Someone prefers to wash their hair with household soap, and someone exclusively uses luxury shampoo. And all day on TV, on billboards, in magazines and on the Internet we are shown advertising balsams. And probably not just like that. To begin with, let's figure it out, what are we talking about?
What is a balm?
Balms are positioned as a means for hair care. Apply them to clean washed curls, and then rinse with water. The composition contains plant extracts, waxes, dyes, oils, preservatives and ... this list can be endless.
They are designed to improve the structure of our hair, giving silkiness and shine, as well as facilitate styling, making them more obedient.
Kinds
Knowing what a balm is, one should determine its main task. The main function is to effectively help damaged and dry hair. These products can improve the structure of our hair, making them softer, more obedient and well-groomed. Also included is the neutralization of statistical electricity, the protection of strands from UV exposure, the frequent use of straighteners, hair dryers, chlorinated water, etc.
Conventionally, balms can be divided into 4 main groups:
- Rinse Aids - Recommended for healthy hair that needs extra shine.
- Conditioners - the composition of these products is based on components that can penetrate into the hair, restoring its structure. They also protect the natural shade from environmental influences, moisturize and make the strands soft to the touch.
- Masks - if the previous two products are distributed along the length, then they can be safely applied to the scalp. To achieve the maximum effect, for example, nutrition, stimulate growth or prevent loss, masks are recommended to hold a little longer.
- Tinting - safe cosmetics that provide a change in hair color.
Rules of choice: read the composition
Balm, like any cosmetic product, must be selected, taking into account the particular condition of the hair. For example, oily hair needs conditioners, dry hair will benefit from the presence of oils in the formula, colored strands are recommended additional moisturizing and UV protection.
Now let's talk about the consistency. Often it is such that the balm literally spreads over the arm. Faced like that? Unfortunately, this is a poor-quality product, since the consistency of the product should not be too liquid, and vice versa, thick.
The composition of the balms most often includes:
- Cetrimonium chloride is a safe substance (up to 0.25%). Prevents the occurrence of static electrification and facilitates combing wet curls.
- Cetearyl alcohol is a thickener to maintain the emulsion in a stable state.
- Glyceryl stearate is a safe component that combines all the ingredients and prevents them from exfoliating.
- Dimethicol is a conditioning substance that provides silky hair immediately after the first application of the balm.
What are mineral oils, parabens and sodium lauryl sulfate?
As part of many products, you can find components that aggressively affect the structure of the hair. They are added in order to save money, since the use of expensive ingredients affects the cost of goods, which does not suit brands specializing in the production of funds for the mass market. And if you want to get a quality product, beware of the presence of the following words on the label:
- Parabens - parabens. Penny preservatives resulting from the processing of petrochemicals.
- Mineral Oil - mineral oils. Form a film that prevents the penetration of oxygen.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - sodium lauryl sulfate. Weakens the bulbs, thereby provoking hair loss.
Natural ingredients
Often the active substances are extracts:
- blueberries - give elasticity and help maintain moisture;
- birch buds - stimulate growth, control the activity of the sebaceous glands;
- Sunflower - create a protective film, preserving the color of the hair;
- raspberries - contain mineral salts;
- green apple - strengthen the roots, give shine and softness;
- daisies - retain color.
Also in the composition of rinsing rinses you can find:
- honey - a source of vitamins B 2, B 6, PP and C;
- wheat protein - enhances blood circulation;
- betaine - a moisturizer of natural origin;
- coconut oil - restores dry hair and neutralizes statistical electricity.
How to use?
The method of application depends on the type of balm, the desired result and the characteristics of the hair structure. For example, rinse and conditioners are applied in a thin layer along the length, immediately after shampooing, and after a minute the products are thoroughly washed off.
Masks can be used on wet hair a little more than in the previous version. Rinse off after 10-20 minutes. Frequency of use - no more than 2 times a week.
When applying tint balms, the hair should not be wet - otherwise they will drain, and the final result will greatly upset you. Ideally, the composition is distributed over slightly wet strands. The exposure time of tonics does not exceed 30 minutes. Rinse off very carefully and until the water is clear.
Customer Choice: Top 10 Hair Balms
After analyzing the composition of many funds, consumers came to the conclusion that neither price nor brand influence efficiency. The best care is offered by brands such as Kapous, Matrix, Estel, Wella. You can buy them not only in salons, but also in professional cosmetics stores.
Owners of problematic hair are recommended pharmacy balms with oils and plant extracts. The products of Asian brands are the best in creating the effect of flowing and smooth curls. From the mass market, funds from Garnier and Elseve worked well, and the Belita brand offers the most affordable balms.
For dry hair:
- Matrix Oil Wonders Conditioner - from 800 r.;
- Paul Mitchel Instant Moisture Daily Treatment - from 1700 p.;
- Gliss Kur "Hyaluron + Aggregate" - 250 r.
For those prone to fat:
- L`Oreal Paris Elseve "3 valuable clays" - 194 p.;
- Estel Curex - 210 p.
For damaged:
- Ecolab "Strengthening balm for growth and volume" - 250 r.;
- Visible Repair by Londa - 600 r.
For stained:
- Kapous Professional Color Care - 270 r.;
- Kaaral Purify Colore Conditioner - 630 p.
"Heavy artillery": the best balm mask
The products of the brand Lundenilona, despite the high cost, are in demand among the fair sex. Of all the products offered, the balm mask, the active components of which are:
- lithotamium coral seaweed - saturates the structure with 32 microelements;
- red algae - nourish and protect hair from the negative effects of the environment;
- Wakoma algae - moisturize and increase elasticity;
- silicon - strengthens the roots;
- hemp oil - facilitates combing and "pacifies" naughty hair;
- lactic acid - provides intensive hydration;
- mint, chamomile and sage - disinfect and are an excellent prevention against dandruff, peeling and itching.
The product also includes artesian water. The liquid is subjected to a 4-stage degree of purification: deferrization, softening, disinfection, reverse osmosis.
Tinted Balms
Products included in this group have several advantages, but the main advantage is their composition, presented as a combination of gentle components that do not penetrate deep into the structure of the hair. According to reviews, after using these funds, curls retain a natural shine.
So, conditionally they can be divided into 3 groups:
- Neutralizing yellowness.
- Lightening, with the effect of lamination.
- Tonic balms that give color richness.
In the domestic market there are more than a dozen coloring agents. However, most consumers in their reviews recommend products of the following brands:
- "The little Mermaid". Active ingredients: water, flax, lanolin and pigments. Appointment: neutralization of an undesirable shade.
- Matrix The products of this brand have earned the trust of many people due to their composition. The formula does not contain peroxide and ammonia. In addition, it contains UV filters that protect the curls from radiation. The palette of tint balms is presented in 18 shades.
- Ollin. The active components of tonics of this brand are extracts of lavender, mango, aloe vera, chestnut, chamomile.
- L`Oreal. Means are successful because of the light texture, which paints the surface of the curls, without injuring the structure. The most popular series are Chroma Care (for dark hair) and ExpertSilver. The color of the balms of the latest collection is mainly purple, which means it is ideal for neutralizing unwanted pigments.
- "Rokolor". Brand products are popular for their reasonable price and good quality. In addition, they all have the effect of lamination, which is very rare for such products.
- Schwarzkopf. According to the German manufacturer, tonics are designed to correct unwanted red-yellow pigments. However, resourceful customers use them for light, ashy and natural copper shades.
Gentle staining from Estel
Coloring pigments present in Estelle tinted balms tint curls without penetrating the structure. Therefore, they are quickly washed off, and after 1-2 weeks there is no trace of color.
The brand offers its customers a line of tools:
- Solo Ton. The composition is absent hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. The products not only gently color, but also have the properties of a conditioner, making the hair supple, soft and shiny.
- Love Nuance. Another collection of gentle products, presented in 20 shades. Twelve of them are fully consistent with fashion trends and are the original palette. Balms of this series are designed taking into account the needs of bleached and gray hair.
- Quality Color Care differs from the previous ones with a dense texture and purple color composition. During use, the mixture darkens, but this does not affect the final result.
crazy hands
This topic will be interesting and useful to those who do not trust the compositions of the purchased balms and want to prepare a hair balm on their own.
- Fruit. Mash one banana with the pulp of an apple. Pour orange juice (1: 1: 4), and at the end add a teaspoon of caraway seeds. Spread the mixture along the length and rinse off after 25 minutes.
- Sea buckthorn. For cooking, you need only one ingredient - freshly squeezed juice of berries. Apply it on the scalp and hair. After half an hour, rinse with running water.
- Beer. Separate the yolk and dilute with a little strong drink. Blondes are advised to use light beer, while brunettes are recommended to use dark beer. Rinse off after 30 minutes.
- Firming balm. To prepare, mix 2 eggs, a spoonful of apple cider vinegar and 2 tbsp. l castor oil. Once the composition has a uniform consistency, add 2 tbsp. l shampoo. Spread the balm over clean, damp hair and rinse off after 5 minutes.