Can we talk hair products and tools?

[irishbride2]

Since we did so well with make up.

My hair dryer died this morning. Considering I've had it since college, I consider this a win.

Does the hairdryer really matter? Or is that something I can get a crappy version of and be fine?

[msmerymac]

Okay, I'm also interested in hair dryers. I know Chi is pretty good, but anything else similar I should look for?

I have really fine hair. I get flyaways after blow drying, but if I don't it gets kind of curly/wavy when it air dries because it's not heavy enough to weigh itself down while it's drying.  (huh) Some kind of styling cream/heat protector that won't make my hair look limp and greasy is kind of my holy grail, but I don't want to spend a ton of money trying crap.

[bimbi284]

For drying and styling, I like Hot Tools. Reasonably priced and they get the job done well.

OP, get yourself a Hot Tools ionic hair dryer.

Folica.com will have everything you need for styling tools.

For curly hair products I like DevaCurl and Ouidad.

I don't use a lot for straightening. I use a bit of Fekkai
Glossing cream or Alterna's bamboo cream that's very similar, and then a bit of argan oil serum.

[wawa]

Apr 16, 2014 6:23:15 GMT -5 @bunnybean said:

Is there an easy way to give myself soft curls for long hair a la Princess Kate? My hair is thick.

I know nothing of curly hair or hair dryers, sorry.

eclaires can help you here. Iirc you want a shaping spray. And....that's all I remember. She and mrsbecky talked KM hair in the makeup thread.

[auntie]

I'm told a salon quality dryer makes a huge difference, but I can't justify buying one until my current cheapie tanks. I'm told a professional dryer is faster and less likely to produce frizz.

I have a jaw length bob with side swept bangs and light layers/stacking. My hair is very reactive with humidity- it's gotten curlier as I've gotten older. It rained here yesterday and I ended up with Blythe Danner hair. I wash and dry almost daily. I blow dry to almost done and finish with a Conair Infinity rotating curling brush- so much easier than doing a "proper" blow out. Sometimes, I flip the ends up instead of under which requires a flat iron.

I have pretty much all the products- more than my stylist has at his station anyway. I really like Perfect Hair day, but it's nowhere worth what it costs. I also like Moroccan Oil Styling Cream, Goldwell Dual Sensory Leave-in Cream, Redken Outshine Polishing Milk and Goldwell Flat Marvel to fight frizz. I have even more stuff for body; Redken Guts, Goldwell Rootlift are my faves for body/texture.

[runaways]

I LOVE my Supersolano dryer. It was definitely worth the money, plus you can trade in your old one at Folica for a discount.

[Deleted]

I cant do Kate Middleton hair to save my life. But velcro rollers do give me a bit more lift.

Currently I'm obsessed with Redkens pillow proof blow dry set - theres a spray you use when your hair is wet (which is okay, its not bad but not WOW) and then a dry shampoo to help extend your blow dry. This dry shampoo may be my favorite one ever, and I've tried a lot of them. It's not sticky or gross and your hair smells nice. I've never been a Redken fan (I do bumble and bumble when I'm using "nice" products) but my stylist suggested this and I really do like it.

www.redken.com/products/styling/blow-dry/pillow-proof-blow-dry-two-day-extender-oil-absorbing-dry-shampoo

[mrsukyankee]

Apr 16, 2014 5:50:49 GMT -5 @dontcallmeshirley1 said:

I don't own a hair dryer, so no help there  . But, I'll jump on the hair train.

Somebody please recommend their amazing curly hair product (sulfate free, please, because I color). My routine includes slapping the stuff through sopping wet hair, scrunching, and leaving. It's better than it used to be, but I STILL end up with some frizz. Halp!

I take a little bit of coconut oil, rub it between my fingers and rub on the offending strands. It works like a charm. (I just use oils in my hair and no product, plus a weekly vinegar cider rinse...it's getting nicer and nicer)

[secretlyevil]

Apr 16, 2014 5:50:49 GMT -5 @dontcallmeshirley1 said:

I don't own a hair dryer, so no help there  . But, I'll jump on the hair train.

Somebody please recommend their amazing curly hair product (sulfate free, please, because I color). My routine includes slapping the stuff through sopping wet hair, scrunching, and leaving. It's better than it used to be, but I STILL end up with some frizz. Halp!

Ouidad's climate control line is freaking awesome. Particularly the gel. Also catwalk's shampoo and conditioner for curly is good. Im currently using purology's hydrating shampoo and conditioner. I like it a lot. I think ideally, alternating between ouidad and purology shampoo and conditioner, especially in the summer, would work best for me.

[redheadbaker]

I have very fine, flat hair. Google told me I should stay away from "creamy" shampoos and use clear ones with wheat proteins. I got Kiehl's Rice and What Volumizing Shampoo (and the conditioner) -- and it gives me dandruff.

Help!

[ChillyMcFreeze]

I need a hot, powerful blow dryer to get my frizz down, but I've had really good luck with Remington tools, both dryers and straighteners. They might take a few minutes longer than a Chi, but they're like $40 and last a long time.

[cosmos]

I have super thick naturally curly hair that I straighten, so I figure good hair tools are an investment.

I have a solia ion dryer. It was on sale at folica.com for $50 when I bought it. It's ok, better than my previous conair but not as good as my stylist's dryer. I don't dry my hair more than 2x a week so it's not a huge deal.

My flat iron (the best invention EVER) is Croc infrared. It was $75 from amazon on sale. This is amazing and far better than my Chi. I've had this for years. I highly highly recommend it. I do go through phases when I don't need it because I go for Japanese straightening 2x a year- but in between I use it daily.

[josieposy]

Velcro rollers and I do not work well together. Are there good hot rollers out there? Maybe 1 or 1 1/2" is what I need.

I love my clipless curling iron but I want to try rollers again.

[terpsfan]

I use the Topstyler Ceramic Shells as "rollers". They give me loose beachy waves. I have never been able to master real rollers so these things work perfect for me as I don't have to be precise..you just roll your hair around your fingers and clamp down with these clips.

www.amazon.com/TopStyler-InStyler-Ceramic-Styling-Curlers/dp/B00EXPZYBI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1397654340&sr=8-3&keywords=topstyler+ceramic+shells

[runaways]

For Kate Middleton hair I blow dry upside down and use a 1.5" barrel curling iron. I have a lot of hair so drying takes a little while but the curling part actually is pretty quick.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Apr 16, 2014 8:02:09 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

I have very fine, flat hair. Google told me I should stay away from "creamy" shampoos and use clear ones with wheat proteins. I got Kiehl's Rice and What Volumizing Shampoo (and the conditioner) -- and it gives me dandruff.

Help!

I have no idea about the wheat stuff, but I use Aveda Madder Root shampoo and Rosemary Mint conditioner and I love them. The shampoo is orange-y clear and my stylist tells me its great for redheads.

I used to use their Blue Malva shampoo and liked that, too.

[redheadbaker]

Apr 16, 2014 8:22:37 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

Apr 16, 2014 8:02:09 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

I have very fine, flat hair. Google told me I should stay away from "creamy" shampoos and use clear ones with wheat proteins. I got Kiehl's Rice and What Volumizing Shampoo (and the conditioner) -- and it gives me dandruff.

Help!

I have no idea about the wheat stuff, but I use Aveda Madder Root shampoo and Rosemary Mint conditioner and I love them. The shampoo is orange-y clear and my stylist tells me its great for redheads.

I used to use their Blue Malva shampoo and liked that, too.

Thanks! I'll check those out.

[pescalita]

Apr 16, 2014 7:02:09 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Okay, I'm also interested in hair dryers. I know Chi is pretty good, but anything else similar I should look for?

I have really fine hair. I get flyaways after blow drying, but if I don't it gets kind of curly/wavy when it air dries because it's not heavy enough to weigh itself down while it's drying.  (huh) Some kind of styling cream/heat protector that won't make my hair look limp and greasy is kind of my holy grail, but I don't want to spend a ton of money trying crap.

This is exactly my problem. My flyaways are less of a problem than the texture of unblowdried hair, so I blow dry it every time I wash (2x/wk*) even if I'm not doing anything that day.

The flyaway problem is bigger if I attempt any kind of curl. It's basically just some curls in a mess of flyaways.

* My fine hair loves an infrequent wash schedule. Every other day made it greasy the second day, but for some reason it's actually less greasy going a third day. I also don't use conditioner.

[copzpartdeux]

I am a WEN devotee. I blame Lucy (LHC)

[eclaires]

I recommend an expensive blow dryer. Expensive is relative though because folica.com has good prices and my current hair dryer (that I love) was around $50 with their $40 off coupon they have (it's a send in your old dryer one, but I never sent it in...lol). I think their site has a quiz/chart that will tell you what type of dryer is best for your hair. I have the super solano.

www.folica.com/hair-101/buying-guides/hair-dryer-guide

I mostly wear my hair in a sort of Kate Middleton style, but it is pretty fine/flat so I have to work for volume. It has some wave of it's own, but it's funky (it used to be stick straight but after I had kids I got this weird wave). I wash my hair 2x per week usually, which has helped it be less flat and greasy. Prior to doing that about 4 years ago, my hair would get flat quickly and be greasy quickly. I'm pretty sure I was over washing it.

The other tool I use is this curling iron - it's nothing fancy, but I like it a lot. The 1 1/4 barrel is perfect for my hair length. It gives me enough curl without being too much curl so I can get loose waves.
www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod3460281

This is how I curl it - www.caraloren.com/2012/05/wavy-curls-tutorial.html

My hair does not hold curl that well, so that gives me a nice wavy curl, and using the bigger barrel curling iron gives me bigger curls too instead of ones that are too tight.

Product wise, I mostly use Living Proof products (frizz control shampoo, volume conditioner, root lift spray, and perfect hair day cream). Oh and their amp product is amazing for helping me retain volume. I actually plan on buying their shaping spray today, but I've used dermorganic up until now, just want to try theirs. Shaping spray is better than regular hair spray, IMO, if your hair is anything like mine (doesn't hold curl well). I usually finger comb it out some after I style and I also use a teasing brush to get some extra volume. I've posted this pic before, for makeup, but I think it gives a decent idea of how I wear my hair daily.



So, to answer the OP question, yes I do think hair dryer matters. Plus, the better the hair dryer, the less time it usually takes to dry your hair, and my understanding is that is good for your hair.

Oh! And if you want volume - dry upside down, then cool shot the shit out of your hair (while still having your hair upside down). It is supposed to lock in the volume a bit better.

[Deleted]

Apr 16, 2014 8:02:09 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

I have very fine, flat hair. Google told me I should stay away from "creamy" shampoos and use clear ones with wheat proteins. I got Kiehl's Rice and What Volumizing Shampoo (and the conditioner) -- and it gives me dandruff.

Help!

I really like Klorane shampoo for my fine hair.  I'm blonde so I use the chamomile one, but they have a volumizing one with flax protein that's supposed to be good. 

I'm also obsessed with their nettle dry shampoo. 

[noodleoo]

I need help! I recently got a hair cut that I *LOVE* that is basically a layered bob. The way she styled it at the salon, it looked amazing. I've been blow drying it (with the cool shot trick!) and it holds curl pretty well, but my hair is super flat within like 2 hours. Is there a product I can use to keep the volume? Hairspray just weighs it down.

[eclaires]

Apr 16, 2014 9:50:50 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

I need help! I recently got a hair cut that I *LOVE* that is basically a layered bob. The way she styled it at the salon, it looked amazing. I've been blow drying it (with the cool shot trick!) and it holds curl pretty well, but my hair is super flat within like 2 hours. Is there a product I can use to keep the volume? Hairspray just weighs it down.

Do you use a root lift spray?  I do that plus the amp stuff after I style (amp + is a Living Proof volumizing product)... and a teasing comb helps a lot too.

[cattledogkisses]

I need help getting some volume at my roots. I have long, straight hair and the top is always flat flat flat. I have long layers and an angle in the front so it's not too heavy and weighed down, but that doesn't seem to help.

I'm extremely low maintenance (wash, brush, air dry) but I'll consider spending a little more time on my hair if there's something that works.

[earlgreyhot]

I spent $200 on a GHD skinny flat iron nearly 7 years ago and totally recommend it. You can both straighten and curl wave your hair with it, it's amazing. If/when is dies I'll go out and buy a new one.

I am interested in a better hair dryer. As I've gotten older my hair is getting frizzy and I'd like the option of being able to blow dry and go.

[eclaires]

I also have a 7 year old GHD that I love.

[noodleoo]

Apr 16, 2014 10:17:05 GMT -5 eclaires said:

Apr 16, 2014 9:50:50 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

I need help! I recently got a hair cut that I *LOVE* that is basically a layered bob. The way she styled it at the salon, it looked amazing. I've been blow drying it (with the cool shot trick!) and it holds curl pretty well, but my hair is super flat within like 2 hours. Is there a product I can use to keep the volume? Hairspray just weighs it down.

Do you use a root lift spray?  I do that plus the amp stuff after I style (amp + is a Living Proof volumizing product)... and a teasing comb helps a lot too.

I bought a product from Aveda that the stylist recommended, but it doesn't seem to last.  I spray the roots while wet, then blow dry upside down, then blow dry the ends under.  It looks great for like 2 hrs.  Can you recommend a root lifting product that lasts?  

I have heard of Living Proof but never tried their stuff.  Can you get samples anywhere?

PS. I have thick black hair that is heavy, even with the cut.  Yet also super frizzy!  That's my other problem.

ETA:  I think I have this Aveda Style Prep.  It smells great, but at $24, I'm not thrilled with it since it doesn't really last.

www.aveda.com/product/5245/22631/Collections/Pure-Abundance%3Csup%3ETM%3C/sup%3E/index.tmpl?cm_mmc=google-_-863%7C863%7CIPUS%7CLG%7CG%7CP%7CB%7CA%7CPLA%7CAveda+-+PLAs+-+EC-_-Hair+Care+-+Styling-_-PLA

[eclaires]

Apr 16, 2014 10:20:54 GMT -5 cattledogkisses said:

I need help getting some volume at my roots. I have long, straight hair and the top is always flat flat flat. I have long layers and an angle in the front so it's not too heavy and weighed down, but that doesn't seem to help.

I'm extremely low maintenance (wash, brush, air dry) but I'll consider spending a little more time on my hair if there's something that works.

I would use a root lift spray (I've tried several - I like Living Proofs and Aquage's the best) first... I think it works better with blow drying, but I let my hair air dry frequently too because I am lazy and wash at night, so sometimes I skip blow drying.  But, for best volume results, I find that root lift + blow dry with cool shot set does the most.  I like the other two things I do (amp + after styling, which does help if you air dry and a teasing comb), so you could try that too if you want to stick with air drying.  I'd say 50% of the time, I skip blow drying but still use a root lift and then style with the amp + and use a teasing comb.

This is the amp stuff which if you prefer to keep air drying, it's probably a good solution.  You put a small amount on your finger tips and kind of scrunch it into your crown.  The cool thing is that later in the day, if you do the same motion (the scrunching, but without product) it lifts it up again if it has started to fall.

www.livingproof.com/buy/amp

[eclaires]

Apr 16, 2014 11:00:43 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Apr 16, 2014 10:17:05 GMT -5 eclaires said:

Do you use a root lift spray?  I do that plus the amp stuff after I style (amp + is a Living Proof volumizing product)... and a teasing comb helps a lot too.

I bought a product from Aveda that the stylist recommended, but it doesn't seem to last.  I spray the roots while wet, then blow dry upside down, then blow dry the ends under.  It looks great for like 2 hrs.  Can you recommend a root lifting product that lasts?  

I have heard of Living Proof but never tried their stuff.  Can you get samples anywhere?

PS. I have thick black hair that is heavy, even with the cut.  Yes also super frizzy!  That's my other problem.

ETA:  I think I have this Aveda Style Prep.  It smells great, but at $25, I'm not thrilled with it since it doesn't really last.

www.aveda.com/product/5245/22631/Collections/Pure-Abundance%3Csup%3ETM%3C/sup%3E/index.tmpl?cm_mmc=google-_-863%7C863%7CIPUS%7CLG%7CG%7CP%7CB%7CA%7CPLA%7CAveda+-+PLAs+-+EC-_-Hair+Care+-+Styling-_-PLA

Both Ulta and Sephora carry it, and they also both carry the travel sizes.  I've bought those in the past to try out a product because they are cheaper initially (not cheaper per ounce, but worth it to try something, I think).

I like their root lift spray, but the amp+ might help more.  It's a product you use after styling.  Just a little bit on finger tips scrunched at the crown, and you can reactivate by repeating the motion later in the day (without product).

I like combining their frizz shampoo with the volumizing conditioner... because I do worry about frizz.  I also like their frizz nourishing cream (I don't use it anymore because I switched to the perfect hair day cream), so that's an option too.  The Perfect hair day fights frizz and volumizes and like 3 other things.  I like it.  I'm not sure it does everything it claims but I'm happy with how my hair looks.

Here's the amp+ stuff:
www.livingproof.com/buy/amp

[eclaires]

This is the teasing comb I have. I love it. I mostly just do it at crown and a bit on the sides. It's also good for getting side bangs to lay right.

www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod3280331