Ask the Expert: How to Choose Hair Product

Every week, a new hair care product is almost always introduced into the market. A new brand, a new formula, and a new packaging. For the consumer, this can make choosing the right product to use all the more confusing. The age-old question of “how do you choose the right hair care product” is therefore more complicated to answer now than ever before. But is it really as complicated as it seems? Is there more to choosing a hair product than looking at the list of ingredients?

Below, you will find out a few of the most important pointers to keep in mind when choosing a hair care product.

Shampoos

• Shampoos are formulated to contain higher alkalinity than the skin and hair. Other ingredients are also added into the formula to help give hair added shine and some conditioning effect. After some time, the hair becomes accustomed to this alkalinity level and establishes a “balance” such that hair no longer experiences the same benefits from the same shampoo like it used to. Having said that, there is no need to follow a definitive time frame when you feel the need to change shampoo, just use your own judgment when you are no longer satisfied with the results of using a particular shampoo.

• A clarifying shampoo is one of the often misunderstood hair care product in the market. They are formulated to have higher alkaline content than most other shampoos since they are created for removing product build-up or to rid hair of dirt and other grimes. Thus, refrain from using this type of shampoo unless you use a great deal of styling products on a regular basis.

Conditioners

• There are three general varieties of conditioners with which you can incorporate into the hair care routine: 1) leave-in, 2) rinse-through, and 3) deep conditioners.

• A leave-in conditioner is designed to be absorbed by hair, thus there is no need for rinsing. This is also a great product for on-the-go styling as it is formulated to be applied like a crème or lotion, or to be sprayed on. It is mainly designed to give added protection to hair when going out in extreme weather conditions or extra conditioning when hair feels dry in the middle of the day.

• Rinse-through conditioners are those that you use as part of your daily hair care routine, in the shower after you wash with shampoo. Their designed to smooth the cuticle layer of the hair to give it a soft, shiny, and smooth finish.

• A deep conditioner, on the other hand, must be done weekly or bi-weekly (depending on the hair condition). As the name suggests, they are designed to penetrate deep into the hair for a more nourishing benefit rather than just a smoother surface.

• A new range of conditioners known as detanglers have also emerged in the market. Their purpose, as the name implies, is to make it easier to handle snags or tangles in hair to avoid breakage.

Styling Gels or Mousses

• A styling gel or mousse is used on hair to make it easier to style by enhancing volume and hold. If you are looking to achieve a voluminous yet soft style, then go for a styling mousse because they are lighter in formula than most other styling products in the market. These products are also recommended for blow-dry styling and wet look styling because they do not leave the hair feeling and looking stiff.

• On the flip side, styling gels are thicker and more viscous. They are therefore best for hairstyles that require maximum hold and strength.

How do you choose a product to use on your hair?