Review - Nick Chavez Flocker

A state-of-the-art, fast-drying, texturizing and volumizing universal hair styling spray.

This product proves that you should always READ THE DIRECTIONS before trying a new product. Now, I am big on directions in certain milieus - building shelving, driving in the country, changing a tire - but in other arenas, I tend to ignore them. Cooking falls into this category, as well as hair products. "What could the package POSSIBLY say to do that I won't just DO?" Well, in the case of this Nick Chavez Flocker, it says to spray the stuff into your hands, then work through your hair. I sprayed it directly on to my head.

Do not do this unless you enjoy looking dirty all day (which, I don't know, you might).

Once I started using it as directed, I really liked it - when used in conjunction with a blowdryer, I got LOTS of volume. This is probably best for medium-length hair: if your hair is shorter than a Louise Brooks bob, you could probably find something to give the same effect with more hold, and if your hair is longer than your shoulders, I imagine that this flocker might weigh it down a bit. But for ladies in between, this stuff is great!

Trish says: Ever have those days when no matter what you do, your hair looks rather bad up and a whole lot worse down? My hair has a mind of its own sometimes and surely likes to rebel just for kicks some days. Here comes in the beauty of Nick Chavez's Flocker. (I love the name for some reason.) When my hair wants to be neither calm nor full, but rather unruly and limp, I go to this wonderful hair care product. It feels as light as a mousse, but strong enough as a volumizer and works gently through my hair. As a result, my hair whips back into shape with more texture and volume and malleability and I can safely leave home without needing to wear a hat as a cover up. Also, I really like that it is light enough to not weigh my hair down too heavily, but also it gives my hair some texture, body, strength and shape. Thanks Flocker for rescuing me from those limp and bad hair days!

Josephine says: Flocker? I just met her. Ha. Ahh, you have to self-amuse in life, right? I am don't have much to add by way of original content thanks to the eloquence of the girls above but I will reiterate that this stuff is so awesome not to mention intelligent. It somehow intuits what your hair needs and then without drama does it. I also struggled initially with how/when/why to use it but as soon as I glanced at the directions I felt empowered to eventually use it off-label, if you will. Also, about 2 months ago I underwent a Japanese straightening treatment and my waves went from unruly and frizzy (at times) to swanky and slinky yet Flocker works as well now as it did when I tried it pre-treatment.

Review- Living Proof Full Thickening Cream

This styling innovation allows fine, thin hair to act like thick hair with naturally soft, touchable body. By depositing thickening points on the hair strands, Full creates a thicker surface that enables fine hair to have natural movement and bounce, beautiful shape, and volume throughout the day. While traditional thickening products create a hard, brittle hold that collapses upon touch, Full allows your style to remain flexible, soft, and resilient. Go ahead, run your fingers through your hair, no need to fear a style fall. 1.8 oz.=$14 3.7=$24

This product is like my dream come true. If you've ever been plagued by limp locks, those days are over! I combed a dime-sized blob through my damp hair and blow dried as usual and voila! I had totally full, bouncy, sex kitten hair that lasted for days and smelled divine. It didn't flatten out when I put on my winter hat, or tied it up in a ponytail for my workout. All I had to do was brush it gently back into place, and it bounced back beautifully, with no flaking, or weird dents like some other thickening products can leave. And the best part is its totally affordable, and since you only need a tiny bit each time, it will last and last.

Hillary says: This product should be called "No More Bed Head" because that's my favorite thing about it! True I like the additional fullness it imparts to my hair, but since I have straight hair that I wear down, this stuff does add volume, but it's not my favorite part. My favorite part is the new found hair freedom this stuff gives me. I can put my long hair back in a ponytail and not have to straight iron it the next day. I don't have to wet and blow dry my bangs in the morning when I wake up. It's as if this cream holds the memory of the last way you blow dried your hair and puts it right back into place. And it lasts for days. I only wash my hair 2-3 times a week because it's so dry & colored, but this stuff stands up even on the third day. You simply apply a nickel sized amount for longer hair avoiding the roots. comb it through and blow dry as usual. Then you've got voluminous hair that will keep it's shape no matter how you tie it up or scrunch it down w/ a hat. Seriously, everyone needs to try this stuff. It's my new favorite product. Considering the price and the small amount one has to use, it's a real bargain. I loved Living Proof's No Frizz and now I love their Full. The secret is they hired a bunch of scientists to come up with totally unique formulations to use in their hair products. All I know is I hope they keep them happy so they keep churning out awesome products like this!

Review- Aussie Aussome Volume Spray Gel

"Take a hands off approach to gel. Spritz this ultra fine mist, for ultra high volume. No mess here! Look, ma! No hands! Kissed with white ginger and hops, Aussome Volume Spray Gel lets you crank up the volume and style - and turn down the mess. Contains natural Australian ingredients. " $4.69

I love styling products that come in a spray, let me just say that. I have long nails and dipping into the tub of my usual gel gets very messy. This is a gel with a "Strong" hold (according to the label) which makes it a 2 out of 4 in strength. There are 2 things that I really like about this product in addition to it being a spray:
1. It's entirely flexible in it's usage. If I want to spray it on and scrunch my hair I can and if I want to blow dry my hair pin straight with it, I can do that too.
2. It gives you a nice even coat of gel. You spray more where you need more, but you can cover your head in an even fashion. And this volumizing gel leaves hair touchable, not glued.

The last time I got my hair cut the stylist taught me a trick to using volumizer. I have very soft, "slippery" hair and by spraying on some volumizer, it doesn't have to add volume, but it does add grip to the contact between my hair and a brush. So now when I want to dry my hair straight, I use this volumizing gel and a round bristle brush and the hair actually clings to the brush. It used to slide right off. It makes for the ultimate blow-out. She also told me to avoid volumizers with alcohol and this product has none. Add to that the fact you can get this at your local drugstore and I'd say I've got a keeper.

Sheba says I have had some very good luck with Aussie products and this is one that really does seem to work well. I try anything that claims to add the look of more volume. I prefer the 'spray' or the 'pour into hands and work into hair' ones for the same reason as Hillary. I prefer not to dip my hands into it. I can feel the texture it adds to my hair when I am styling it. I realize it is the product coating the hair I am feeling but it does feel nice and full. It does give the appearance of fuller hair and that is what I am searching for. There are often coupons available for Aussie and, like Hillary mentioned, you can find them locally for reasonable prices. In addition to coupons, their products go on sale pretty often also.

Maria says: I have GOT to stop being such a drug-store brand snob. Seriously, I'm missing out on some really good products - such as this volumizer from Aussie. My number one reason for liking it is for the fact that it does not weigh my hair down. HUGE plus. I also like the way it sprays - I know that may sound off, but I've tried a lot of volumizing sprays and it comes out in a foam or too thin a mist - you can get a lot of coverage with the Aussie spray without feeling like you've oversaturated your hair. Another reason why I like it? It's NOT sticky. Hooray! No killing your scalp trying to get your brush through your hair. One thing I like to do is flip my head over and spray the gel on the underside of my hair b/f I style. Then I take the blowdryer to it (head still flipped over) and dry it a bit - when I flip my head back....va-voom volume awaits! Very well done, Aussie. This product is a keeper! Oh yes, forgot to add that it smells great too!