It Will Change Your Life, Or At Least Your Roots

If you are plagued with fine, straight hair that is naturally prone to flatness, you should read on. If you have bouncy, fluffy hair, you should stop reading, but only after you have gotten on your knees to thank the Lord for His bounty to you.

I fall in the first camp--my hair naturally has about as much bounce and volume as a twelve-ton rock. Eight years ago, I started having my hair cut by Sarah. She is brilliant and funny and talented and she has almost made all the flatness manageable, primarily by giving me eight years' worth of instruction of the proper root-teasing technique, which I have taken to heart with the fiery passion of a thousand suns.

(Seriously. I can tease some roots. When I finish with them each morning, you could just about land a helicopter on them. But then I walk out the door to be greeted by Oklahoma humidity, and the flatness comes back, as it does for all of us who are thus afflicted.)

At my last appointment, Sarah told me about this stuff:

It's called Powder Play, by Big Sexy Hair.

I never buy salon products a) because I am cheap and b) when I have tried them, I couldn't tell a difference. But Sarah was insistent that this stuff was worth every penny--"life-changing" was the word, I believe. I tend to roll my eyes at products with names like "Big Sexy Hair", but on second thought, I realize we cannot afford the luxury of subtlety in our quest for root volume. So I gave it a go.

Well.

This strange little substance, which is very similar in consistency with baby powder, is a miracle drug. You sprinkle it in very small amounts directly onto your roots and then work it in with your fingers. It feels very strange, but let me just tell you that your roots will stand at attention like the President has walked in the room. And--here's the kicker--it will STAY fluffy. Even if you don't wash it the next day.

(If you did not gasp at that last statement, then you clearly have never suffered from questionable root volume and do not understand the plight of those of us who do, so please just turn away.)

I will confess I am a little curious about the ingredients of a product that will cause such impressive stand-up-ishness. My mom (who uses the stuff too--our flat hair is genetic but NOT ANYMORE) and I have wondered what, precisely, we are massaging directly into our beleaguered scalps. We have decided to live in happy, volume-filled ignorance.

(And, by the way, the Big Sexy Hair people are not in any way compensating me for this post, mostly because there has never been a less qualified spokeswoman for a product called "Big Sexy", unless they have a division I don't know about called "Medium-Sized Housewife-ish".)

Comments

[MemeGRL]

Thanks for the tip! I was never a believer in hair products either, mostly because I came of age in the era of Dep, which shellacked hair and left it nice and crispy and after age 14, that was not what I was looking for. But I am coming around to the idea that some of the new ones might actually work without creating helmet hair. Love the tip--thanks!

[Dorci]

Bless you! I am forever trying one root lifter after another, after which my comment is usually, "eh." Will try it out!

ps. - I can tease with the best of 'em, too. :)

[boomama]

You need to know that I'm going to order it within the next 30 seconds.

And I've seen some of the Big Sexy products at TJ Maxx for much cheaper than you can get them in salons - wonder if this might show up there, too?

[The Diaper Diaries]

Bless you and your desire to share product information with others who have been cursed with the flat limp hair gene. If ever there was a reason to come back to blogging, this is it. Now that Lost is over perhaps we can dedicate a weekly post to helping those who suffer from bad hair?

[Mrs Lemon]

oooh, I need this stuff! NEED!!!

[Rachel]

SOrry, I fall into the camp that I would trade you in a heart beat for my hair, which apparently doesn't like Oklahoma's humidity and takes lots of product and over an hour of straight ironing to look like yours, but I will say, I've hard really good things about BSH products, I also am a fan of the Chi products that are available at Wally world or the local Food Pyramid.

[Desiree]

I am so thankful for your post (did I say thankful for a root lifter post?). Yes, I suffer from lifeless hair. I am cheap too and if it is not Suave or cheaper I usually don't go there. I am glad that you are back to posting! I did not get into Lost! Sorry, I know that was probably heretical or something. :)

[Nana]

Ok. I'm just going to ask. Has anyone here tried going without shampoo or any other hair products? Hmph. Didn't think so. At first, I thought it was a ridiculous idea, but then I had to try it to see what these granolas were talking about. Me? I have long, wavy, oily hair which does its own thing where it wants to do it. My bangs do go flat if I don't use a spray gel and volumizing hairdrying technique. Ha. So, when I stopped using shampoo (I "wash" with baking soda in a cup of water), my hair is soooo different. It has its own body! The bangs do what they're supposed to do w/o anything added. And I don't have to worry about strange chemicals all over my head.

Now I will say that I do use shampoo about once per month b/c my hair is SO oily, but that aside, it could be worth an experiment for one of you.

[Stephanie]

Your descriptions crack me up! You really are a wonderful writer! Who knew reading a post about a hair product could be so entertaining? :)

[pendy]

Nana, I have tried the baking soda thing and yes, it does help with volume. It's weird, but it works. Once in a while I just have to do shampoo, though. Just because.

Not only do I have the flat, lifeless hair...I have the post-menopausal losing what little thin limp hair I had to begin with hair. Not fun. Also? I live in south Georgia, a mecca for humidity.

I am always trying new products (Freeze It hairspray is one that I read about on a blog and I do like it) and so I will definitely be trying this one and thanks for the tip.

[Dawn @ Wherever He Leads]

This post cracked me up. I do not have flat lifeless hair. I have natural curl with a strong desire to frizz! It is lovely especially when it is 97 with 100% humidity! Flat would be better than looking like I stuff a fork in an electrical plug!

Like you, I normally shy away from salon products because I am too cheap. I did try this stuff called Curls Rock (or something like that). It was supposed to wonder for my curls. ha! It basically felt like that paste that you use in elementary school - the one that comes in a big tub. How are you supposed to spread paste through your hair when all it wants to do is stick to your hands? Then end result was a mixture between frizz and stiff frozen curls. The stuff that hair dreams are made of!

[Adventures In Babywearing]

I'm intrigued. And a bit skeptical. Have you seen my stick straight fine hair? Just might be a mission I'm willing to accept.

And I love that it's YOU that is writing about something Big Sexy LOL.

Steph

[Wordfiend]

Hey, could you post before and after pics?

[Lainie@ Mishmash Maggie]

Back from Ulta... Big Sexy products were buy two, get one free. In your picture that can looks LARGE and it is a teeny can. I kept looking for a LARGER version for Larger Hair- hee hee.

I will try... I will also use it's two companions... What A Tease and Big Shine.

Who knows, maybe my hair will need it's own zip code!

[AprilMay]

OK I have the straightest, finest "baby hair" in all of at least the state of Oregon, but the "POW" on the can just cracks me up. I have to try this just because of the POW.

[Sarah]

Re: the gal that used Curls Rock by TIGI...Don't use so much. a little goes a VERY long way with this product. When it dries it will be a little 'crisp'...just a little...simply 'crunch' your hair and it will be soft and your curls will stay nicely shaped.Thankyou my Dear customer:) Again I say that the only sad thing here is that none of your readers can listen to your wonderful stories with your Arkansas accent like I can and enjoy muchly!!!

[Darla]

The more humid it is here, the bigger my hair gets. SRSLY - every time I use the restroom I get my hands good and wet and crunch it through my hair (I have curls) to tame it (and I use Aveda's Be Curly products - ALL of them. Sigh). I don't know which one of us has it worse - flat hair or can't fit through the door hair.

[Shannon]

Aw, Sarah...thanks!

[Fiddledeedee]

Sigh. I'd love to try it and have big sexy hair, but fear my head would take on a new zip code. I have Roseanne Rosannadanna hair. That must be tamed. In other words, it is fluffy. But not in a good way. I'm always on the hunt for a new product that will give me miraculous results. :)

[Lynn]

I started using this product after my hairdresser told me about it. I love it! It makes a big difference and I agree it is worth the price.

[Becky]

Do I have to go to Sarah to get this stuff?

[Hillary (aka Mrs. Einstein)]

Oh, my! Wouldn't this be wonderful! I just may have to try it. My hair won't even stay teased, it's so fine and flat.

[heather]

You are too, too funny, yet I understand all too well what you are talking about. I had a friend who introduced me to a similar product a couple of years ago and it is AH-MAZING!

[Julie]

I looked up the contact info for Big Sexy Hair and sent them a link to your post. Hope they come read it! It's fabulous! :)

[Dawn @ Wherever He Leads]

Hi Sarah, I am the one that used Curls Rock. I didn't use a lot, but maybe I am not hair savvy enough to use this stuff! I literally could not spread it through my hair because it was so...gooey. I appreciate the tip though. I have no trouble believing this was a customer problem and not a product problem. : )

[Shannon]

No, any place that sells that brand should have it.

[Diamond]

I am so very glad I found your blog .. you are a talented voice in the blogosphere. This post truly proves it ..you made a hair product funny and interesting.. WOOT for Big Sexy!! :))

[Sarah]

Hi Dawn this is a silly question but I'm assuming you put in on your hair when it was wet? If not you should...It isn't for putting on dry hair...let me know:)

[Sarah]

Hi Dawn,OH, I see here it is that I need to reply to you...dumb hairdresser!!!! I'm assuming you put the Curls Rock on your hair wet...you should..it is not for dry hair. Having said that it should really go on your wet hair very easily...:)

[Dawn @ Wherever He Leads]

Yes, wet hair. That was the one part I did right. : )

[MarytheKay]

Oh, you do make me GIGGLE!!!

Ask Sarah about the brand new product Wax Blast 10 by Redken. My stylist (I feel so cool when I say that!!) used it on my poor limp roots last week, and I KNEW I had to buy that stuff!!! It sounds similar to your Powder Play--but may be easier to use? It is a spray wax. Sprays on like a very dry hairspray, but adds instant texture--va va va voom texture.

[Tiff]

I don't have this problem at all but I tell you...this totally cracked me up!!

[Abby Hyink]

Thank you for the delightfully funny post. I've missed you. :-)

[Sarah]

don't know about the Wax Blast....but I've used products like this in the past...I would say that it may make your hair 'heavy' after a while...and perhaps 'moist'...but I suppose you would be just trading 'waxy' for 'chalky' :):):)The powder leaves your hair dry rather than waxy or pasty feeling like a 'definer'....

[Sandi]

I have a similar affliction but was wondering if you could include before and after pictures to show me what I'm missing!

[[email protected]]

Sounds like good stuff. Your description of all it's stand-up-ness made me giggle and wonder if any male enhancement drugs were listed in the ingredients! I'm a wax girl myself...but may give Big Sexy a try!

[Rocky]

i'm a big fan of the BigSexyHair products, just not the price. this may be the new thing i'll have to go try. thanks for the tip.

[Leslie]

K- today I had my hair done and I heard about this TODAY. I watched her apply this within 10 seconds - she had natural looking lift.
I tell you that stuff works amazingly.
And it doesn't require a cosmetology certificate.
*grin*

[TJ]

Shannon, I am not trying to hijack your blog, but since it appears that "the" Sarah is now in the conversation, would you mind if she gave us other flatheads some simple instructions on proper and effective teasing? I am so eager to try this product as the last in a long line of such promised-to-lift products I purchased was a big fail, as my teenagers would say. Loved the post!

[Debbie @ Cheaper by the Bakers Dozen]

Just when I think reading blogs (except mine) are a waste of my precious summer-time, I read something like this post and immediately repent of my foolish thoughts. I'd leave a longer comment but I have pressing business at the drugstore cosmetic department.

And you've earned a place in my Blogs That Inspire Me on my sidebar. Congratulations.

Seriously, you always make me laugh. And Lord knows, with 11 children, I need to lighten up.

[Kimberly]

Ooooh, I'll have to try this. I love the Big Sexy products, I've been a fan of their hairspray for years!

[Debbie @ Cheaper by the Bakers Dozen]

Are you just "teasing" us (honestly, I totally crack myself up some times). I have been to four stores in our area that sell the Big Sexy products and I can't find this one. Can you tell us where you got yours?

[Christine]

I am one of those people who should have stopped reading after the first line (my problem is quite the opposite), but I've never followed directions well, and there is one statement you made that is bugging me. A 12 ton rock would, in fact, have considerable volume. Granted, it would not have bounce, but that is one big rock.

[Michelle]

Woo-Hoo! I'm gonna get my hands on this stuff ASAP! Love reading your blog! Thank you Thank you for sharing!!!!

[Debbie @ Cheaper by the Bakers Dozen]

After going on a Big Sexy scavenger hunt (9 stores and counting...) I finally succumbed to the $16.50 price at amazon.com. Every day I've been content to tease and spray, patiently waiting for the FedEx guy to come with my miracle product. Well, today it came - and at first glance at the teensiest container I've ever seen, I feel like I've been taken by a Big Sexy scam artist. Please tell me your Powder Play is only 1x3, like mine. Is this a sample size?! It costs more per ounce than gold (which will be totally worth it, if it works. I'll let you know.)