Spray Away

I recently changed my hairspray, and I couldn't be happier. I use a lot of hairspray, but because my hair is so fine I have to be careful what kind I use. Using too much spray can often make my hair look greasy or weigh it down. Then any styling attempts turn into the too straight, heavy, and flat look. Not exactly what I am going for.

So when I ran out of hairspray a few weeks ago, I headed to Target to see if they had my Paul Mitchell spray. Usually it is only sold in salons but I figured it was worth a try. Not finding it there, and becoming increasingly desperate, I decided to try something new. My Paul Mitchell is usually around $16.50 and rarely on sale. Trust me; I check often. Since I was trying something new I didn't want to spend too much money. I noticed the cheapest stuff they had: Salon Grafix Shaping Hair Spray. I grabbed it and got out of there as fast as possible- Target is one of my greatest weaknesses. I got the Extra Hold and figured that if I hated it it was only 4 dollars down the drain. Worth a try for a desperate girl, right?

To my surprise, I loved it! Even more than my Paul Mitchell, which I have been loyal to for at least 10 years. Don't get me wrong: Paul Mitchell Extra Hold hairspray is awesome, and works great, but why spend that much money if you don't have to? This hairspray isn't heavy- it is even lighter than Paul Mitchell and doesn't leave my hair feeling heavy or greasy. It does an excellent job holding style throughout the day and I love it. I can also use that extra $12 for other products now :) Also, it smells just like the stuff my mom used on my when I was a kid. I used to dance competitively and apparently she didn't want to use the expensive stuff for all my hairdo's at competitions. Understandable when your daughter is 7, right? That being said, it also has a little bit of sentimental value for me.

To use: After I blow dry, I spray some around the crown of my head, lifting up chunks of hair and spraying underneath. Then I tease my hair with a fine tooth comb and some hair paste [see previous] and once I have the style I want, I spray lots! Although my husband hates the smell of the spray at first, he does usually like the smell of my hair . . . so I guess you give a little and get a little, right?

Tip to remember: Expensive does not always equal the best quality for your needs.

Paste for Hair?

Have you ever heard of hair paste? I hadn't until just this past year- and I have to say, I am loving it! It's one of those items that you just didn't know you were missing out on....not an essential, but beware, because it could quickly become one!

My favorite is by Redken, called rewind 06. This product will add a lot of texture to your hair. It's hard to know how to use unless you've seen it done, but it will definitely help you shape and twist your hair into any style. I usually put it in after I blow dry and hairspray my hair. You just need to get a dime sized amount of this pliable styling paste on your finger, rub a few times between your palms and then push your hands together over your hair. Little "spider web" looking pieces will fall on your hair and then you can use to style your hair into the desired position.

I love this product because my bangs LOVE to hang in my eyes. So when they get a little bit too long- I am either back to my hairstylist [the chic Lynn Le] or I am cutting them myself [something that I have been commended for at times but also reprimanded for by my hair dressers]. With hair paste, I rub some on my bangs, sweep them to the side and they dry in that position. Best part? They don't look greasy from all that product! They dry in that position and stay there ALL day long, looking fresh and clean.

It might sound a little out of the ordinary, but hair paste is an amazing product to utilize! Definitely try it.