Spring is here, and it's time to let your hair down. Or style it up. There's no excuse for hiding that messy mane underneath a winter hat anymore.
It's time to show some spring style, and the best way to do so is by using the right hair styling product.
Figuring out which product to use can be difficult. There's a wide range of products on the shelves, both professional and everyday. There's also a variety of hair types, many of which can be styled in different ways.
According to Moira Chernicky, owner of Halo's Salon in Edinboro, no one product is right for everyone.
"It's so individualized right now," said Chernicky.
Erin Rizzone, an employee of Empyrean Day Spa & Salon in Edinboro, agrees.
"There is no one miracle product. Cocktailing is the answer," said Rizzone.
Cocktailing means using a mixture of products to achieve a desired look. The mixture of products is different for everyone, and can include anything from gel or mousse to paste and wax.
That's right-wax. Styling products have plain names, but can help you achieve far from a plain look.
Gel is a common styling product that helps stiffen hair into a desired style. It can be applied to wet or dry hair, but sometimes gives hair a greasy look and feel.
Also common is mousse, an aerosol foam spray that provides volume and hold when applied to wet hair. It can even serve as a conditioner.
A favorite of Rizzone is the Matrix Biolage Volumized Whipped Mousse, which she says is the most popular product at Empyrean.
"It's totally different than any other mousse we've ever used…It's a sustainable volumizing product," said Rizzone, who compares the texture of the mousse to whipped cream.
Another styling product is pomade, which makes hair sleek and shiny, but doesn't provide much hold or separation. It doesn't dry, and it takes several washes for hair to come clean after use.
For definition, the best product to use is wax. Wax allows you to style hair into textured chunks and pieces. It can sometimes create a sleek and glossy look.
According to Chernicky, pomade and wax are best for shorter hair.
A good product for long hair, she says, is Paul Mitchell Spray Wax.
"Spray wax is awesome…It has texture, it's waxy, but you don't have to put it in your hands and run it through," said Chernicky.
For support and a little bit of moisture, a cream is best. It can be used as a finishing product.
Rizzone says a finishing product is essential in a three-step styling process.
The first step is a wash with the right product, such as a hydrating conditioner for dry hair or a color-enhancing shampoo for dyed hair.
A proper wash creates what Rizzone calls "a clean canvas," where pH levels are balanced and hair is ready to be styled.
Following the wash comes a control product, such as gel or mousse. Last is the finishing product, which is most often a hairspray.
Serum can also be used as a finisher. It prevents hair from getting tangled while making it shinier. It is also a protector, shading hair from damaging sunshine or dryness.
Erica Caldwell, a stylist at Smart Style Salon in the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Washington Township, thinks serum is a universal product right for all types of hair.
"Everybody could use a little shine, a little moisture," said Caldwell.
Caldwell recommends using silk drops in hair for a serum-like effect.
Empyrean, Smart Style Salon and Halo's each sell professional styling products, while everyday products are available at places like Wal-Mart.
Rizzone suggests using professional products over everyday ones.
"The quality of the ingredients are much higher," said Rizzone, emphasizing that everyday products contain a significant amount of additives and only mask a problem.
Caldwell agrees that professional products are better than their everyday counterparts.
"[They have] better hold, they last longer because they're not as watered down, they actually do what they're going to do," said Caldwell.
Regardless of quality, all stylists warn that you will never get the right style if you use the wrong product.
"They just don't get the result they're looking for," said Chernicky of clients who use the wrong product.
For more information on styling, visit Halo's Salon (212 Mill Street), Empyrean Day Spa & Salon (5480 Route 6N) or Smart Style Salon (located in Wal-Mart Supercenter at 108 Washington Towne Boulevard). Appointments may be necessary.
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