3 top beauty splurges?

[diamondfan]

Sephora is the mother ship!!!

Clarins white tea daily SPF 40 screen for under makeup as well as Clinqiue''s City block in SPF 40 are nice daily sunscreens...

 

[VegasAngel]

I love getting microdermabrasion & peels. My Sedu is/was more than I would usually pay for an iron. Oh well, as long as it lasts a long time it''s ok.

 

[ljmorgan]

Date: 5/4/2008 11:08:42 AM
Author: AmberGretchen

I will be totally honest and say that I''ve never even owned a straightening iron, much less used one on my own hair. I also don''t own a curling iron or a blowdryer. I''ve been really lucky with my hair - its naturally a little bit wavy but mostly straight, and very thick but not at all coarse (each strand is very fine, there''s just a lot of them). So usually I wash it at night, pull it out of my face while I sleep, wake up in the morning and pull a brush through it and its presentable. Unfortunately, I''m (hopefully) getting my first real job within a year or so (I''m finishing up my PhD, hopefully, in that time), and I''ll really need to look professional and polished for both interviews and the (hopeful) job.


So what would you recommend for a novice for both products and styling tools? I was thinking the straightener would be easiest to make it look polished since my hair is closer to straight than anything else. My hair does get greasy if I put too much crap in it though, and I don''t want to have to spend very much time styling it if at all possible.

For straightening, I think all of the flat irons have the same learning curve. I have owned a $30 Revlon straightener, a Hai, a pricey 2" Farouk Chi, and now the ghd. For straightening, all of them work fine except the Revlon still left my hair frizzy. If your hair is naturally pretty straight/just wavy, any straightener will probably work just fine for you.

Now the ghd really is the mother of all straightening irons. I like that I have one tool to straighten my hair, make it curly, or give me those huge loose natural waves that made me jealous when I saw it on celebs, haha. This iron also gives me the smoothest results when straightening, as compared to my other irons. There is definitely a learning curve to make the curls, but I''ve found it extremely easy. If you watch the videos on youtube and the DVD that comes with the iron, you''re set. If you spend an afternoon just playing with different techniques on different pieces of hair, you''ll quickly learn it all.

As far as styling products, since your hair sounds naturally pretty well behaved and you''re just looking for maybe a bit more polish, I will recommend using a nice styling cream on your damp hair. I would recommend any of the Redken products like Align 12 or any others. I would also recommend Fekkai''s Glossing Cream because you can use it on damp hair for a more polished look after styling, and you can also use it on dry hair to add a bit of shine or tame flyaways. If you do choose to purchase any sort of heat styling product like a straightener, I would also recommend a thermal protection product, like Redken''s Smooth Down Heat Glide. Farouk Chi makes a very popular heat protector, and Biosilk is very popular as well.

 

[nebe]

I wear nothing on a daily basis, but I spend extreme amounts at Sephora at least 2x a year. Although probably more now that there''s a store up here.......

 

[lyra]

Date: 5/4/2008 12:24:28 PM
Author: *Lindsey*

Date: 5/4/2008 11:08:42 AM
Author: AmberGretchen

I will be totally honest and say that I''ve never even owned a straightening iron, much less used one on my own hair. I also don''t own a curling iron or a blowdryer. I''ve been really lucky with my hair - its naturally a little bit wavy but mostly straight, and very thick but not at all coarse (each strand is very fine, there''s just a lot of them). So usually I wash it at night, pull it out of my face while I sleep, wake up in the morning and pull a brush through it and its presentable. Unfortunately, I''m (hopefully) getting my first real job within a year or so (I''m finishing up my PhD, hopefully, in that time), and I''ll really need to look professional and polished for both interviews and the (hopeful) job.


So what would you recommend for a novice for both products and styling tools? I was thinking the straightener would be easiest to make it look polished since my hair is closer to straight than anything else. My hair does get greasy if I put too much crap in it though, and I don''t want to have to spend very much time styling it if at all possible.

For straightening, I think all of the flat irons have the same learning curve. I have owned a $30 Revlon straightener, a Hai, a pricey 2'' Farouk Chi, and now the ghd. For straightening, all of them work fine except the Revlon still left my hair frizzy. If your hair is naturally pretty straight/just wavy, any straightener will probably work just fine for you.

Now the ghd really is the mother of all straightening irons. I like that I have one tool to straighten my hair, make it curly, or give me those huge loose natural waves that made me jealous when I saw it on celebs, haha. This iron also gives me the smoothest results when straightening, as compared to my other irons. There is definitely a learning curve to make the curls, but I''ve found it extremely easy. If you watch the videos on youtube and the DVD that comes with the iron, you''re set. If you spend an afternoon just playing with different techniques on different pieces of hair, you''ll quickly learn it all.

As far as styling products, since your hair sounds naturally pretty well behaved and you''re just looking for maybe a bit more polish, I will recommend using a nice styling cream on your damp hair. I would recommend any of the Redken products like Align 12 or any others. I would also recommend Fekkai''s Glossing Cream because you can use it on damp hair for a more polished look after styling, and you can also use it on dry hair to add a bit of shine or tame flyaways. If you do choose to purchase any sort of heat styling product like a straightener, I would also recommend a thermal protection product, like Redken''s Smooth Down Heat Glide. Farouk Chi makes a very popular heat protector, and Biosilk is very popular as well.

Lindsey, which model of the ghd do you have? I''m looking at Sephora, and I see a hot pink one that claims to do the straightening and curling. I''d like to be sure though, because I''m thinking of getting one for my daughter for her birthday. She has the Chi right now. She has fine wavy hair, which she straightens and curls, or just leaves natural since it''s not "bulky" like thick hair (mine!). Thanks!

 

[ljmorgan]

Date: 5/4/2008 5:09:38 PM
Author: lyra

Lindsey, which model of the ghd do you have? I''m looking at Sephora, and I see a hot pink one that claims to do the straightening and curling. I''d like to be sure though, because I''m thinking of getting one for my daughter for her birthday. She has the Chi right now. She has fine wavy hair, which she straightens and curls, or just leaves natural since it''s not ''bulky'' like thick hair (mine!). Thanks!

Hey lyra, the ghd IV styler is the newest one that does the curls and waves the best. Right now it comes in pink and black from Sephora, and costs $240. If you happen to be a member of Costco, you can purchase the black IV styler for $189 -- a pretty substantial discount, plus it carries their lifetime warranty. If you''re not a Costco member, you can still buy it with a 5% extra fee -- still works out cheaper than Sephora -- but they don''t carry the pink color. I bought the black IV one from Costco.

 

[lyra]

Date: 5/4/2008 5:17:55 PM
Author: *Lindsey*

Date: 5/4/2008 5:09:38 PM
Author: lyra

Lindsey, which model of the ghd do you have? I''m looking at Sephora, and I see a hot pink one that claims to do the straightening and curling. I''d like to be sure though, because I''m thinking of getting one for my daughter for her birthday. She has the Chi right now. She has fine wavy hair, which she straightens and curls, or just leaves natural since it''s not ''bulky'' like thick hair (mine!). Thanks!

Hey lyra, the ghd IV styler is the newest one that does the curls and waves the best. Right now it comes in pink and black from Sephora, and costs $240. If you happen to be a member of Costco, you can purchase the black IV styler for $189 -- a pretty substantial discount, plus it carries their lifetime warranty. If you''re not a Costco member, you can still buy it with a 5% extra fee -- still works out cheaper than Sephora -- but they don''t carry the pink color. I bought the black IV one from Costco.

Thanks Lindsey! I''ll look at Costco, although I don''t remember seeing anything like this before. I''m in Canada, could be different? At least I have a Sephora to go to just in case. I''ll look into the styling aids to, at Sephora. They have such great stuff there. I don''t really wear makeup, but having 2 daughters, well, I get to live vicariously.

 

[oddoneout]

Macie is there any other animal friendly products that you use? Anyone can answer too. I''m curious to know if there''s any good eye cream (night) for first wrinkles that isn''t tested on animals and contains no animal ingredients? The one I love and use is discontinued. Availability in Canada is a must.

Thanks

 

[pennquaker09]

Date: 5/4/2008 11:14:12 AM
Author: diamondfan
Sephora is the mother ship!!!


Clarins white tea daily SPF 40 screen for under makeup as well as Clinqiue''s City block in SPF 40 are nice daily sunscreens...

I can''t stop laughing . . .

 

[Dreamgirl]

Date: 5/4/2008 9:42:35 AM
Author: Independent Gal
Dreamgirl I match my scent to my bling too! I wear Bulgari perfume.

haha! Niceeeeeeeeeee

 

[pennquaker09]

Date: 5/4/2008 11:08:42 AM
Author: AmberGretchen

Date: 5/4/2008 10:04:22 AM

Author: Lorelei

Date: 5/4/2008 12:24:34 AM


Author: pennquaker09






I''m moving, but you can move to Jersey and we can shop in Paramus! Anyway, what kind of iron do you currently have? Chi and GHD are the two best, but as long as you have ceramic and a good product, you should be okay. Also, with the right iron, you can also curl your hair.

Yes, you can curl your hair with irons - good point! I use my GHD to curl and it works well. I find my forming my hair into curls and clamping it with the iron works better than twisting the iron through the hair, the curls stay in longer I find.

Penn - I''m not sure if I could handle Jersey

But it might be worth it to have a cool shopping buddy who really loved Sephora

Somehow I don''t see talking the DH into it - he really really loves the West Coast, and especially where we are now.


I will be totally honest and say that I''ve never even owned a straightening iron, much less used one on my own hair. I also don''t own a curling iron or a blowdryer. I''ve been really lucky with my hair - its naturally a little bit wavy but mostly straight, and very thick but not at all coarse (each strand is very fine, there''s just a lot of them). So usually I wash it at night, pull it out of my face while I sleep, wake up in the morning and pull a brush through it and its presentable. Unfortunately, I''m (hopefully) getting my first real job within a year or so (I''m finishing up my PhD, hopefully, in that time), and I''ll really need to look professional and polished for both interviews and the (hopeful) job.


So what would you recommend for a novice for both products and styling tools? I was thinking the straightener would be easiest to make it look polished since my hair is closer to straight than anything else. My hair does get greasy if I put too much crap in it though, and I don''t want to have to spend very much time styling it if at all possible.

For styling tools, it''s always good to have a good blow dryer and brush. Do you currently have a hair stylist? If you don''t, find a good reputable stylist/colorist at a great salon (preferable upscale) and see how he or she does your hair. One of the most important things I can say, and most will agree, it that good product is essential to having good healthy looking hair. When I say good product, I mean only things you can get from a good salon. None of that Pantene or Herbal Essence(sp?) garbage from ______ (insert mass merchant here). You should get the opinion of an expert before you buy product. I personally like Matrix/Biolage products.

 

[mrm]

I love the Sedu! It is the best flat iron I have ever owned.

 

[ksinger]

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. Great stuff. Had it used on me during a facial at The Ten Thousand Waves Spa in Santa Fe. Had to have some for myself.

T. LeClerc loose powder. Only one place in town carries it, and pricey at $48 for 35 g., but rice powder based and light as a feather. Lasts pretty long too. Great for oily skin, which I have.

Origins Ginger Glimmer whipped souffle. Smells yummy and you sparkle in gold!

Oh...and good makeup brushes. I use Japonica. High quality, reasonably priced, and soft soft, wear like iron.

 

[darkeyesredshoes]

Pricescope is costing me money, and not even due to diamond enabling! I just bought the ghd mark iv in pink. Can''t wait to test it out and see how it works!

My favorite products, splurge-worthy or otherwise:

1. Perfume! Right now I''m wearing En Passant by Olivia Giacobetti.

2. I can''t live without my Moisture Surge Ultra from Clinique. It''s the only moisturizer that doesn''t make my super-sensitive face feel oily.

3. Shampoo bars from Lush (they have lots of vegan products, too) and Kiehl''s hair conditioner and grooming aid Formula 133.

 

[ljmorgan]

Date: 5/4/2008 7:06:40 PM
Author: lyra

Date: 5/4/2008 5:17:55 PM

Thanks Lindsey! I''ll look at Costco, although I don''t remember seeing anything like this before. I''m in Canada, could be different? At least I have a Sephora to go to just in case. I''ll look into the styling aids to, at Sephora. They have such great stuff there. I don''t really wear makeup, but having 2 daughters, well, I get to live vicariously.

Hey lyra, the ghd is not carried in the Costco stores -- you can only purchase it from Costco''s website. Just do a search on their site for "ghd." Good luck!

 

[carabella]

1. Japanese thermal reconditioning (straightening). I used to have somewhat curly and very frizzy hair. One weekend about three years ago, I went to get my hair done and then met my husband for lunch....the woman who did my hair gave me a great blowout and my hair looked great. It was the first time my husband ever saw me with straight hair. He loved it. A couple of weeks later, he slipped (after one too many glasses of wine) and said that I should wear my hair that way all the time....so I told him that I could get it straightened like that permanently but that it was a little spendy. I went ahead and booked the appointment and have never looked back. I love my straight soft, wash and go hair and so does my husband. I''ll be going back for the fourth time later this summer.

2. Botox. For preventative maintenance...once you start you can''t stop.

3. Chanel glossimer. I have almost all of them that will look good on me and a few that are a little wacky for my coloring, but I love them even though they don''t last long.

4. Any Frederic Fekkai hair product. I just tried the hair plump that I ordered online from Neiman Marcus. Love it. Gives me back some of the body that I lost from straightening my hair.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Date: 5/4/2008 12:24:28 PM
Author: *Lindsey*

Date: 5/4/2008 11:08:42 AM

Author: AmberGretchen


I will be totally honest and say that I''ve never even owned a straightening iron, much less used one on my own hair. I also don''t own a curling iron or a blowdryer. I''ve been really lucky with my hair - its naturally a little bit wavy but mostly straight, and very thick but not at all coarse (each strand is very fine, there''s just a lot of them). So usually I wash it at night, pull it out of my face while I sleep, wake up in the morning and pull a brush through it and its presentable. Unfortunately, I''m (hopefully) getting my first real job within a year or so (I''m finishing up my PhD, hopefully, in that time), and I''ll really need to look professional and polished for both interviews and the (hopeful) job.



So what would you recommend for a novice for both products and styling tools? I was thinking the straightener would be easiest to make it look polished since my hair is closer to straight than anything else. My hair does get greasy if I put too much crap in it though, and I don''t want to have to spend very much time styling it if at all possible.

For straightening, I think all of the flat irons have the same learning curve. I have owned a $30 Revlon straightener, a Hai, a pricey 2'' Farouk Chi, and now the ghd. For straightening, all of them work fine except the Revlon still left my hair frizzy. If your hair is naturally pretty straight/just wavy, any straightener will probably work just fine for you.


Now the ghd really is the mother of all straightening irons. I like that I have one tool to straighten my hair, make it curly, or give me those huge loose natural waves that made me jealous when I saw it on celebs, haha. This iron also gives me the smoothest results when straightening, as compared to my other irons. There is definitely a learning curve to make the curls, but I''ve found it extremely easy. If you watch the videos on youtube and the DVD that comes with the iron, you''re set. If you spend an afternoon just playing with different techniques on different pieces of hair, you''ll quickly learn it all.


As far as styling products, since your hair sounds naturally pretty well behaved and you''re just looking for maybe a bit more polish, I will recommend using a nice styling cream on your damp hair. I would recommend any of the Redken products like Align 12 or any others. I would also recommend Fekkai''s Glossing Cream because you can use it on damp hair for a more polished look after styling, and you can also use it on dry hair to add a bit of shine or tame flyaways. If you do choose to purchase any sort of heat styling product like a straightener, I would also recommend a thermal protection product, like Redken''s Smooth Down Heat Glide. Farouk Chi makes a very popular heat protector, and Biosilk is very popular as well.

Wow, thank you Lindsey for the wonderfully detailed reply. Funny that you mention the Fekkai Glossing Cream - its actually the only styling product I own and really ever use - I just smooth it on my ends occasionally when its really humid out or I''ve gone to long without a cut (happens frequently - I''m really bad about going to get my hair cut, I usually only manage it twice a year...I know, very bad

). I''ll have the try the Redken or the Biosilk you suggested. A heat protector is a great idea - I always get compliments on how healthy my hair is, and I want to keep it that way as much as possible.

You''re right that my hair mostly behaves (although I know I''ll have to get it cut more often from now on, especially because it grows super-fast), but it definitely needs polish - because the individual strands are so fine its easy to get really snarled and have it look a little wild in strong wind or lots of humidity. I guess overall I''m hoping for both polish and predictability - i.e. I can''t really afford to be at the mercy of however my hair happens to look that day if I need to meet with clients or whatever.

I think my mom has a Costco membership - I''ll have to check out the GHD IV. DH still owes me a nice b-day gift (couldn''t decide what I wanted), so this might make a good one. I guess, even though I''m sure a less nice one would probably do the job, I''d rather just go straight for the ideal one so I can have all the styling options and also so it does the best possible job. Does that make sense?

 

[AmberGretchen]

Date: 5/4/2008 9:02:42 PM
Author: pennquaker09

Date: 5/4/2008 11:08:42 AM


For styling tools, it''s always good to have a good blow dryer and brush. Do you currently have a hair stylist? If you don''t, find a good reputable stylist/colorist at a great salon (preferable upscale) and see how he or she does your hair. One of the most important things I can say, and most will agree, it that good product is essential to having good healthy looking hair. When I say good product, I mean only things you can get from a good salon. None of that Pantene or Herbal Essence(sp?) garbage from ______ (insert mass merchant here). You should get the opinion of an expert before you buy product. I personally like Matrix/Biolage products.

I''m SUPER intimidated by blowdrying (silly I know) - my hair takes FOREVER to dry because its so thick. I would love to find a styling regimen that doesn''t require it

I''m also still working on finding a good stylist. Trust me - that''s one thing I know the importance of, and I''m fiercely loyal when I do find them. I''ve had three great ones in my life so far, the first one retired when I was in high school, the second left to teach cosmetology school, and the last one is still working but is now 3,000 miles away from me (in Boston - I went to college in Providence, but now am in graduate school in San Francisco). I go see him whenever I can, but its obviously not convenient and I would prefer to find someone local. I''ve tried at least 4 or 5 people and not been remotely thrilled with any of them. I''m going to try someone new (hopefully) in the next couple of weeks, recommended to me by my best-groomed friend (I ADORED her waxer), so I''m really hoping that will be my SF hair guru who can help me learn how to style my hair.

Anyway, sorry that was a long tangent, but yes, I will definitely work on finding somebody good AND local. In case I can''t get away without the blowdryer, do you have a type or specifications you like? A really good brush you recommend? Anyone else want to chime in on this (sorry for the threadjack!!)

Thank you

 

[darkeyesredshoes]

AG, your hair sounds so much like mine. I''m not an expert by any means (I pull it back in a ponytail wet half the time, for shame) but I have had the best luck with this brush from Aveda. It''s great at detangling and makes it easy to blow my hair out fairly straight without requiring any actual...coordination.

 

[AmberGretchen]

darkeyesredshoes - that''s so funny. I guess its actually not a very common hair type, because usually when I go to a new salon I end up sitting in the chair while half the stylists there are called over to look at my unusual hair type

I totally do the wet ponytail thing too - I was my hair at night, and just twist it up in a ponytail-type deal to keep it out of my face while sleeping. I guess that''s double shame

I think I will give that brush a try - there''s an Aveda store near where I live, and, well, I can use all the help with blowdrying and other styling that I can get...

 

[pennquaker09]

Date: 5/5/2008 12:20:35 AM
Author: AmberGretchen
I''m SUPER intimidated by blowdrying (silly I know) - my hair takes FOREVER to dry because its so thick. I would love to find a styling regimen that doesn''t require it

I''m also still working on finding a good stylist. Trust me - that''s one thing I know the importance of, and I''m fiercely loyal when I do find them. I''ve had three great ones in my life so far, the first one retired when I was in high school, the second left to teach cosmetology school, and the last one is still working but is now 3,000 miles away from me (in Boston - I went to college in Providence, but now am in graduate school in San Francisco). I go see him whenever I can, but its obviously not convenient and I would prefer to find someone local. I''ve tried at least 4 or 5 people and not been remotely thrilled with any of them. I''m going to try someone new (hopefully) in the next couple of weeks, recommended to me by my best-groomed friend (I ADORED her waxer), so I''m really hoping that will be my SF hair guru who can help me learn how to style my hair.


Anyway, sorry that was a long tangent, but yes, I will definitely work on finding somebody good AND local. In case I can''t get away without the blowdryer, do you have a type or specifications you like? A really good brush you recommend? Anyone else want to chime in on this (sorry for the threadjack!!)


Thank you

I''m going to attempt to give you a straightening primer with this.

I definitely have an easier time because I''m a guy and I don''t have that much hair. I personally have a CHI Rocket and I''m very happy with it. Sedu and the T3 bespoke are also pretty good. Since you have thick hair, it''s important that you get a dryer with at least 1875 watts and make sure it has a ceramic heating element. The same thing applies to your smoothing iron, make sure it''s ceramic with variable temperature control. I like a dryer that has a cold shot, also.

Since you have thick hair, I would probably advise you to get a paddle brush. Sephora has their own that retails for about $30.00, but I know the Mason Pearson detangler works for your type of hair. The only thing is that a Mason Pearson is around $80. Additionally, a large round ceramic brush and a wide toothed comb would be essential. The round brush of choice would be something like, the GHD size 5 would be a good one. If not that, something similar.

Okay, back to the smoothing iron (flat iron). Again, I don''t have a lot in terms of volume, but mine is thick because of curls. This is where I''m going to interject and say that the look that you want to achieve, is dependent upon the products that you use.I have curly hair, but because I use heat to make it straight, I use the Matrix Sleek look products to facilitate that. Sleek Look products basically help protect ones hair from the heat. Further, products are meant to be used collectively or in a combination with other products.

For instance, if your hair is color treated, you should use shampoo and conditioner formulated for color treated hair. From the way you described your hair, Sleek Look products would probably work for you. Also, Redken Smooth Down would work. My stylist uses Redken and it''s okay, but I prefer the matrix/biolage products.

And since your hair is long and thick your iron should probably be 1". When I went back and read my original post, I noticed that I made a typo. I have the old GHD styler and I have the new GHD IV mini styler. It''s 1/2'' and it''s for shorter hair.

Lastly, one thing I can suggest is getting your hair thinned out the next time you get it cut.

 

[Bliss]

Nice! It's great to see the ladies pampering themselves.

My top 3 beauty splurges are:
Sisley products from Neiman Marcus... the eye cream is TDF.
La Mer moisturizer
Nars makeup

I figure, most people spend more on clothing and this is my face -- which I wear every day!

 

[diamondfan]

I agree that good brushes are essential, as is taking care of them.

I have the full set of Napoleon Perdis brushes, Kevyn Aucoin and La Prarie, as well as many open stock brushes from MAC, Trish MacEvoy, Laura Mercier, Smashbox, Bobbi Brown, Chanel and Shu Uemera. I am a bit obsessed and buy travel brush sets from all of the above brands when I can.

You must care for them well too and they can and will last a very long time.

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

Date: 5/4/2008 7:14:38 PM
Author: oddoneout
Macie is there any other animal friendly products that you use? Anyone can answer too. I''m curious to know if there''s any good eye cream (night) for first wrinkles that isn''t tested on animals and contains no animal ingredients? The one I love and use is discontinued. Availability in Canada is a must.

Thanks

I like origins perfect world eye cream. I don''t know if it has any animal products but it isn''t tested and I imagine they ship to Canada. It smells lovely and I have had good luck with it.

 

[erica k]

stella mccartney''s CARE line. 5 benefits moisturizing cream is amazing. i only wish she would make something with SPF, though!

i''m also addicted to Fresh''s milk and rose shampoo.

guerlain''s cleansing foam mousse is wonderful, and i''ve been wearing their champs elysees perfume since i was 17 (11 years and counting...).

i don''t wear any makeup, though, so all of my beauty splurges are cleansers, moisturizers, masks, and perfume.

 

[diamondfan]

Erica, I love a lot of the Guerlain fragrances. I really adore the smell of their meteorites, they smell like violet candies that I used to love as a kid.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Date: 5/5/2008 11:25:16 AM
Author: pennquaker09

Date: 5/5/2008 12:20:35 AM

Author: AmberGretchen

I''m SUPER intimidated by blowdrying (silly I know) - my hair takes FOREVER to dry because its so thick. I would love to find a styling regimen that doesn''t require it

I''m also still working on finding a good stylist. Trust me - that''s one thing I know the importance of, and I''m fiercely loyal when I do find them. I''ve had three great ones in my life so far, the first one retired when I was in high school, the second left to teach cosmetology school, and the last one is still working but is now 3,000 miles away from me (in Boston - I went to college in Providence, but now am in graduate school in San Francisco). I go see him whenever I can, but its obviously not convenient and I would prefer to find someone local. I''ve tried at least 4 or 5 people and not been remotely thrilled with any of them. I''m going to try someone new (hopefully) in the next couple of weeks, recommended to me by my best-groomed friend (I ADORED her waxer), so I''m really hoping that will be my SF hair guru who can help me learn how to style my hair.



Anyway, sorry that was a long tangent, but yes, I will definitely work on finding somebody good AND local. In case I can''t get away without the blowdryer, do you have a type or specifications you like? A really good brush you recommend? Anyone else want to chime in on this (sorry for the threadjack!!)



Thank you

I''m going to attempt to give you a straightening primer with this.


I definitely have an easier time because I''m a guy and I don''t have that much hair. I personally have a CHI Rocket and I''m very happy with it. Sedu and the T3 bespoke are also pretty good. Since you have thick hair, it''s important that you get a dryer with at least 1875 watts and make sure it has a ceramic heating element. The same thing applies to your smoothing iron, make sure it''s ceramic with variable temperature control. I like a dryer that has a cold shot, also.


Since you have thick hair, I would probably advise you to get a paddle brush. Sephora has their own that retails for about $30.00, but I know the Mason Pearson detangler works for your type of hair. The only thing is that a Mason Pearson is around $80. Additionally, a large round ceramic brush and a wide toothed comb would be essential. The round brush of choice would be something like, the GHD size 5 would be a good one. If not that, something similar.


Okay, back to the smoothing iron (flat iron). Again, I don''t have a lot in terms of volume, but mine is thick because of curls. This is where I''m going to interject and say that the look that you want to achieve, is dependent upon the products that you use.I have curly hair, but because I use heat to make it straight, I use the Matrix Sleek look products to facilitate that. Sleek Look products basically help protect ones hair from the heat. Further, products are meant to be used collectively or in a combination with other products.


For instance, if your hair is color treated, you should use shampoo and conditioner formulated for color treated hair. From the way you described your hair, Sleek Look products would probably work for you. Also, Redken Smooth Down would work. My stylist uses Redken and it''s okay, but I prefer the matrix/biolage products.


And since your hair is long and thick your iron should probably be 1''. When I went back and read my original post, I noticed that I made a typo. I have the old GHD styler and I have the new GHD IV mini styler. It''s 1/2'' and it''s for shorter hair.



Lastly, one thing I can suggest is getting your hair thinned out the next time you get it cut.

Wow Penn - that is awesome information, thank you so so much. You actually gave me the extra motivation I needed to call and leave a message for the stylist I''m hoping to go see, and I might just print out this page and bring it in to her and ask. I think I found a hairstyle I''d like to aim for - if you get a chance, check out Hillary Duff (not normally a fan) - she is on the cover of Allure this month and I''m loving that haircut. I think its long enough to still go back in a ponytail but short enough that I could (hopefully) get it to look professional pretty easily. Her hair looks kind of thin and dry in the pictures, but I''m thinking that my hair would look a little different because its sort of thicker and shinier normally.

 

[Delster]

Date: 5/4/2008 10:04:22 AM
Author: Lorelei

Yes, you can curl your hair with irons - good point! I use my GHD to curl and it works well. I find my forming my hair into curls and clamping it with the iron works better than twisting the iron through the hair, the curls stay in longer I find.

Is that how you do it? OK I''ve found something to occupy me for an evening now...

Seriously though I once had a hairstylist attempt to curl my hair with a GHD the other way, and even she gave up. My hair will.not.curl. I rarely blow-dry it and most days it''s super straight. I use the GHD occasionally to make it mega-sleek and glossy.

OK my splurges:

1. The GHD. It works a thousand times better than any other straightener.
2. Bobbi Brown concealers, and her eyeliner gel. Fantastic.
3. Perfume. Lots of favourites, I buy them in the duty free usually. BF bought me a big bottle of Tabac Blond for Valentines. I love it!

I''ve loads of other favourites but those would be the splurges. Everything else I use is pretty cheap, or I make sure it lasts and lasts so I get good value.