This setting lotion was an alcohol based solution that worked well when hair was set with rollers but made hair sticky when it was blow styled. Manufacturers had to come up with a different kind of "setting lotion". As a result of this need for a new styling aid, there are now many products on the market that give different hair effects that it almost has become a science to differentiate one product from another. Advertising is not of much help since you, the consumer, are made to believe that with the help of a little bit of mousse your hair too can look like the models you see in the ads.

It is important to bear in mind that all styling aids have one thing in common - they all contain a substance that coats the hair to some degree. The strength of this coating substance determines how it affects your hair and how your hair will look. There are many, many products to choose from. Which one is right for you and where do you begin. The best way is to determine what it is you want it for. For example, do you want a product that gives your hair a lot of body, just a little body, shine or no shine, a soft hair spray or a light hair spray? But even if you know what you are looking for, then which product should you choose. The fact is that there are many manufacturers that make excellent products. It is also a fact that for the most part they use the same technology to produce those products. If one company develops something new other companies will use the same technology to make a product just like it in no time.

Looking for a product that has the benefits you require will make your search for the right styling aid product much easier.

The following styling aids can be used for these purposes:

1. To give your hair good body/hold: Choose a liquid gel extra hold setting lotion
2. To give your hair some body: Choose a regular liquid gel or mousse
3. To hold your hair in place and shape it into a style: Gel
4. To take away the frizz from curly hair: A styling straightener or gel relaxer used on wet hair
5. To make your styled hair stick out: Choose thick pomades or extra hold hair spray
6. To make your hair appear wet when it's dry (wet look): Mousse, liquid gel
7. To make curly dry (as opposed to wet) hair less frizzy: Use mousse or liquid gel
8. To make dry hair (as opposed to wet hair) shiny: Choose a hair shine cream or a silicon based hair cream
9. To hold your hair style: Regular hair spray for everyday and extra hold hair spray for special occasions

Of course a good source of information concerning hair products is your very own hair stylist. S/he will have certain products that they prefer based on repeated use and as a result of trial and error. These products are what you should be using at home.