Hair Product Suggestions Needed!

[omieluv]

So, I got my hair cut last night. It was the first time having it cut since March of 2007, so my hair was quite long and one boring length (did it to grow out for my friend''''s wedding). My hair texture is fine, lots of hair, not chemically treated, and straight to slightly wavy. The stylist gave me a razor cut, with my longest layer hitting just below the collarbone, while the shortest is just below my jaw line (I tend to put my hair behind my ears, so she did not want to go shorter than that). She also took some of the bulk out with the razor. To style, she dried it with a round brush and finished with a flat iron. It looked really cute when I left the salon. She used 3 products in my hair, one was a volumizing spray mousse she used for my roots, the other was a heat styling lotiong and the last was a creamy/light pomade she applied to piece out the layers. I was so out of it yesterday that I forgot to ask what she used.

Anyway, though I like how nice my hair looked after the flat iron, I do not want to use that on a daily basis b/c my hair is on the fragile side. Still though, if any of you use a heat styling cream product that you like, let me know. Also, any suggestions for a creamy/light feeling pomade?? The spray mousse was different, she literally sprayed my roots with it and it foamed, leaving my scalp with a cool feeling. I styled it today using my round brush and dryer. I managed to dig out some root lifting spray, straightening serum, and found some texturzier. Though I think it turned out cute, I am just not happy with my texturizer (smells funky + too sticky) and straightening serum (does not protect from heat styling). Plus, my hair is a bit poofier than yesterday, but I think that is due to not using a flat iron.

 

[mirre]

I have some L'Oreal spray that is pretty good. It's for heat styling... it's a little white pump spray bottle. It's called Downright Smooth. Its suppose to help with frizzy hair and flyaways. It sounds like your hair is about like mine (except for the length) but texture wise... I can usually get my hair pretty straight for everyday wear with a blowdryer and I spray a little of that stuff in it before I blow dry it... or if I'm running late or being lazy I just spray it in, brush through and go... helps with the "funky wavy look" I get if I let it air dry.

That's as much as I can help you with though... I have had those razored and choppy or piecey haircuts (they are really cute and fun) and I have used a Garnier pomade in a little round container (didn't like it... smelled great like candy... too sticky and wouldn't dry so my hair was weighed down and sticky all day), I also used the dove pomade in the same kind of round container... same effect... wouldn't dry and was sticky... actually the best thing I found for using just on piecing out the ends was a pomade by Paul Mitchell but made for men... it was in a squeeze tube and called Tea Tree Wax... a little goes a long way but it's great for just the little ends.

My friend is a hairdresser and when she chopped my hair off she used pomades and stuff too and it looked great... when SHE did it...

Other than that... My advice... Call up there and say... I came to see such in such the other day is she available... then ask her... Hey what all did you use on my hair when you fixed it... I'd love it and like to get some. If it's the expensive stuff and you can't afford it or want to pay that much ask her what she would recommend for a cheaper alternitive.

Oh yeah... for lift on my hair I used Dove volume mouse or Fructis Garnier Volume Mouse... they worked great... and you could even just probably put them near your roots... I put it all through my hair... combed through... blowdried upside down and the volume I had was amazing. It also helped keep my hair straighter so running through with a straight iron went super quick.

Good Luck! And I'm sorry this was so long, not my intentions.

ETA: The Downright Smooth by L'Oreal is also for heat styling with blow dryers and straight irons which is what I meant to say in the first place but left it out up top.

 

[somethingshiny]

Redken Rough Paste is a thicker controlling creme. It''ll give you the piecey texture without all the other stuff. (use this sparingly if you have fine hair, although it does create more body)

Redken Glass or JohnFreida Frizz Serum both give you the smooth and shiny look.

There is a BedHead mousse product (don''t remember the name) that gives a lot of volume with little weight.

I heat style my hair every day. I used to use the Redken Smooth Down Heat Glide, but I''ve switched to the JohnFrieda for a fraction of the price. I use it after I blowdry before the flatiron.

Also, if you mix the Rough Paste with one of the serums, it creates a lovely workable smoothing and styling aide. (more Rough Paste for more piecy, more Serum for more finished look)

And, one of my all time favorites is Bed Head After Party. It doesn''t give any hold, but it does define layers (more subtle than piecing layers), and gives a little bit of a smoothing effect.

New haircuts are so fun. Enjoy yours!

 

[omieluv]

Mirre - thanks for taking the time to respond. No worries about your post being too long, as I am not afraid to read. I will steer clear of Dove & Garnier pomades, thanks for the warning, however, I will check into their volumizing products. In the past, I used Garnier's smoothing milk, which is not a bad product, but it did not piece out my layers well enough. Still, it did well with smoothing, so I might consider their volumizer.

SomethingShiny - Thanks for your suggestions as well! I have tried the John Freida serum and it is a bit too heavy for my hair, so I am thinking a cream would be better (my mom loves it for her thick/coarse hair). Though, I do love your idea of mixing serum with paste, so I will think on that one! I will check into John Freida's heat styling stuff. Bedhead products always sound fun to me, but never tried them before. I have heard good things about After Party (check out Folica.com for reviews) & it sounds like it might be what I am looking for to define my layers as I want something light and goodness knows with Winter, I can use all of the smoothing I can get! However, the shape of the bottle does make one wonder...heh. If it does not piece out my hair, I suppose I can use what I have just on the ends (Artec Texture Shine).

I must ask though, has anyone tried got2b's texturizing creme pomade? The product claims to have a whipped texture that is weighless. Additionally, the product is supposed to be able to give shine with hold to piece, bend and seperate ends. Sounds interesting...

 

[Mara]

I just got this new Kerastase product last time and it's in a light green big tube, I can't remember the name but the whole point of it is to help protect your hair from flat iron styling. It is heat activated so you put it in and then when you flat iron, it supposedly protects, repairs, and gives sheen to your hair. You don't even need to use it every time apparently, because it supposedly lasts like 3-4 shampoos. I have been using it for a month now and I really like it. Like most Kerastase products, it's pricey. (ETA here it is, i found it online: http://www.makemeheal.com/mmh/product.do?id=40306)

I also use Redken AntiSnap for my hair, it's also a protectant for styling/blow drying etc. But it doesn't have the whole heat activated thing going on. Redken is much cheaper than Kerastase.

For a styling pomade or shine addition, I use Pureology SomethingnShine, can't remember, it's like a pomade. But you can't use much or it gets greasy. For a lighter lotion, I have a Bumble and Bumble one in a brown tube, but I can never remember names of these things. I just buy whatever my stylist points to hehehe. I'm a hair product sucker. But really I have never been disappointed with her recommendations. Can you call your stylist and ask what she used? Typically they have products they are promoting from month to month so she probably is using the same stuff on people today as she used on you (or close to it).

Oh and here is the Bumble one, Brilliantine: http://www.makemeheal.com/mmh/product.do?id=19097

 

[omieluv]

I am a sucker for beauty products as well and am willing to spend the money for a great product, so I will review your suggestions Mara! For my hair, I want to stay away from anything too heavy, but I might want to invest in a more substantial product for flat iron use (not everyday, but at least a few times per month). The Kerastase product you suggested sounds interesting and I plan to check it out when I visit Ulta this weekend. Also, I have been curious about Bumble and Bumble products, so it is timely that you would suggest their lotion - not sure if Ulta sells it, but it will certainly be fun to look!

 

[sap483]

omielove- While some people love Bumble and Bumble, I personally have found their products to not do a whole lot for my hair. They''re ok, but nothing special. Some products that I personally love are Davines Relaxing Fluid and Volumizing Mousse. Both products do exactly what they promise and don''t weigh your hair down. That''s one of my pet peeves, I hate products that leave my hair sticky, greasy, or heavy. Another nice product to protect your hair is Biosilk''s Silk Therapy. Alterna makes some really nice products too for styling. IMHO, the shampoo and conditioner you use make a huge difference too!

 

[omieluv]

Date: 12/14/2007 6:23:59 PM
Author: sap483
omielove- While some people love Bumble and Bumble, I personally have found their products to not do a whole lot for my hair. They''re ok, but nothing special. Some products that I personally love are Davines Relaxing Fluid and Volumizing Mousse. Both products do exactly what they promise and don''t weigh your hair down. That''s one of my pet peeves, I hate products that leave my hair sticky, greasy, or heavy. Another nice product to protect your hair is Biosilk''s Silk Therapy. Alterna makes some really nice products too for styling. IMHO, the shampoo and conditioner you use make a huge difference too!

OMG, that is another can of worms!! I never know what to use and have been through lots of different shampoo''s/conditioners too!! I will check into Davines as well!! So many products!!

 

[sera]

I have hair similar to yours... for flatironing, I use Aquage... it''s a shine spray that protects your hair from the heat. Then, I use a TINY amount of Aquage Detailing Cream... I put a very small amount on my finger tips and piece out the edges. The Aquage wax is also lightweight but strong... great for sidesweeping bangs or piecing out.

For a pomade, I take the Enjoy pomade and mix it with the Enjoy shine/defrizz to lighten it up. They also have a lightweight leave-in conditioner spray that I use after washing to detangle and on dry, styled hair to refresh the style when needed.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Aveda has a product called "brilliant" and it is used to diminish heat type damage--spray it on wet hair before b/d or ironing. I also have their "phomollient" that is a foamy styling product (foam), helps when ironing. Both are quite "fragrant" tho....

I recently bought Redkin "Clear Moisture" and I find it helps retain moisture so hair isn''t so fly away if you don''t want to iron....spray on wet hair and leave in. Very nice.

P.S. Your haircut sounds cute!!

cheers--Sharon

 

[Mara]

Oooh for shampoo I am currently in love with Pureology''s Nano line...it''s REALLY expensive but I think it''s definitely worth it. I believe that it''s for color treated and heat damaged kind of hair. If I don''t use something good on my hair for shampoo, conditioner and then something like a protectant and a shine, it is not a pretty sight.

Previously I have restored beauty to very damaged hair (when I was highlighting and chemically straightening it) by using Redken''s AllSoft...it''s a much cheaper product than Pureology or Kerastase but have found that it was EXCELLENT at helping restore my hair. Second to this is the Pureology purple bottle line, I forget what it''s called, but since discovering the Nano I don''t use the purple line anymore. The Nano line you use a TINY amount only. I only use the shampoo because it''s enough. The conditioner would make my hair TOO soft if that makes sense, it gets too soft and limp. I use conditioner once a week only.

Oh and about Bumble and Bumble, I agree that I am really not blown away by their line at all but I do like the Brilliantine stuff. But really there are so many great shine products out there, I think that as long as you get something that''s more lotiony and light that you''ll be fine. I only use the pomades for the ends/tips of my hair which can get damaged faster, and I use the lighter lotions or spray shine products for ''all over''.

 

[omieluv]

Here is a picture of my hair, post salon. Of course, it was a very windy evening, so it became a bit flat.

 

[omieluv]

Date: 12/14/2007 6:55:00 PM
Author: Mara
Oooh for shampoo I am currently in love with Pureology''s Nano line...it''s REALLY expensive but I think it''s definitely worth it. I believe that it''s for color treated and heat damaged kind of hair. If I don''t use something good on my hair for shampoo, conditioner and then something like a protectant and a shine, it is not a pretty sight.

Previously I have restored beauty to very damaged hair (when I was highlighting and chemically straightening it) by using Redken''s AllSoft...it''s a much cheaper product than Pureology or Kerastase but have found that it was EXCELLENT at helping restore my hair. Second to this is the Pureology purple bottle line, I forget what it''s called, but since discovering the Nano I don''t use the purple line anymore. The Nano line you use a TINY amount only. I only use the shampoo because it''s enough. The conditioner would make my hair TOO soft if that makes sense, it gets too soft and limp. I use conditioner once a week only.

Oh and about Bumble and Bumble, I agree that I am really not blown away by their line at all but I do like the Brilliantine stuff. But really there are so many great shine products out there, I think that as long as you get something that''s more lotiony and light that you''ll be fine. I only use the pomades for the ends/tips of my hair which can get damaged faster, and I use the lighter lotions or spray shine products for ''all over''.

Great idea, I was kinda sorta thinking this earlier. I have used Redkin''s All Soft and I remember it being nice, but then I stopped, can''t remember why.

 

[sera]

I would use the Aquage thermal shine spray, then use the Aquage Detailing Cream to add texture and separation to the ends, then finish with a couple light spritzes of Enjoy shine spray.

ETA: I agree with the thicker stuff just on the ends (which is where I use the Detailing Cream) and then a light spray all over.

 

[omieluv]

Sera - I have been reading good things about Aquage and I am totally looking for something lightweight.

Canuk-gal - Aveda products have a good repuation as well, just never looked into them...thanks!

 

[somethingshiny]

I have tried the Got2be products, pomades and a couple more pastey products. All of them seemed to suck every bit of moisture right out of my hair. And, as I have blond hair, it looked like straw.

The BedHead bottle is weird....you should have seen the look on DH''s face the first time I brought it home....

BedHead has a line of shampoos and conditioners called Dumb Blond, they work for all hair colors, but they are extra moisturizing and get hair extra shiny. There are also a couple lightweight waxes that may work for your ends.

I''ve tried two Aveda products in addition to their shampoo and conditioner, and I thought it was way overpriced Suave quality stuff.

 

[monarch64]

Hi Omieluv...my hair type is very similar to yours...fine but lots of it, straight to slightly wavy (if I don''t blow dry). The root lifter product I use is L''Oreal Kiwi Coloreflector Root Elevator, it''s a mousse/gel spray in deal and it does the trick as far as adding volume to my roots. I also color and highlight my hair, and I love Kerastase Chroma Protect, it''s a leave-in polishing cream. I also like KMS hairstay styling gel (Cranberry Pepper, smells yummy) in the summer when I don''t use hairspray. I use Tresemme aeresol hair spray in the winter because it alleviates my terrible static problem. I skip the flatiron, my hairdressers always use one when styling my hair but I figure blow drying every day is hard enough on my hair and I''d rather have straight hair with volume since my hair is fine instead of straight hair that is totally flat and straight.

 

[justme1]

Date: 12/14/2007 3:32:45 PM
Author:omieluv

So, I got my hair cut last night. It was the first time having it cut since March of 2007, so my hair was quite long and one boring length (did it to grow out for my friend''s wedding). My hair texture is fine, lots of hair, not chemically treated, and straight to slightly wavy. The stylist gave me a razor cut, with my longest layer hitting just below the collarbone, while the shortest is just below my jaw line (I tend to put my hair behind my ears, so she did not want to go shorter than that). She also took some of the bulk out with the razor. To style, she dried it with a round brush and finished with a flat iron. It looked really cute when I left the salon. She used 3 products in my hair, one was a volumizing spray mousse she used for my roots, the other was a heat styling lotiong and the last was a creamy/light pomade she applied to piece out the layers. I was so out of it yesterday that I forgot to ask what she used.

Anyway, though I like how nice my hair looked after the flat iron, I do not want to use that on a daily basis b/c my hair is on the fragile side. Still though, if any of you use a heat styling cream product that you like, let me know. Also, any suggestions for a creamy/light feeling pomade?? The spray mousse was different, she literally sprayed my roots with it and it foamed, leaving my scalp with a cool feeling. I styled it today using my round brush and dryer. I managed to dig out some root lifting spray, straightening serum, and found some texturzier. Though I think it turned out cute, I am just not happy with my texturizer (smells funky + too sticky) and straightening serum (does not protect from heat styling). Plus, my hair is a bit poofier than yesterday, but I think that is due to not using a flat iron.

Hi, I use Matrix Sleek Look smoothing serum when I flat iron my hair. It''s a spray though, not a cream. It''s a smoother & heat protector - so you don''t fry your hair. It doesn''t weigh down my hair, it smells great & makes my hair shiny. Good luck on your search... let us know what you try.

 

[iwannaprettyone]

Hi there! I always get compliments from stylists about how great the condition of my hair is, they never try to sell me anything. I use Infusium shampoo, conditioner and leave in, big sexy hair root boost and frizz ease prior to blow drying. I use a chi iron with chi iron guard to protect from frying and thermasilk mousse if i wear it curly. Pretty simple really.

One trick I learned in school; one a month mix a teaspoon of baking soda with your regular palm full of shampoo. Keeps your strands squeeky clean.

Must admit though I take Vitimin E and Biotin daily.

 

[omieluv]

Somethingshiny - I ended up buying After Party this weekend & yes, the bottle is quite amusing! My BF couldn''t believe the shape of it. So far, this product has worked well, but like you said before, it really does not piece out my ends. I also bought Bed Head''s Superstar thermal lotion, which is nice too. So, I guess I am still in search of a product that will piece out my hair, but there have been a few suggestions in this thread that are worth checking into. Thanks for warning me about Got2Be products though, will definitely skip those!

Monnie - Like you, I blow dry my hair daily, so I fear that the flat iron will add further damage to my hair. However, I think I am able to style my hair in such a way that I do not miss using the flat iron anyway. That L’Oreal product you recommend for root lifting sounds good! After I finish what I have, I will investigate further. Since we have similar hair, which shampoo + conditioner do you use and would you recommend for my hair, even though it is not chemically treated?

Justme1 - I have used Sleek Look serum before & it does smell wonderful!

iwannaprettyone - It''s so nice to have hair in great condition. For that reason, I stopped highlighting my hair a few years back because it really damaged my fine hair. Though, I am really tempted to highlight again, I just do not want to give up healthy hair. I will try mixing baking soda with my shampoo, sounds like a great idea! BTW, my mom uses products from the Big Sexy hair line and she loves them. Just wish she used their root lifter, otherwise I could try before I buy.