| Revised Date: 5/01/07 - Original Publication Date: March 2007 |
March
20, 2007
Finishing Spray
or Hair Spray?
What's The Difference?
Question
Dear Karen,
My hairdresser is always telling me to finish my styling
process with a good finishing spray. When I ask him what a
finishing spray is, he tells me it is a spray to smooth my
strands. I ask for his recommendation and he always tells me to
just pick out something that I might like to use but he never
gives me specifics. This confuses me but I don't push
because I don't want to look like a total dummy.
What is the difference between finishing spray and
hairspray?
Thanks.
Donna
Answer
Dear Donna,
Finishing spray and hair spray are basically the same thing.
The term finishing spray evolved as the old style sticky hairsprays
were replaced by a wide range of softer, lighter sprays.
In reality hair spray can be used for a variety of hair styling
duties ranging from providing a soft sheen styling finish to
offering a firm hold.
Whereas all hair sprays were pretty much the same, now they vary
widely. You can usually determine the ultimate holding
qualities of hair spray by the terms that describe it.
Usually there is light, medium an firm hold sprays. You may
also find sprays that are super firm or ultra light hold.
Some hair care companies will offer many versions of their sprays
and some will only offer one-size-fits-all.
If you hairdresser is suggesting you use a "finishing spray" ask
him what the goal should be for the spray. This should help
you figure out if he thinks you need just a tiny spritz for a "light
hold" or a major blast for a super firm hold.
Obviously the lighter the formula of hair spray used, the softer
the hold. Most hairsprays do double duty by providing a
natural shine enhancer and can be used in place of a shine serum.
Some hairsprays may carry the name "shaper" or "styling" which
ultimately means the spray is designed to be soft enough to allow
you to "reshape" your hairstyle throughout the day.
Other hairspray products which are specifically labeled as
"finishing sprays" maybe defined to address specific hair texture
challenges such as hair that is naturally curly or strands that
spend a lot of time in the sun.
Two examples of these types of "finishing" sprays are:
PhytoSpecific - Extreme Shine Spray
Hair Care for Curly, Frizzy and Relaxed Hair. This finishing
styling spray with ultra-light plant oils conditions the hair and
provides stunning shine and luster.
Phytoplage - Protective Beach Spray Maximum Sun Protection with
Olive Oil Extract - 3.3 fl oz (100ml)
The protective oil is ideal for hair weakened by the sun, salt or
chlorine. The Protective Beach Spray prevents color oxidation and
preserves hair shine. Provides a U.V. filter.
Phytoplage - Protective Sun Veil - Strong Protection with Sunflower
Extract - 3.3 fl oz (100ml)
This oil-free styling and protective veil forms an invisible
screen that protects the hair from the damaging drying effects of
the sun, salt and chlorine. Provides a U.V. filter.
As always, the ultimate choice of hair
care products is yours to make and should be tied directly to how
you want to finish your look.
Some other finishing/hairsprays to
consider:
John Frieda - Frizz Ease - Moisture Barrier - Firm-Hold Hair Spray -
10 oz
Finish & hold. Fast-drying formula lasts long, stays strong.
Creates an instant barrier that helps seal out humidity & combat
frizz, rain or shine.
John Frieda - Sheer Blonde - Crystal Clear - Hairspray - 8.5 oz
Crystal Clear shape & shimmer hairspray holds & finishes.
Brightens blonde. Non-yellowing, non-dulling formula dries crystal
clear & glossy. Won't darken blonde strands.
Robert Hallowell Prawduct - rawhold hairspray - 8.5 oz (250 ml)
Protective non-aerosol spray. Non-sticky, non-flaking recipe -
light to med hold. Infused w/ fennel & natural sunscreen to protect
hair from everyday wear & from sun's damaging rays. Basil & rosemary
extracts for perfect hold & shine. Herb garden complex.
Leonor Greyl - Laque Souple - Styling Spray for Thin Hair 125 ml
A light hairspray that adds brilliance. It protects from the
humidity without drying out hair and is easily eliminated by
brushing. Apply on dry hair everyday if necessary.
Paves Professional - Convertible-Proof Firm Hold Repairing Hair
Spray
This hairspray is designed to provide "firm hold" that will last
through a ride in a convertible. It is also designed to create
a high sheen while resisting humidity. The product won't move
unless you want it to. It is also designed to repair dry or
damaged hair and includes Burdock and Ginseng Root for stimulating
hair growth. Roman Chamomile Oil is included to smoothe dry
and irritate scalp. It is scented with essential oils.
Rene Furterer - Instant Hold Finishing Spray
No product drying time required - simply spritz, brush, and go.
Enriched with vitamin B5 and Anatide to prevent dehydration and
impart a transparent sheen.
Rene Furterer - Styling Solution - Strong Hold - 5.0 fl oz (150ml)
A finishing/hairspray that provides strong hold and designed to
pump up the shine.
Phyto's Phytolaque Aerosol Hair Spray
Phytolaque is a medium hold botanical aerosol spray for all hair
types. Botanical ingredients let you style hair without oiliness,
stickiness or added weight. Purse size.
Phyto - Phytocurl Curl Defining Spray - 5 oz
A styling treatment specifically formulated for curly hair.
Phytocurl spray perfectly structures and energizes your curls from
the first application.
PhytoPro - Instant Hold Spray #15
Extra firm holding spray provides continuous strong hold w/out
retouching. The high concentration of active principles
guarantees long-lasting hold all over. Great for root lift.
PhytoPro - Strong Finishing Spray - 6.7 fl oz (200ml)
Achieve a firm even hold for perfect, long-lasting style. Myrrh,
a vegetable resin, coats each hair shaft for beautiful shine and
radiance. The product is easily eliminated by brushing.
PhytoSpecific - Extreme Shine Spray - 2.5 fl oz
Hair Care for Curly, Frizzy and Relaxed Hair. This finishing
styling spray with ultra-light plant oils conditions the hair and
provides stunning shine and luster.
J.F. Lazartique Revitalizing Shining Hair Blush
J.F. Lazartigue redefines
ordinary blush with the introduction of an extraordinary product for
hair which is the Revitalizing Shining Blush. This innovative
product was designed to treat dull hair while creating an instant
silky sheen. Revitalizing Shining Blush contains two active
ingredients to achieve outstanding benefits and instant luster.
Best wishes to you,
Karen
March
8, 2007
Need Leave-In Conditioner But Find They Way Down Fine, Thin Hair?
Question
Dear Karen,
I have fine hair that is thin. I can't use rinse-out
conditioners because they cause my hair to be too flat. I
do need some sort of conditioner though because my hair gets
wiry and frizzy. I also tried shine products but they make
my hair feel oily. I am wondering if I should use a
leave-in conditioner like a cream. I have read so many
great things about Phyto 9 that I thought I might give that a
try. Any thoughts?
Thank you. Frizzy Fran
Answer
Dear Fran,
If you find that a rinse-out conditioner is too heavy or weighs
your fine strands down, you are right to consider other ways to add
conditioning to your frizzy, wiry strands.
You have several options to try:
1. Opt for a very light weight leave-in conditioner that
comes in a spray or lotion.
2. Use a light styling mousse or for texture a mousse/gel
combination.
Most mousse products have built-in conditioning properties and they
provide beautiful body and texture which your fine, thin strands
might appreciate.
Mousse Products to try:
Paul Brown Hawaii - Mousse Gel
A combo of mousse and light gel for moisturizing, detangling and
styling all in one product.
Paves Professional - FLAWless Red Carpet Firm Hold Repairing Styling
Mousse For Dry Damaged Hair
This rich foam formula contains significant concentrations of
treatment ingredients which provide a strengthening complex of
proteins and polymers to add elasticity and shine, protecting
fragile hair from over-styling and over-processing.
PhytoPro -
Intense Volume Mousse #13
This product provides intense body & volume by swelling the hair
shaft. It makes styling simpler & lengths the hold. Hydrates &
softens while enhancing brilliance & sheen.
PhytoSpecific - Integral Hair Care for Curly, Frizzy and Relaxed
- Use on dry or damp hair. Restores moisture. Smoothes. Redefines
curls. Detangles. Makes setting easier. Protects hair from heat
damage.
Like mousse, most detanglers are designed to soften and condition
while helping to remove pesky tangles.
4. Use a
leave-in conditioning cream but use on a teeny tiny dab and
distribute from the ears down to the ends.
I adore the
Phyto
7 and
9 leave-in conditioning creams but
Phyto 9 is designed for thick, coarse, curly or wavy hair that
needs extra leave-in conditioning oomp.
If you wish to try the Phyto leave-in creams opt for
Phyto
7 and use only a tiny bit. The good news? A little
bit goes a long way and a tube will last you many months, if not
years.
Some people have reported even better results by mixing a tiny
dab of
Phyto
7 with a drop of water. This will delete the product
slightly and make it even softer.
Other options include:
1. Using a very light shampoo
pre-treatment oil formula on the middle and ends of your hair.
Jojoba is a very light oil and when used sparingly will not weigh
down thin or fine strands.
Products to try:
HairTopia - Beautiful Hair Oil
A synergistic blend of pure organic
jojoba oil, essence of flowers, vibrational elixirs of
gems, pure essential oils of lavender, bergamot, grapefruit,
rosemary & lime designed to moisturize dry hair and scalp.
HairTopia - Beautiful Hair Mist
This light mist formula works can be used all day long on all
hair types. Because it has a water base it does not get oily
and will not weigh not fine or thin strands. This formula is a
synergistic blend of pure distilled water,
essence of flowers, vibrational elixirs of gems, pure essential oils
of lavender, bergamot, white grapefruit, rosemary & lime designed to
moisturize dry hair and scalp.
You can also experiment with using a
detangling spray as a pre-treatment option.
2. Diluting your shampoo with water to minimize the
potential drying effects which lead to wiry and frizzy strands.
3. Perform a cool/cold water final rinse to close the
cuticle and add shine while minimizing frizz and wiry strands.
The key when selecting a product is to be willing to experiment a
little bit to see what works best for your hair type and texture.
Remember, what works best for one may not work well for another
person.
In your case you might start with the lighter leave-in
products like a detangling spray, mousse or light cream and work
your way up to the creams.
I would not recommend that you experiment with using medium or
heavy gels or waxes since they can be too heavy for fine strands.
Best wishes to you,
Karen
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