I gave the whole Fructis experiment thing a fair shake. I really tried to make it work. In retrospect, the idea was ill conceived from the get-go. I cannot expect a “shampoo plus conditioner” in one to work on my very thick, course hair. After reviewing an old Allure and realizing that Pantene Classic Clean has won its “best shampoo” award several years in a row, I decided to give that a whirl. I usually go for the more glamorous shampoo concoctions like “Severely Straight” or “Tropical Moisture,” that sort of thing. So, purchasing a boring old shampoo named “Classic Clean” just doesn’t excite me. Well, in this case, the product proved me wrong. It is exciting! It leaves my hair soft, clean, and shiny. I am totally loving it. I am not a huge fan of the Pantene fragrance, but the results of using Classic Clean completely override that little issue.

My sister recently visited me in New York, and in addition to our usual shopping, she told me she was on a mad hunt for hair powder. I had to admit not knowing how to direct her on her quest. This was not something I usually looked for and/or purchased. What luck when, on a quick pre-brunch trip to the local Rite Aid, she found a spray powder shampoo on the shelves by the brand SG, Salon Grafix. I was dubious that this would work for her but tried to keep an open mind. She called me two days later with the results. She loved it and wanted me to get some ASAP. Not being one to turn down any fun new beauty products, I obliged. For girls with very thick, course hair that requires lots and lots of style time, it is important to wash your hair every other day. (Mainly because 2nd day hair always looks shinier and flatter- the ultimate goal.) The problem with 2nd day hair is that, if you are used to washing everyday, you may miss that freshly shampooed smell and feel. This is where hair powder, or dry shampoo comes in. It actually absorbs oil and leaves hair smelling awesome (better than actual shampoo) so you feel like you shampooed on those “in between” days. Plus your hair looks really great. I have been won over by SG as have others apparently because it is very hard to find. If you are interested, I think Rite Aid stocks this almost exclusively.

I tried a new shampoo and conditioner regimen this morning, and I don’t think I like the results. Thinking it would save precious time that I waste during 20 minute morning showers, I purchased Fructis Moisture Works 2-in-1 Shampoo plus Conditioner. I paired this with a Leave-In Conditioning Cream in their Sleek and Shine line. My thought was that I could use the 2-in-1 as a way to save myself that extra 7 minutes of trying to rinse conditioner out of my thick hair in the shower. It also crossed my mind that the leave-in conditioner would serve as a conditioning and styling agent. I let my hair air dry in a sleek ponytail and then ran a straightening iron over the front pieces. I slid on a headband, went to the park with my daughter and husband, and came home to what appeared to be puffy, slightly frizzy hair. It was somewhat warm outside but I wouldn’t call it humid. I am hoping this puffy look was a result of some sort of Indian summer humidity anomaly.

One of my worst experiences in recent memory was when a friend from high school, laughingly talking about the good old days, reminded me that I had huge hair during those wonderfully memorable 4 years. It shot like a bullet at my heart. Like I didn’t know I had big hair! Like I didn’t struggle all day to control, compress, and deflate it on a daily basis. Making the issue worse was the fact that my school was an open campus, meaning we went outside and faced the dreaded elements each day to switch classes. I was acutely aware of the humidity level every single day. On the days when it rained or when a thick, humid fog hung in the air, I donned a protective hood to keep my hair under wraps. I was constantly stressed, constantly pulling my hair into ponytails and buns and constantly on the hunt for the perfect hair products. So, years later, and several dozen thermal reconditioning processes later, I am still looking for the perfect products to keep my hair sleek and shiny. I am about 4 months into my latest straightening process, meaning I have about 2 inches of regrowth that require maintenance and straightening. I am currently liking John Frieda Straight Ahead Shampoo and Conditioner and their famous serum. I wash and condition, apply the serum, allow my hair to air dry, and then go to town on the roots with a straightening iron. Flat and frizz-free is the result. Big hair be damned!