Hair Help

[Bugsy]

Does anyone out there own and use a hair smoothing device? I have naturally wavy hair and consequently I would like to have either curly hair or straight hair. Curly is relatively straightforward but straight is a huge struggle. So I looked through a Boots catalogue and saw that there are loads of smoothing tong/plate things but I don't want to buy them if they are rubbish.
Any opinions?

I use one whenever I wash my hair Bugsy. My hair is extremely thick and has a lot of kinks in it. I use the Babybliss and it is excellent but I guess it depends exactly on how wavy your hair is. I find it also helps as far as getting rid of frizziness.

They are not great for your hair but if you use lots of conditioner and do it while it is very slightly damp the damage is minimised. It only takes 5 mins or so although obviously this is after I have already blow dried it straight.

I used to use one of those hair smoothing device as you call it, it worked but depending on how much hair you have got... it can be a big job. Also I keep hearing those TV hairdresser (Nikki Clarke) and others say that you should use some of the new gels to help your hair... have you asked a hairdresser for advice on products ?

Bugsy, if you are still seeking recommendations go for the Braun Straight an shape. The design is simple, powered by a small gas cartridge, it is one of the cheaper models but I think the best. I was so impressed with my friend's I asked my dh for one last xmas but he bought me a more elaborate thing with interchangeable plates which was not nearly as good , so I exchanged it for the braun.

A slightly different problem. I have very thin, very fine hair. Also lost loads postnatally so to add to my woes have fluffy new bits growing through.

One side curls out a bit, no matter what I do.My fringe sticks right up. It's wispy & flyway and looks like a nest.

I have managed to reach the ripe old age of 34 and still have desasterous hair. I had it very long, and it just looked scraggy - too thin. I had it very short, but it grows too quickly & I couldn't keep it looking ok. Plus dh admitted after that he hated it.

It's now shoulder length but with loads of layeers. The last 2 (expensive) hairdressers I went to were either comedians or jokers, because one cut my fringe quite far bach, the other quite far foreward so I now have a dual level fringe. But at least I am carrying on the tradition of a total mess on my head.

I am planning a day out in London or NW Kent soon - WITHOUT KIDS!!! Does anyone know a competant, not-too-expensive hairdresser that can not only cut my hair, but will talk me through what suits me & my hair type, what to use on it, how to look after it, with out me feeling like they're just trying to flog me something. I hate going to the hairdressers. If I turn up with ideas they just tell me it's a non-runner because of my hair type, but if I turn up without ideas they just get stroppy.

Or does anyone else have really thin fine hair & knows how to look after it, what styles work etc. I cannot reach 35 and go on for the rest of my life with this. I've wanted a wig ever since I can remember!

Inky, Toni & Guy in Covent Garden are great but I'm not sure what your budget is but I'm afraid they are not cheap. For a senior stylist you are looking at min £40.

Inky. I have thin, fine hair too. It's a nightmare! There are so many styles I have to say no to.

Can't have a crop, because, not to put too fine a point on it, my scalp will show through. Can't grow it long, because it gets very straggly after collar length. Can't perm it - my hair is too weak. Can't have too many layers or a big fringe because, again, not enough hair. Can't wash it more than twice a week, even with frequent wash products, otherwise it dries out and breaks. Can't blow dry it daily, for the same reason.

Every single time I go ANY hairdresser, they recomment the same b*** thing - a nice geometric bob. I know it's sensible and it looks reasonably good, but I am so fed up with this style.

I tend to settle for bob variations. Right now I sport a long bob, with a few layors in it, and a tiny wispy fringe to soften my face. Wierdly, I have found that the shorter the bob, the thinner and more unruly my hair gets. When I blow dry it, one side sticks out and one side sticks in. A longer bob - collar length - works better because the increased weight of my hair makes both sides hang down straighter.

I have given up expecting my hair to look OK every day. So on bad hair days I wear small metal clips in my hair when indoors - discreet black ones, not those IMO(!) lairy teenage ones from Claire's Accessories and the like. Very useful they are, too. I'd highly recommmend them for fine hair. Outdoors on bad hair days I wear scarves and hats. My hair is almost long enough to tie back in a ponytail, so I may soon do this too.

I do dye may hair, but only as infrequently as I can get away with. Hairdressers have said to me, and I agree, with hair like mine, the less you can do to it, the better. That's why I'm very careful about not overwashing it.

As for products, I use the Charles Worthington Big Hair range. It's the best I've tried for ages. I'd particulalry recommend their Big Hair styling spray, used after washing and before blow drying. It certainly thickens my hair and definitely stops it looking outrageously thin.

However, it is not perfect. Thickness brings a degree of frizz. Currently I am after a sleeker style that kinks out at the ends of my layors. I am investigating hair serums etc so will read any messages on this with great interest.

HTH Inky - goodness! didn't mean to write so much!

HI Batters, yes Charles Worthington products are often on special offer at Boots. The range is huge, but, having tried some of their other products, I stick to the Big Hair shampoo, conditioner and styling spray. The Big Hair hairspray is good, too, but I don't use it with my current style. When I use the Big Hair styling spray, I squirt loads on - about 10 or more pushes of the spray pump. It does thicken and control my hair, but at the expense of some shine and gloss, I think. My husband says that my hair looks much better than it used to, so I must be doing something right.

Thanks Tigermoth - I've also been suggested the BOB, but I've been given loads of totally contradictory advice eg have a blunt cut all one length - it will make your hair seem thicker vs. you should have layers as it will make your hair seem thicker!? I'm no expert so I just don't know what to do. A blunt geometric cut looks fine in pictures but my hair is just too thin to hang and goes all wispy and flyaway and fluffy. If I put any gunk in it it just looks totally lifeless & even thinner (and still sticks out)

I find it looks onlt vaguely reasonable the day I wash it, but then you have the problem of over washing it. Help!!

I might 'phone a Toni & Guy in advance & see if they are prepared to talk me through my hair before they cut it. £40 doesn't seem that outrageous to me - I've moved to an area where they're all so expensive, even dh has to pay £20+ for the barbers & he's not amused as his hair grow really quickly & he's used to getting change from a fiver.