Two No-Fuss Products for Fine Flat Hair

I grew up hating my straight, fine hair-so different from my friends' thick, full bouncy hair. Why did mine not hang quite right, no matter how I brushed it? I felt it needed some weight, so I looked around for anything that would fit the bill. This was the 1970s, before every family had cabinets filled with all manner of hair products.

Alas, all available was a intimidating, ancient bottle of Aqua Net, and a tube of my father's VO5 hair crème. I opted for the crème. Unfortunately, I went a little overboard, and it was a greasy looking disaster. That was the first in what would turn out to be many, many experiences attempting to find hair products that would lend my fine, lifeless hair some body, volume, and manageability.

I've tried so many gels, mousses, pomades and hair lotions over the years-heck, at one point I was even using a Bath & Body Works body lotion to tame my hair, because it worked better than anything else I could find. I can't recall the circumstances that initially led to putting the lotion in my hair, but it was no doubt born of desperation.

To make matters even more complicated, I'm not interested in spending time styling my hair. Certainly, some products would work well if I was willing to curl, or even blow dry my hair. But, as much as I want fabulous hair, I simply am not willing to spend my time primping in the bathroom. It's wash n' wear for me or bust.

So, it's a pretty remarkable and outstanding product that actually produces pleasing results all on its own, without the aid of curlers, blow dryers, teasing, or anything of the sort. Below are the two best products I have found, that really work with no fussing around.

FX Root Lifter
About $5.00 at Amazon, with a $5.23 shipping charge.

I love this stuff. It's essentially a thick gel, but it must be made of magic. All that is required is placing a small amount at the root area, and it just amazingly plumps and holds the hair from the roots, giving an impression of far thicker hair. It can be used on towel dried hair, or dry hair. I've found it works best on dry hair.

For and even thicker look, I apply the root lifter (to dry hair) at the roots, and clip in a small to medium size claw clip holder, so it dries at a more drastic angle. After 10 to 20 minutes, I take out the clip and comb through to shape it a bit.

Frizz-Ease Dream Curls Curl Perfecting Spray
About $7, John Frieda
Available at most drugstore chains

The product's name says it all. If you have straight, fine hair, and have always wanted waves, curls, or at the very least-just a bit of body-this is a dream in a bottle. I cannot fathom what this is made of, and maybe I don't want to know. I don't even care.

The John Frieda website states it contains magnesium. Whatever the magical ingredient, it works, and that's good enough for me. You simply spray it on damp or dry hair, scrunch a bit, and it's like having brand new hair. I like to spray Dream Curls in after using the FX root lifter--together they really turn fine, flat hair into a real hairstyle, with no fuss at all!

Source:
John Frieda shampoo, conditioner, color enhancer, and styling products, http://www.johnfrieda.com