(Again, though, product is Your Friend.)

Which product?

I tried Aveda's hair wax once with disastrous results.

Hmm... I guess I am unusual around here. I don't make a lot of judgments based on what people are wearing. Part of it comes from moving to CA - clothes are much more casual here - and I just can't get all worked up about fashionable but causal clothes. I tend to dress slightly more formally at work than most of my co workers, but that is for me. I have a friend J, who still has the taste of your average 5 yr old - as many bright colors as possible. Yes, people give her greif about her clothes, but she is a generous and hardworking - so if she wants to clash - so be it. In general , I don't make judgments about clothes for little kids. For anyone over the age of 13 - some sense of the occasion is enough.

That cut would work very well for you, Beej.

If wax based product doesn't work, there are other options.

If your hair is thick you might not want to matte it down with wax.

My hair is an odd combination of thick in weight but fine in strand...if that makes any sense. I never could use typical barrettes, they just fall out. But when I get a cut, it looks as if a small mammal has leapt from my head.

Weighty products don't seem to work, but I need lift!

My hair is an odd combination of thick in weight but fine in strand...if that makes any sense

Your hair is fine but thick. The shaft is fine (not coarse) but it is abundant (not sparse). In brief, you have a very lot of fine hair.

Maybe a strong hold mousse. Ple probably has a good product suggestion.

Beej! My sister of thick fine hair!

When my hair was short I used various products. For a strong hold I liked Bed head's Manipulator, although they make a product that's a bit lighter weight but simliar (it's in a flat green can). The manipulator is fairly sticky, but it's not waxy. It did a good job of giving me spiky hair. For lighter hold, when my hair was growing out I used Aveda's Defining whip.

Currently my hair is long enough to pull into a ponytail!

I also have fine but lots of hair and can't use wax. My hairstylist used this stuff and it rocked. [link]

Now that my hair is longer, I use this [link] and LOVE it!

Manipulator...that sounds like something fun to use!

I've used a light hair spray in the past...bend over at waist, spritz liberally, stand up and pat down where needed.

I, too, nearly have a ponytail...which is a sure sign that I've been depressed. Energy goes down, hair grows long. It's a throwback to childhood. But, I'm coming out of a low ebb, so time to get sassy!

For texture, without the trouble.

That's what I want!

"mist-wax"? What will they think of next...

I need new product. and a haircut. someday. soonish.