$2.44

As some of you know, I'm a bit of a sucker for cosmetics; hair care products especially. After years of having loooong hair into which I really only ever put styling creme and de-frizzing products, I am back to my short hair/multiple product ways.

My new, short hairstyle definitely needed something to give it some oomph and prevent it from falling into the unfortunate, semi-feathered, nonstyle of my eighth grade school pictures. This sad image in mind, I reluctantly fell back on the standby of my high school years, styling mousse. Yes, the 80s really are back. And really, the mousse worked fine for holding waves and curls, especially if I mixed it with a little silicone de-frizzing stuff. Of course I had to hide the mousse can when guests came over, lest it inaccurately tag me with a case of I Heart the 80s nostalgia and a reluctance to move into the 21st century. At least in regard to styling products. (Don't get me wrong, I love VH1 too. More Hal Sparks and Michael Ian Black please.)

Then I read an article rating commercial shampoos and conditioners in a back issue of Real Simple. Dove conditioner won its category. And then there was the $1.00 off Dove products coupon in the Sunday paper. And to top it off, Dove products were on sale at Target. So for a mere $2.44 I picked up a bottle of Dove Define and Shine Control Gel. And, long story short; I am in love.

I had avoided gel simply because never, not even in my most girly-girl, bathroom-mirror-time-intensive years, have I been able to achieve anything from gel other than super-crunchy hair. No matter how much or how little gel I used, whether I air or blow dried, gel in my hair always looked stiff when not combed through. Combing through would render the desired hold completely undone and I'd be back to square one.

But oh - we've come a long way baby. This product, this magical elixir, not only holds the curls and waves, but actually allows my hair to be blow-dried straight. Amazing! And if I let my hair air dry with the gel in, all that's needed is a quick comb and, as if by magic, style is held - but no crunchiness! And, best of all, this product imparts my hair with a glossy, gorgeous shine that mousse never could. Despite the fish oil capsules I ingest daily, I've never seen this kind of shine in my hair without a lengthy session with the blow dryer and a bottle of silicone liquid hairshine product. All for $2.44 people. $2.44!!!! For a product available at most any grocery store. Amazing.