I’ve struggled and struggled to find the right hair treatment that would allow me to let it air dry (thus allowing me a wider array of easy styling options) while still channeling the cool and sophisticated mom I’m always trying to pull off.  Last fall I read an article in a parenting magazine that suggested simple products for different hair types for busy moms.  I went out on a limb and tried the product recommended for my hair…and am I ever glad that I did.

Made by Bumble and Bumble, “Brilliantine is unique and hard to define.  It gives hair a polish and a sort of languid, slept-in, sexy look.”  That’s what it says on the little bronze bottle.  Now, I still occasionally use a light styling pomade or body-inducing hair spray just to tame the frizz if I choose to blow it dry.  However, it’s really not necessary if you just let it air dry.

The greatest feature is that it’s a cream, so it really doesn’t gunk up your hair or make it feel sticky.  The hardest thing to figure out is how much to use for your hair.  My advice is to just use it for a couple of days when you plan to be around the house so you can see if you need to use more or less.  The bottle suggests that you ‘use very sparingly’ but my hair is so thick I ended up trying a little more and found that it works better for me.  What a relief to finally find a product for those of us who can’t identify with ‘curly hair’ or ‘straight hair’ but definitely know a little something about ‘fussy hair’!

As a beauty product junkie (I’m sure I’m not alone out there) I love finding great inexpensive (cheap) stuff that works! Here are four products under four bucks that I have tried personally and decided they are worth sharing with the world.

Carmex Original Formula Lip Balm – An old school favorite.  I love keeping my lips soft and the original Carmex has never let me down. I use it at night before I go to bed and my lips stay chapped-free all day!

Pros – Moisturizing feels really nice.

Cons – Might be addictive for lip balm addicts.

Garnier Fructis Leave-in Conditioning Cream - Do you have curly hair?  This conditioner is ESSENTIAL.  I have tried it all from the cheapest to the most expensive.   This leave-in conditioning cream is great!

Pros – Smells nice, smooths frizz.

Cons – If you have long hair you may go through it quickly.

Johnson’s No More Tangles Shampoo & Conditioner for Curly Hair - I bought the first bottle of this for my daughter’s hair.  It worked so well on her hair well… I tried it on my own.  Loved it!

Pros – Really helps detangle hair.  Doesn’t dry out hair.

Cons – Honestly haven’t found one yet!

Up & Up Apricot Blemish Scrub - I was a fan of the St. Ives Apricot Scrub but while at Target on a whim I decided, after reading the ingredients, to give the generic brand a try.  Well, I was pleasantly surprised at the results.

Pros – Deeply cleanses skin, exfoliates and leaves skin feeling refreshed.

Cons – Scent isn’t too nice…