I've made a huge mistake...

February 7, 2007 8:32 AM

Ask Methairfilter + Arrested Development: What hair stuff do you reckon they used on Jason Bateman's hair and how can I semi-imitate that look?

I find my hair naturally falling in the same general pattern as his did on that show except that my hair is very fine but thick so I have very poofy hair -- a white afro if you will -- if I don't stick it down with something.

What'd be the best kind of hair stuff to get?

posted by Silentgoldfish to clothing, beauty, & fashion (15 comments total)

I just realised that given the show never was exactly popular I should probably provide a picture.
posted by Silentgoldfish at 8:37 AM on February 7, 2007

Hair wax. It's kind of expensive, but one bottle(?) will last forever, and it washes out easily, unlike pomade.
posted by JeremiahBritt at 8:41 AM on February 7, 2007

Tancho High Grade Tique does that pretty well. (The girl they claim uses it has comparable -- I think -- hair styling.)

Plus it's fun to use something called 'High Grade Tique.'

As recommended by a hairstylist to a male friend; he swore by it. Interesting lavender-y scent, but not particularly girlish.
posted by kmennie at 8:45 AM on February 7, 2007

Silentgoldfish writes "I just realised that given the show never was exactly popular I should probably provide a picture."

I'd reckon it's fairly popular amongst the MeFi crowd. So good.

I second hair wax. There's at least a couple different ways that it's sold. I've seen containers that you dip your fingers into, as well as spray bottles.
posted by defenestration at 8:57 AM on February 7, 2007

Look into deep conditioning when you shower. It should add some weight to your hair and make it more soft and flat. It's a must for me in the winter because the air is dry and my hair gets all staticky. John Freida Kelp Help has been good to me, and provides a unisex scent, but it's not widely available like it used to be.

After that, hair wax or cream should tame it without leaving it stiff and sticky.
posted by almostmanda at 9:02 AM on February 7, 2007 [1 favorite]

This stuff works great on my hair. Makes it pliable. It's made by Aveda.
posted by wfc123 at 9:04 AM on February 7, 2007

I'm a girl, but when I had shorter hair (which is also very thick), I used Tigi Bed Head Manipulator (comes in a little blue tub) to get that piece-y look. A little goes a long way.
posted by stefnet at 9:11 AM on February 7, 2007

Seconding wfc123 and the Aveda Control Paste. Brutally expensive, but the tub lasts a long time - a little goes a long way, especially in very slightly damp hair.
posted by pocams at 9:19 AM on February 7, 2007

Yes yes yes, Aveda control paste. Suck it up and spend the $20. I have fine and thick hair as well, and it's the only thing I've found that tames the poof (also helps to put it on when the hair is a tiny bit moist). And it smells great.

But this must also be done in conjunction with a good cut. When you get your haircut, ask your stylist to thin out your hair. They have several ways of doing this (if they know what they are doing), but your hair will fall a lot better. It sounds silly for a man to ask for 'thinner' hair, as many of our bretheren want only thicker, but I guess it's a good problem to have.
posted by lovejones at 10:26 AM on February 7, 2007

/me loves the Redkin Rewind #6
posted by 4ster at 10:51 AM on February 7, 2007

the Bed Head products are not expensive. They make wax with different finishes (gloss, matte, etc.) and various pomades. The wax is the best. I like it better than the Aveda products - no perfumes, and the Aveda stuff is very strong-smelling - and it's half the price by volume.
posted by luriete at 11:00 AM on February 7, 2007

I would suggest Aquage products, such as their texturizing wax (or, if you have thicker hair, transforming paste). Use VERY lightly - less than a dabble on your finger should be good for your entire head.
posted by itchie at 12:02 PM on February 7, 2007

Tigi's Bedhead stick is by far the best I've tried - and I've tried a lot of similar products. You definitely get what you pay for with the hair sticks.

Tigi's website is rather unfortunate. Here's a direct link to a photo of the bedhead stick I'm talking about.
posted by ChuckLeChuck at 4:03 PM on February 7, 2007

Thanks all! There's too many options to mark any one post as the best answer so I'm going to try the first one I can find at the mall and go from there.
posted by Silentgoldfish at 6:45 PM on February 7, 2007

I use L'oreal Crystal Wax to get the peicey look for much cheaper and it washes off easier. But like everyone says, a little goes a long way.
posted by lannanh at 8:19 PM on February 7, 2007