How to choose hair styling products: hold, shine and the right finish

The right styling product depends on two numbers: fixing factor (hold) and shine. Both are rated from 0 to 5. This guide compares the heat protectors, mousses, curl creams, serums, oils, waxes, pastes, powders, gels, hair foods and hairsprays we stock at Lime Light, from brands including Dikson, Shakebar, Beamarry, Nouvelle, Black Red, Ossion, American Crew, Exclusively Yours and Morfose.

Hold and shine explained

1. Heat protection sprays

2. Mousse

3. Curly and wavy hair: creams, fluids and sprays

How to use curl creams: apply evenly to towel-dried hair, shape curls by hand, then dry naturally or use a diffuser.

4. Shine serums and fluids

How to use serums: a few drops on damp or dry hair; apply on dry hair for extra shine. All Beamarry serums also protect against blow-dryer heat.

5. Nourishing hair oils

6. Wax, paste, fibre and clay

Matte finish (shine 0 to 1)

Shine finish (shine 3 to 5)

7. Sea salt texture: Black Red Sea Salt range

• Sea Salt Pomade (120 ml): sea salt and castor oil; natural volume, strong hold, medium shine, no stickiness
• Sea Salt Paste (120 ml): beachy texture without crunch; medium hold, matte finish; water-based and rinses out easily
• Sea Salt Styling Powder (20 g): instant lift and beachy waves; matte, strong flexible hold, no build-up
• Sea Salt Spray (200 ml): thickness, volume and texture with UV protection; strong hold, medium hardness

8. Volume and styling powder

How to use powder: dust a little onto dry hair and style; for extra volume, dust onto the scalp area.

9. Hair gel

• Black Red Ultra Strong Deep Blue (500 ml): ultra-strong, flake-free, nourishing and shiny; ideal for braiding, twisting and taming frizz
• Ossion P.B.L. Mega Strong Hair Gel Red Gum (500 ml, 750 ml): extreme styles and structured shapes, no residue
• Exclusively Yours Set Gel (125 g, 500 g, 5 kg): shapes and models with a natural look and strong hold
• Exclusively Yours Blow Gel (125 g, 500 g, 5 kg): thickness, volume or a spiky wet look; perfect for finger waving

10. Hair food, blow-dry balm and silicone

11. Hairspray

How to layer styling products

1. Protect: a heat protection spray on damp hair.
2. Shape: mousse for volume, cream or fluid for curls or smoothness, then blow-dry or diffuse.
3. Texture or shine: wax, paste, powder, serum or oil on dry hair.
4. Fix: finish with the hairspray whose hold suits the look.

Styling products FAQs

What is fixing factor on hair styling products?

Fixing factor is the hold rating on a styling product, from 0 (no hold, pure care or shine) to 5 (the strongest hold). Shine is rated the same way, from 0 (matte) to 5 (high gloss). Use them together to pick a product: high hold and low shine for a textured, matte look; low hold and high shine for a soft, polished finish.

Which heat protection spray should I use?

Dikson Argabeta Thermo & Shine Spray 27 combines heat protection and shine. Dikson Super Discipline Thermo Protective Spray also fights frizz and humidity. Shakebar Keratin Heat Protector Spray smooths and protects from heat styling, and Beamarry Heat & Sun Protectant Spray adds UV protection.

What is the best mousse for curly hair?

Dikson Argabeta Curly Mousse 30 (hold 4) is a modelling foam for soft, bouncy curls with anti-frizz and anti-humidity action.

What is the best product to define curls?

A curl cream applied to towel-dried hair: DiksoPrime Super Curl Definition Cream (avocado, elastin, rice protein), Dikson Promaster Curl Defining Cream (honey, almond oil) or Shakebar Curl Activator Cream (shea butter). All three can be left to dry naturally or diffused.

What is the difference between a hair wax, a paste and a fibre?

Wax usually gives definition with more shine and a smooth finish; paste gives texture and hold with a matte to medium finish; fibre products are stringy and pliable, adding thickness and fullness. Check the hold and shine ratings to compare.

What does styling powder do?

Styling or volume powder is dusted onto dry hair or the scalp area for instant lift, texture and a matte finish with no residue. Examples are American Crew Boost Powder, Ossion Styling Powder and the Black Red design powders.

Which hairspray has the strongest hold?

Morfose Ultra Strong (orange) and Exclusively Yours Super Strong Hold (pink) are rated hold 5. Dikson Extra Strong 14, Dikson Argabeta Eco Spray and Ossion Extra Strong are rated hold 4.

Can I use hair oil before straightening?

Yes. Dikson Argabeta Beauty Oil can be applied to dry hair before a flat iron or tongs for extra heat protection. For all oils, apply a few drops to damp or dry hair.

Where can I buy these styling products in South Africa?

All the products in this guide are available from Lime Light Hair & Beauty stores and online at limelighthb.co.za.

Shop styling at Lime Light

Find every product in this guide at your nearest Lime Light store or online at limelighthb.co.za. Tell us the look you want and we'll help you pick the hold and shine to match!