Oddly, one of my favorite things to do when I’m sick (other than having a theme ailment–for instance, I’ve had Renaissance-, vampire-, Hunger Games- and time-travel themed flus) is to test my wash & go hair situation. My curly/wavy hybrid hair is usually a veritable night terror without a little heat. But this time, I had the stunning revelation that my wash & go hair can look good–if I dry my bangs and wind my wet hair into a bun on top of my head.  Just that small bit of control by pulling hair taught and keeping it up gives me the straightness I need at the crown. Also, I used two new items that OBV I’m going to discuss. When it comes to hair, in the words of a famous philosopher we both know named Janet Jackson (Miss Jackson, if you’re nasty)–all you need is a little Control. So let me take you by the hand and lead you on this dance. 

To style my hair, I used the new Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Moroccan Oil Treatment ($5 at target.com). Not all Faux-roccanoils are created equal, but this one’s my favorite of the lot. At $5, you get a large bottle and it boasts the flexibility and manageability of its spendier sibling Moroccanoil and doesn’t dry out hair thanks to its alcohol-free formula. Best of all, you can use the oil in three ways–mixed with your conditioner in-shower for extra hydration, on damp hair as a styling agent or on dry hair to smooth frazzled ends mid-day. You know. I don’t want to run the world, I just want to run my life (and my hair). 

Also, I chalk up my newly acceptable wash & go mane (with the most minimal use of heat tools) to my new T3 Source Shower Filter Shower Head ($130). This bit of PLUMBING required me to search far and wide for a wrench to remove my old disgusting shower head before I could install it (I wound up having to do the job with some pliers bought at Duane Reade–it wasn’t my most Bob Vila moment) but there is a DIFFERENCE in my hair after using it. And people have noticed! My friend Abby marveled at my shiny mane when I got on the plane with her last week on our way to LA. The only change in my routine was showering with this delightful gem which even INCLUDES a gem on the spray setting lever. It removes up to 95% of chlorine from water while negative irons reduce water cluster size, which improves filtration and helps PH balance the spray. Speaking of spray, the options range from gentle rainfall to tension releasing massage. My air-dried hair was shinier with more volume and less frizz. Basically, everything I want in this world for my hair.

That’s right, blowdryer. I’m on my own, I’ll call my own shots, thank you. 

What’s your wash & go scenario? Any tips and trick to getting your hair to behave sans heat?