Hair Styling Products: How to Choose the Best Ones for Your Hair

We all dream of hair that looks flawless, as if we'd just stepped out of the salon. But the journey to the perfect hairstyle can be full of challenges – shop shelves are crammed with countless products, and picking the right one becomes a real headache. The world of hair styling products is incredibly vast: from mousses and sprays to waxes, gels and protective mists. So how do you avoid the wrong choices and pick the products that bring out the very best in your hair?

In this in-depth guide you'll learn how to identify your hair type, get to know the main categories of styling products and what each is for, and discover how to choose exactly the ones that suit your hair and your styling needs. Whether your hair is straight, curly, fine or thick, these insights will help you build a personal styling routine that works with your hair's unique character.

Before diving into the world of styling products, it's worth remembering that a healthy foundation is the key to successful styling. Explore our range of shampoos, conditioners and care rituals that help keep your hair healthy and full of vitality.

Understanding Your Hair Type and Needs

Before buying any styling product, it's important to know exactly what your hair is like. Texture, thickness, porosity and natural tendencies all determine which products will give you the best results.

The Main Hair Types

• Straight hair - usually glossy, but can become greasy quickly. It needs lightweight styling products that add volume without weighing it down.
• Wavy hair - has a natural texture but can be prone to frizz in humidity. It suits products that enhance the natural waves and keep frizz under control.
• Curly hair - often dry and prone to frizz. It needs moisturising products that define the curls and offer control.
• Fine hair - breaks easily and quickly loses its shape. It calls for lightweight, volumising products.
• Thick hair - hard to manage and needs more intensive styling products with a strong hold.

Assessing Your Hair's Condition

Beyond hair type, it's important to assess condition too. Is your hair damaged by colouring or chemical treatments? Is it prone to dryness, or does it get greasy quickly? Healthy hair responds far better to styling products, so it's worth investing in restorative care before reaching for intensive styling formulas.

A hair porosity test can also be useful: drop a strand of hair into water – if it sinks quickly, your hair is highly porous and absorbs a lot of product, so you should opt for lighter formulas. If the strand stays on the surface for a long time, your hair is less porous and may need stronger products.

Trichologists recommend watching how your hair reacts to moisture and the environment – this can also help you pinpoint the most suitable styling products. Browse the LIPSELL hair styling collection, where you'll find a variety of quality solutions tailored to different needs.

The Main Types of Hair Styling Products and What They Do

The choice of styling products can feel overwhelming, but each one has its own unique qualities and benefits.

Let's take a look at the main categories and their specific uses.

Hairsprays

Hairspray is the classic product for holding a finished style in place. Modern sprays are prized for their flexibility and natural feel:

• Light hairsprays – offer a flexible, movable hold that lets hair fall naturally
• Medium-hold hairsprays – keep a style stable while retaining softness
• Strong hairsprays – ideal for elaborate styles that need to hold their shape for hours

Hairspray suits all hair types, but for fine hair it's better to choose a light, alcohol-free spray that won't weigh the hair down.

Styling Mousse

Mousse is a versatile product that adds both volume and control:

• Light mousse – ideal for fine hair, giving natural volume
• Medium-hold mousse – suits most hair types, adding structure and texture
• Strong mousse – works brilliantly on thicker, heavier hair that needs more control

Styling mousse works best when applied to damp hair before drying. Professionals recommend distributing the mousse from roots to ends for even coverage.

Hair Waxes and Pomades

Hair waxes and pomades create a defined style with a visible result:

• Matte waxes – add texture without shine, ideal for short hair
• Pomades – create a classic, glossy look that suits elegant styles
• Hybrid waxes – flexible formulas that are easy to wash out

These products work best on thick, straight or wavy hair. They can be too heavy for fine hair.

Hair Gels

Gels deliver a strong hold and sharp definition:

• Light gels – natural hold without stiffness
• Medium-hold gels – the perfect balance between hold and flexibility
• Strong gels – designed for dramatic hold and specific styles

Gels work best on short to medium-length hair. On longer hair they can leave an unnatural, stiff finish.

Heat Protection

This category isn't a styling product as such, but it's essential whenever you use heated tools:

• Protective sprays – lightweight, suitable for fine hair
• Heat-protection creams and serums – more intensive protection for thicker hair
• Multi-purpose products – combine heat protection with styling properties

Trichologists are unanimous that heat protection is a must to avoid hair damage. Temperatures above 180°C can damage hair, so it's essential to use a dedicated product.

Natural Hair Products

Natural styling products are growing in popularity, offering alternatives to synthetic formulas:

• Coconut oil – a natural smoother, ideal for dry hair
• Aloe vera gels – light hold and hydration
• Flaxseed gels – natural curl definition

Natural products can be a great alternative, especially if you have a sensitive scalp or want to cut down on the chemicals you use.

Comparing Products by Their Properties

Product	Hold level	Shine	Result	Best for
Hairspray	Light to strong	Matte/glossy	Long-lasting	All hair types
Mousse	Light to medium	Natural	Volume	Fine, normal
Wax	Medium to strong	Matte/glossy	Texture	Thick, wavy
Gel	Medium to strong	Glossy	Structure	Straight, short
Natural products	Light	Natural	Hydration	Dry, damaged

When choosing between natural and synthetic products, it's worth paying attention not only to the ingredients but also to performance. Natural products generally give a lighter hold but may not last as long.

When creating a style, try the Milk Shake Lifestyling Light Styling Cream, which not only shapes your hairstyle but also nourishes the hair and adds shine.

How to Choose the Right Styling Product for Your Hair

Choosing the right styling product is a personal process that should be based on your hair's particular needs and your styling goals. Here are a few steps to help you find your ideal products.

Define Your Styling Goals

Before buying any product, ask yourself:

• What result are you after? Volume, smoothing, texture or curl definition?
• How firm a hold do you want? Light, medium or strong?
• Are you after a natural look, or a more defined style?

Hair stylists stress that being clear about your goal helps you avoid disappointment – a product that's perfect for defining curls may be completely wrong for adding volume.

Consider Your Hair's Health

The condition of your hair should guide your product choices:

• For damaged hair, choose alcohol- and sulphate-free products with moisturising properties
• For colour-treated hair, look for products that protect the colour
• For dry hair, oil-based styling products are recommended

Trichologists advise avoiding products with a high alcohol content, especially if your hair is already damaged or dry, as this can dry it out even further.

Match Products to Your Lifestyle

Your daily routine is also an important factor:

• If you're short on time, multi-purpose products that are easy to use are ideal
• For an active lifestyle, you'll want long-lasting, humidity-resistant products
• If you change your style often, opt for products that wash out easily

If you're new to styling products, hair stylists recommend starting with versatile options such as a medium-hold mousse or a light styling spray.

Reading the Ingredients

Knowing how to read a label can be crucial to choosing the right products:

• Ingredients to avoid: parabens, sulphates, silicone derivatives (especially for drier hair)
• Beneficial ingredients: keratin, argan oil, panthenol (vitamin B5), aloe vera extract
• UV protection: a valuable extra, especially in summer or sunny climates

Beauty product experts point out that the constant use of products with harsh chemicals can worsen the condition of your hair over the long term.

Mistakes to Avoid

When choosing styling products, steer clear of these common mistakes:

• Using too much product - more isn't always better, so start with small amounts
• Combining the wrong products - some products, especially those containing silicone and oils, don't mix well
• Ignoring heat protection - a common mistake that leaves hair dry and brittle
• Not adapting to the season - summer often calls for lighter formulas, winter for moisturising ones

Start with a smaller amount of product – you can always add more, but removing excess is difficult. Many professionals recommend starting with a pea-sized amount and building up as needed.

If you're after volume and shape with added heat protection, it's worth trying the Milk Shake Volume Solution styling mousse, which not only gives your hair the style you want but also protects it during blow-drying.

The Art of Layering Products

One of the secrets of professional hair stylists is layering products correctly to achieve impressive results. The key is knowing which products work together and in what order to apply them.

The Order for Applying Styling Products

The optimal layering sequence:

1. Heat protection - the first layer, on damp hair
2. Styling base - mousse for volume or cream for control
3. Texturising products - waxes, oils or creams on dry hair
4. Finishing hold - hairspray or mist to finish

Professionals recommend waiting for each layer to absorb or dry before applying the next product – this prevents stickiness and build-up.

Styling by Hair Type

Each hair type calls for a different styling approach:

• Fine hair: a light styling mousse at the roots, evenly distributed through the hair, lifting from the roots while drying
• Straight, thick hair: a smoothing cream on damp hair, dried with a large round brush
• Wavy hair: a curl-defining cream or mousse, dried with a diffuser or left to dry naturally
• Curly hair: a moisturising defining cream gently worked into the curls, with minimal handling as it dries

For many hair types, multi-purpose products that combine several benefits – such as hydration and texture, or heat protection and volume – are a great compromise.

Styling Tips for Different Situations

Different situations call for different styling strategies. Here are a few tips to help you adapt to a variety of circumstances.

Everyday Styling

An ordinary day calls for hair that looks practical yet stylish:

• Use lighter products that let your hair move naturally
• Choose multi-purpose products that save time
• Mousse and light sprays are perfect for everyday use

For workdays, many professionals recommend mastering a few simple "go-to" hairstyles you can create quickly with minimal product.

Special Occasions

Special occasions call for a longer-lasting result:

• Build a base with styling mousse on damp hair
• Use heated styling tools together with heat protection
• Set the style with a medium- or strong-hold hairspray
• Consider products with a shine effect for an elegant look

Before an important event, it's worth testing your combination of styling products at least a day in advance to make sure the result lives up to your expectations.

Holidays and Travel

When travelling or on holiday, practicality is the priority:

• Choose smaller, travel-sized versions of products
• Multi-purpose products cut down on how much you need to pack
• Bear the climate in mind – humid climates call for frizz-controlling products

For sunny holidays, be sure to choose products with UV protection to help prevent your hair from fading and drying out.

Final Thoughts and Creating Your Personal Style

Choosing the right styling products is only the beginning – the real art is creating a personal style that reflects your individuality and fits your lifestyle. Remember that experimenting is the key to success.

Start with the basic products that suit your hair type and styling goals. Over time you can expand your arsenal, adding specialist products to achieve particular effects. And don't forget that sometimes less is more – too many products can weigh hair down and stop it moving naturally.

Ongoing experimentation and keeping an eye on your hair's condition will help you discover the ideal formula that keeps your hair looking flawless every day. Bear in mind that trends change, and your hair's needs may shift with the season or with age too – so be ready to adapt your styling routine.

With the right knowledge and products, anyone can achieve professional results at home. Try out different products, build your own styling ritual, and enjoy great-looking hair every single day!