Author: Jenna White | San Francisco Hairstylist
March 30th, 2021
March 30th, 2021
I want you to take a look at your hair products, and get rid of anything that is expired. Check out this video on why throwing away, and avoiding, old hair products is a must. Now, determine if the product "expands" or "condenses", and whether that is working for the way you currently style your hair. Most products can be classified under one of those two categories.
If you're not sure if a product expands or condenses, take a small amount of it and rub it between your fingers. When it eventually dries it will feel either slippery or tacky. Tacky products expand hair and slippery ones condense it. Some products can be both, but in general this is uncommon.
(1) Product That Preps
This category prepares the hair for layers of product in categories 2 and 3. Only two types of products apply here, and they are shampoo and conditioner. Shampoo supports expanding your hair by stripping oil, dirt and sweat away. Conditioner condenses your hair by moisturizing and smoothing via a sheer lightweight residue that can be felt when you wash it out. Stay tuned for future blog posts on this category! There is a lot more to be said than what I cover in this post.
(2) Product That Expands
Products in this category are often water-based, make hair fuller, and hold/stiffen. There are stronger holds and lighter holds. Stronger holds will freeze the hair in place, and often give it a crunchy feeling. Lighter holds will gently hold the hair in place, and are frequently referred to as "touchable". Visually these products tend to look like liquid or foam, and create fullness, plus protect longevity of the style.
Did you know products that expand hair are an effective way to manage frizz? Frizz consists of strands that are out of place from the majority of the hair’s pattern. Using products that expand give those strands structure so they can join up with the rest of your hair.
One product that belongs in this category but does not have a sticky consistency is dry shampoo. When used it makes your hair fuller by removing oil and adding texture.
If you're not sure if a product expands or condenses, take a small amount of it and rub it between your fingers. When it eventually dries it will feel either slippery or tacky. Tacky products expand hair and slippery ones condense it. Some products can be both, but in general this is uncommon.
(1) Product That Preps
This category prepares the hair for layers of product in categories 2 and 3. Only two types of products apply here, and they are shampoo and conditioner. Shampoo supports expanding your hair by stripping oil, dirt and sweat away. Conditioner condenses your hair by moisturizing and smoothing via a sheer lightweight residue that can be felt when you wash it out. Stay tuned for future blog posts on this category! There is a lot more to be said than what I cover in this post.
(2) Product That Expands
Products in this category are often water-based, make hair fuller, and hold/stiffen. There are stronger holds and lighter holds. Stronger holds will freeze the hair in place, and often give it a crunchy feeling. Lighter holds will gently hold the hair in place, and are frequently referred to as "touchable". Visually these products tend to look like liquid or foam, and create fullness, plus protect longevity of the style.
Did you know products that expand hair are an effective way to manage frizz? Frizz consists of strands that are out of place from the majority of the hair’s pattern. Using products that expand give those strands structure so they can join up with the rest of your hair.
One product that belongs in this category but does not have a sticky consistency is dry shampoo. When used it makes your hair fuller by removing oil and adding texture.
- Gel
- Hair Spray
- Moose
- Foams
- Texture Sprays
- Salt Sprays
- Setting Sprays
- Dry Shampoo
(3) Product That Condenses
Products in this category make hair sleeker, softer and are often oil-based. There are heavy oils and lighter oils. People who feel their hair is thick or puffy often use products like this. Visually they tend to look like a serum or a cream with a thicker consistency (versus watery).
When we hear about this type of product we tend to think about healthy glistening hair. They are sometimes marketed to help with frizz, but don't do as good a job as the products under category 2. Oil products slick down frizz, but can weigh down the rest of the hair, which some people don't need. If you feel your hair is too full and has frizz, then you need to use enough hold to prevent frizz and enough oil to weigh down your hair to the desired size. Many people with curly hair use products that both expand and condense hair for this reason.
One product that belongs in this category, but technically doubles as a conditioner, is a co-wash. It uses gentle surfactants that lift light build-up, dirt, and sweat from the hair without stripping it dry. The result is gently cleansed hair that is soft, smooth, and moisturized without the “just shampooed” look.
- Standard Oils
- Silicone Oils
- Nut Oils
- Cream
- Lotions
- Co-wash
Remember, when thinking about expanding and condensing hair, there is no such thing as having hair that is "too big" or "too small". It's all up to your individual taste, preference and styling needs.
