Hair Attachments

I recently discovered one of the greatest inventions ever. My hair dryer's nozzle attachment. Seriously. I don't know when and how I fell so behind on such things but I really can't live without this baby. If you have thick, frizzy hair like mine, try blowing your hair with and without one to see the difference.

Hair is naturally easier to handle during the colder months and I practically want to kiss mine every winter. It does what I want it to, and then some, often all on its own. I generally don't have to worry too much about it after one or two good blow-outs for the week. But the nozzle gives the ends a special something that I can't achieve with just the hair dryer alone. And my hair genuinely dries much faster - even in the tropical conditions of my studio!

I know I'm obsessed with something when I go back to my parents' place for 2 nights and feel the need to take it with me. I did this over the Thanksgiving weekend only to have my worst fear confirmed - the nozzle didn't fit my old hair dryer. Luckily, I had my Solano Sapphire straightener to smooth out with the plain old dryer couldn't, but I generally don't like that stick straight look so I kept its use to a minimum.

It's a miracle I don't talk more about my hair since I guess it is one of my better features. I wish I had more to share on what I do with it, but I don't. If you want to know the secret to having good hair, it's doing nada. I barely wash it, brush it, or condition. I don't even oil it much lately. And I'm forced to blow dry it more because of the weather.

I do, however, spent excruciating minutes plucking out the gray hairs starting to form a halo around the back of my head.

If anyone has a cure for that, do tell.

The Skinny Update

Ok, so shoot me. Clearly I jump the gun when I talk about products I want to be into. This might sort of be the case with the Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Relaxing Balm I talked about yesterday. I'm still decently pleased with the results, but I thought I'd give a detailed update for all those considering using it, just so you don't stop taking my advice altogether if it doesn't work out for you.

I woke up this morning with huge hair. I know it's humid and rainy in NY, but I was still hoping the serum would prevent bushiness, however, I realize that's a lot to ask for 24 hrs after applying it.

There is still a lot of definition in my loose curls and waves, and top is still rather smooth and shiny. I'm glad that this stuff hasn't made my hair a crusty mess, and I'm tempted to use more next time (I needed about 4-5 squirts the first time around - that's a lot). Perhaps when my hair grows out a bit more, the extra weight will allow it to do a better job.

A few days ago, I had purchased the John Frieda Frizz-Ease DownPlay Volume Reducer, a serum meant to eliminate bushiness. I returned it when I find the Paul Mitchell serum, but I might want to reconsider and try that, too, either alone or in combination. I had initially waited too long to use the John Frieda and rubbed into drier than desirable hair instead of really damp hair, and the result was kind of sticky and gross, and my hair was clumping a bit. Sticky hair is the worst.

I know I should consider getting my hair thinned the next time I let someone take a scissor to it, but I'm somewhat ideologically opposed to the idea. Why get rid of it while I have it? Might as well enjoy a full head of hair before it goes bye-bye.

More later, since hair experimentation generally takes longer than makeup and skincare.

Super, Skinnier Hair

No skinny jeans for me, but skinnier (slightly) hair is most welcome, although I don't really believe that flat, thin, limp, hair should become the new beauty standard. I have naturally voluptuous, beachy hair, and quite love it, but it occasionally needs some "taming." When I was a kid, I had some Indian version of a 'fro. It has since smoothed out considerably, but is still extremely full, thick, and wavy, and takes all orders from the Weather Gods.

For this reason, I have never been able to develop a real "style" for it. It kind of hangs like a thick, wavy curtain around my face. But when it is blown out, man - my friends say boys don't deserve to see it look like that on a first date (ahem, first online dating website business meeting).

Straightening, or even basic blow-drying, is, of course, a pain. My hair is on the longer side, and I on the lazy. I manage to give it a rough blow-out once a week which lasts me quite a while. I also don't like stick-straight, fried hair that looks like a broom so I like to keep some wave and only use the Solano Sapphire iron for special occasions, to clean up a bit, or if the Weather Gods are having particular fun with my hair that day. In the winter, I don't even have to bother with the iron - it smooths out decently enough with just the blow dryer. And I rarely use product, with the minor, occasional exception of Atina Hair Shine.

I'm also terrified that even minimal hair styling will make my hair fall out by the time I'm 40 and ruin its natural texture, so I try to go au naturale as often as I can, especially since it is rather "in" to do so. But let me tell you, that tousled, no-fuss look only works on people with fine and silky hair to begin with, even if it's thick. Still, a considerable amount of effort goes into making those styles look effort-less. In some ways, I'm glad that Hollywood starlets have to squirt seawater over their hair to achieve a look I naturally have.

If your hair is the least bit coarse like mine, and as full, sexy beach/bed hair quickly becomes a mess. Enter my new resolve to avoid messes and keep my hair as natural as possible, especially in this victorious weather, with the aid of an effective styling product.

I decided to try the Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Relaxing Balm since I'd read about it here and there in magazines. I thought it might help me achieve smoother hair from the roots to mid-shaft and then let my natural waves take over.

I was pretty right. A few pumps of this serum rubbed through damp hair and then air-drying did pretty much just that. I didn't want my hair to go skinny or flat, and this still retained its natural volume and overall texture. On a good day, I can achieve this look by pulling my hair back in a tight bun, but this isn't always reliable. I don't know if I'll actually use this for blow-outs since I'm not looking for super-straight hair, but it will definitely be a go-to for smoother hair when going natural.

I liked the texture and feel of this serum as well - a lightweight cream/serum that wasn't sticky or thick, but not completely runny either. It also had a nice, citrus scent. I normally don't like any fragrance but in the summer, it's kind of nice.

I'm hoping this will product will allow for more consistently "natural" hair. I'll report back if it fails me, but I don't think it will. The price-tag is more than I would generally allow for a styling product, but it is good quality and worth it for consistent use, especially for someone like me who otherwise doesn't use this stuff. Happy that I can have more manageable hair that is still me. $14.39 @ ProBeautyWarehouse.com & other beauty supply stores

Sub-continental Hair Oils

Hair oils in this country have usually been confined to the "ethnic" beauty aisles at beauty supply and drugstores, if at all available. I laugh when I see more upscale brands discuss the merits of hair oil and scalp massages, as well as beauty reviews that rave about the wonderful uses of olive oil as a hair product.

Being Indian, hair oil is again one of those things that has always been kept in my house. We often used it for a relieving scalp massage when someone was sick. I occasionally used it when I felt my hair was super dry and unmanageable. Over time, as I got older, I stopped altogether. I hear, however, that it is still the secret of many a Bollywood star with cascading waves of thick, black hair.

When I was living in India, I had more regular hair oil massages and missed how good it makes your scalp feel (my hair is quite heavy and when it gets matted at the roots, it makes my scalp feel achey and tired). But since I don't wash my hair often during the week, I hesitated to apply it more often because I always thought it needed to be left on for at least a day before washing out to reap all its benefits. Who wants to be walking around with oil in their hair? Not I.

However, a friend told me that she only applies some to her scalp and roots (not throughout the hair) at night before going to bed and washes it out in the morning. I was encouraged to use it more and am glad that lately, my hair is in pretty good shape (I generally do have nice hair although I'm terrible at styling it) and my scalp feels healthy, too.

All you need to do is massage a couple of tablespoons (depending on hair texture and thickness) into your scalp and hair (starting at the scalp and working your way through the rest of the hair), and leave in overnight, or even 1-2 days, before washing out. This is supposed to stimulate hair growth and moisturize hair as well. I try to do this once a week or once every two weeks. This needs a good washing, so use some extra shampoo!

You can find various types of hair oil in most Indian/South Asian grocery stores. My favorite is Cantharadine Hair Oil because it is light and odor-less. However, it's very difficult to find in the U.S. Heavier oils are coconut and amla (Dabur is a trusted Indian brand) - both are more cooling to the scalp than Cantharadine. You can also find jasmine and almond oils - obviously very expensive, and I think less effective.

These can usually be found at local or online Indian grocers like IndianBlend.com. Happy hair.

Atina Hair Shine

If you are a curly/wavy-haired gal like me, chances are you have at some point or another used an anti-frizz hair serum or cream. I myself was a fan of John Frieda's Frizz-Ease for a very long time. It was quite helpful in taming the frizz and showing off my natural waves, but also somewhat expensive - about $9.00 for 1.7 oz. I preferred this to other anti-frizz products because serum spreads more evenly through the hair and is lightweight. Most hair potions require large amounts for and weight down thick or wavy hair.

I used Johnny boy's serum on-again and off-again for a while (the little bottle does last a long time) and then promptly forgot about it. I'm a firm believer in using any old face/body lotion rubbed into your hands and smoothed over your hair instead. Recently though, I ventured to an Indian beauty salon with a friend on Long Island and she insisted that I try the Atina Hair Shine.

I didn't think it was possible, but this is a *great* replacement for the Frizz-Ease. At about $9.00 for 4 oz, it's also a steal. Plus, the serum has a very light, herbal-y fragrance which I love - I guess that's what makes this "natural" and "ayurvedic" and supposedly "Indian." I rub about a nickel-sized amount into my hair when wet, or just to tame when it's dry. Great to have on hand. $9.00 @ Rani Spas

On Solano Sapphire Collection Professional Straightening Iron

I have been using this straightener since high school/college. It was all the rage then (such things become rages when you live in Great Neck), and for good reason. It is the best straightener I have ever used, although I must say that I have not used many because this has been such a great tool. It was my first one and I have never felt the need to buy another. The 2 1/4-in plates are perfect for thicker, wavier/curlier hair and although it is a bit heavy, I feel that a good iron should be. Those thin, lightweight ones from the drugstore don't look like they can do much, and the newer, more expensive ones are overrated and overpriced. It has never fried my hair and creates a nice smooth, shiny finish, not that fried and dried look. Mine is about 5 years old and going strong. Definitely an investment you will not regret.