I used this stuff and it worked pretty well. I have really, really fine hair and it helped make my hair less static-y (that's desert living for you). Maybe not so good for thicker hair, though.
I alternate between TIGI after party creme and Biosilk ( you cant beat biolislk for the smell) I have thick hair so for thinner hair I would lean towards the after party. Cause it's easier to go over board with the silicones. Frizz ease is also always a good one.
The F. Fekkai glossing cream is awesome, especially for after I iron my hair; it makes it all silky again. I have think hair and love it, but my stylist has finer hair and says it's too heavy.
Matrix Sleek.Look Iron Smoother spray, for use with a flat iron, is awesome: you spray it on your hair just before you straighten it, and you get much straighter and smoother results, and it's a protectant!
I've been alternating between my tube of Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream and the samples of Kiehl's Heat Protective Silk Straightening Cream because they both work really well and I can't quite decide which I'm going to buy when my Glossing Cream runs out. I use one or the other every day, whether I straighten my hair or let it air dry into waves.
I think the Kiehl's might make my hair marginally silkier, but I am addicted to the scent of the Fekkai Glossing line of products. It's a difficult decision.
I also use the VO5 Heat Defense Conditioning Spray ( http://www.vo5.com/VPstyling/pr_r_p6.cfm )on the hair right around my face for added protection because I often blow dry a few pieces around my face to get them pointed in the right direction and let the rest of my hair air dry in loose waves.
yay! trains! supersupersuper excited!
i never liked serums or waxes or whatever else hairdressers use to tame my hair, probably because i am terrible at applying. but i lovelovelove ouidad's curl quencher gel, does lovely things to hold my curls in shape and keep them shiny and frizz-free.
I agree with your application point, but would add (for others like me who are a tad bit slow) that with many products it is imperative to section out your hair (bottom, middle, top) and apply a smaller amount to each section, ESPECIALLY with thick hair. maybe this is obvious to everyone else, but it was an eye-opener for me! i was definitely the fool with a roll of quarter's worth amount of gel on the TOP of my head... while the frizz had free rein in the unruly underparts... saying DAMN IT, how much gel should one person need to use?!
De-lurking to say how much I adore your site and the most excellent advice 
.
I had to pipe in on this discussion because I've been desperately searching for the ultimate curly-hair styling products for YEARS. I've finally hit on a combo that seems to work for my abused (oy, the highlights!!!) curly locks....
I start wih John Frieda Frizz-Ease shampoo and conditioner, followed by the JF anti-frizz serum on soaking wet hair. I rake that through from tips to roots. A few minutes later, I
apply Joico's Ice Whip mousse, followd by a dolop of Marc Anthony's Strictly Curls, Curl Defining Lotion.
Then I do the whole diffusing whilst scrunching thing. Using hairspray does help. Lately I like Marc Anthony True Professional Strictly Curls, Humidity Shield Finishing Spray.
And then I'm so tired from all the applying and srunching and diffusing and spraying that I must lie down .
I keep hearing about how wonderful Ouidad products are, but alas, I live in Montreal and can't get the stuff here - nor can I order them online without paying crazy customs and duties fees. Free trade should most definitely apply to hair products, no???
One last thing...how can I make my curly hair SHINY? I find it always looks a little dull, no matter how silvery-blonde my highlights are.
Any suggestions?
Happy holidays!!!
dizzylizzy
I must say that I was turned on to the Biosilk Silk Therapy stuff about 3 years ago during one ridiculously humid GA summer. I love it. It makes my hair soft and silky, tames the frizzys, lets me go wavy without having the crunchy feeling.
However (because, yes, like you said RG, there is always a however), it does nothing for control. So the Frederic Fekkai Straight Away helps. As does some mousse. But the best thing ever? Your recommendation on Jonathon Dirt. LOVES IT. THANK YOU RG!!!!
Yay! Love when recommendations lead to blissful endings.
And dizzylizzy, silicon serum should be a great product for shine. You can scrunch some in at the end of the (God, I feel you there) exhausting hair process--too late to provide heat protection, alas, but the best time to promote shine. Good luck!!
xx
RG
I use the TIGI After Party as well. Hair is long and straight, and I dry four to five days a week, depending on how motivated I am in the morning. I use the SuperStar on occasion as well, but do not find that it has the silkiness factor so much. If I use the SuperStar, I follow it with TIGI's HeadRush gloss spray, because that cuts down on the "ratting up" of my hair.
Interestingly, my stylist (a Tony & Guy girl, whom I love) tells me that when they're removing extensions, they will use the HeadRush. Cool.
Hi! Have you found a good substitute for Kieh's Hair Thickening Cream? I just discovered it, and now it's discontinued! Oh, the irony!
I know that this is an old article, and therefore nobody (including you, RG) is probably reading it anymore - but I just had to add my two cents in. 
For the "straighteners" list, I'd like to suggest the Garnier Sleek & Shine serum. It's half the price of Biosilk (of which I used before I discovered Garnier), which is great for those of us who are on a budget.
Plus, I have really thick, coarse, and frizzy hair. AND I live in Texas (for those of you who don't know - it's ALWAYS humid down here). So if it works down here - I figure it'll help ya'll, too. :D
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