QUESTION: I have straight, fine hair. By the end of the day, my hair looks oily. What kind of shampoos or hair products can I use to avoid this oiliness?
ANSWER: Women with fine hair have a tricky problem: They need to use hair products to get their hair to hold a style, but those same products can sometimes cause their hair to look oily. To avoid this greasy look, it's crucial to choose the right products.
Begin with a daily shampoo and conditioner labeled "For Fine Hair" or "Volumizing." While regular formulas may omit heavy moisturizing agents that can weigh your hair down, products made especially for your hair type contain light surfactants and moisturizers to make your hair clean and manageable -- without the extra weight.
Next, choose the correct styling products. Avoid pomades, waxes and creams, all of which contain oils and heavy moisturizers. Instead, start your styling routine by spritzing a spray volumizer onto the roots of your hair. Volumizers give hair hold without greasy ingredients.
To style the rest of your 'do, stick to lightweight gels and spray-on styling lotions (despite their name, they're more like a soft-hold hairspray than an actual lotion). Use a blow-dryer to lift your hair at the roots as you dry.
If your hair becomes oily during the day, you can sprinkle a bit of baby powder onto the roots and gently massage it in with your fingertips. The powder helps absorb oil, removing that greasy appearance.
