Articles

Is Unwashed Residue the Reason You Can't Style Your Hair? A New Proposal From MONOQU

2026.10.19

Even after spending time styling your hair, does it still feel heavy, unruly, or flat? Hair styling brand MONOQU identified one of the main causes: the accumulation of hair care residues and excess oil. That is why the brand uses formulas designed not only for styling power, but also for ease of washing out. Why do styling products build up on hair? We spoke with Hitomi Okazaki from MONOQU about the features of their new serum spray, Gloss Fog, to find out.

Even Affecting Salon Treatments: The Issues Caused by Styling Product Build-Up

We've heard that styling products can affect hair—what kind of problems do they cause?

One issue is "over-oiled hair." This happens when too much oil penetrates the hair, causing it to feel heavy, cling together excessively at the ends, or go flat, making it hard to create volume.

Another issue is "build-up hair" (film-coated hair). This refers to a state where oils and resins contained in styling products, shampoos, and treatments accumulate on the hair and scalp without being fully washed away. This can cause problems such as poor shampoo lathering, slow hair drying, stickiness, stiffness, poor hair color absorption, and difficulty achieving your desired style.

Both issues are thought to stem from failing to thoroughly cleanse the hair with shampoo and applying too much styling product.

The accumulation of styling products can affect your hair in various ways

Are there any problems other than styling issues?

Accumulated oils and resins can prevent hair dye and other salon chemicals from penetrating evenly, which can impact the results of salon treatments.

That sounds like a serious issue.

It really is. The hair care products you use with good intentions might actually end up hindering your subsequent styling and salon treatments. Addressing this issue became the starting point for our product development.

"Triple-Layer Formula" Balancing Styling Power and Ease of Washability

How do MONOQU products specifically address this issue?

All of our products feature a "Triple-Layer Formula" designed to target the drawbacks of over-oiled hair and build-up hair.

First is the "Protein Care Layer," which nourishes the hair with silk, keratin, and collagen. Next is the "Clear Move Layer," which lifts styling ingredients during shampooing to make them easy to wash out. Finally, there's the "Styling Layer," which shapes your hairstyle. Thanks to this three-layer structure, you can maintain long-lasting, easily reproducible styles while washing everything away effortlessly in just one shampoo.

By incorporating this formula into every product, we aim to help customers keep their hair healthy while enjoying daily styling. It's a formulation designed not just for how your hair looks today, but for its future beauty as well.

Gloss Fog: Boosting Shine and Care While Retaining Easy Washability

Gloss Fog (120g) 2,640 yen (tax included)

While keeping MONOQU's signature easy washability, what new features were added to the new Gloss Fog?

Gloss Fog is a serum spray that enhances care functionality on top of traditional MONOQU product features. While it contains oils, conventional oil-based products often saw oil ingredients penetrate or evaporate, causing damaged cuticles to show through over time and reducing softness and shine.

In contrast, the LTG Blend Oil used in Gloss Fog instantly coats damaged cuticles to create a smooth, even surface. This allows shine and beautiful texture to last longer over time.

It's impressive how it doesn't feel sticky or heavy despite containing oil.

A lightweight finish without stickiness is another key feature of Gloss Fog. Because it adds shine without weighing hair down, you can achieve a natural texture whether your hair is straight or curled.

Can it be used for hair care as well as morning styling?

Yes. The formula is designed to protect hair from daily damage caused by UV rays, heat, and friction. It's also a great item for the upcoming seasons when dryness and static electricity become concerns.

We also recommend using it for nighttime care. Applying a light mist before bed protects hair from friction against the pillow and damage from static. Its versatility makes it ideal for both morning styling and nighttime hair care.

The fragrance is designed to pair seamlessly even when layered with other products

It smells fantastic too—what was your approach to the fragrance?

"The top note is a bitter, slightly spicy citrus, evolving into middle notes of jasmine and rose, and finishing with a soothing woody scent. We also used fragrances designed to resist oxidation odors over time."

When your hair just won't cooperate, the culprit might not be the styling product you applied today, but rather a buildup of oils and resins from previous days. MONOQU addressed this by designing products with a focus not only on the finished look, but also on how easily they wash out. Their new release, "Gloss Fog," also features a formula that delivers luminous shine and a light, airy texture while rinsing away effortlessly with shampoo. Because these products are used every day, this dual focus—considering both the immediate finish and the hair's feel after washing—is the signature feature MONOQU takes pride in.

PROFILE

Hitomi Okazaki

Mian Beauty
MONOQU PR

Text: Junko Hayashida