Reddit mentions: The best hair styling mousses & foams

Sweet! OK, here goes. I think hold/volume go hand-in-hand to an extent, but I'll try to separate by my favorites. Adding some sort of texturizer is CRITICAL for me to give my hair enough grip to hold curls and volume (I have slippery-straight hair, as I assume you do. Mine's pretty fine but there's a lot of it.) Also note that I choose between big hair and soft hair sometimes. At its biggest, not a chance will I run my hands through it without getting snagged.

Volume

• Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray: A spray directly at the roots is magic. Instant root lift in a can. Also works as a bit of a dry shampoo. (Bumble and bumble Dryspun Finish is similar but runs out SUPER fast.)
  
  
• L'Oreal Professionnel True Grip: Tiny tube; not cheap for the size. It does last a long time, though. It's a powder you shake at the roots and fluff up. Instant volume. Shaken through all hair will give more grip for hold. (Other similar options: Bumble and bumble Pret-a-powder is less grippy but smells good; I hear Schwarzkopf Dust It is good)
  
  
• Kerastase Volumactive Mousse: A little goes a long way with this stuff. This one's very good if you're going to blow-dry, as you apply on wet hair. (Similar products: Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Plus, but it's not as dense and smells kind of weird; Bumble and bumble Full Form Mousse is wonderful but is easy to go through quickly)
  
  Texture
  
  All the ones above will add texture. For allover texture, though, I'd put in something after you shampoo. I'm still experimenting to find my HG. I've been using samples of Bumble and bumble Styling creme (not the lotion-spray) with a dab of Brilliantine to keep shine. My hair stays way longer with this. Sometimes I also use the B&b Thickening spray, because I've had samples on hand. Also, Bumble and bumble Texture used VERY sparingly will give me a root boost. Too much and you'll look like a greaseball in minutes!
  
  Hot Tools
  
  
• BioIonic 1" iron with rotating barrel: Tricky to use at first, but once you get it it's great. Does not pull on your ends or leave creases, but has a clip. Mine's the Drybar yellow one, but is identical to this except for its steep price tag. I also have a Sedu curling wand but I burn myself and cri evrytym.
  
  Hold
  
  
• Sebastian Shaper/Shaper+: My hairdresser uses this. They just changed their packaging so I've found it pretty cheap on Amazon and at TJ Maxx (~$7). When I heat-style my hair, it's great to spray all over (sometimes too much), let your hair cool and the spray dry, then brush out. You won't lose whatever you've done with this stuff. Lasts all day. (Similarly good: Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play is less brushable; Bumble and bumble Classic leaves your hair softer but does not hold as well.
  
  Shampoo
  
  
• Bumble and bumble Surf shampoo and conditioner: FINALLY! Does not weigh my hair down, but does not dry it out. I'm on set No. 3 and don't know if I'll ever change.
  
  Products that do not work for me
  
  I've wasted lots of money.
  
  
• Bumble and bumble Surf Spray: Smells divine; gives marginal volume. Will not do anything to make my hair less straight or, in a few hours, less flat.
  
  
• Living Proof Thickening Creme/Mousse: Oh my goodness these smell good. They both makes your hair feel good but no thicker than without it.
  
  
• John Frieda Luxurious Volume Anytime Volume Refresher: Just meh. It's fine, but doesn't do enough for my Big Texas Hair dreams.
  
  
• Sally Hershberger Supreme Lift: Nothing to write home about.
  
  
• Oscar Blandi Lacca Hairspray: STICKY! Holds well, but not good for me.
  
  
• TIGI Catwalk Your Highness Root Boost: Too liquidy so it goes on too heavily and weighs hair down. Needs a rework on the nozzle.
  
  TL;DR All I want is enormous hair with body for days. One day I'll figure it out.
  

I feel for you. I was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata (basically, when I am under a lot of stress, my hair dries out and falls out in clumps) at 13. I don't know if you're open to suggestions, but in the fourteen years since my diagnosis, I've tried almost everything and the routine below is best for keeping my hair healthy, even when it's thinning out at times. My hair is fine and wavy so these products are tailored to my own hair type but recommendations might be useful for you.

Firstly, I swear by the Bjorn Axen Repair line. This line does include sulfates so if you're not into that, this isn't for you. I don't tend to mind these types of things as I am usually more concerned with efficacy though. I use the shampoo and conditioner every other day (how frequently I wash my hair). Once a week, I sub in the Deep Repair Conditioner from the same line instead of the normal conditioner. These products are, admittedly, pricey but every time I try to stray away from this line I notice a distinct difference in my hair quality about two months later. My hair suddenly lacks shine, luster, bounce, and my hair fall increases. This line also doesn't burn my scalp the way a lot of Nioxin (and similar) products do. An added bonus, these products don't list "volumizing" as a trait but by Jove, do they also all help to volumize my hair without weighing it down.

Now onto styling products. Regardless of if I've showered, I use the next two products daily, as my hair gets obscenely dry even in the best of times. My ride or die leave in conditioner is the Nashi Argan Instant Hydrating Styling mask. This stuff is absolute gold. No other leave in conditioner is as good as this and nothing will ever convince me otherwise. It hydrates, it protects, and it doesn't weigh hair down. Then, as I also use a bit of mousse for density and volume. I quite like Kerastase products for this purpose and my go-to's tend to be the Kerastase Volumifique or Densimorphose Treatment, depending on the state of my hair. (Volumifique if it's happy and Densimorphose if my hair is stressed.) Both of these do a really nice job of plumping my hair without weighing it down or making it feel sticky. It also helps enhance my natural wave pattern.

Other tips that you'll hear everywhere when you're struggling with hair loss but that really do make a huge difference include:

• Switch to a Boar Bristle Brush for dry hair and styling. Bristle brushes don't snap and crack your fragile hair quite as badly as metal or plastic bristles. I have used this brush from Kent for years and it really does make a difference with split ends and breakage. Use a comb when your hair is wet rather than a brush as well, as it's gentler on your locks.
  
• DO NOT dye your hair in any circumstance while you're trying to regrow hair. If you're like me and hate your natural hair color, it's a great exercise in self love. But hair dye is an enemy to hair loss.
  
• Use heat tools sparingly. I do still blow dry my hair every day, but I let it air dry as much as possible and then blow dry on the coolest setting available. Curling irons and straighteners are for very special events only.
  
• Do not wear your hair in a pony tail/bind it up. As a teenager, this was the hardest one for me to accept. I loved pony tails and I always thought it helped hide the thinning. However, when you pull your hair up into a bun or pony tail, you hinder your hair's ability to fall throughout the day, meaning that when you take your hair out, you'll have an alarming amount of hair fall. Up-dos also pull on the scalp and on the hair, making more hair fall out than normal.
  
• Switch to a silk pillowcase. I did this about two years ago, when my stylist recommended it. It's small, but this helps control dryness and frizz. Plus, there are supposed to be pros for your skin as well.
  
• Don't expect to see quick results. Mending hair takes a few months and unfortunately that means waiting.
  
  Other ways to help your hair include supplements and diet etc. It's important to nourish your hair both inside and out when you're facing hair loss. I don't tend to mess with supplements but there are a ton out there and I would talk to your doctor if you're interested in trying it. Otherwise, I was told a general multi-vitamin should be sufficient in helping with hair fall way back in the day.
  
  Now, lastly (this has been a beast of a comment) I also have the Mirena and I will say, it unfortunately could be hormones. I'm in my fifth year with it and during years 2-3, my hair was the best it had ever been since puberty. (And puberty is when my hair fell and thinned out.) Towards the end of year 4 though, I started noticing some thinning and drying out of my hair. (Although, I had just started a new insane job and moved and since my alopecia rears its head when stressed so there's that, I think that has something to do with it.) I would absolutely recommend discussing this with your gynecologist.
  
  Anyways, this was really long, unsolicited advice. Sorry for that. I hope you find an answer to your hair loss and I wish you luck in nursing it back to health!
  
  Edit: Formatting
  

Invest in a good dry shampoo to keep oil at bay. I like Living Proof. It's pricey but well worth it. To look a it more "adult" and put together, I'll use a hair clip like this or this rather than a hair tie. Still out of the way but a bit more elegant. Also, a hair stylist can help you with a look that is elegant and "adult" but still easy to work with. Get trims so your hair can stay healthy.

What I do is put a wavy hair mousse in my hair when it's damp, blow dry my roots for volume and go eat breakfast/do makeup/fold laundry/whatever for about 10-15minutes, my hair dries fast. Then when it's all dry I have some nice waves and put in dry shampoo to soak any oil up, run a serum through the ends for some shine and to keep fly aways down and clip it back. Sounds like a lot but it takes me about 5-7 minutes of hands-on time. Also I find that the more I take care of my skin, the more rested and healthy I look. I use a good moisturizer at night and a hydrating eye cream. A little under eye concealer and mascara goes a loooooong way in helping my self confidence when going out in public.

Invest in yourself. It's not "high maintenance" to make sure you have clean, neat and healthy hair. Taking care of your skin is equally important in my opinion. I feel so much more productive and organized when I take just ten minutes to put myself together in the morning.

Products I like:
hair clips I haven't used these particular ones, just this style.
favorite dry shampoo
argan oil serum
mousse for volume
love this face moisturizer with spf
this eye cream works wonders for me

Ok, ready yourself for product review bombardment! Also, I thought a fun Christmas idea this year would be to give stockings to my close girlfriends with my favorite new products I've tried out this year.

Tend Skin Aftershave - I actually just recommended this product on the post asking about razor bumps. I will never go without this product again in my life. MY GOD it burns! And it smells like pure rubbing alcohol, but it delivers as promised. I've been using in conjuctions with...

Cerave Renewing SA Cream - I use this all over my body because I get crazy razor bumps AND I have keratosis pilaris (chicken skin) on top of a thyroid problem (so I get dry as the desert skin).

Aquaphor - I realize for some people this is an obvious, but I've always had chapped lips, nonstop, and this seems to be keeping them moisturized better than anything I've tried. It's also helping with my psoriasis on my elbow, when I remember to apply.

Stila Stay All Day Lipstick - I don't know who this stays all day on. I can't even make it to lunch without being lipstick-less. Do I need to set it with something?? I've tried applying different amounts to see if that changes the outcome but nope. Sadness.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation - This one I'm kind of on the fence about. I don't hate it. It hasn't broken me out. It's not oxidizing. I still have a nice enough complexion when I take it off at night. But there's just something...thick? pore-y? about it. When I look at myself close up, I see 'bad skin' instead of flawless finish that I want to see...And I don't even feel like I really have bad skin, so much as I just have dry skin.

Shea Moisture Intensive Hydration Shampoo/Conditioner - sigh. I wanted to like this. I needed it to be my holy grail shampoo/conditioner. Sadly it's not anywhere near. My hair somehow managed to feel dry and greasy at the same time after using. Only my hair could accomplish that!

Aussie Moist Conditioner - Frankly I don't know if this does anything good for my hair, but it gives it good slip and it smells AMAZING.

Tresemme Flawless Curls Mousse - I decided to give this a shot for my coarse, dry, wavy hair because I read that alcohol-free mousse helps when you have wavy hair and air dry. SIGH. My hair seems to be...frizzier on top of my head now? I don't know how this happened. The first time I applied, I did just from about my ear/shoulder level down - no good. The next time I did full hair length - no good. Next I waited just a bit so my hair was a little more air dried (not long, maybe 5 minutes longer) - no good. This product is just not for me. Also it leaves a gross residue that doesn't scrunch out.

NEXT UP, I'll be trying out Loreal Air Dry It Spray to see if I can tame the beast!

I also just ordered Joico Ironclad Heat Protectant for when I give up on the poofy beast and straighten it.

I've used Cali White Teeth Whitening Kit for two nights now, technically three, but I paused after the first night to wait for my remineralizing gel to arrive. I will review after enough time has passed to determine if it's working. I chose it because I have crazy sensitive teeth and it doesn't contain peroxide like most teeth whitening systems.

Let me know if you have any questions/want more detail about any of these products!



EDIT: I forgot about my new deodorant! I've been using Donna Karan Cashmere Mist for a few weeks now and love it! I feel so feminine wearing it instead of sharing my husband's deodorant. It works pretty well too cause I'm a sweaty, sweaty girl. It's a very firm texture compared to most solid deodorants, and the scent is sort of baby powder-ish, sort of old-lady, sort of moroccan amber (which is my new fave scent I found thru Nest home stuffs).

You've got some pretty nice hair there, man! I love the texture and thickness, and I can't tell if that shine you've got going on is natural or from a product, but either way, I think it's pretty slick. You have the high forehead and kind of angular face to pull off the long hair. If I were you, I'd keep growing it, so I could make a tight pony tail with all of my hair when it's convenient and keep it all swept back pretty easily without an elastic band. If you want to aim for a smoother, more voluminous look, consider trying out some volumizing pre-styling mousse and blow-dry it straight up for a few minutes to give the roots a boost and make your 'do fuller overall. If you haven't already, you should definitely check out /r/fierceflow. It's a great subreddit with a lot of solid pointers and guides for guys with long hair like you. Good luck with your future follicle ventures, dude!

Have always wanted to share! :) Long-time lurker here.

Recently got a Deva cut with a stylist in Richmond, VA, USA. Not sure if I would be breaking the rules stating the salon and stylist but she was wonderful and you can PM if interested. I'm one to follow a pretty frugal hair budget. I'm sorry if my routine is boring! Even at 23, my hair has never been something I've embraced but rather maintained. As a child and teen I had my fair share of bad haircuts and for a while I decided to just grow it long! I can't say I use masques and multiple serums but I'm learning and loving the feeling of really embracing what I have! Also, before pic is 3 days no wash so not how it looks at its best for me but I think it shows that I can have some all-over-the-place curl patterns if not tamed.

Shampoo: Trader Joe's Nourish Spa Shampoo (see frugal hair budget)

Conditioner: Trader Joe's Nourish Spa Conditioner

Very generous with the conditioner... work my fingers through while wet. Washing (shampoo and conditioner) two to three times a week - probably not great for my hair but I'm a sucker for clean feeling hair and suds.

Immediately after getting out of shower while hair is wet and work in products with fingers:

1. Volume Spray: Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl It Up Boost Spray (Amazon)
   
2. Mousse: TRESemmé Flawless Curls Mousse, Extra Hold (Amazon)
   
3. Gel: TRESemmé Hair Gel, Mega Sculpting (Amazon)

I've got a few suggestions for you, some of them for products and some for hair-related changes:

1. How long is long? If your hair is down to your mid-back, for example, it may be hard to get products like those I'm going to recommend to do a lot for you, simply because the weight of your hair is pulling it flat. Taking the length up a few inches could do wonders for you.
   
   
2. Wash every day. Or, wash without conditioning. I know, I know. This goes against every rule anyone has ever given you about washing hair. And it might not work, but try it. My logic here is that your hairs natural oils are probably weighing your hair down. You might get a little more volume and body to your hair by changing how you wash. Either a) washing every day, which will decrease oiliness day to day, or b) only condition every other wash, which will decrease moisture and smoothness to your hair.
   
   
3. Use a mousse before letting your hair dry. This can help you build some volume from roots to ends. I like R+Co Rodeo Star and Living Proof Full.
   
   How to use it: after washing and towling your hair dry until its just a bit damp, spray a dollop into your hand and work through the hair from roots to ends. Then, give a quick blow dry or let it air dry. Ruffle it with your hands, brush, basically do whatever you have to do so that it gets to the point that you like it. Then:
   
   
4. Hairspray. There are tons of youtube videos on how to use hairspray. For you, I'd recommend Living Proof Perfect Hair Day and Kristin Ess Beach Wave Spray, if you want a beachy or just different look.
   
   Hope this helps!

It looks amazing! Really beautiful waves, but I think with a bit of time, they will get a nice curl.

​

The as I am cowash is perfect to use on its own, it doesn't need any shampoo or low poo. Its a cleansing conditioner, so just need the one product. I love it so much, made my hair so clean and soft, but its too much moisture for my hair to use regularly.

​

If you are willing to spend some money to buy some products, there are some really great gels available online. Aussie Instant Freeze gel is such a winner. I don't think I've ever seen a curly not love it. Its only available in the US, but amazon deliver to the UK. Aussie Instant Freeze Gel comes in a pack of 3 too!

Caveat I've never tried the look myself so I can't guarantee this will work.


That being said, I've personally found, and read online that with asian hair, since it's so strong and straight, blow drying it is mandatory for pretty much any sort of style. Now, with respect to this hair style, it looks like you'll need the top of your hair to be at least 10 cm long. Any shorter and, with asian hair, you'll just end up with the spiky dragon ball Z look.


So for styling:

• First I would suggest starting with a heat protectant mousse, something like this apply it to damp, towel dried hair. Slick your hair back with the mousse then blow dry it in the direction you want. Blow dry until the hair no longer feels slick or wet. The mousse does two things, first it stops your hair from being damaged/dried out by the heat of the blow dryer, second it works with the heat to hold your hair in the direction that you blow dried it. You'll have to blow dry a lot to get it to go straight and back to give the slicked back look. You can try clipping or holding your hair down while it's still wet in the backwards position and then blowing it from there.
  
  
  
• Next use gatsby and slick it through your hair holding it down, straight and back. Gatsby is a japanese product designed with asian hair in mind. You can use other waxes like kevin murphy nightrider or Hanz De Fuko Claymation but I find for the hold, Gatsby is the cheapest option. It's about $10 whereas the other choices are pushing $20+. I suggest a matte wax because I personally find gels or other slick, shiny products tend to look really terrible in Asian hair. Rather than looking sleek and shiny the dark blackness of Asian hair tends to make it look greasy. That's just my opinion though. You can absolutely replace this step with a gel or other holding product that you like. The point of this step is to weigh your hair down with a product where the product also has sufficient hold to keep it in place in the direction you want.
  
  
  
• Last hairspray. This is just to lock everything in. A couple puffs of hairspray (not too much or your hair ends up with the greasy look) to lock everything in and keep it in place. This step is optional but I personally like using a bit of hairspray because I find hairspray to be more moisture resistant. If I sweat a bit I'm not immediately ruining my style, same thing if it's raining a bit. Hairspray also helps to keep any stray hairs in place if it gets windy or you're running around or something like that.
  
  
  And that's it. Like I said, I'm not sure if this will work for sure as I've never done a completely slicked back hairstyle. But overall I know for sure, with Asian hair, the key is to blow dry it. A blowdryer is your best tool, above any product, when dealing with Asian hair.

I'm a little late, but I'm going to jump in because I've been using a straightening iron to curl my hair since I got cut and it's working beautifully. My hair usually curled easily but lost it after a couple hours - I've been using the mousse that my hairdresser sold me (Sebastian Mousse Forte, and I paid $18 for it, like the rube I am) and I think that's made the difference. I use a Chi that I bought for $99 and is still going strong 5 years after I bought it. I've also found that it makes a difference to go veeeeery slowly when pulling the iron down the hair. Sometimes it's even like pull, hold, pull, hold. Then keep everything in ringlets until it's cool, and finger-comb them out. I get a great curl that stays ALL day. I'm incredibly happy with my hair now.

Ok so I use Shea Moisture curl and shine masque
on my towel dry hair fresh out of the shower. About a quarter sized dollop. Then I'll put some sort of gel again a quarter sized dollop or less. Get the curls where you want them and dont touch your wet hair. Let it air dry or use a gentle hair dryer. I prefer air dry if I can. Once your hair is pretty much dry use your hands to "crunch" the gel. Dont run your fingers through it, just grab handfuls and squeeze.

I hope this all makes sense as I am astoundingly hungover at the moment. I was out last night when I replied to your post. But I came home and opened my drawers to tell you what I use because I want you to like your hair more. Give it an honest try (saturday/sunday might be the time to expirement) and let me know how it goes. Good luck OP.

Leave in conditioner is the best for me. I have wavy hair that frizzes the second I run my fingers through it. I can't brush it at all if it's dry.

I use Garnier leave in conditioner. It's usually around 4$ for a smaller bottle. I put that in right after a shower (My doctor told me that it's best to put lotion on right after a shower, so maybe it applies to hair as well?), and comb it through. Next is mousse, I use aussie and finally is this. Lots of product but it has made my hair really healthy and I get complements on it from my hairdressers whenever I go.

I also heard mayonnaise makes good deep conditioner and may help? I haven't tried it though!

*I also use a bit of olive oil sometimes as well. But be sure not to put a ton in.

I'm new here but have read all of the super helpful intro info, product recs, and guides. It's why I have these questions/concerns:

I got my hair cut and styled by a curly hair specialist for the first time (more about my hair/routine below). She offered me advice on methods and products. She was real enough to recommend drug store products over the fancy salon stuff.

She recommended that I cowash with Aussie Miracle Curls Co-Wash and use [ORS Olive Oil Hold & Shine Wrap/Set Mousse] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00449Q4SU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_rRYZBbH5HZ3K9) to S2C before blowdrying my hair with a diffuser. I dont know what I'm doing so I also bought Cantu Natural Complete Conditioning Co-Wash. (all links have ingredient lists)

Since then (in the past few days), I've stumbled upon this sub and have been reading. I just checked, and none of the above are CG-approved.

I'm a little confused (although I get that CG makes blanket statements and YMMV within them) -- but I'm mostly cautious. I've been shampooing and conditioning only 1-2x/week with sulfate-etc-free products for the past 4 years. I don't want to mess my hair up by introducing needless or harmful ingredients.

Heres what I've been using for several years now:

DermOrganic Daily Conditioning Shampoo with Argan Oil - Sulfate-Free & Color-Safe and [DermOrganic Daily Hydrating Conditioner with Argan Oil] (Https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0062A47VU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_OcZZBbKZCHHN1).

About my hair:

• I had long hair (wavy with some ringlet curls) and now have hair a little longer than shoulder-length.
  
• I have never dyed or treated my hair.
  
• For the past four years, my routine has been to shampoo and condition with the above DermOrganics products around 1-2x/week.
  
• I always let it air dry.
  
• For about a year or two, I was using a curling wand to curl my hair.
  
  Should I return what I can and buy some CG-approved products? Should I return to my old conditioner (DermOrganics) but without the shampoo? Should I eat the cookie staring at me from across the room? Questions.

Do you have straight or curly hair? I have thick, curly hair and I basically swear by Shea Moisture products. Even if you have straight hair, they have a ton of different lines, and they should all help with dryness or damage in your hair.

Edit: a hair mask once a week might also help!

Edit 2: I've been using the hair mask from the Jamaican line and this leave-in conditioner from that line has good reviews: Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Conditioner Leave-In 16 Ounce (473ml) (2 Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FXMPA7C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_BOYwzbWWPKGSB

A spray hair milk might also do what you want. I use this one every day that I don't wash my hair and it helps with frizz and let's me reshape my hair: Carols Daughter Hair Milk Nourishing & Conditioning Refresher Spray, 10 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LI2ETQK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_rSYwzbZE84HJV

And this one is like $5 and is more moisturizing, I think: Just For Me Hair Milk Leave-In Detangler 10 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MO3CG6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_xTYwzb4Q3YQVF

I would buy these at Walmart or Target if you could, so you can take them back if they don't work out. I think the most moisturizing leave-in products will be found on the "ethnic" hair care aisles. I don't even shop on the mainstream aisles anymore, just because I need that moisture! Hope this helps!

Trust me, I know your pain. For further info, I use this:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BVMA9H0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Comb with a part, blow dry upside-down, run a comb through it when it's dry to break up the clumped hairs, then I use this:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UPO54M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

to get the exact shape. This stuff is great, it stays flexible throughout the day but still has good hold

Fine hairs suck but this is the best method I've worked out to get good looking hair styling

I have the exact same problem... Throughout life I've alternated between short (almost military cut) and medium curls (1.5-2.5 inch long). When I have it longer, it tends to frizz like yours does. I've found a couple tips that help... let your hair dry wet. Muss it around so its half way wet and curly, then let it dry like that. Don't touch it or turns to fro. I also use a curl enhancer or definer when using this process, and it makes it not break up into fro-ness early in the day. http://www.amazon.com/Paul-Mitchell-Definer-6-8-Ounces-Bottle/dp/B002RS6L10/ref=sr_1_20?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1347241832&sr=1-20

good luck man... embrace the curls!

Well I’m not military, but I found something that works for me. I’ve actually very recently discovered that if I use root boot/volume products, specifically ones with PVP on my scalp/the crown of my head close to the roots, it dries much much faster. For some context I have very fine but dense hair, maybe 1 1/2’ long. It would usually take 5+ hours of air drying for my hair to mostly dry, now it takes an hour and It’ll be bone dry. Bonus: my hair would also get greasy looking in about 8 hours, but because PVP is a film former, I can go 2 days without looking greasy! These are the two products I’ve tried, but I’m sure there are lots of other ones that would work:
Theorie Altitude Volumizing Spray & Rock Your Hair Size Matters

I've tried the Sebastian texturizer, but I like the volupt spray better. That Batiste powder is a root booster, I'd say. You just put a bit of it into your roots and plump your hair up with your fingers. This is the same type of product that also does a good job.

For a good setting lotion, I've been really enjoying Lottabody. It keeps my curls going for about 2 days!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003Y5FHAQ?pc_redir=1411853385&robot_redir=1

This is another favorite but may be too oily for your hair type. It is more accessible than Lottabody and smells really good!

As a girl with very curly hair, I can tell you argan oil will be your best friend! And try to shampoo as little as possible, like once a week at most. Just use conditioner usually. And curly hair only needs to be showered every other day or it dries out. These are the products I use:

Cleaner and conditioner and mousse

I used the Shea Moisture Conditioner and Pantene Flexible Hair Gel Tomorrow I’m gonna try the Shea moisture “curl milk.” Hopefully it’s not as crunchy as this gel was. But dang those curls were near perfect!

i used to have the same issue. i have pretty thin, fine hair. not balding just how my hair has always been. a good mousse is the only solution that has really worked for me. Personally, i use this one, but since i've never used a different one, i can't vouch for its quality

I have similar problem as you- lots of fine, blonde hair. I also used to straighten it every day until I discovered a hair diffuser attachment for my blow dryer. That coupled with a few pumps of Paul Mitchell Round Trip Curl Definer and I get cute, wavy hair.

Sebastian Mousse Forte

and I go for this kind of hairstyle.

This mousse