In desperate Search of styling tool!!!

Hi. You might think about using several products on different parts of your hair, instead of going through lots of products trying to find the one magic product (although it would be nice wouldn't it :). It sounds like what you want is volume at the roots but smooth, straight strands, without dryness. It seems like long hair care requires a multi-pronged approach. First, use a good moisturizing and smoothing shampoo and conditioner. The ones designed for volume tend to be more alkaline (to puff up the hair strand) and won't give you the look you want. After you get out of the shower use a light, spray leave-in protein conditioner all over. I just love the one I found from TIGI. Then put rub a dab of a root volumizer through JUST your roots. There is a fabulous one from J.F. Lazartigue. Then, comb a small amount of straightening balm through the rest, avoiding the roots, like Redken One to One without silicone. Or, for serious straightening, KMS Flat-Out with silicone. This routine gives me light, swing-y, shiny, straight hair. The challenge is always to find the right products that will do what they are supposed to do without stickiness or heaviness. These are the ones I've finally settled on. I don't do all of this if I'm just going to throw my hair up in a bun anyway, but for days when it has to look good down, it's the system I use. Good luck!

> I have to> blow dry but i need something that will protect my> hair from heat....keep it straight...not weigh it> down...give it volume ...and not dry it out!I've used Neutrogena HeatSafe, and I honestly noticed a difference. When I had long hair, I only used it on my ends when it was wet. I'd blow dry the roots (never the ends) and then use a curling iron on the ends. I noticed that split ends happened a lot less frequently after I started using it. I never noticed a buildup or felt that it weighed down the hair at all.According to Paula Begoun in her book, "Don't go Shopping for HairCare Products Without Me," the formula for "fine, thin hair" (the other formula is for "dry or damaged hair") has a slight fixative in it that you may like to keep it straight.