In sixth grade, my friend Jessica and her mom used to go on and on about how great my hair was. And as a tomboy to the core, wearing my mesh shorts and baskeball camp t-shirt, I thought they were just trying to be nice and make me feel better about myself. I was more concerned with athletics than appearance and I thought they were just trying to encourage me to not look like such a boy all the time. (Because I did look like a boy all the time. Maybe one day I’ll share pictures…it will shock you.)
Fast-forward almost twenty years later and Jessica is still complimenting me on my hair. These days I pay her to compliment and then contain this mass of hair. Because, guys, I have a ton of hair. And I would say now, at 31, I’m just starting to understand it.
It shocks me every time someone compliments me on my hair. Because inside I’m still that tomboy and I don’t find my hair that great. But apparently, my hair, in all its chaos, appeals to people. And I’m always asked what I use in my hair. Which makes me laugh because I still shop like that sixth grade tomboy: walking down the aisle and grabbing whatever looks good in the quickest amount of time. There is no brand loyalty. There is no brand snobbery. There is whatever is cheap and shiny. And then it’s in my cart and I’m on to the dog food aisle.
Conair Styling Essentials Detangling Comb, Style & Detangle This comb is designed for detangling curly hair. Which is nice since I have curly hair and it’s always tangled. Some of the teeth are raised and it seems to not pull as much curl out as other combs do.
Clairol Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Mousse 6.8 oz I wash my hair every three days and the first day is always a curly-hair day. So after I’ve combed my hair out, I scrunch in this mousse. There is a fine line between the right amount and like you live in 1986. I occassionally cross that line and spend the day feeling like Sixx from Blossom (yes, I know that’s from the 90’s, I’m not old enough to confuse my decades yet). I find the trick to making it three days before washing my hair again is putting product on it the first day. I know that seems counterproductive, but the more product I put on my hair upfront, the longer I can go without washing it. Weird, but true.
After I put justtherightamount of mousse on my wet hair, I blow it dry, but only about 75%. Because my hair is so thick, it would take about 20-30 minutes to get my hair completely dry. I’m just too lazy, too rushed, and too lazy to ever do that. Literally, I think five times a year I dry my hair completely. And most of those times are when I’m sitting in Jessica’s chair at the salon so I’m really not doing any of the work.
Pantene Curly Hair Curl Enhancing Spray Gel, 5.7 oz If I am loyal to any product, it’s this one. I’ve tried other curl enhancers, but they make my hair too crispy. This one looks and feels natural. After I style my hair, I’ll spray this on and head out the door. It has a good enough hold that if I want to wear my hair curly for the next day, it lets me. I shower every morning, but if I’m not washing my hair, I put it up in a super-high bun and let it get a little wet around the edges. I think it takes some of that messy bedhead look away. After I shower, I flip my head upside down and blow it dry for about one minute. It dries the edges and gives my second-day-hair a little more life. A quick style and then I’m good to go.
Tresemme Shampoo Fresh Start Dry 5.7 oz. I jumped on the dry shampoo bandwagon about a year ago and haven’t looked back. This is the magic stuff that makes the third day possible. I do the shower-wet-edges thing as above, blow dry, and then spray this stuff on. Next I brush my hair out and put it up. I love this stuff. I’m not brand loyal, but this is the best stuff I’ve used of the ones I’ve tried. Some brands have dry shampoo for different hair colors so it blends in better and if you have darker hair, that would probably be your best bet. My hair is just light enough that the spray (which comes out white), when brushed through, blends in. But that might not work for everyone.
Garnier Fructis Flexible Control Anti-Humidity Hairspray Strong — 8.25 oz If my hair is up, this is covering it. I hate that stiff feeling some hairspray gives you and can be heavy-handed with this and it won’t make my hair look plastered down. Plus, I hate smelling hairspray and this isn’t overpowering or headache-inducing at all.
bobby pins and hair ties I don’t have any fancy hair accessories, I use bobby pins that match my hair (I highly recommend buying them to match your hair color, they blend right in) and hair bands in light brown. If I can’t do a hair style with those two things, I don’t do it. Some say lazy, I say practical. You decide.
Washing my hair every three days has really changed my hair life. Dramatic? Yes, but true. I was spending an insane amount of time on my hair every morning. And I don’t even do much with it, just washing and drying was taking forever. So skipping a lot of that most morning has made a difference. What has also made a difference is having some standby hair styles so I don’t have to feel like I’m doing the same thing everyday and I still feel fresh even if I didn’t wash my hair. I’ll be sharing those ideas soon.
So what do you think? Do you have brand loyalties? Any favorites to share? I’m swayed easily so tell me what you love. Also, how often do you wash your hair? I know a couple girls that go longer than three days and I’m not sure I could do that long…what about you?
Mary, I never thought I’d be reading a hair product review from you 😉 I’m glad that after almost 20 years you are embracing you crown of glory. Your hair rocks!
I thought you’d like this one… 🙂
I just bought that exact same Garnier hairspray! I haven’t used it yet, so it’s good to know that it’s a good one! I’m so not a hairspray girl, I prefer the feeling natural hair, but I figured since I’m in school for cosmetology, I should at least own a bottle of hairspray! And since I didn’t know what to buy, I picked that one because it was relatively cheap! 😛 I typically wash my hair everyday–becaust I have short curly hair–it just looks crazy unless I get it wet in the morning.
That’s funny–let me know what you think about it. I hate hair spray in general so it’s tough to find a good one.
ive been sitting reading your blog too long. i get nothing done when nora’s at school!
thanks for sharing your hair journey-mine is similar! finally getting to understand it and still trying new things. i gotta get mine thinned or it does nothing, and it seems like sulfate free and cold water rinse do wonders. product-wise, it’s something different all the time, so maybe i’ll try yours! … and your fashion sense and clean house inspires me too. 🙂 thanks.
Thanks Shauna! I’m glad I inspire—secret: my house is never clean. 🙂
I tried the whole “no ‘poo” method (the baking soda and water version) and liked it…for a while. Then my hair started feeling blah. But my grouchy scalp was decidedly less grouchy after doing it, so I’m glad I took the plunge. I’ve been using “Yes! To Tomatoes” natural shampoo and conditioner for the past several weeks and LOVE it. My scalp is happy and my fine hair has never been more volumized. I don’t know if it’s the sulfates, parabens, fragrances, etc in drugstore brands…but I’ve said goodbye forever. If you ever get tired of your thick hair, I’ll take it. 🙂 Just discovered your blog and look forward to reading more!
The first thing I thought when I met you at Influence was how awesome your hair is! 🙂 I have thick hair with NO curl or wave, and its at an awkward length so I have to wash every day if I am leaving the house. I am growing it out, hoping to not have to do that much longer. Post partum hair loss took a toll on me too! 🙂 I am using Matrix shampoo now only because I got it at the Beauty Brands liter sale for $12 a bottle and it should last me until March!