Hair styling foams: how to choose and use?

There are many styling products on the cosmetic market today. Foam is one of the popular products for creating volume and fixing hairstyles.

Foam is a styling product that works on damp hair for easy combing and styling. In addition, it strengthens the hair. Due to the method of application and the peculiarity of the consistency, foam is often confused with mousse. However, these are different cosmetic products. The foam is designed for fine and thin hair and allows you to add volume to the hairstyle. In this regard, the product is lighter and more gentle. The mousse is designed to help style heavy or unruly hair.

The foam does not stick together and does not weigh down the hair, allows you to achieve the volume of the strands, to preserve their naturalness and mobility. At the same time, the foam, surrounding the hair shaft, helps to protect it from ultraviolet radiation, frost and thermal exposure. And if the product contains vitamins and oils, then it also has a regenerating effect: it smoothes the hair scales.

These properties are achieved due to the peculiarities of the composition of the styling agent. They may differ slightly depending on what problems the foam solves. It usually contains the following components:

• hydrogenated protein (responsible for the texture of the product and preserving the naturalness of the strand, allows them not to stick together);
• butane (gives a drying effect);
• preservatives (provide long-term storage of the product both in an airtight and open form);
• vitamin supplements (help to maintain the health and attractiveness of curls);
• aromatic additives (give a pleasant aroma to the product).

Foam can vary in the degree of fixation. Fixation happens:

• easy;
• medium;
• strong.

According to their functions, the funds are of different types.

• Some foams are designed for curly unruly hair, they are used to straighten curls.
• Specialty remedies can be found for dry, weakened hair. As a rule, they contain more vitamins and minerals.
• For overdried, dyed, as well as a strand, often exposed to hair dryers, irons and flat iron, you can recommend a thermal protective foam. The product contains panthenol and vitamins. The first one envelops the hair and provides its protection, while vitamins nourish the hair follicle. Like any foam, thermal protection allows you to style and fix it. It is worth noting that the thermal protective agent also saves hair from the negative effects of the environment: ultraviolet rays.
• There are tint foams that allow you to lightly color the strands during styling. The color will be washed off without a trace during the subsequent shampooing.
• Volume products are very popular. They allow you to add puffiness to your hair and fix it. For the procedure, you will also need a hairdryer and a special brush-brush. She will need to lift the strands as they dry from roots to ends.
• There is also a lather for damp hair. It is especially convenient for owners of short and medium hairstyles. The product is applied to damp hair along the entire length, after which styling is created with hands and brushing.
• For dull hair, you can use a foam that adds shine. The secret of the product is the presence of special flickering particles in the composition. They will provide shine and healthy glow to your curls.

Stylists recommend choosing professional styling foams. These can usually be found in specialist hairdressing stores. They are more expensive than analogs from the mass market, but they cope better with the tasks (styling, protection, health improvement). There are several professional foams.

• Full Volume from the L ”Oréal Professionnel brand. The foam provides root volume and fixes the strands along the entire length, styling is maintained throughout the day.

• Full Effect by Redken. The composition is suitable for dry, porous and frizzy hair. It fixes the hair, helps to achieve volume and at the same time moisturizes the hair.

• High Amplify Foam Volumizer by Matrix. Foam for maximum volume at the roots. Does not glue and fixes hair securely.

It is worth noting the products that have received the approval of specialists and users.

• Wellaflex. It is produced in several modifications according to the degree of fixation. Allows to achieve root volume, lasts a long time. The remains of the product are easily combed out with a massage brush.

• Taft. Another effective tool at an affordable price. Great for owners of curls: it gives root volume, makes combing easier, makes curls more well-groomed and shiny. A clear advantage is the cans of different sizes. The standard 200 ml can be used at home, the mini version 100 ml can be taken with you on trips. Of the minuses, a rather strong specific smell can be noted.

First of all, you should pay attention to the composition (it must be safe) and make sure that the foam will help solve the styling problem facing you. The longer and heavier the hair, the stronger the foam hold you should choose. A strong hold tool is also required if you are creating a complex hairstyle or want to highlight (texture) individual strands.Medium hold products are suitable for daily styling.

Weak hold is optimal for short hair. It will also help to achieve root volume for wavy hair, create a beach style: slight disheveledness, volume. If you use foam quite rarely, it is logical to buy the composition in a small bottle.

Avoid clumping and weighing hair when using foam, simple recommendations will allow.

• Only clean, damp hair can be styled correctly and beautifully. After you have washed them, blot them with a towel: they should not be too wet, and no water should drip from them. Squeeze a small amount of foam onto your hands, rub it into your palms. There should not be a lot of products, otherwise the hair will look greasy. For short hair, a walnut-sized amount is sufficient. For hair below the shoulder blades - about the size of a tennis ball.

• Using your hands, distribute the styling first at the roots of the hair, and then along the entire length. You can use a wide-toothed comb. If the composition does not have a thermal protective effect, it is recommended to take care of the hair protection before using the hair dryer.

• If you want root volume, lower your head down and dry your hair a little with a hairdryer in this position. Then, part your hair into segments and use a brush to lift and dry the strands.

• Don't hold the hair dryer too close to your scalp. Thanks to the drying effect, styling already enhances the harmful effects of hot air. The optimal distance is 20 cm.

• To add volume to very fine hair, you can use a corrugated iron. Several strands should be ironed at the very roots, and then covered with other strands. It will be imperceptible that you have a ripple, but volume will appear.

• To get a beach hairstyle, foam is applied to damp hair, after which the strands need to be wrinkled with your hands. You should get chaotic waves and curls. The hairstyle can be allowed to dry on its own, or you can tilt your head and blow-dry while continuing to wrinkle your hair with your hand.

• For smaller curls, you can apply lather, comb your hair, and braid your hair. Dry them, undo them. For large Hollywood curls, after applying the product to the hair, the strands are wound on curlers and dried with a hairdryer. You can make these curls using an iron or a large diameter curling iron.

• Experts do not recommend using even caring foams more often 3-4 times a week.

• A little secret: if the color turned out to be too bright when using the tint foam, it can be washed off with water.

Women leave reviews about products from different manufacturers.

• Foam receives positive feedback from a Belarusian company Belita-Vitex (Bamboo style product)... From the name it is clear that the composition includes bamboo extract, which protects the hair. Buyers note that the composition does not stick and does not weigh down the hair, it is easy to apply, and lasts all day. It is mainly used to create root volume. Other pluses: natural styling, affordable price and economical consumption of funds. Some say that the manufacturer would do well to expand the product line. It now includes foam for strong and extra strong styling.

• Another brand that has won consumer confidence is Wella... The line includes several products, including a strong hold foam for heavy and curly hair. Reviews allow us to conclude that the tool copes well even with naughty and heavy curls and fixes the styling for the whole day.

• World famous brand "Taft" also has very positive customer reviews. The product line of this manufacturer includes several types of foam.All tools allow you to make the styling more voluminous, to solve the problem of dry, split ends. After application, the hair visually appears more vibrant and healthy. These styling products are especially good for those with curly or tangle-free hair. Thanks to the keratin in the composition, they are easy to comb, become more pliable, alive. However, you can find reviews that talk about the fragility of styling with this foam. Moreover, users note that the tool cannot be called inexpensive.

• Among the products for curly hair, there are many positive reviews Extra- Body Sculpting Foam from Paull Mitchell... According to the manufacturer's statements, the composition contains rosemary, aloe, jojoba extract, which ensures the care qualities of the foam. Customers talk about the ease of application of the product and the stability of the styling. She is able to "survive" even wind and light rain.

For an overview of some brands of hair foam, see the video below.