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…

After settling into motherhood I began flirting with the idea of going “mom short.”   Being a stay-at-home mom I have little time or money, so when I decided to cut off my locks I went to Craigslist.  If you are looking for a makeover that will not cost you a fortune you can always find salons willing to give free cuts for practicing stylists.  I happened upon a man in the East Village of Manhattan who has been specializing in short cuts for twenty-five years.   He was offering a free cut to anyone willing to change.

When I sat in the chair I was prepared to blurt out my life story peppered with self-depricating jabs at my inability to lose the baby weight, shower or find a sense of style.  I watched him butcher the top of my hair as I sat there waiting for him to ask me if I had a particular cut in mind.  Apparently, you don’t get a say when the appointment is free.

So, I walked out into the street looking like a pixie.  Surprisingly, I was more at ease in my own skin.  Cutting all of the hair off made me feel like I was raw, exposed and without defenses.  I felt like a mom.  Maybe not as glamorous as Katie Holmes or Michelle Williams but fabulous in my own right.

I did not cut my hair off because I was looking for a style easy to manage.  I only have one toddler so I could find time in my day to primp.  However, I don’t have the desire.  It simply made me feel good.  My daughter tells me all the time that she likes my hair cut and thinks I look beautiful.  And, my hair is still long enough that with a little maneuvering of my body she can still twirl it around her tiny finger as she drifts off to sleep.

Lip Gloss- For $5 a tube at your local supermarket, you can pull your whole face together. “Nuff” said.

Mascara- Even the most dressed down woman can look pulled together when her eyes pop.  Pair it with lip gloss and you’re ready for a casual day at the office or a night on the town.

Heels- Wearing heels corrects your posture and who doesn’t feel sexy in heels?  If you’re feeling in a slump, throw on your sexiest heels to show off your long legs (or lengthen them if they aren’t that long).

Fitted Jeans- Many women are guilty of not taking the time to find jeans that fit us well.  Today, more than ever, there are jeans for all body types.  Get online to find jeans for you if you’re tall, short, slim or round.  Find a brand that looks good online and find a local distributor where you can try them on.  For curvier women PZI Jeans are a winner.  DKNY Jeans fit well on curves also.  Find them both at Macy’s.

Sexy Ponytail- Long hair can be a pain to deal with on a daily basis.  Rather than just throwing on a hat or doing the normal ponytail, how about a low ponytail that hangs over your shoulder?  Ponytails also look sexiest when they look like they’ve been thrown together.  Ask your stylist for simple sexy ponytails that you can do yourself at home.

Headbands- Headbands come in so many looks that it’s nearly impossible to go wrong with one.  They’ve got plastic, cloth, beaded, or metal bands.  A headband brightens up your face also. They also help to keep your bangs out of your face as you grow them out.

Earrings- Granted, those small studs are adorable and they go with everything, but bold and dangly earrings brighten up the dullest outfit and hair.  Earrings can brighten up your eyes and if you’re in a pinch for a pair, they can be gotten pretty cheaply at a lot of places (although if you want a good quality pair that you can wear on a regular basis, you may want to invest a little more).

Purse- No longer your mother’s “pocket book,” purses truly can make an outfit.  If you’re wearing a dull black dress, why not spunk it up with a brightly colored purse?  Nothing is more awesome than having another woman squeal how much she loves your bag.  The Coach counter is a great place to find a good purse (every woman needs at least one expensive purse!) but don’t be afraid to comb swap meets and discount retailers for purses.  You can go for funky and brightly colored, or a solid basic. Leather is great, but fashionable purses come in all kinds of materials.  Be wary of knock off purses though.  The last thing you want is someone accusing you of not having a real Louis Vuitton.  Get the real thing, or go with a non-name brand purse.  There is no shame in a non-name brand purse, but there’s plenty of shame in someone calling you out on the fake.  As an added bonus, when you have a young child, a big purse can help to carry baby accessories.

Rubber Rain Boots- While not too many of us enjoy going out in the rain, you won’t despise it quite as much when you step out in style all while keeping your feet dry and warm. Not only are they an awesome throwback to childhood, the brighter and funkier the colors are, the more they’ll warm up your spirit during those cool rainy days.

So take one or several of these tips.  You can pull yourself together even on your frumpy days!