My Quest for Glossiness AND Volume! Part 2- Shampoo & Conditioner

My former HG conditioner was Terax Crema, but they stopped carrying it at Sephora and it is hard to come by in my neck of the woods. Recently I decided to just buy it online, only to learn that along with the redesign of the bottles, they changed the scent! The scent was one of the main reasons I loved it! I took the plung and boo! The new scent is 'eh'. But it still works as good, I just don't get that moment of pure joy when I rub it in my palms and take a big whiff before applying it to the length of my locks. So, I will try something new when I use up this big ole tube. It will probably take me several months to use it up.

I recently tried the Fekkai Glossing line and thought it was nice. It smells yummy- a little citrus-y. The shampoo/conditioner combo made my hair sooooo soft. Almost too soft, if that is possible. It is rather expensive and I just wasn't 'in love' with it... so it does not make the HG cut. bummer.

I used to use the Redken All Soft line, which smells amazing and has avodaco oil. But, my hair has gotten much finer and less 'unruly' as I've gotten a bit older, so now the All Soft is too heavy.

I think I may try Pantene. It gets such rave reviews all over the place and it is soooo cheap!

The quest continues...

My Quest for Glossiness AND Volume! Part 1- The Styling Products

I have longish (below my shoulders), wavy/curly, 'normal' (if that exists, but normal in that it is not particularly dry or oily or damaged, etc) hair. A few years back I cut my very long hair to chin length. I liked it for about, oh, a day. Then I regretted it and have been growing it back since then. I'm on a quest for the Holy Grail of shampoo, conditioner, and styling products that will leave my hair shiny and glossy without weighing it down. I want Texas hair- but with movement and modernness. Too much to ask for?


I have two HG styling products. One styling cream and one hairspray.


The first is L'Oreal Studio Line Hot Straight cream. I thought it had been discontinued and I was frantic, but they only re-designed the line and I was able to locate it on Drugstore.com and quickly snatched up two bottles that will last me for years (you need so very little of it and I don't use it daily). Hot Straight de-frizzes my hair whether I'm wearing it wavy or straight. It smells good, it's cheap ($4.99 for 5 oz!), and it works. Perfection.


I've recently been adding two other styling creams into the mix. I think the results are similar enough to the Hot Straight that I may just stick to the tried and true and use the extra $20+ towards a mani or brow wax! I received a sample of Phyto 7 "Or" daily botanical cream for dry hair. I loved it and swiftly headed back to Sephora to procure the full size (2 oz for about $26! steep!). You only need a tiny bit, though, so this tube should last a while. I have been a fan of Phyto for years, I like their packaging and their plant-y-ness. But, the effect of the Phyto 7 creme is so similar to the Hot Straight that the extra price seems almost obscene.

The second new styling cream I'm liking is Fekkai Glossing Cream. Smells good, works well, you only need a dab, hmmm sounds familiar? I have the travel size tube and it will probably last for the next decade (1.7 oz for $9). I literally use about the size of a 1 karat diamond solitaire on the length of my hair. It is less pricey than the Phyto as the 7 oz Fekkai is $27.

Clearly the L'Oreal Hot Straight is the beauty bargain, but I'm a sucker for packaging and the aura of luxury.... so I will continue to mix 'em up.

No matter which one of these products I use- or a combo of all three- I end of with smooth, frizz-less hair, that smells good!


The second HG is the ultimate classic bombshell product, Aquanet Extra Super Hold, unscented. It comes in a can that is covered in fishnet stockings! ;) And it's pink and silver- oh yeah- and it works! It holds your hair, it's not too sticky or stiff, it is good stuff, and a giant can is only $3.99.

Sometimes the drugstore products just can't be beat!