popular - in this case, the gel is distributed in the palms of the hands, and then the hair is combed against the direction of their growth and with hands they form separate locks.

You can make your hairstyle, on the contrary, smooth. Then the gel is applied mainly to the roots, and then combed back with a comb and hair dryer. Keep in mind that such styling brings all the imperfections of the face to the fore, so not every man can afford it.

It should be noted that all styling products have their own characteristics that led to their use. So, some of the fair sex believe that foams and gels give the same effect. This is not the case, mousses with foams and gels have a lot of differences.

• Mousses add extra splendor to the strands, and also keep the desired shape of the hairstyle. Gels also fix styling, but completely deprive the strands of splendor.
• Hair mousse is a foamy substance. Gel is a rather sticky mass.
• Typically, the foam is packaged in large aerosol cans. Gels are sold in banks.
• The mousses can be used by consumers with hair of any length.The gel is most often applied to short curls.

To learn how to create a wet look styling with the gel, see below.