Hair Care

[Holdfast]

Shampoo & conditioner-wise, I just use Pantene (their Ice Shine stuff I think). Never really had the inclination to explore further since with short hair I don't expect it really makes much of a difference anyway.

If your hair's not thick and you're looking for more volume, you might explore other options--and one could be ignoring conditioner altogether.

A lot of the "volume" products contain silicone, which actually weighs the hair down.

I didn't know that, but it makes sense, because I didn't like how the volumising conditioner in the pantene range made my hair feel. The ice shine ones are OK, but unremarkable. Once in a blue moon, I use that VO5 hot oil stuff - I actually really like how it makes my hair feel. But frankly, that's almost too metro even for me to use regularly!

 

[teya]

Shampoo & conditioner-wise, I just use Pantene (their Ice Shine stuff I think). Never really had the inclination to explore further since with short hair I don't expect it really makes much of a difference anyway.

If your hair's not thick and you're looking for more volume, you might explore other options--and one could be ignoring conditioner altogether.

A lot of the "volume" products contain silicone, which actually weighs the hair down.

I didn't know that, but it makes sense, because I didn't like how the volumising conditioner in the pantene range made my hair feel. The ice shine ones are OK, but unremarkable. Once in a blue moon, I use that VO5 hot oil stuff - I actually really like how it makes my hair feel. But frankly, that's almost too metro even for me to use regularly!

And, honestly, if your hair is short, it's really a waste of money. Conditioning treatments of any sort are for damaged hair, and if it's short, it's not around long enought to get truly damaged.

 

[An Officer]

If anyone can recommend a cheaper supermarket alternative, I'm all ears.

Dax Short and Neat - for light hold
Dax Wave and Groom - for a stronger hold

They only cost about £1.60 I believe, depending on where you buy them from.

A lot of guys a knew wore this, and it looked really fabulous in their hair, which is why I chose to use it briefly when I had short hair myself... I tried out the Toni and Guy tin back then, too, among other things. Dax isn't as greasy as the Toni and Guy, and looks a little more discreet because of it, gives much more manageability, too. Just make sure your hair is squeaky clean free of other products when you apply it, or it doesn't work at all! - Costs much less and does a better job.

 

[Holdfast]

And, honestly, if your hair is short, it's really a waste of money. Conditioning treatments of any sort are for damaged hair, and if it's short, it's not around long enought to get truly damaged.

That's kinda what I figured. Still it's kind of fun to do the hot oil thing once in a while.

If anyone can recommend a cheaper supermarket alternative, I'm all ears.

Dax Short and Neat - for light hold
Dax Wave and Groom - for a stronger hold

They only cost about £1.60 I believe, depending on where you buy them from.

A lot of guys a knew wore this, and it looked really fabulous in their hair, which is why I chose to use it briefly when I had short hair myself... I tried out the Toni and Guy tin back then, too, among other things. Dax isn't as greasy as the Toni and Guy, and looks a little more discreet because of it, gives much more manageability, too. Just make sure your hair is squeaky clean free of other products when you apply it, or it doesn't work at all! - Costs much less and does a better job.

You're a star. Thanks. Light hold should be enough for most of the time, so I'll definitely keep an eye out for it when I run out of the label m soft wax.

I've already switched from a trendy spa "balancing complex" moisturiser to that Olay 7 Effects stuff, which is less than a third of the price I think and is actually better too. So if the switch from label m. to the Dax is equally successfully, I'll save enough over a year to buy myself an extra nice bottle of wine!

 

[An Officer]

^ Cool.
I used Aveda face wash and moisturiser for the longest time, but it really didn't do a better job than say Simple from Boots! The shampoos are pretty much unbeatable though.

Now I go to Body shop for my face wash and cream - the aloe vera range. It's about five times better than anything else I've tried (the aloe vera plant has proven rejuvenating qualities). I believe the good results are partly because their stuff is about 99% organic and free of all that fake chemical crap they stuff in most products.

I've been looking longingly at Creme de la mer lately, but it is unconcianbly expensive. If it is as good as they say it is, it might just be worth it though - apparently designed by a scientist who had a chemical accident, found no creams to treat his skin affectively, and decided to make his own. This is the stuff that super models use on their entire bodies apparently!

Since Creme de la mer also own Estee Lauder, apparently, their night cream is based on the same recipe, at a much cheaper price. Might try that out!

 

[WillsBabe]

I've already switched from a trendy spa "balancing complex" moisturiser to that Olay 7 Effects stuff, which is less than a third of the price I think and is actually better too.

Oh, I couldn't live without that stuff. Nothing beats it for me. Have you tried the night cream, too?

 

[Holdfast]

^ Cool.

Might even have to buy you a bottle too, if it works out!

I've been looking longingly at Creme de la mer lately, but it is unconcianbly expensive.

That the one that's £1000 for 500ml, right? Insane!

I've already switched from a trendy spa "balancing complex" moisturiser to that Olay 7 Effects stuff, which is less than a third of the price I think and is actually better too.

Oh, I couldn't live without that stuff. Nothing beats it for me. Have you tried the night cream, too?

No, I don't "do" night creams... even I have my guy limits! But I plan on using the "touch of sunshine" version of 7 Effects (the one with a light tanning agent in it) when my current bottle of the regular stuff runs out. It's a great formula, isn't it? Smooth, very effective in firming and especially in covering any mild redness/discolouration and totally non-greasy. Very nice indeed.

 

[Cali]

Ooh, are we talking about skin care too? Ace.

My skin has been so much better since I stopped using well-known commercial brands. I currently use Angels on Bare Skin from Lush as my cleanser; a tub lasts me somewhere between 2 - 3 months so it works out at fantastic value. Toner is Tea Tree Water and moisturiser is either Celestial or Ultralight if I'm going to be outside a lot as it has SPF in it. My skin has honestly never been better.

 

[teya]

Ooooh, skin care.

Purpose cleanser & Toleraine moisturizer.

I don't bother with wrinkle creams and the like. I'm 52. Of course I have wrinkles. And I earned 'em.

 

[An Officer]

Might even have to buy you a bottle too, if it works out!

Make it a good hard liqueur and you've gotta' deal (it's been one of those days).

 

[Kira's Mom]

I was watching an item on tv this morning that was telling me that big 80's hair is back ...

Dear God, no!

 

[Holdfast]

OK, I had a chance to follow up on a couple of bits of advice from this thread:

If your hair's not thick and you're looking for more volume, you might explore other options--and one could be ignoring conditioner altogether.

A lot of the "volume" products contain silicone, which actually weighs the hair down.

I didn't know that, but it makes sense, because I didn't like how the volumising conditioner in the pantene range made my hair feel. The ice shine ones are OK, but unremarkable. Once in a blue moon, I use that VO5 hot oil stuff - I actually really like how it makes my hair feel. But frankly, that's almost too metro even for me to use regularly!

And, honestly, if your hair is short, it's really a waste of money. Conditioning treatments of any sort are for damaged hair, and if it's short, it's not around long enought to get truly damaged.

I've stopped using conditioner for the past 7-10 days, and my hair actually feels thicker and stronger. Impressive! Thanks for the advice! I'll probably use it once a month or so, as a bit of a restorative, but have certainly stopped using regularly.

If anyone can recommend a cheaper supermarket alternative, I'm all ears.

Dax Short and Neat - for light hold
Dax Wave and Groom - for a stronger hold

They only cost about £1.60 I believe, depending on where you buy them from.

A lot of guys a knew wore this, and it looked really fabulous in their hair, which is why I chose to use it briefly when I had short hair myself... I tried out the Toni and Guy tin back then, too, among other things. Dax isn't as greasy as the Toni and Guy, and looks a little more discreet because of it, gives much more manageability, too. Just make sure your hair is squeaky clean free of other products when you apply it, or it doesn't work at all! - Costs much less and does a better job.

Thanks for the tip. I sneakily opened a tin of the Short & Neat in Superdrug the other day to test it out - nice texture/consistency and enough hold but still a bit too greasy for me compared to the label m Soft Wax. But the real issue was that it's lightly scented. I need something unscented as my male brain cannot cope with fragrance layering. I use unscented everything apart from the cologne I wear than day and the Dax, while only lightly scented, would probably bug me in time. Thanks for the idea though. I'll keep looking...

 

[An Officer]

Sorry it wasn't what you were looking for... Good thing you didn't waste any money. As I remember, some of the other lines in the range had a very strong perfume, but the blue tin seemed mild enough to me... you would probably HATE the product I use now, as it can be smelt miles away compared to the Dax... I think more about the good job it does as an anti-humectant though, and ignore everything else. At least teya was able to produce the goods. One out of two ain't bad!

 

[Drake]

I'd settle for any hair being back. Maybe I should glue a poodle to my head.

 

[LaxScrutiny]

It seems to surprise other people though. It came up last time I went to get my hair cut. The hairdresser asked me when the last time I got it cut was. I said over a year. She seemed shocked and said that my ends looked very nice for not being cut in so long. I told her it was probably because I don't use a blow dryer or any product in my hair. I wash my hair at night, let it dry before I go to bed and then wake up the next morning and brush it. And that's it. I rarely even put it in a pony tail. So I would guess my hair sees very little stress.

She almost passed out from the shock of this news. The look on her face when I told her that I've never even owned a blow dryer was priceless...

I shave my head, but I must say, you seem to be the perfect female human.

 

[Spot's Meow]

It seems to surprise other people though. It came up last time I went to get my hair cut. The hairdresser asked me when the last time I got it cut was. I said over a year. She seemed shocked and said that my ends looked very nice for not being cut in so long. I told her it was probably because I don't use a blow dryer or any product in my hair. I wash my hair at night, let it dry before I go to bed and then wake up the next morning and brush it. And that's it. I rarely even put it in a pony tail. So I would guess my hair sees very little stress.

She almost passed out from the shock of this news. The look on her face when I told her that I've never even owned a blow dryer was priceless...

I shave my head, but I must say, you seem to be the perfect female human.

Well thanks. I don't wear any makeup either. But I make up for my low maintenance appearance routine by being extremely picky when it comes to food and cleaning.

 

[K'Ehleyr]

I wish I'd read the bit about Pantene before 'treating' myself to some. My hair hates it, it's lost all life
As for skin care, I'm a Nivea and Oil of Olay gal, if it was good enough for my Nan lol

 

[judge alba]

I'd settle for any hair being back. Maybe I should glue a poodle to my head.

maybe tattoo a rabbit on your head from a distance it'll look like a 'hare'

 

[Drake]

I'd settle for any hair being back. Maybe I should glue a poodle to my head.

maybe tattoo a rabbit on your head from a distance it'll look like a 'hare'

That might work too and I could pass myself as an alien, not that I'm not doing that already.

 

[Holdfast]

Sorry it wasn't what you were looking for... Good thing you didn't waste any money. As I remember, some of the other lines in the range had a very strong perfume, but the blue tin seemed mild enough to me... you would probably HATE the product I use now, as it can be smelt miles away compared to the Dax... I think more about the good job it does as an anti-humectant though, and ignore everything else. At least teya was able to produce the goods. One out of two ain't bad!

Hey, at least you had a good suggestion. It was close! I still might give it a whirl if I can't find anything else, and see whether the scent is OK or not.