View Full Version : Can you recommend a product for a non-product user?
Beets
March 25th, 2011, 10:06 PM
So, I'm in a wedding in late May, and I'm planning on doing my own hair. The bride is my sister, and she's none too sure of my aptitude in this arena, as she wants the hair to look like "wedding hair," not like...mine.
She's a little in Bridezilla mode. That's OK.
But what I need now is a product--hopefully just one--that will help me get the salon "look." I need something that's going to control my fuzzies and flyaways, and generally smooth things out.
What products do that? Which are the good ones for thick, wavy, fine+medium+coarse hair?
I'll be wearing a woven bun, if that helps, and she has a couple of these (http://www.etsy.com/listing/62765466/ivory-double-hydrangea-flower-hair-pins) for us to wear, too.
P.S. I am hopelessly, hopelessly clueless about hair products, so please feel free to explain and link away, even if it seems obvious...
RitaCeleste
March 25th, 2011, 10:26 PM
I use Aphogee Moisturizing Oil Sheen Spray. A can costs about $6. It can take 45 mins to an hour to soak in and not look greasy or oily. Get a can, go light with it. If it looks oily after 45 mins, you put too much on. Wet it with water and take out with a towel. It smooths frizz and makes hair sooo shiny and healthy looking. I brush my hair, so I'm not plopping, gelling or scrunching anything. I recommend this stuff because nothing else has really made much of a dent in frizz. Oils help but not like this spray.
RitaCeleste
March 25th, 2011, 10:33 PM
Sorry. This site has not been agreeing with firefox today.
Firefox7275
March 27th, 2011, 03:17 PM
Which part of your hair are you trying to tame? :confused: The flyaways around your hairline or within the bun as well? Do you mind if the product is damaging? Anything with oils, butters or cones (e.g. serum or wax) is going to keep your hair soft, make your hairline look greasy but might be fine within a bun. Most products with hold (e.g. gel, hairspray) may make your hair hard so great on hairlines, but not so great for making a bun if you are used to handling natural hair.
TBH a good proportion of product success is application technique. I would think by the time you have practiced enough you may as well have had a stylist do at least part of your hair, as you will have wasted a lot of product and possibly caused damage. It's tough to make wavy or curly hair look consistently straight as you are relying on there not being any humidity - that means no rain, no sweating etc. Plus with a hairdresser if the style does not last your sister can't blame you!
Having said all that you could try aloe vera gel - it seems to be used regularly on LHC and by curlies generally, at least if it doesn't work you can use it for Snowymoon's Moisture Treatment! :p The best hairspray I have tried is L'Oreal Elnett, not cheap but brushes out nicely if you make a mistake. Otherwise whizz around some of the curly forums as there are often photographs accompanied by hair types the products used. Anything that can set a curl can also help set hair straighter.
Beets
March 27th, 2011, 07:56 PM
Thanks for these ideas. Aphogee Oil sheen Spray and L'Oreal Elnette. Check.
I don't need my hair to be straight, but I do have a lot of breakage (and hence, a lot of flyaways) that are about six inches long, mostly around my hairline and down my center part. I think if these fuzzed up, it would be the end of my facade as a right and proper bridesmaid! I like the idea of trying aloe, and I have a ton of that growing, so that might could be tomorrow's experiment!
teela1978
March 27th, 2011, 08:21 PM
To cut down on fly-aways for an updo? I'd go for something a bit more hard core. Like a gel or a hairspray. Maybe gel pulled/combed through while damp/wet, put the length up when a bit dryer. Perhaps a final spray at the end :)
It might just be my flyaways that like to stick up all uncontrollable-like though.
Firefox7275
March 28th, 2011, 05:36 AM
Assuming you will be air drying your hair, you might also try a jersey hair band or kirby grips (bobby pins) on wet hair to encourage the rengades to get into line? You would still need product but less of it or a less expert application.
Vorvolaka
March 28th, 2011, 05:49 AM
I use a teeny tiny bit of gel rubbed between my palms to smooth down flyaways. I used to use just conventional hair gel but recently found that the aloe vera gel I use on my skin works equally as well. My hair is very fine though, and it doesn't take a lot to calm down the fluffies.
Eolan
March 28th, 2011, 06:51 AM
<hijack>Oh my, I LOVE the flower pins! Went to check out her store on Etsy and now I'm really enabled! :D</hijack>
I was to recommend Nightbloomings Panacea, also on Etsy, but that might take a while to get a hold of. It makes my hair smooooooooth, but it does however nothing for my flyaways.
spidermom
March 28th, 2011, 09:05 AM
I'd use aloe vera gel first as I bun the hair, then I'd use styling wax, pomade, or putty to stroke down the really stubborn fly-aways. You only need a teeny bit on the end of a finger. My wirey white hairs laugh at things like oil and hair spray.
selderon
March 28th, 2011, 09:40 AM
For a wedding, I'd recommend a strong-hold hair spray. It will solve the frizz issue and help the style stay perfect through wind and wedding prep. Aveda's Pure Abundance hair spray worked like a charm on my M/C iii hair: hair stayed in place and sleek and shiny all day.
morecowbell
March 28th, 2011, 03:24 PM
I've found Aloe Vera Gel to be all I need to keep my crazy flyaways at peace. I use about a tablespoon all throughout my slightly damp hair before I style, and then smooth maybe a nickel size over the top just to keep it all in check. :)
AnnaJamila
March 28th, 2011, 03:36 PM
I like the smoothing oils that Garnier Fructice puts out- also the BEST advice out there for flawless hairdos is . . .
You ready?
You SURE you're ready?
Lol, you'll have to excuse the sillyness, it's been one of those days! :p
Make sure you start with dirty hair! Not dirty to the point of dripping with sludge, but for about a week or so wash your hair water-only to let some sebum build up. Who knows; you may develop a whole new favorite hair care routine!
Lol, just make sure you don't tell your sister, she might flip! ;)
selderon
March 28th, 2011, 05:25 PM
Many stylists recommend doing updos on at least "day old" hair.
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