Fine curly hair got you down?

 Here is my tried and true routine to style fine curly hair curly or straight.  This one of the areas where I will fork over more money for products, because I’ve not found many comparable drugstore options (a few are listed below).  I’ve been blessed with a mother with a beautician license, and lower prices on these products.  To save money, I recommend shopping at drugstore.com or a similar place that pays you back.  If this site doesn’t have the products listed, you might try a Buy Best store in your area.  They give 10% discounts on your purchase.  I also noticed drugstores are increasingly selling salon products. For example, you can shop at CVS, get coupons, and earn extra bucks toward future purchases. You can keep track of drugstore deals at CouponMom.com. You might have to break down and buy at the salon, but it’s worth it in the end if these products work for you.  

If you still feel these products are expensive, consider buying in bulk, or look for products characterized as weightless or no build up. I have used the Samy “O” Calorie items (at CVS) below with success. If anyone has affordable product recommendations for fine curly hair in drugstores or online, I know I speak for other fine curly girls when I say “we would love to hear them!” Here’s to great hair days – curly or straight! 

1.  Nioxin for Fine Hair System (I use No. 4-this is for colored hair) Cleanser, Scalp Therapy (conditioner), and Scalp Treatment (I only use this system every other day). You may need a different version depending on your hair type.  Visit Nioxin online to assess your needs.
2. Apply the Scalp treatment in No. 1, or use a root lifter such as Catwalk Root Lifter.
3. Curly – apply mousse and then comb through.  I  like Wella Color Preserve Volume Mousse . Then spritz lightly with Redken Curlforce 17 and scrunch with a damp towel.  Dry for a few minutes with a diffuser (don’t overdry or overscrunch), and finish with Redken Fresh Curls Anti-Frizz Shiner and some hair spray, such as Paul Mitchell Super Clean.  Anyone else daring enough to try the side bang will need more hold such as in the extra version of this same hair spray, Nioxin Smoothing Reflectives Extra Hold , or Samy Fat Hair “O” Calorie (use sparingly – it’s sticky).
4. Straight – Apply a dime sized amount of Retro Hair Blow Dry Lotion (worth the money because it lasts and reduces drying time) and comb through. Begin drying with your head upside down and shake your hand/nails on your scalp until all the moisture is gone underneath.  Flip your head back over, and run a brush* through it to finish drying.  It will not be perfectly straight at this point, but you can use Conair Infiniti Wet/Dry Curved Plate Straightener to quickly straighten any wavy areas and flip ends under.  I’ve found this is better than the Chi straightener for fine hair, because the Chi makes fine hair look stick straight and creates split ends.  Not to mention your hair doesn’t need to be completely dry before use.  Finish with a bit of serum and hair spray - use the shiner in No. 3 – or  Samy Fat Hair “O” Calorie Serum  to control any frizzies, and then any of the hair sprays referenced in No. 3.

*For even more volume and to make hair healthier, use a round brush with ceramic and boar bristles. You might also find that your hair is straight enough at this point without using the straightener. I like Cricket Fini Boar Brush Small  You can also try Conair Mega Ceramic Round Boar Bristle Hair Brush – Medium.