Fine, thin, lank, flat, flyaway…

These are just some ways to describe my hair.

It’s also about 26″ long, so volume is just a myth because even blow-drying my hair upside down only gives me about 1/2″ of height and then all the little flyaway baby hairs spread their wings and well, fly away.

My usual routine is to just wash at the roots and work the lather down as far as it will go, then the exact opposite with conditioner. I have to condition every time or else I might have to resort to scissors to get the knots out! Most often I will then let it air dry before I brush it because that’s just healthier all around for hair, especially long hair, especially-especially baby fine hair, but especially-especially-especially long baby fine hair.

But say there is a special occasion and I really want to try to get that 1/2″ of volume. If I’m going to blow-dry I have to use a heat-protecting spray because it could so easily get fried. Plus, I have to...