A few extremely kind commenters have complimented my hair, which is not only terribly flattering, but semi-mind-blowing, considering my life has been a never-ending series of battles between me and my willful hair. My hair is very fine and unfortunately there’s not a whole lot of it. To add insult to injury, it has a bizarre wave that is not one of those cool beachy-type waves, but rather a Flock of Seagulls-style swoop off the back of my head.  These grudges aside, my hair and I have come to understanding after all these years and I try my best to make it happy so that we might coexist peacefully.

Shampooing: I find alternating works best, though I will never know why. I use Kerastase Bain Satin Shampoo #2 and Rene Furterer Okara Protect Color Radiance Shampoo. I also try my damnedest to only wash my hair every other day. To keep my hair fluffy on the “other” days, I use Rene Furterer Dry Shampoo. Believe me, I’ve tried to find a better dry shampoo, but have yet to find any that compare.



Conditioning: For whatever reason, VO5 Strawberries and Cream conditioner seems to work the best for me. Every hair instinct tells me a $1 conditioner could not possibly be the best, but it keeps my hair voluminous and under control better than anything else I’ve tried.

Treatment: I do a VO5 Hot Oil Treatment and Rene Furterer Karite Nourishing Conditioning Cream mask, each once a week.

Styling: Contrary to logic, less is more, especially when one has less to work with. I tried “super-volumizing” products in the past and all they do is weigh my hair down. I use Bumble & Bumble thickening spray on the roots with some sort of heat-protective lotion/cream on the ends (I love Kerastase Creme Nutri-Sculpt). After applying product, I blow-dry the Hell out of it with a Goody Ouchless Ceramic round brush, then stand in front of the air-conditioner to set it (sounds bizarre, but this step is key).

Probably seems like a lot of stuff, but you’d be surprised how rarely you have to replace products when you use them sparingly 🙂


images via Amazon, Bumble & Bumble, Sephora and Drugstore.com

31 comments

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I am obsessed witht he B&B thickening spray. I get my hair cut at B&B in NY. I also use the surf spray on my bangs. They never get greasy or messed up with that stuff. Amazing. xo Mish

http://www.themishdish.com

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I have thin hair too and I also use the air conditioner trick. It works really well, especially in the summer when it's warm and humid. So much better than the "cold air" button on my hair dryer.

I think you have really pretty hair and you keep it in a great style.

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You do have nice hair! =) I just adore that V05 oil, it works so darn well on my parched ends. I honestly couldn't live without it!

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Does your hair wave/puff up in humidity? If so, we've got the same hair and I'm going to try your recs! Thanks!

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I'm definitely in the same boat when it comes to hair. I have thin hair that doesn't really look to great without styling. It's not straight or curly on it's own. I would like to suggest Oribe gel serum to you. It's a little pricy, but it is the best styling product I've ever used. You put a little bit in before blowdrying and it gives you body and helps your hair hold that just-blowdryed look for the whole day. It's a bit expensive but a little goes a long way.

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i would be bald without hot oil treatments and conditioning masks…

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To be honest with you I started following your blog because I thought you made your short haircut (which is identical to mine) work so well with your outfits. My hair is also super thin/fine and I'm forced to keep it short. It has always made me avoid cute clothes because I'm so self conscious about my hair and think nothing looks right with it. I admire your confidence and style…you inspire me to own my hair! 🙂

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I'm going to get me some of that dry shampoo — I don't really like mine, as it seems to make my hair claylike and sticky after about six hours. Gross. Thanks for the rec — your hair really is gorgeous!

xx

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Oh my gosh where on earth do you get Kerastase??? I've been searching high and low since I moved here and no-one knows what I'm talking about!!

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I'd rather eat VO5 than use it. Really, it's beyond me why the VO5 people had to give it such a tasty name. "Strawberries and Cream"? Mmmm. Delicious.

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Bumble and Bumble is one of my favs. PLUS I like saying the name <3

http://fromskirtstoskillets.blogspot.com

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bumble and bumble hairspray is so awesome. I love it.

I love your hair though. It's so awesome.

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I alternate shampoos too, the theory behind it is that switching protects against too much build-up in your hair, which happens if you use the same shampoo month after month.

xoxo, Ashley

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I love your hair! Thanks for telling us what you do to make it look so great 😀

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now i can have some spankin' hair like your ahaha

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Nice post… Delicious!

<3

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Thx for sharing!

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that explains a lot. but you have to admit that genes have the biggest influence, anyway.

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you DO have rad hair. and i love the conditioner comment–sometimes the weirdest things do work.

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Great post!!! You have great hair!

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this was a great post! I have fine hair as well. I may need to try some of these products out! I always think ur hair looks very well put together! Who knew you've had hair troubles like the rest of us!

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I'm working on brand marketing for Garnier Fructis right now, and I LOVE IT. You should try Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine. I have fine, oily hait, but this shampoo made my hair look amazing!

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I use regular aloe vera gel on my hair. If you have some in your cabinet for burns, try it! It's like hair gel but nourishing and light.
Your hair always looks perfect. I love the color! I mean, I love it so much I want it on my head. I was trying for something like that in the past several months, but went back to blonde for summer. Man, it was tough to get all the red tones out! That was a process. I know I'll put them right back in fall, though. xx

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This was so helpful! I have the same hair type and have just recently found ways to make it look fuller. Dry shampoo and not brushing it as often have both helped. I can actually wash it every three or four days now! I am definitely going to try this dry shampoo… Always on the look-out for new products.

Thanks for sharing!

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I agree – sometimes "most expensive" isn't always what you need.I use a lot of the brands you posted – expensive + very inexpensive (I too have fine hair) and it works well! P.S. Love Noxema in the summer after hitting the beach – I know people say OMG but it works for my skin during the summer (tanning) months (-:

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Great and useful products !
Kiss

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Sounds like great products you are using. I've used B &B before.

I'm quite surprised about the VO5 conditioner however. You would think of all products a quality conditioner would be most important. As a woman w/ curly (dry) hair, I use a protein-based conditioner…can't wrap my brain around using VO5!

Thanks for sharing!

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i found this post really helpful!!

i am a new follower of your blog!
care to follow me back?

http://fashionandpoise.blogspot.com

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i really like Kerastase products as well.

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i love your style 🙂
And I've gotten a few basic tips from this post, thanks 😀
I'm going to follow, obviously 🙂

Possibly check out and maybe follow my blog? I'm currently trying to get it up and running again, since I left school 😀

http://www.toplaydressup.blogspot.com

-Emily.
xxx

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Omg, I feel like crying. My hair is thin too, and I'm 19 and struggling with it like you can imagine! Everyone thinks black ppl naturally have thick hair, but even tho its curly, it can still be thin! And especially now I relaxed it…well the point is, I'm happy to see someone else fighting the thin-hair fight along with me. You go girl.
p.s. Phyto-specific Vital force shampoo works great for thin, brittle hair like mine. Smells awful tho. But works like a miracle!

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