My old mentor swore by backcombing for volume but I thought it was outdated

I had this cosmetology teacher in Phoenix who insisted backcombing was the only way to get real hold for updos. I ignored her for like a year and just used texturizing sprays and powders instead. Last month I did a bridal party and all the hair fell flat by the reception because we were outside in humid June weather. I went back to her method on the next client and the volume stayed for 6 hours easy. Has anyone else found old school techniques that actually beat modern products?

3 comments

3 Comments

dianaanderson11d ago

Wait, so when you tried the backcombing on the bridal party after the humidity disaster, did you completely skip the texturizing spray and just go straight to the teasing comb? I've been wondering if the modern products actually stop the backcombing from holding as long since they coat the hair in silicones. Did you notice any difference in how the hair felt when you backcombed with clean product free hair versus when you added a spray first?

faith_king11d ago

Wait are you saying silicones mess with the hold? I thought those were supposed to help with humidity protection, not hurt the teasing's staying power.

beth_reed11d ago

Drop that texturizing spray like a bad habit, @dianaanderson. When I backcombed the bridal party on that humid day, the clean product free hair grabbed and held way better than the coated stuff. The silicones leave a slippery film that makes the teasing comb almost useless, like trying to catch water with a fork. You end up with flat roots and a whole lot of frustration.