Collection: Hair Styling Products: Kevin Murphy, L'Oréal, Moroccanoil

The appearance and maintenance of a hairstyle depend primarily on the use of hair care products. Hair types and textures are varied, and each requires a specific suite of products to look and perform the way it ought to. Unfortunately, not all of us are educated on what kinds of products to use or why, and some might consider these as "secret weapons" of the hairstyling world. Those who believe that hairstyles should happen "naturally" might give up on the pursuit of a non-existent straightening or curling gene because they don't know that using the right products can achieve and maintain the illusion that you're born with whatever kind of hair happens to suit you. Here's a rundown of the major categories of products—plus some mandatory "what" and "why"—to get you started.
1. **Hair Gel** Many people prefer using hair gel when styling their hair because they think of it as strong and able to provide a recently styled appearance. Gel is a water-based product that can have any kind of look, from wet to dry, depending on the formulation you choose. And while it can certainly be used for a look that's more or less severe, gel isn't just for when you want your hair to resemble a shiny, smooth helmet.
### 2. **Hair Mousse**

Mousse is a light, airy product that not only provides fullness to hair but also gives it shape. "Shape" means a haircut that obeys the laws of gravity and the physics that dictate which forms are stable (or unstable) when it comes to hair. Mousse is nearly obsolete today, and foam is actually a better medium for mixing air into hair than gels, creams, and pastes. But mousse was a fantastic form of foam.
3. **Hairsprays** Hairsprays come in varied strengths, from light to super hold. They are typically utilized to set a hairstyle, giving it that last little bit to really make it stand out. Because they're so good for controlling frizz and flyaways, hairsprays might be the most vital product for keeping looks tight and pristine all day long.
### 4. **Styling Products: Pomades and Waxes** Pomade and wax are styling agents that are perfect for the defined, textured hairstyles men favor. If you want your hair to hold its shape but not feel stiff or crunchy, pomade and wax from your barbershop may be good choices. Both styles of "product" tend to work best on short to medium hairstyles and can be applied to longer hairstyles for some added definition.
### 5. **Styling with Creams and Lotions** Creams and lotions are residue-free styling products that are well-suited for achieving a natural look. Both deliver versatile styling, with the added bonus that they can deliver a myriad of results depending on how you use them.

You might think of creams and lotions as tools for getting a smooth, sleek, low-frizz look and nothing more. But if you consider outfits with them as styling and not just "getting by" sources of smoothness, you might just find you enjoy "using them" more when you think of them as offering mild and versatile regularity.
### 6. **Serum and Oil for Hair**

You mainly use hair serum and oil for their nutrient properties; however, they also help with styling. If you want to add some shine to your hair, get it under control, or turn it into a heat protectant before your nextrom wash or dry, these are your products. And if your hair is dry or damaged, that's even more reason to use them. They deliver the kind of moisture that makes hair look healthier. They are also the kind of product you use to make the hair that grows out of your head look more stylish.
**Heat Defense for Hair** While heat protectants might not rank among your core hairstyling products, that doesn't mean you can overlook them. If your go-to hair tools double as hot ones—like blow dryers, curling irons, or straighteners—you must also have a heat protectant in your arsenal. And although heat protectants come in several forms (sprays, creams, and serums), all admittedly serve one purpose: to protect hair from damage caused by high temperatures. Still, not all heat protectants are created equal, so if you use one, pray tell—do you consider it amongst your 'insider' tools for high-hair health?
### Conclusion Choosing the right hair styling products requires knowledge of one's exact hair type, the endstyle one wishes to achieve, and one's individual preferences. Trying out products that seem like they might suit one's hair can only help in establishing a method of product use that is right for one's situation. And the right situation is a combination of the right product, the right application of the product, and the product achieving a look that one is happy with for a duration of time that one deems adequate. In short, the right product used the right way achieves a durable look. And sometimes, the look is a slightly different one achieved by not applying a product that is tempting to apply but might yield a "too styled" result.