Farouk CHI Volumizer Flat Iron 3/4"

To straighten or not to straighten--that's always the great debate. Taking a flat-iron to my naturally wavy hair usually results in poker straight strands that hang flat against my head a la Cher. And you know how I feel about volume.

But alas, the seemingly eternal question has now been answered with this hot little red number above, the Farouk CHI Volumizer Flat Iron 3/4". That's right--it's a straightener that volumizes!

The 3/4" curved plates really let you get close to the roots--a feat that is impossible with larger plated hair straighteners. The smooth ceramic plates glide over hair, straightening even long hair quickly and efficiently. The adjustable temperature lets you control the amount of heat needed for your hair type.

This flat iron makes my hair straight and sleek, but gives it body and movement at the same time. My hair looks thick and full, with no semblance of Cher. I wouldn't exactly say it gives lift to my long hair at the roots, but it does let you straighten out any kinks close to the scalp, and I imagine it would do a better job on bangs and shorter 'dos.

The curved plates also give the option of creating flips or curls--creating the flips is easy; the curling takes a bit more skill.

Chi flat irons are available at Misikko.

GNC Ultra Nourishair Update

A little over two months ago, I told you how excited I was to purchase my GNC Ultra Nourishair dietary supplement. After reading all of the positive reviews of this product, I thought this was my guaranteed ticket to Rapunzel-length hair. Well, after taking 2 vitamins a day for the past two months, I did not notice any increase in my normal hair growth rate.

I know these things take time, but after two months of unremarkable results, I'm ready to throw in the towel. I've heard from many women that prenatal vitamin are the way to go--expecting or not. That was going to be my next step, but the Nourishair supplements contain essentially the same vitamins and minerals as any standard prenatal supplement.

I could see these vitamins helping out someone who doesn't eat a balanced diet and skips a daily multi-vitamin. But if you're already popping a Centrum a day and eating your Wheaties, this might not be the miracle supplement you've been hoping for.

Jonathan Product Silky Dirt Shine & Define Creme

Jonathan Antin entertained me with his antics on Blowout, and now he's giving me great hair with his Silky Dirt Shine & Define Creme. My waves were in need of something more than just a glossing creme (ahem Frederic Fekkai), but I wouldn't dream of scrunching my hair with gel to get the definition and hold I was craving.

Silky Dirt has ended my hair rut. Now my waves are more defined, and they remain that way all day, looking soft and voluminous. That's right; this product has some serious hold and adds body, yet it's a flexible creme. Not to mention it infuses hair with a scrumptious candied vanilla almond scent. The scent of this product is so strong, you can literally smell it through the tube!

Be sure to use this product sparingly--for long hair, a nickel-sized amount is ample! If you wash your hair every other day, be forewarned that on Day 2 you might be sporting bedhead at a level that's inappropriate for work. Keep it in check by spritzing hair with water to refresh your piecey 'do.

Matrix Amplify Color XL Shampoo

I already told you how much I love big hair, and Matrix Amplify Color XL Shampoo gets me one step closer. This shampoo delivers a one-two punch: it volumizes and protects color. A patented volumizing formula works to increase the thickness and diameter of the hair, and a UV filter helps block the sun's rays that can zap hair color.

It smells good, doesn't make hair feel sticky and most importantly, it does add volume!

I like to pair this shampoo up with Matrix Biolage Color Care Conditioner, because the texture isn't very heavy, and it still gives me soft hair.

Also, to achieve maximum volume, don't apply conditioner all the way up to your scalp--start at the ends and work the conditioner up until you're about 3 to 4 inches down from the scalp. Your natural oils will reach this part of the hair anyway, so it shouldn't dry out. Conditioning the roots will just thwart your attempts at adding volume.

GNC Ultra Nourishair

Long summer days lounging by the pool compounded by last year's experiment as a blonde have zapped my hair into a scraggly mess. After several attempts at deep conditioning, the ends were still beyond salvation, and so I knew I would have to upgrade my regular trims to an actual cut this time around at the salon. I told my stylist to cut 2 inches (already painful), but somehow it ended up being more like 3 inches, and now I'm in a panic to grow it back.

My sleepless post-haircut night led me to drugstore.com, where I was searching for some hair growth miracle pills. And's that's how I came to purchase GNC Ultra Nourishair. I read all 24 user-reviews, and this stuff is supposed to be the bomb. Fortified with biotin, silica and MSM (a crucial component for collagen), these supplements supposedly grow strong, shiny hair---fast.

Stay tuned for my results!

John Frieda Dream Curls

I have naturally wavy hair, which requires a little extra love, and John Frieda’s Dream Curls gives me just what I need. When I wake up in the morning with wilted waves, I give this bottle a shake and spray liberally all over my hair and then scrunch. But instead of giving that crunchy “I scrunch my hair” look, it creates sexy supermodel waves that are soft and defined. I follow-up with a touch of styling crème, and my hair is good to go for the rest of the day. This spray is alcohol-free, contains magnesium to restore hair’s elasticity and glossing agents to make hair shine.

I’ve been using this product for years and I cannot even tell you how many bottles I’ve been through. This spray is like a genie in a bottle, granting all of your curl desires!

Nexxus Mousse Plus

I love big hair. No, I really love big hair. To give you a better idea, I took a trip down to Texas, and I still had the biggest hair out of everyone around me (which I consider a significant personal achievement). My hair is long, which makes creating lasting volume more of a challenge. Lately I’m loving Nexxus’ Mousse Plus. It manages to lift at the roots and give the rest of my hair body without feeling sticky or looking stiff and artificial. The volume lasts all evening and even through the next day. Some styling products can dry out the hair, but this mousse is A-Okay. Alcohol-free, it nourishes hair with keratin amino acids, lanolin, and conditioners.

When I use this product, it’s almost like God decided to bless me with naturally big hair. It’s a good thing.