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 naughty strands and texturing hairstyles. In those years, due to the dubious quality of the product and its excessive application, the mop sometimes resembled a lot of icicles, and glued together. Fortunately, times are changing, and technology does not stand still - today a wide variety of gels are offered on the market 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 a restyled gel more than a thousand years ago! In those days, fat, tar, and even animal droppings were used for this. Of course, the only positive thing about using this “gel” was the exceptional fixation of the hair, and all other characteristics of the mixture left much to be desired. However, we will not dwell on these negative aspects in more detail, and consider modern formulations that are widely represented on the market for cosmetic products. Fashion brands not only provide styling stability, but also do not cause sticky deposits, 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 level of fixation can only be judged by the information on the package.

Being applied to wet curls, the gel forms a thin, but at the same time very elastic coating on each hair, making hair much easier to pack into a hairstyle. Quality gels necessarily contain fibrillar protein, better known as keratin - it nourishes the hair, heals it, restores silkiness and gives shine.

The undoubted advantages of the product include:

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

Gels are made on the basis of water disinfected under UV radiation, in addition, the composition of the tool includes all kinds of useful components that provide hairstyle stability, and also have a light healing effect:

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

At the same time, the structure of the gels includes substances that adversely affect the condition of the hair - these include preservatives and all kinds of artificial dyes. In addition, there is ethyl alcohol in the composition, which causes hair drying, brittleness and the appearance of dandruff.

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

Modern compositions have a large number of the most diverse modifications. Well-known manufacturers have tried to make sure that the right 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, is sold in banks and varies in level of fixation;
• liquid - this gel is used for texturing too thin and rare strands, which, when using compositions of a denser structure, immediately lose their entire volume;
• gel spray - simultaneously performs the tasks of both the gel and the spray, as a rule, is applied already in the final stage, gently fixes the styling, while the strands remain mobile and quite alive;
• gel wax - differs in a rather dense structure, designed for texturing the tips, not suitable for use on greasy and weakened strands;
• gel paint - this gel not only fixes the strands, but also additionally tones them, emphasizing individual curls in the hairstyle, however, the shade itself turns pale, unsaturated;
• brightening - due to the peculiarities of the chemical composition, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation gives a lighter shade on the curls, without damaging the hair shaft;
• healing - a special gel that contains vitamins A, E, D, is additionally enriched with panthenol, keratin and other components necessary to maintain a healthy look of hair; Through 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;
• middle;
• weak fixation.

By appointment there are:

• for extra splendor;
• with a slight moisturizing effect;
• giving shine and radiance;
• smoothing;
• medicinal;
• tinted.

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 pretty natural. Such products are very easy to apply, without straining the strands or sticking the hair together.

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

Gels with a creamy consistency look after the hair, they have a pronounced regenerative effect and contribute to accelerated hair growth, but it is not possible to do styling that requires strong fixation, so such compositions are mainly used for daily use and daily styling.

Everyone has their own favorite hair composition, often in search of the best remedy, several dozens of drugs have to be tried, however, according to user reviews, the following products are distinguished by the best consumer properties.

Sea-buckthorn gel for straightening curls from Natura Siberica. This product has a natural composition, it fixes styling well, without making strands heavier, and also heals them and restores natural radiance.

Extra strong hold gel from the famous cosmetic brand Revlon. A professional tool that allows you to simulate the most complex hairstyles.

Gel-paste for styling from Schwarzkopf. A universal composition, which with equal success can be used both in salon conditions and for the home.

Biokeratin drug from Concept. An excellent gel that allows you to not only achieve a perfect hairstyle throughout the day, but also treat damaged and brittle hair.

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

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

When working with the gel, the following precautions must be observed:

• do not let the gel get into your eyes, if this still happened - rinse with plenty of running water;
• if the scalp is inflamed or has wounds, it is better to turn out from the use of gels;
• at the first use of the gel, observe the reaction - if there are rashes, redness or pain, stop using the composition;
• non-dried gel can leave unaesthetic stains on clothing - be careful;
• gels should be stored out of the reach of children.

Let us dwell in more detail on the options for female styling, which can be done with a gel.

Owners of short haircuts do such a hairstyle, the essence is in texturing individual strands. To perform such styling, you should take a small amount of gel, distribute it on the hands and rub it into the hair, and then use the comb and hair dryer to lay it in the usual way. At the final stage, a little more gel should be scooped up and individual strands should be formed with your fingers, fixing them in the right direction.

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

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

Using the gel, even the most naughty hard hair can be styled, for this purpose a small amount of gel is applied to the comb, evenly distributed on it, and systematically comb one strand after another. After that, they pass through the hair again, forming the desired styling, dried with a hairdryer and additionally fixed with varnish.

It should be noted that not only women but also men resort to the product. For daily styling, they need very little composition, they need 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.

“Sloppy” styling is very popular among young men - in this case the gel is distributed in the palms, and then the hair is combed against the direction of their growth and form separate strands with your hands.

You can make a hairstyle, on the contrary, smooth. Then the gel is applied mainly to the roots, and then combed back with a comb and a hair dryer. Keep in mind that this styling puts 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 determined their use. So, some representatives of the fair sex believe that foams and gels give the same effect. This is not so, mousses with foams and gels have many differences.

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

See how to create a styling with the effect of wet hair using the gel, see below.