Oct 15, 2022

9 Hair Care Products That Are Essential According To Your Hair Type

Hair is believed to be one of the most attractive features of a person. You can change your entire look simply by changing your hair colour or your hairstyle. No matter how similar your hair may seem to other people’s hair, it isn’t. Your hair is absolutely unique. Why?

Well, your hair type/texture is determined by alleles which vary in different parts of the world. That is, curly hair in African countries will differ from curly hair in European countries because the alleles and genes of the countries in these continents vary. Also, just like you, your hair is a mixture of your mother’s and your father’s DNA. That is what makes your hair as unique as you. No matter what hair type category your hair falls in, you’re only likely to have similar hair DNA as your sibling(s).

As for your hair type, it can be an equal/unequal combination of your mother’s and father’s hair types, or it can be either one of your parent’s hair types.

What Hair Type Do You Have?

Knowing your hair type is crucial for your hair care, like determining what type of hair products to use and what hair care routine you should follow. All of that lies in finding out what type of hair you have. Once you know that, sifting through hair products to narrow down which brands’ hair care products work best for your hair would be easy (1).

There are 12 types of hair categorised into 4 major types which are:

1. Straight Hair:

This hair type is flat from the roots to the ends of the hair. It is silky, soft, and often has oil secretion in high amounts.

This hair type is subdivided into three categories which are 1a, 1b, and 1c. These hair subcategory types range in descending order of straightness and ascending order of thickness. That is, 1a is straighter than 1b which is straighter than 1c, and 1c is thicker than 1b which is thicker than 1a.

2. Wavy Hair:

This second type of hair has a slight hint of curliness to it. It falls between straight and curly hair types. It also has three subcategories that range in ascending order of waviness, and thickness. That is 2c is wavier and thicker than 2b which is wavier and thicker than 2a.

3. Curly Hair:

This hair type has ‘S’ pattern hair strands that stretch and bounce back like springs. The three subcategories here range in ascending order of curliness. That is 3a has loose curls compared to 3b, which has medium curls compared to 3c which has more defined and tight curls.

4. Coily Hair:

This hair type has a ‘Z’ pattern and can have other hair textures as well like the ‘S’ pattern, or zigzag pattern. This hair type is usually dry and fragile because scalp oils cannot lubricate the hair strands. The subcategories here increase in the range of coarse texture, and wiry stands. That is 4c is more coarse and wiry than 4b which is more coarse and wiry than 4a.

Choosing The Right Hair Care Product For Your Hair

Now that you know what hair type you have, here are the staple hair care products recommended for each subcategory.

1A: Texturizing Sprays are your best friends because your hair is flat, hence it needs volume and texture.
1B: Dry Shampoo, like the Revlon Normal to Dry Shampoo, is your go-to for getting rid of those greasy roots which would be your biggest enemy.
1C: Weekly hair mask is a routine you have to follow to reduce the frizz and dryness. Your hair is likely damaged due to color, heat, and chemical treatments. You can also add the Revlon outrageous color protection shampoo and Outrageous color protection conditioner to your daily hair care routine.
2A: Sea-salt sprays enhance those natural waves, so invest in one.
2B: A wave-enhancing mousse to get rid of the frizz and enhance those curls.
2C: A curl cream/activator that’s lightweight will lock your curls in place and reduce the frizz.
3A: Curl-enhancing mousse to define those luscious curls but also keep them from being overly reactive to the weather.
3B: A leave-in conditioner to get rid of the frizz and dryness.
3C: Get hair oil that provides lots of moisture for your hair. This reduces dryness and breakage.
4A: Curl gels are great for finger-coiling your hair to add definition.
4B: An elongating gel will reduce the shrinkage of your hair, and add definition as well as keep your hair moisturised.
4C: An emollient-rich cream is what you need for lots of moisture to keep your hair very well hydrated and protect it from damage.

Must-Have Essential Hair Care Products

1. Shampoo:

Shampoo is an important product in hair care and knowing what kind of scalp you have will help you select the right shampoo for you. If you have a dry scalp then you likely experience dryness, dandruff, and rough, dull, and frizzy hair. The Revlon Dry and Damaged Shampoo is best for dry scalp. An oily scalp means flat and greasy hair. A hair with less/moderate oil means you have a normal scalp, and more products are likely to work for you.

Also read 7 ultimate benefits of hair cleansers.

2. Conditioner:

While a lot of people use shampoo for their hair before applying conditioner. Shampoo is actually meant to cleanse your scalp and not your hair. Conditioner is meant for your hair and the Revlon protein conditioner is the best nourishment for your hair.

3. Leave-in:

There are leave-in shampoos, (or dry shampoos), and conditioners that are good for different reasons. A dry shampoo would work great for you if you have an oily scalp and greasy hair. A leave-in conditioner would reduce frizz by providing moisture, preventing tangles, and preventing damage.

4. Hair oil/serum:

Depending on your hair type and the porosity of your hair, you need to know if your hair needs more moisture or less. Knowing that would help you determine when and how much hair oil/serum you need. A lot of people tend to oil their hair before washing, some before and after, and others tend to use oils/serums after.

5. Hair Mask:

Almost everyone uses hair masks but the people who would most benefit from hair masks are people with dry, coarse, and frizzy hair. Hair masks help to soften and hydrate the hair while making it less frizzy. So, add a hair mask to your weekly hair care routine.

6. Hair spray:

Beneficial for people with thin and straight hair, but also for those who want to add more volume to their hair. Hair sprays add volume and texture to your hair and can also be used while styling your hair.

7. Hair cream:

This is another great product to have which is available for all hair types but mostly for frizzy hair. It tames your hair and reduces the frizz while adding shine and moisture.

8. Hair wax:

This hair product is mostly great for styling your hair and keeping your hair in place so it isn’t disturbed by elements like the weather. This hair product is great for medium-length to short hair.

9. Hair Gel:

There are various hair gels for styling and enhancing your curls. Hair gels are used for giving your hair the style and shape you desire, but it also defines and enhances those curls.

Tips for Healthy Hair

If you have hair concerns you want to address like hair thinning, dandruff, etc, buy hair oils that target those concerns and apply them an hour before washing your hair.
Ensure you use shampoo meant for your scalp type and conditioner meant for your hair type.
Your shampoo is meant for your scalp, and your conditioner is meant for your hair.
Do not pile your hair at the top of your head when washing it.
Use your fingertips rather than your nails to gently cleanse your scalp.
Wash your hair frequently if you have oily/greasy hair.
Depending on the porosity of your hair, apply hair oil/serum after washing your hair to lock in moisture and prevent dryness.
Depending on your hair type, use products to suit your hair needs like creams to reduce frizz, gels to enhance curls, and spray for volume.
Protect your hair from chemicals when you go swimming.
Use hair masks to rejuvenate your hair and repair the damage. Once a month is recommended depending on how damaged your hair is. For dry hair, use hydrating hair masks once a week.
Try to avoid continuous heat, chemical, and colour damage. If you must, then give your hair some time apart to recover. To prevent heat damage, give your hair a week to recover before you use heat again. For colours and chemicals a few months to recover, like 2-3 months.
Avoid rubbing your hair in a towel to dry it. Rather use an old t-shirt to pat dry it.
Your hair is fragile when you wash it. So, be careful how you brush it and what comb/brush you use. If your hair tangles easily, use a detangler and start brushing from the tips and work your way up.

Your hair needs love and care just like the rest of your body. So, give it the best possible care by finding the right products that work best for you.