Today's post is part product review, part plea for assistance. I know, I know, it's a departure from my usual role as adviser to the stars (that's you). But I need help. The problem is this: my hair has fallen and it can't get up.
I've never had naturally voluminous hair, not by any stretch of the word. My hair has a very fine texture, tends to be a bit on the oily side, and there isn't tons of it. And now, I am in the midst of that trial called postpartum hair loss. So I am coming to you for tips, tricks, and product suggestions on how to add volume. And to share with you one product that has given me a bit of a boost.
The other day, I saw this volumizing powder and after Googling it in the store aisle (the reviews were decent) decided to get it and give it a try. In case you aren't familiar, a volumizing powder is sprinkled on the roots of dry hair and massaged in with the fingertips. The motion causes the powder to become sticky and tacky, and it lifts the roots of the hair from the scalp.
The picture on the left is how my hair looks after a wash and air dry, no products or blowdryer or combing or anything. The picture on the right is air dried hair with volumizing powder. The difference isn't huge, but it's something. And I think that, with a little practice, I could achieve even greater heights. The lift effect is also fairly long lasting, and can be easily reinvigorated with a bit of fingertip action at the roots.
And another thing that I do appreciate about this product is how easy it is to create updo's once it's in your hair. The fine texture of my [unaided] hair makes it almost slippery, if that makes any sense. With the powder in place, ponytails are perkier and bouffants are.... bigger, less whispy.
Have you ever tried homemade shampoo? The kind made with...vinegar? Every once in a while I find it strips all the chemical build up from commercial shampoos and products and gives my hair new life. It also helps with the side effects of hard/soft water issues says Pioneer Woman. http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeandgarden/2009/04/this-might-just-save-my-hair/
ReplyDeleteNever heard of it! Thanks, Jessica!
DeleteI would say this product made quite a difference ( and looks great) from the pics! I also have fine, thin, and not- much-of-it (but curly!) hair, so I think I may try this product out. Thanks for the tip. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diana!
DeleteI have thick, wavy hair with a coarser texture so I'm not the best for giving advice but Big Sexy Hair volumizing powder is pretty amazing. Also I think that dry shampoo helps both add texture and give extra time between shampoos that encourages some volume (this is my fav: http://www.amazon.com/Catwalk-Session-Series-Transforming-Shampoo/dp/B00520N5Y6).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestion, Erika. I only recently have tried cornstarch to stretch the time I can bear between shampooing. It actually works fairly well. I might try your suggestion next... I'm only recently toying with the idea of less frequent washing (I'm last to the party, as usual).
DeleteI have that same powder and like it, too. Recently I tried the new volumizing mousse from l'oreal (it's in the purple and black) and it has made quite a difference as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lauren! I've seen that line from l'oreal and wondered...
DeleteI have similar hair issues, Mary- no volume, fine, and a bit on the oily side. Thanks for the tip, and looking forward to hearing what others have to say!
ReplyDeleteI have long hair - mid back. I am also extremely lazy. This can't be overstated. I don't own a blow dryer or anything along those lines. My hair also has zero volume and it's straight. Nothing has ever given me volume when it comes to keeping it straight. Unless I wanted to blow dry upside down, with voluminizing products. But ... lazy.
ReplyDeleteSo, I give it volume by hitting it up with some waves. I wash my hair at night, and then I either put several braids into it. Or, if I'm feeling fancy, I use fabric strips to "curl" my hair. I don't like to use the word "curl" as I don't want people to think old fashioned ringlets or bad perms. I just have the loose waves or the looser curls. Not sure what the fabric strip method is called, but it's very old fashioned. Just wrap a strip of hair in fabric, tie and sleep.
Anyway, once I wake up, I hit the hair with some hairspray (Aussie, cheapest one from Walmart). A VERY TINY amount. No helmet hair! Then, I take the braids out or take the fabric strips out. Finger comb. Do a little head bang (hey, whatever works). This gives me volume for the whole day, and if I don't work out, I can go two days. All this takes 5 minutes, tops. Because, again, I am lazy.
If you want volume with straight hair, though ... I've got nothing.
There's also crown braiding, which has nothing to do with volume, but it makes a fancy hair style that takes 2 minutes. So, if you can't achieve the volume you want ... there's lots of fun things you can do with what you have. :-)
Thanks for the suggestions, K.! I am a very low maintenance person myself!
DeleteMary, I use this Got2B powder too and love it! My sister actually introduced me to the more expensive version - Big Sexy Hair volumizing powder - and I loved using that but then I found the Got2B stuff on clearance at Walmart and thought I'd try it and it works just as well, I think. Either way, this powder has changed my life. I sprinkle it on my roots in sections (but I don't sprinkle it on the hair at the very top of my head), shake the section of hair I just sprinkled, and rat it a little with a fine-tooth comb. Then I lay the top layer of hair, the hair I didn't sprinkle any powder on, over all the powered roots and the result is awesome. I was thinking of getting my sis to do a tutorial because it's just that awesome and she's the master at it. :)
ReplyDeleteTutorial, tutorial!!!
DeleteNo suggestions, but encouragement, your hair looks great to me, and the volumizer really makes a difference :) Thanks for sharing your hair woes; mine are different and involve the color gray, but always good to hear we all have something!
ReplyDeleteTHanks, Barkla. Yes, we all have AT LEAST something!
DeleteTell me more about your technique! I bought the same powder a few months ago and have had the issue of it flaking in my hair a lot, which isn't great on a brunette like me (and as a first time mama let me say I am both shocked at the amount of strands I've been shedding and shocked at how little I care about showering like twice a week). I've thought about applying the powder towards the end of a blow-dry to help distribute it a little more evenly, but I don't blow-dry too much these days, so I haven't had a chance to try it.
ReplyDeleteFor volume, since I live in the land of the nonexistent blowout, I mousse my hair and coil it into a super high bun on top of my head while it's wet, then use bobby pins instead of an elastic to secure it, and sleep on it. I wake up with waves and some nicer height at the roots and crown than when I do braids or a lower bun.
Stephanie, I'm definitely going to try your overnight method! I hope that Sheena over at Bean in Love will do a tutorial. Sheena, please!?
DeleteI do the coil method sometimes as well. Also, the "sock bun curls" (though, I've never gotten curls from it, just slight waves) method, which is similar except instead of using bobby pins, you use a ... sock. It is better than braids for a lift at the crown.
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