If you’re like most people, the words ‘Hair tonicConjure up old-school images of your grandfather (or actors like James Dean) spritzing a refreshing, aromatic serum on his hair and slicking it back with a comb.
That’s exactly what hair tonic was: an alcohol-based moisturizer found in many men’s bathroom cabinets and medicine chests in the 1940s and 1950s.
The popularity of hair tonic is on the rise again, and for good reason: it does a wonderful job of keeping the scalp healthy and adds shine and luster to dull, lifeless hair. And today’s hair tunics are no longer just for men; A growing number of women are also recognizing the benefits of using this skincare tool in their arsenal of beauty secrets.
What is hair tonic?
Hair tonics are liquid hair moisturizers that usually (not always) include light oils or liquid petroleum. Alcohol, witch hazel or other astringent substances are usually added, which prevent oils from weighing down the hair as other types of creams, waxes and gels do.
Tonics often have light and refreshing scents; Back in the “old days”, men didn’t always wash their hair regularly, so tonics kept them smelling fresh and looking good all day long.
Nowadays, tonics are often used by hairdressers and barbers because they keep the hair wetter than regular water during the “cut, cut, cut” stages of the haircut.
They also help the scissors to slide more easily on the hair and give the finished cut a natural and healthy shine and a well-groomed and tidy appearance.
Does styling with a hair tonic require special training?
Not at all! If you can open a plastic bottle and use a comb or brush and your fingers, consider yourself an honors graduate of Hair Tonic University. Of course, it is likely that the product you purchase will have specific instructions for use on the label, but in general, the steps are as follows:
How to use hair tonic
- wash and dry the hair. The hair should be dry because water dilutes the tonic and prevents it from doing its job.
- Apply a few drops of tonic to your hair, use your fingers to distribute it thoroughly. Start slow; You can add more as needed.
- Style your hair with a regular-toothed comb, making sure all strands are coated with tonic.
- Do not dry your hair again. The alcohol or astringency in the tonic will evaporate quickly, leaving you with a dry, shiny sheen.
The benefits of using a hair tonic
Hair tonics provide a wide range of benefits that help many people solve their hair and scalp problems. Whether your hair is long, short, dry, oily, curly, straight, thick or thin (or even if you have no hair at all!), there is probably a hair tonic formula that will work just right for you.
- Moisturizes hair and scalp
- Improves the pH balance of the scalp
- Reduces dandruff and itching
- Restores manageability
- adding Glamor and Lightning
- Breaks up build-up and residue from other hair products
- Cleans clogged hair follicles
- Protects the hair from Split ends and breakage, preventing hair loss
- Increases hair growth and hair thickness
Secondary benefits and uses of hair tonic
- Can be used for stimulating scalp massage
- Protects against static electricity
- Gives a pleasant smell to the hair
- easy to use
Side Effects
You’d be hard-pressed to find too many negative side effects from using an over-the-counter hair tonic, though some people may find that its scent clashes with their perfumes, colognes, body lotions, or deodorants.
If you are using a prescription strength, medicated hair tonic (usually used to promote hair growth), you should consult your doctor about possible side effects.
Is Vaseline a hair tonic?
Vaseline, aka petroleum jelly, is a thick and viscous mixture of wax and mineral oil that locks in moisture and promotes healing of superficial wounds.
In its purest form, Vaseline itself is too greasy and thick to be used as a tonic. But when the wax rate is reduced, and a pleasant scent is added to the mineral oils, it makes a fantastic hair tonic that does a great job of increasing shine and manageability.
Vaseline hair tonic It’s best for dry hair and scalp because it penetrates the dried hair follicles and replaces your scalp’s natural oils, which wash away with shampoo and water.
Hair tunics are recommended
Hair tunics are pretty much the same for men and women (last time we checked, hair was genderless, lol). The most significant differences between them are in their packaging styles, scents and the benefits they promise to provide.
If none of these three features are relevant to you, we suggest you simply choose the hair strengthening product you like best. And just like deodorants, soaps and shampoos, it can take a few tries before you decide on your favorite brand. To get you started, here are our top picks for hair tonic for men and women:
men
Jeris Hair Tonic by Clubman (oil-free version) It’s our top pick for men mainly because of the classic, masculine barbershop scent (menthol/eucalyptus, which might be a little too strong for women).
The green tonic is formulated with or without oil – the oil-free one uses a base of glycerin, alcohol and water.
Jeris Hair Tonic is fantastic as a hair moisturizer and scalp energizer, and is perfect for days when you don’t wash your hair because it doesn’t look shiny or too greasy. Those with longer hair may find that it can tame frizz.
women
Although Vitalis hair tonic Traditionally considered a product for men, we recommend it for women because it is based on alcohol (ethanol), so it is not too greasy.
The scent is strong, but not overpowering, and it’s a great product for degreasing hair that already has product build-up.
Like most hair tonics, the Vitalis hair tonic won’t help you control the styling, but it will make your hair feel natural and softer, and it adds a lot of shine.
An article on hair tonics would not be complete without including a recommendation on Hair Tonic Vaseline brand.
- This stuff tends to work best on especially dry hair because it adds a lot of oil and shine, and it softens the hair and makes it more flexible when styling.
- It also treats the scalp and helps reduce dandruff.
- It has a strong lavender-like scent, but it’s not overpowering when you only use a few drops, which is why we recommend this product for both women and men.
- Because it doesn’t have any holding properties, Vaseline Hair Tonic works well on hair that already has some build-up from other products.
DIY hair tonic alternatives
- Coconut oil: Massage the scalp with about a quarter of the amount of virgin coconut oil. Leave it on for an hour, then wash it off with shampoo. Do this 1-2 times a week.
- honey: Mix a small amount of water with two tablespoons of honey to make it easy to spread it through the hair. Massage it into the scalp and let it sit for 1-2 minutes before rinsing and following with shampoo.
- jojoba: Mix together one egg yolk, one teaspoon of jojoba oil, one teaspoon of honey and a few drops of lemon juice. Work into your scalp (optional) throughout your hair. Let it sit for 45 minutes before rinsing and shampooing.
- mint: Add two or three drops of peppermint oil to one tablespoon of jojoba or coconut oil. Massage the mixture into the scalp for a good minute or two, then wash off with shampoo.
- Egg mask: Mix together 4-5 tablespoons of almond oil, 3-4 tablespoons of egg whites and 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Massage the mixture into the scalp, and follow with shampoo.
Common questions
No, a hair tonic is designed to promote hair growth and also help it look its best. Hair oil is used solely to moisturize the hair.
Yes, in fact, many people use it as a leave-in conditioner.
Yes, one of the main benefits of a hair tonic is its ability to help thicken hair and give it volume.
If your hair feels dry, consider using a hair tonic. You can start using it every day, but since hair tonic can make your hair feel oily or greasy, switch to every other day if you start to experience this.
Yes. Hair tonics are often made with moisturizing oils which are great for hair and help seal moisture in.
Yes, because a hair tonic increases blood flow in the hair follicles.
If you’ve used mousses, gels or pomades to style your hair all your life, you might be in for a pleasant surprise the first time you use a hair tonic.
Hair tonics are an affordable and easy-to-use way to keep your hair looking healthy, shiny and well-groomed – and they work great on most hair types. Don’t be afraid to try one; You must be wondering what took you so long!
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