chr1s
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Hey all I've been reading through this forum and I decided I'd share some products and styling tips that really work well for me. A little bit about me, I have a full head of hair but I first started noticing my hair thining slightly at the front in October '05. I am 24 years old and am not on any hair care regemine as of yet (propacia, minoxidil ect... tho I am considering starting on minoxidil). I have been sticking to cosmetic solutions until I gather enough information as to how I should tackle my problem. You cannot really notice my problem if the hair is dry, but once my hair is wet it is pretty obvious. And since I go for the wet "spiked at the front look" or sometimes a blow out, it's a problem. If you are the hair gel type of guy who doesn't really look good with dry hair or a shaved head, and u want to keep your kool lookin style for as long as you can, then I hope these tips help u.
Styling Products
If you are looking for a messy or sort of spiky look I strongly reccomend "Rewind" pomade by Reddken. The stuff is great to give ur hair texture, it has a pleasant fresh shower clean smell, and when you wash it off your hair feels like PURE SILK, not the way it feels when u use gunky gel or hair wax with perfumed scents. This stuff is great because you use a little bit to have a drier look thats textured (which is better for thin hair), or you can use more to get the defined "wet look". That's the best pomade in my opinion. I feel that pomades are better and less harsh than gel. But if you insist on using gel I reccomend either Pantene Pro-V Body Builder Volumizing Gel or Dove Shape & Lift Volumizing Gel. When using gel or pomade I suggest applying it to DRY hair or else you will have TOO much of a "wet" look exposing a lot of scalp.
Toppik
As I've said before in other posts I am a toppik fan, but for me it would be garbage without the Toppik Spray Maximizer http://www.spencerforrest.com/atm/index.asp. I tried Toppik on its own and I was like WTF is this messy sprinkly shyt it doesn't fall exactly where u want. I decided to give the spray cap a shot and let me tell you this little invention by far revolutionized Toppiks usability and my opinion of it. It does everything it says and it's perfect if you have a geled hairstyle that has volume but you just wish to fill in the gaps because your hair is generally thin. I suggest u take the nozzle and spray into the hair Not down into the scalp. This maximizer spray cap not only allows u to use less topic making it more economical but also by using less u wont experience any of it "falling off" like i've heard people say. The fibers bind with the pomade so there's no need for hairspray. I generally wipe my forhead with a wet tissue once i'm done styling in case any of it has fallen to the front which it usually does, but doesn't fall again after that.
Courve
Let me start off by saying yes Courve does have a distinct smell, but combined with the gel or pomade you really don't smell it at all (at least I don't). Let me tell you there is no way in HELL that I see how that tiny applicator sponge is effecient. There is a MUCH easier, faster and better way to applying courve if you wish to go this route. Get a box of disposable latext gloves (I usually reuse 1 glove about 4 times). Put the glove in 1 hand, dab a little Courve onto 1 or 2 of the fingers and just rub it into your scalp in the areas u need help in. Let me tell u it's MUCH easier and LESS messy to apply it this way. U are basically applying the stuff with your own hand but without all the mess of it getting into your fingers. Once I'm done applying, I pass my hand through my hair (with the glove on) so that way I remove most of the residue that got in the hair itself. I take off the glove stlyle my hair as usual and I'm done.
These are the only products I've tried so far and they've been working for me so far. I have stuck with my Toppik routine because its a lot easier to spritz a few times and be out the door but somtimes my hair needs a bit touching up with Courve. From reading the posts it seems that people prefer DermMatch over Courve and after reading more about it I'm inclined to give it a shot especially since those little application sticks look like they would do a good job of fading in the front hairline where i have a tiny bald spot.
I'll be using this topic to update my reviews on other products in the future and how well they work with hair styles that require gel. If anyone else has any unique application ideas like mine or other suggestions feel free to let us know.
Styling Products
If you are looking for a messy or sort of spiky look I strongly reccomend "Rewind" pomade by Reddken. The stuff is great to give ur hair texture, it has a pleasant fresh shower clean smell, and when you wash it off your hair feels like PURE SILK, not the way it feels when u use gunky gel or hair wax with perfumed scents. This stuff is great because you use a little bit to have a drier look thats textured (which is better for thin hair), or you can use more to get the defined "wet look". That's the best pomade in my opinion. I feel that pomades are better and less harsh than gel. But if you insist on using gel I reccomend either Pantene Pro-V Body Builder Volumizing Gel or Dove Shape & Lift Volumizing Gel. When using gel or pomade I suggest applying it to DRY hair or else you will have TOO much of a "wet" look exposing a lot of scalp.
Toppik
As I've said before in other posts I am a toppik fan, but for me it would be garbage without the Toppik Spray Maximizer http://www.spencerforrest.com/atm/index.asp. I tried Toppik on its own and I was like WTF is this messy sprinkly shyt it doesn't fall exactly where u want. I decided to give the spray cap a shot and let me tell you this little invention by far revolutionized Toppiks usability and my opinion of it. It does everything it says and it's perfect if you have a geled hairstyle that has volume but you just wish to fill in the gaps because your hair is generally thin. I suggest u take the nozzle and spray into the hair Not down into the scalp. This maximizer spray cap not only allows u to use less topic making it more economical but also by using less u wont experience any of it "falling off" like i've heard people say. The fibers bind with the pomade so there's no need for hairspray. I generally wipe my forhead with a wet tissue once i'm done styling in case any of it has fallen to the front which it usually does, but doesn't fall again after that.
Courve
Let me start off by saying yes Courve does have a distinct smell, but combined with the gel or pomade you really don't smell it at all (at least I don't). Let me tell you there is no way in HELL that I see how that tiny applicator sponge is effecient. There is a MUCH easier, faster and better way to applying courve if you wish to go this route. Get a box of disposable latext gloves (I usually reuse 1 glove about 4 times). Put the glove in 1 hand, dab a little Courve onto 1 or 2 of the fingers and just rub it into your scalp in the areas u need help in. Let me tell u it's MUCH easier and LESS messy to apply it this way. U are basically applying the stuff with your own hand but without all the mess of it getting into your fingers. Once I'm done applying, I pass my hand through my hair (with the glove on) so that way I remove most of the residue that got in the hair itself. I take off the glove stlyle my hair as usual and I'm done.
These are the only products I've tried so far and they've been working for me so far. I have stuck with my Toppik routine because its a lot easier to spritz a few times and be out the door but somtimes my hair needs a bit touching up with Courve. From reading the posts it seems that people prefer DermMatch over Courve and after reading more about it I'm inclined to give it a shot especially since those little application sticks look like they would do a good job of fading in the front hairline where i have a tiny bald spot.
I'll be using this topic to update my reviews on other products in the future and how well they work with hair styles that require gel. If anyone else has any unique application ideas like mine or other suggestions feel free to let us know.