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Welcome to ReviewBox Brasil. In this article we bring you all the details you need to know about hair gel, which helps to enhance your look whatever the occasion. Check out what we have prepared for you below.
Contents
Summary
- Hair gel provides wet and shiny look and has high fixing power.
- There are levels/classification of hold, besides there are specific gels for each hair type.
- Although they start from the principle of fixing and modeling, hair gel is different from products such as wax, pomade and mousse.
The best Hair Gel: Our Picks
We’ve separated the best models you’ll find on the market when it comes to hair gel.
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Buying Guide
In the following paragraphs we will take a closer look at the universe of hair gel.
What is hair gel?
Inside the product, there are two main ingredients: water and acrylate. The latter, when in contact with the liquid, swells and creates volume, which helps to model the hair.
Hair gel can also contain fragrances and alcohol.
When was hair gel invented?
The ancient Egyptians already used a kind of gel, made from fat, to preserve their hair after their death in 300 BC.
This is what researchers from the University of Manchester, UK, have discovered in a study published by the Journal of Archaeological Science and the LiveScience website.
The hair of 18 mummies was analysed microscopically and in nine of them there was some substance to protect and preserve the hair, which was later reported to be fatty acids from vegetables and animal origin.
What types of hair gel?
Fixing gel is the most common and aims to leave the hairstyle firm for as long as possible. There are three levels of hold – low, medium and high. Respectively, they leave the hair looser, a little tighter and well fixed.
The fixing gel is also the one that guarantees the wet look. It is usually used in small quantities. The finishing hair gel is similar to the mousse, but its result is still to leave a harder hairstyle. It is recommended for those who want a looser or semi-attached hair.
It is usually used a drop, the size of a coin, so that the hair does not look too hard.
For those who have curly hair, there are special gels for this type of hair. Many brands call this specific gel gelatin. They usually contain active ingredients (ceramides, for example) to hydrate the hair.
It is often used to separate the hair in several strands, passing each one of them to form the curls – this process is called styling.
For frizz control with a softer effect, the spray gel is a great choice, since it’s only used in sprays.
Can gel be bad for hair?
gel causes the strands to dry out, which can leave them brittle. This is why daily use of the product is not recommended.
The situation can be even worse if you do not thoroughly clean your hair after using the gel. Sleeping without removing the product is not recommended in any case.
Because of the dryness that the gel can cause, it is important to keep your hair moisturized. Wash it daily with shampoo suitable for your hair type, use conditioner and quality creams, preferably from the same line as the shampoo.
By following these steps, you will prevent any damage from the use of gel.
What are the differences between wax, mousse, paste, pomade, spray and hair gel?
Because of this, it is good to know what the characteristics of the main hair products on the market are and thus choose the best alternative for you.
| Product | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Wax | With thicker texture, it creates hairstyles with long-lasting fixation. Great for styling frizzy strands and topets. Not recommended for those with dry hair, because some are made with clay, which absorbs the oiliness of the hair |
| Mousse | Usually comes in spray and looks like foam. It gives volume and more definition to the loose strands and helps to model the hair. Great for curly and wavy hair. Application can be done with wet or dry hair |
| Paste | It is between pomade and wax, with a creamy texture. It has a similar effect to the wax, however its fixation is much stronger. Recommended for fine, wavy and straight hair |
| Pomade | Recommended for all hair types. Fixation can be soft or strong, with intense shine or matte effect |
| Spray | Dry effect, strong fixation, recommended for people with very straight hair. Long lasting and can be used after wax or pomade, adding extra hold |
| Gel | Offers wet and shiny look, can be applied directly to wet hair, has high hold power |
Purchase Criteria: What to consider before buying a hair gel
You are already aware of the world of hair gel, but there are still other issues that need to be taken into account before you make your choice.
Now that you know them, we will detail them in the next lines.
Fixation
Hair gel specimens have levels of hold. The most common ones are low, medium and high. However, there are brands that define the fixation as medium, strong, extra strong and mega strong.
Depending on your demands, whether you are going on a date, going to class or to work, and the time you will be away from home, you can choose which type of hold is best.
In addition, the type of hold also has to do with the type of hairstyle you will be wearing, whether you want to give it a harder or looser look.
Hair type
Until a few years ago, hair gel focused on people with fine, straight hair – most of the options on the market are like that.
However, nowadays the market has been making room for a range of specific products for curly, frizzy and wavy hair. These options are more commonly called gelatin.
Quantity in grams
Depending on how often you use hair gel, the size of your strands, you can define what size product you will buy.
The containers vary considerably in weight. You find hair gel models of 50 g, 150 g, 250 g, 300 g, 500 g and even more.
Price
The hair gel has an average price of approximately £25 counting all the sizes which, as you already know, vary a lot.
You can find options on the market with very affordable prices, below £10, and others with higher prices, with examples above £100.
(Featured image source: DMC Hair/ Amazon)
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