There are times when I try to blow dry and straighten my own hair. This is, by and large, not advisable.

Clothing and shoe styling? Fantastic.

Makeup application for myself and others? Got it goin’ on.

Even styling other people’s hair? Check.

But when faced with a wet head and what one of my friends lovingly refers to as the product graveyard that is my (well-organized) assortment of serums, creams, and other styling aids, all of which promised to make going from frizzy and curly to bouncin’ and behavin’ in mere minutes…Houston, we have a problem.

Due to what I believe is a unique and fun combination of user error and products that don’t live up to their hype, I generally walk into work and face comments such as, “Ohhh, did you do your hair today…” whispered mercifully from friends who are in the know, and the uninformed version of that comment, usually from male coworkers and women who clearly are not going through these trials and tribulations in their own bathrooms: “New look, huh? Cool.” Sigh. No, I have not suddenly decided to channel Tina Turner as my hair icon. (Leg icon, yes.)

To the rescue: The groove*Elliptic Brush from Kellie Little and Royal Blowout from Oribe.

I was first introduced to the Elliptic brush on Joyus. Following this link will take you to a video showing someone using the brush to dry their own hair, which I found helpful.

What I like about this brush is that the shape allows me to get the bristles close to my roots and pull them taut so they get straighter. Straighter roots equals less helmet head, and thus a sleeker look. All of this leads to significantly less commentary about my ability to style my own hair. Confidence improved by results!

Oribe’s Royal Blowout product is the best thing I’ve used — serum, cream, whatever — to get my hair straight and smooth, without weighing it down, that actually has staying power. You spray it on damp hair before you blow it dry. It’s allowed me to skip the extra flat iron step at times. My hair is smoother, shinier, and almost most importantly, it’s just plain easier and quicker to blow dry. I’ve had professional hair stylists try it on my hair, and my blowouts have lasted twice as long. Yep, that’s what I said.

Also worth giving a whirl in the Oribe line:

• Impermeable Anti-Humidity Spray (good for those of you in extreme humidity who want to preserve your style. I find that the Royal Blowout keeps moderate levels of humidity, i.e., NYC, at bay);
• Creme for Style (great for defining curly and wavy textures, and for giving some bounce and lift when styling straight);
• Supershine Moisturizing Cream (can be used wet or dry. I love it for flyaways and for adding shine and moisture to blowouts in between stylings).

Are any of you using these products now? What kind of results are you getting?

What other bad hair day dilemmas are you facing?