I don’t love cowlicks, but cowlicks love me. [Insert crying-face emojis right here 😭😭😭.] My cowlick situation was almost mildly tolerable before I started growing out my grays, but now it’s next level orange alert!!!
It’s the texture of the gray hairs, man. They’re wirier than my non-gray hairs, and the short, stubby pieces stick out, especially the hairs right smack dab in the middle of my hairline and in the center of my part.
If I leave them be, I look like I’m being mildly electrocuted… Hence Oribe Free Styler Working Hairspray.
Expensive as it is [$42 for a 9-oz. bottle, OMG!], I love this stuff. I’ve been into it ever since I sprayed about half a can on my bangs for the victory rolls I did for Halloween. The rolls stayed put and weren’t crunchy, and you know me when it comes to crunchy hair (not a fan). When I took my hair down that night before bed, even after ALL that hairspray, I was able to run a brush through it without any flakes or tugging.
Which is rad.
What takes this stuff from “nice” to “must-have” for me is how well it handles crazy cowlicks and those stubs of wayward gray hair. It tames them easily, and I use it daily now as part of my routine. I like that my hair can still move around with it and doesn’t look lacquered into place like a helmet.
It freezes your hair in place but doesn’t make it stiff. Your hair also won’t look too shiny and “done,” thanks to the satin finish, which I also like.
Here’s how I work it: When I’m done curling or braiding or whatever I’m doing on any given day, I almost always have a crown or crazy cowlicks sticking out along my hairline and in my part, so I spray a fine layer of Free Styler directly on top, then finesse them down with a fine-toothed comb from Sally Beauty.
If there are any wayward bits left standing, I’ll repeat the process until I’ve coaxed everything into place.
At $42, Oribe Free Styler is a borderline redonk splurge, but it might be worth it if you’re plagued by cowlicks… For something more reasonably priced, I also like $15 L’Oréal Elnett, which has a similar flexible hold and finish.
INGREDIENTS
Oribe Signature Complex (Watermelon, Lychee and Edelweiss Flower Extracts) defends hair from oxidative stress, photoaging and the deterioration of natural keratin all while protecting from the drying, damaging and color-depleting effects of the elements.Flexible Polymer Blend gives light styling hold with a brushable, satin finish.
Ginseng Root Extract prevents breakage by promoting healthy hair.
Kukui Seed Oil moisturizes and provides a protective barrier against environmental stressors and free radical damage.
Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil strengthens and promotes elasticity while adding softness to each strand.
There are so many different versions of Elnett, but I like the Extra Strong Hold Unscented Hairspray best because the scented version reminds me of the perms my grandma gave me as a kid.
That isn’t an exact dupe, and I like Oribe Free Styler’s flexible hold better, but it’s still pretty good, and you can find it at most drugstores.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Hope you had a happy Tuesday. 😄
Linda Libra Loca says
January 23rd, 2019 at 7:01 amThe L´Oréal Elnette always makes my hair crunchy – maybe I am too close when spraying?
Linda Libra Loca recently posted … Wearable Makeup Trends 2019 – Easy eyes, red lips
Karen says
January 23rd, 2019 at 7:31 amMaybe!
Kristen says
January 23rd, 2019 at 8:07 amWhat lippie are you wearing in that photo? I love the color!
Kim says
January 23rd, 2019 at 9:02 amI use Elnett, too. The Extra Strong Hold for Color Treated Hair. I’m not averse to hair helmet since my hair is thin and I prefer that to “drown rat”, but I find Elnett is a very flexible hold. 🙂 I’m using Oribe’s Volumizing Shampoo now and it’s similarly crazy priced. I tried the bargain Pantene Volumizing but it removes almost all my curl and makes my hair feel like straw. I do really like the Oribe but the search continues for a semi-reasonably priced volumizing shampoo (thanks a lot Pureology). 🙂
Lily says
January 23rd, 2019 at 12:28 pmElnett had been my “go to” for years until my hairdresser gave me Goldwell Stylesign 4 Perfect Hold Big Finish Volumizing Hair Spray. I was surprised, but I like it better. Less crunchy, very fine spray, not a strong scent and it keeps the “halo hair” in check. About the same price as Elnett. I don’t even want to try the Oribe. I’m sure I would like it, but the price!
Amalia says
January 23rd, 2019 at 12:44 pmHi! I don’t know about the hairspray…but your skin (beautiful light in the center!) and your lipstick in this photo is stunning!
Sherry says
January 24th, 2019 at 7:23 pmI absolutely love Elnett hairspray. I use it every day!! I also use the unscented version. The smell of the scented version drives me over the edge for some reason. I love perfumed products, but Elnett has a very stale perfumey smell. Sometimes I get it on sale at Target or Rite-Aid, so that’s a plus. I showed a friend of mine the can, and they couldn’t believe how tall it was. LOL!!
Lexi says
January 25th, 2019 at 2:03 pmI owe you for doing me lots of solids…
This might be one. I’ve only just recently dipped my toe into the beautiful pool that is Oribe products, so I may check this out. I’m almost overwhelmed by his awesome products. In the “I can only layer so many things” kinda way.
On a related note-do you have a rec for hair dryer? I did my due diligence of doing a search through your posts before asking-but it has been quite a while since my high priestess of all things beauty has posted about such a topic.
I had my sights set on the twinturbo 3800, but am now reading mixed reviews on those recently manufactured (espesh from pros who prev owned and swore by this model). Thanks!!
Karen says
January 25th, 2019 at 2:33 pmHi Lexi!
It’s been a while since I’ve reviewed a hair dryer (over ten years) because I still have the one that I reviewed on the site eons ago, LOL! Believe it or not I have the original first generation t3. It’s *still* going strong. I would go with a t3 or a GHD. I have several GHD hair styling tools and they’re top notch (just haven’t tried the hair dryer yet).
Buffy says
January 26th, 2019 at 9:30 amI’m jealous your first generation T3 Bespoke dryer is still working! Mine caught on fire and died in August 2013. Almost six years, I have not found a dryer I like as much, and that includes GHD. I wish T3 would bring back the original Bespoke dryer.
Karen says
January 26th, 2019 at 10:13 amHi Buffy,
Oh my gosh, that’s so scary! What happened when it caught fire? I hope it wasn’t too close to your head, OMG!
Buffy says
January 26th, 2019 at 10:33 amI was actually drying my hair when I smelled smoke at the nozzle and then it sparked at the outlet. Thank goodness the house did not burn down!! Let me tell you, it was a sad day—that was the best dryer EVER and my hair does not look as good as it did before the dryer died. It’s amazing what a difference what one tool really can make.
Love your blog and all of your posts—keep up the awesome work!