The difference between using products/blowouts to nourish the hair versus styling the hair lies in the intent and the effect each has on the hair:
Nourishing the Hair:
• Purpose: Focuses on improving the health of the hair by providing essential moisture, vitamins, and proteins.
• Products Used: Shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, oils, serums, leave-in treatments, and heat protectants.
• Techniques: Blow-drying at a lower heat or air-drying, deep conditioning treatments, scalp massages, and protective styling that minimizes damage.
• Goal: Strengthen the hair shaft, repair damage, hydrate the scalp, and promote growth, while preventing split ends and dryness. Nourishing helps in achieving long-term hair health, shine, and softness.
Styling the Hair:
• Purpose: Focuses on the appearance, texture, and shape of the hair to achieve a specific look.
• Products Used: Styling gels, mousse, hairspray, volumizers, texturizers, and heat tools like flat irons, curling irons, and high-heat blow dryers.
• Techniques: Blowouts for volume and smoothness, curling or straightening for texture change, setting with rollers, or pinning hair in place with clips for specific styles.
• Goal: To achieve a polished or trendy look, control frizz, add volume, or create a specific style (like sleek, wavy, or curly). Styling often requires more manipulation, which may stress the hair.
In short, nourishment aims to care for and protect the hair’s health, while styling is about temporarily manipulating the hair for aesthetic purposes. It’s important to balance both, ensuring the hair remains strong and healthy while achieving your desired look.