Hair Stylers 101: How to Use Different Types of Styling Products for Your Hair | Hair.com By L'Oréal
How To Get Smooth Hair: Everything You Need To Know
Hair Stylers 101: How to Use Different Types of Styling Products for Your Hair
Everything you need to know about hair styling products.
Your hair arsenal is probably filled with styling products, but do you really know what each does and how best to use them? Don’t worry, we have you covered. Hair stylers— hairspray, mousse, gel, etc.—aid in the styling process by adding structural support, but with different consistencies and multi-use stylers, it can get confusing on which does what. Hair type and desired hairstyle both play a major role in what stylers you should pick from, too.
Below, we’re breaking down everything you’ve ever wanted to know about styling products, including how to use them on different types and our favorite stylers.
Hairspray
Hair spray is one the most common hairstyling products traditionally used for a flexible hold. The quick-drying liquid is sprayed on the hair to keep it in place, protecting strands against humidity and wind. It comes in numerous strengths (case in point: Matrix’s Vavoom Freezing Spray Extra Hold and Extra Full Freezing Spray) and varieties to choose from, depending on your desired style. The nozzle on the bottle can help target specific areas that need product.
Shop Our Favorite Hairsprays
Matrix
Styling Fixer Hairspray
A flexible hold spray with a dry finish.
One size only for Styling Fixer Hairspray
11.1 fl oz
Redken
Shine Flash Hair Spray
An anti frizz hair spray for glass-like shine and finish.
One size only for Shine Flash Hair Spray
4.4 fl oz
Pureology
Style + Protect Soft Finish Hairspray
A fast-drying, brushable, flexible-hold hairspray for color-treated hair.
Select a Size for Style + Protect Soft Finish Hairspray
2.1 fl oz11 fl oz
Matrix
Vavoom Freezing Spray Extra Hold
An extra-firm, fast-drying, anti-frizz hairspray that provides 24-hour anti-frizz and humidity resistance.
One size only for Vavoom Freezing Spray Extra Hold
15 fl oz
Matrix
Vavoom Extra Full Freezing Spray
A finishing hairspray that also works as a dry shampoo and texturizing spray.
One size only for Vavoom Extra Full Freezing Spray
14.9 fl oz
Redken
Brushable Hairspray 12
A fast-drying hairspray that offers 24-hour control and humidity resistance for color-treated hair.
Select a Size for Brushable Hairspray 12
2.1 fl oz10.2 fl oz
Gel
Hair gel is used to harden hair into a particular hairstyle and is most often useful at providing a “wet look” and holding more structured looks in place. It’s available in different consistencies—gel, liquid, and spray. Gel can be used to slick back hair, tame flyaway pieces, mold curls (try Matrix Total Results A Curl Can Dream Light-Hold Gel!), and overall aid in the styling process of many different hairstyles.
Shop Our Favorite Gels
Matrix
Controller Gel
Strong hold gel for control without stiffness or crunch.
One size only for Controller Gel
6.8 fl oz
Redken
Max Sculpting Gel
A super strong hold hair gel that provides flake-free control, added thickness and body with a high shine finish.
One size only for Max Sculpting Gel
8.5 fl oz
Matrix
A Curl Can Dream Light-Hold Gel for Curly and Coily Hair
Flake- and crunch-free Manuka honey extract-infused light-hold defining gel for curls and coils.
One size only for A Curl Can Dream Light-Hold Gel for Curly and Coily Hair
6.7 fl oz
Redken
Brews Holding Gel for Men
A men's hair gel with medium hold and medium shine.
One size only for Brews Holding Gel for Men
5 fl oz
Mousse
Mousse is known for its versatility. Depending on the formula, the styling foam can give light hold and definition to strands, as well as protect and tame your hair and give unruly curls definition. In some cases, it can also provide lift and volume.
Application depends on the look you’re trying to achieve. Blowout? Comb through hair and blow-dry in. Curls? Work in from roots to ends using a diffuser to scrunch curls.
Shop Our Favorite Mousses
L'Oréal Professionnel
Tecni.Art Volume Envy Extra Mousse
A volumizing mousse that gives a natural, full hair look.
One size only for Tecni.Art Volume Envy Extra Mousse
8.5 fl oz
Shu Uemura
Awa Volume Mousse
A lightweight root lifting mousse
One size only for Awa Volume Mousse
5 fl oz
Curl Shapers
Curl shaping products are made to activate and restore curls defining your natural pattern. The right product will provide light hold, moisture, and shine so that you’re left with bouncy ringlets or coils. These types of products usually come in a spray or gel bottle and are applied after washing hair or to rejuvenate curls that have lost their shape.
Shop Our Favorite Curl Shapers
Mizani
Style Shifter Society Coco Dew Pre-Styling & Restyling Spray
A moisturizing 2-in-1 pre-styling and re-styling curl spray.
One size only for Style Shifter Society Coco Dew Pre-Styling & Restyling Spray
6.7 fl oz
L'Oréal Professionnel
Serie Expert Curl Expression Definition Activator Gel
Curl definition gel provides curl and coil pattern definition from roots to ends and activates curls and coils.
One size only for Serie Expert Curl Expression Definition Activator Gel
8.5 fl oz
Blow Out Cream
Blow-out creams are multi-use and are typically applied before blowing out hair. They can reduce blow dry time, provide heat protection, smooth frizz, add body, add shine, and make hair more manageable overall. Make sure you pick up one for your specific hair type and concerns.
One of the latest innovations in this category from Redken is Spray Smooth, an all-over aerosol spray that cancels unwanted frizz and provides up to 48 hours of silky smooth results. This ultra-fine mist delivers a shiny finish without weighing down hair. Discover this and more of our blowout favorites below.
Shop Our Favorite Blow Out Creams
Shu Uemura
Tsuki Shape Blow Dry Spray
A heat-activated blow dry spray and styling primer
One size only for Tsuki Shape Blow Dry Spray
6.4 fl oz
Kérastase
Couture Styling L'incroyable Blowdry Hair Lotion
A heat-activated styling lotion for maximum reshapability and thermal protection.
One size only for Couture Styling L'incroyable Blowdry Hair Lotion
5 fl oz
Texturizers
Texturizing sprays, waxes, and pastes are great for creating the roughed-up, lived-in, imperfect, or full and thick looks that so many of us crave— but not everyone has naturally.
Whether you want your look airy with grit (texturizing sprays like Redken Dry Texture Finishing Spray are perfect for reviving a blowout on the second day) or messy and frozen stiff, depends on what consistency you use.
Shop Our Favorite Texturizers
Redken
Dry Texture Finishing Spray
Texturizing spray for all hair types that adds soft texture and lightweight volume for effortless style.
One size only for Dry Texture Finishing Spray
8.5 fl oz
Pureology
Style + Protect Mess It Up Texture Paste
A medium-hold styling paste that provides flexible control, soft texture, and shine.
One size only for Style + Protect Mess It Up Texture Paste
3.4 fl oz
Kérastase
Genesis Homme Cire D’Épaisseur Texturisante Wax Pomade
Light-hold wax pomade for men with weakened hair prone to thinning.
One size only for Genesis Homme Cire D’Épaisseur Texturisante Wax Pomade
2.5 fl oz
Matrix
Builder Wax Spray
Aerosol wax with a satin-matte finish.
One size only for Builder Wax Spray
4.6 fl oz
Matrix
Styling Over Achiever 3-in-1
Spreads like a cream, texturizes like a paste, holds like a wax.
One size only for Styling Over Achiever 3-in-1
1.7 fl oz
What The Pros Say:
Shop The Video*
*Note: Some of these products have been rebranded, but contain the same or updated great formulas to achieve results you’ll love.
Redken
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave In Conditioner for Damaged Hair
Intense leave-in conditioner that provides strength repair to damaged hair
Select a Size for Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave In Conditioner for Damaged Hair
1 fl oz5.1 fl oz
Redken
Quick Blowout Heat Protecting Blowdry Spray
A lightweight spray that helps reduce blow drying time
Select a Size for Quick Blowout Heat Protecting Blowdry Spray
1 fl oz4.2 fl oz
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Redken
Invisible Dry Shampoo
A lightweight, fragrance-free dry shampoo with an invisible finish.
One size only for Invisible Dry Shampoo
5 fl oz
Redken
Thermal Spray 11 Low Hold
A lightweight, thermal heat protection hairspray that adds shine and reduces frizz.
One size only for Thermal Spray 11 Low Hold
8.5 fl oz
Redken
Oil for All Multi Benefit Hair Oil Heat Protectant Spray
A multi benefit hair oil for all hair types and hair textures.
Select a Size for Oil for All Multi Benefit Hair Oil Heat Protectant Spray
1 fl oz3.4 fl oz
Redken
Max Hold Hairspray 32
High-hold hairspray for long-lasting lift and 24-hour control.
Select a Size for Max Hold Hairspray 32
4.2 fl oz9.5 fl oz