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If you’re cofused about which hair care products to use . . . Here are some tips that will help.

If you need to figure out what does what, and who are these products best for hopefully this article should help. If you have fine hair, can you use a silicone shiner? Will smoothing balms really tame curly hair? Read on for the hair helpers that you’ll want to incorporate into your daily hair styling routine.

Hairstyling Gels

Today’s gels are more lightweight and flake-free than ever; they’re best for fine to medium textured hair. But even if your hair is thick, you can perform some slick tricks in seconds. For traditional hair styling, apply to the roots only for lift. Add heat from a blow-dryer, lift hair as it dries and you’ve got instant lift and volume.

Gels can also be used with a roller set—either along the whole strand or just to smooth ends so they don’t get the bends.

In general, avoid applying gel to the ends of fine hair; it’ll weigh locks down and discourage movement. The exception is if you use gel to slick all your hair back or if you have curly hair that you want to tame a bit. Then, comb a small amount of gel all the way through to the ends.

Today’s gels contain sun-screen, so you can protect hair from UV rays.

The products come in tubes for hand styling and in spray-on versions; the choice is totally up to you.

Hairsprays—Working & Finishing

Working sprays dry slowly, so you can continue to detail a hairstyle before it “sets;” finishing sprays add both hold and shine. Some contain sunscreen, All have been recently reformulated with lowered VOCs (volatile organic compounds—ozone-eaters that we can do without.) This causes them to come out wetter. When choosing a hairspray, select one by the desired degree of hold and other benefits, such as increasing shine or subduing frizzy hair,

Even if you want moveable, touchable hair, “flexible” sprays create style memory and let you brush your hair during the day without losing your hairstyle. Who are they best for? Everyone!

Pomades, Glossers & Shiners

These hair care products add shine to hair, so they are best for smooth, sleek styles or for very curly locks, which tend to reflect light less.

Pomades are thicker, which means they can be a little greasier, but they can also attract moisture to dry hair. Pomades are best for thick or curly hair and are ideal for slicked-back hairstyles.

Glossers and shiners come in liquid-drop form and in spray-on versions. Just a few drops are all it takes to add super shine to hair and smooth frizzies. (Liquefy the product between your palms and smooth it over the hair surface, just as you would with a pomade.) Spray-in shiners are best for straight hair or “dressed” hairstyles that you don’t want to disturb, like fingerwaves.

While you can spritz on a shiner anytime, only use the product once or twice a day if you have fine hair. All these products will build up on the hair with over-use, particularly if they contain silicone.

Hairstyling Volumizers

Traditionally, volumizers add body and volume to hair when you’re heat styling it, volumizing shampoos and conditioners provide you with a complete regimen. The shampoos add body while the conditioners won’t weigh hair down. Volumizing hair styling products include mousses, gels, foam-stylers and even styling cremes. All are perfect for plumping up fine hair and all are heat-activated.

If you have thick, full hair, there isn’t much reason to use a volumizer, unless you are creating an updo or a super-full hairstyle. Then, since your hair is probably heavy, stick with mousses and gels.

Hair Thickeners

Hair thickeners are heat-activated and will not work their magic unless you blow-dry your hair after applying them. They’re terrific for fine hair that lacks body. Start with a quarter-sized amount and apply it underneath the hair, from the nape forward. The easiest way to do this is by bending over with your head upside down. Comb the product through evenly, then blow-dry as you lift hair away from the scalp with your hands. When hair is almost dried, flip your head up and complete styling. At this point, you can add a small amount of mousse or gel, if desired.

These products tend to add more fullness than volumizing products, but the trade-off can be a more “matte” look and less shine. Test them all, starting with a small amount.

Hairstyling Waxes

Waxes are used for “spot styling” and can have a hard, stiff finish. They are best for medium to dense hair and very short cuts with layers that you can style in any direction. Always rub them between your fingers or palms, then work them through your hair, Detail ends or sideburns, or lift roots straight up for a spiky feeling. Waxes, along with firm-hold cremes and pomades, can be used to add texture to medium to dense hair.

Got a question, war story or comment about this topic? Click on the "Leave Your Comments" link at the very bottom of this article. Some of my best ideas for future articles come from reading reader comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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