Someone prefers to wash their hair with laundry soap, and someone exclusively with luxury shampoo. And all day long on TV, on billboards, in magazines and on the Internet, we are shown advertisements for balms. And probably not just like that. First, let's figure out what we're talking about?
What is a balm?
Balms are positioned as hair care products. Apply them to clean, washed curls, and then rinse with water. Contains plant extracts, waxes, dyes, oils, preservatives and… the list is endless.
They are designed to improve the structure of our hair, making it silky and shiny, and also make it easier to style, making it more manageable.
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Knowing what a balm is, one should determine its main task. The main function is to provide effective assistance to damaged and dry hair. These products can improve the structure of our hair, making it softer, more manageable and well-groomed. Also included in the action is the neutralization of static electricity, protection of strands from UV exposure, frequent use of tongs forstraightener, hair dryer, chlorinated water, etc.
Conditionally balms can be divided into 4 main groups:
- Rinses - recommended for he althy hair that needs extra shine.
- Conditioners - the composition of these products is based on components that can penetrate the hair, restoring its structure. They also protect the natural shade from the influence of the environment, 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, nourishing, stimulating growth or preventing hair loss, it is recommended to keep the masks a little longer.
- Tint - safe cosmetics that change hair color.
Selection rules: read the ingredients
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 moisture and UV protection.
Now let's talk about consistency. It often happens that the balm literally spreads over the hand. Faced similar? Unfortunately, this is a low-quality product, since the consistency of the product should not be too liquid, and vice versa, thick.
The composition of balms most often includes:
- Cetrimonium chloride is a safe substance (up to 0.25%). warnsthe occurrence of static electricity and facilitates combing wet curls.
- Cetearyl alcohol is a thickener to keep the emulsion stable.
- Glyceryl stearate is a safe ingredient that connects all ingredients and prevents them from separating.
- Dimethicol is a conditioning agent 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 the product, which is not suitable for brands specializing in the production of funds for the mass market. And if you want to buy a quality product, beware of the following words on the label:
- Parabens - parabens. Penny preservatives, which are the result of petrochemical processing.
- Mineral Oil - mineral oils. They form a film that prevents the penetration of oxygen.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - sodium lauryl sulfate. Weakens the bulbs, thereby causing hair loss.
Natural Ingredients
Often extracts act as active substances:
- blueberries - give elasticity and help maintain moisture;
- birch buds - stimulate growth, control the activity of the sebaceous glands;
- sunflower - create a protective film, preserving hair color;
- raspberries - containmineral s alts;
- green apple - strengthen roots, give shine and softness;
- daisies - retain color.
Also in the composition of conditioners you can find:
- honey is a source of vitamins B2, B6, PP and C;
- wheat protein - increases blood circulation;
- betaine - natural moisturizer;
- coconut oil - repairs dry hair and neutralizes static 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, rinses and conditioners are applied in a thin layer along the length, immediately after shampooing, and thoroughly washed off after a minute.
Masks can be used on wet hair a little more than in the previous version. Rinse off after 10-20 minutes. Regularity of use - no more than 2 times a week.
When applying tint balms, the hair should not be wet - otherwise it will drain, and the end result will greatly upset you. Ideally, the composition is distributed over slightly damp strands. The exposure time of tonics does not exceed 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear.
Customers' Choice Top 10 Hair Balms
After analyzing the composition of many products, consumers have come to the conclusion that neither the price nor the brand affect the effectiveness. 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. Asian brand products are the best in creating the effect of flowing and smooth curls. From the mass market, products from Garnier and Elseve have proven themselves well, and the Belita brand offers the most affordable balms.
For dry hair:
- Matrix Oil Wonders Conditioner - from 800 rubles;
- Paul Mitchel Instant Moisture Daily Treatment - from 1700 rubles;
- Gliss Kur "Hyaluron + filler" - 250 R.
For those prone to fat content:
- L`Oreal Paris Elseve "3 valuable clays" - 194 rubles;
- Estel Curex - 210 rubles
For damaged:
- Ecolab "Strengthening balm for growth and volume" - 250 rubles;
- Visible Repair by Londa - 600 rubles
For dyed:
- Professional Color Care by Kapous - 270 RUB;
- Kaaral Purify Colore Conditioner - $630
"Heavy Artillery": the best balm-mask
Lundenilona brand products, despite the high cost, are in demand among the fair sex. Of all the products offered, the balm-mask received huge popularity and positive reviews, the active components of which are:
- coral algae lithotamnium - saturates the structure with 32 trace elements;
- red algae - nourish andprotect hair from the negative effects of the environment;
- Wakoma algae - moisturize and increase elasticity;
- silicon - strengthens roots;
- hemp oil - facilitates combing and "pacifies" naughty hair;
- lactic acid - provides intense hydration;
- mint, chamomile and sage - disinfect and are an excellent prevention for dandruff, peeling and itching.
The product also contains artesian water. The liquid undergoes a 4-stage degree of purification: iron removal, softening, disinfection, reverse osmosis.
Tint Balms
Products included in this group have a number of advantages, but the main advantage lies in their composition, presented in the form of a combination of gentle components that do not penetrate deep into the hair structure. According to reviews, after using these products, the curls retain their natural shine.
So, conditionally they can be divided into 3 groups:
- Neutralizing yellowness.
- Brightening, laminating effect.
- Tonic balms that enhance color.
There are more than a dozen coloring agents on the domestic market. However, most consumers recommend the following brands in their reviews:
- "The Little Mermaid". Active ingredients: water, linen, lanolin and pigments. Purpose: neutralization of unwanted shade.
- Matrix. The products of this brand have earned the trust of many people thanks tocomposition. The formula does not contain peroxide and ammonia. In addition, it contains UV filters that protect curls from radiation. The palette of tint balms is represented by 18 shades.
- Ollin. The active components of tonics of this brand are extracts of lavender, mango, aloe vera, chestnut, chamomile.
- L`Oreal. The products are popular because of the light texture that colors the surface of the curls without damaging 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.
- "Rocolor". The brand's products are popular due to reasonable price and good quality. In addition, they all have the effect of lamination, which is very rare for such products.
- Schwarzkopf. As conceived by the German manufacturer, tonics are designed to correct unwanted red-yellow pigments. However, resourceful shoppers use them for light, ash and natural copper shades.
Careful staining from Estel
The coloring pigments present in the Estel tint balms tint the curls without penetrating into the structure. Therefore, they are quickly washed off, and after 1-2 weeks there is no trace of the color.
The brand offers its customers product lines:
- Solo Ton. Contains no hydrogen peroxide or ammonia. Products not only gently stain, but also have propertiesconditioner, leaving hair supple, soft and shiny.
- Love Nuance. Another collection of gentle products, presented in 20 shades. Twelve of them are fully in line with fashion trends and are the original palette. Balms in this series are designed with the needs of bleached and gray hair in mind.
- Quality Color Care differs from the previous ones in a thick texture and purple color of the composition. The mixture darkens during use, but this does not affect the final result.
Crazy Hands
This topic will be interesting and useful for those who do not trust the composition of purchased balms and want to make their own hair balm.
- Fruit. Mash one banana with apple pulp. Pour in orange juice (1:1:4), and at the end add a teaspoon of cumin. Spread the mixture along the length and rinse after 25 minutes.
- Sea buckthorn. For cooking, you need only one ingredient - freshly squeezed berry juice. Apply it on the scalp and hair. After half an hour, rinse with running water.
- Beer. Separate the yolk and dilute with a small amount of strong alcoholic beverage. Blondes are recommended to use light beer, and brunettes - dark. Wash off after 30 minutes.
