It Takes A Village...

Happy Thursday! Gotcha! What did you think I wanted to talk about today??? :-)

Have I ever told you guys that my hair is naturally wavy? Not just a little wave, but a lot of wave. Soooo much wave that when I was in high school, I got a perm (don't laugh - everyone did back then) and it lasted for five years. Yes, you're reading that right - 5 YEARS.

If you saw photos of my wavy/curly hair and compared them to the stick straight style I current sport, you are left wondering how in the world did she get her hair straight? Wonder no more because I'm going to tell you all about it - and trust me on this - if your hair is also wavy and you crave straight, smooth locks - here's how to get them!

After shampoo/conditioner, I always apply a leave in conditioner/detangler/color sealant. The brands I use vary - depends on how my hair is behaving and what time of year it is - sometimes I need more moisture than others. Right now I am using Back to Basics, Marine Color Sealant. It's sprayed in and brushed through - I ignore that advice about always detangling your hair with a comb. That alone would take an hour. 

The next step is Light Elements Smoothing Fluid by Aveda, applied to wet hair. Minimum 20-25 pumps, depending on how dry my hair feels at the time. According to Aveda, this is a styling product but it has changed the texture and condition of my hair (for the better) more than any product I've ever used.  Following that, I apply 6-8 pumps of Smooth Infusion Style Prep Smoother by Aveda to prep the hair for styling.

You'd think I'd be ready to start blow drying, but not quite yet. Time for the best hair straightener on the market - Heat Protective Silk Straightening Cream by Kiehl's. Whatever straightener you currently use - whether it costs $5 or $50, I'm telling you, this one is better. Promise. I discovered it while living in Charlotte and haven't used anything else since. Next I blow dry - fifteen minutes later, I flat iron.

To prevent flyaways and frizzies, I finish up with Kiehl's Silk Groom Serum. This is applied on the ends only, and to lay down those little small pieces in my part. Does anyone else struggle with those? They drive me nuts! Hairspray is a very light dusting of Elnett Satin by L'Oreal, which has only recently become available for purchase in the United States. I buy it at Target, and I think Ulta carries it too. Are you familiar with the brand? It was only available abroad for the longest time. All the models, actresses, etc would return from their trips with suitcases full of the stuff. Every "stylist to the stars" keeps it in their tool chest. It's very reasonably priced at $14-16 (color treated formula is a little more).

Other tools: Aveda Wooden Paddle Brush. If I lose this hairbrush, I freak out. When we were remodeling, my hairbrush cell phone charger went missing. I tore up the house and finally found the brush. Never mind the cell charger, I can't get ready without this brush!  :-)

Flat Iron: Nano Titanium by BaByliss PRO. I know, you're shocked. You expected me to say "give me Chi or give me death". Not so fast, my friends! I've tried many flat irons - Chi, Solano, etc - and this is the best. Hands down. Has five temperature settings, gets hot and stays hot.

So there you have it! All the tools needed to make wavy or curly hair straight. If you're thinking, wow that's a lot of trouble - you are correct. It is! Remember, I'm a Leo. We love our manes and are willing to go to great lengths to maintain them. I can remember being a teenager, and not going to the mailbox without my hair "fixed". I guess old habits die hard, as it's just part of the getting ready process for me!

Do you take great pains with your appearance - hair, makeup - or both? Makeup is a whole 'nother blog post...

Have a great Thursday!