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The Amika Perfectly Polished brush. Game changer. I haven’t blow dried my hair more than twice in the last couple of months. I just let it air dry (and let me tell you it gets CRAZY - my 3yo laughed at me once) and then I use the brush for about 5 mins and it looks like I got a blowout.

I haven't really done this yet b/c having been pregnant/nursing since forever with only a small break in between, BUT I follow puttingmetogether.com and I plan on doing an overhaul to my wardrobe and following her tips to live off a "capsule" and learn how to remix staple pieces to create different outfits.

@looch: Yeah whatever I would normally use to blow dry. I haven’t experimented much so maybe there’s something better? But I alternate between a ton because I’m a product junkie.

Right now mostly Shu Uemura Brilliant Glaze Thermo Milk, alterna caviar cc cream 10-in-1, and Kerastase Nectar Thermique.

I do have samples of Bumble & Bumble Don’t Blow It that is pretty good. It’s supposed to be for JUST air drying though. I like to use something meant for heat styling since that’s what the Amika brush is.

@SweetiePie: I haven't! I'll pick up a bottle next time I'm at the supply store. Thanks!

I also use Bumble and Bumble but their All-Style cream! I have medium thickness, fine, straight hair and use a round brush to blow out my hair every few days. It's my favorite! https://www.sephora.com/product/all-style-blow-dry-P391797

@skinnycow: My hair type is insanely frizzy with ugly weird curls and waves. But it’s pretty fine so it’s not too hard to tame.
I normally get Brazilian Keratin Treatments but I’m 33 weeks pregnant so I’ve been holding off. Which is why I got the Amika!

@looch: Yeah it gets really hot. Like a straightening iron. It’s not rounded, it’s like a small paddle brush.

@SweetiePie: I LOVE the Essie Gel-Setter. I converted to it from Seche Vite!

This probably doesn't really count as a hack but it's a big win in my life: I now get my eyebrows tinted and shaped, so I don't have to fill them in with brow pencil/powder. Lasts 4 weeks, looks awesome and natural. I've thought about microblading but I feel like as I go gray my eyebrows are dull and I don't know if microblading helps with that (color).

Same as @SweetiePie. I love the Amika perfectly polished brush! (@SweetiePie: so glad it is working so well for you!)

My favorite current beauty hack is my highlighter! I brush a small amount on my cheek bones, nose bridge, forehead center, lip bow and chin dip, and when it catches the light it gives a nice glow. Easy enough for everyday, and makes me look a little more put together when paired with mascara for errands like Target, preschool drop off, etc. I love the Elf baked highlighters. $4 at Target, and sometimes you can find them at Dollar Tree.

@SweetiePie: I was going to report back on my keratin treatment, but forgot! Seeing your comment reminded me. I had a keratin straightening treatment about 2 months ago (my normal hair is 2b/3a and medium fine). It’s amazing. Even when I don’t straighten it, my hair stays mostly smooth with a little wave and, most importantly, doesn’t frizz out. We live in the tropics and my hair freaks out when left to its own devices. I never straightened it much before, but I can do it pretty quickly these days. I also just feel so good about my hair since I’ve always struggled with frizz. I’m seriously considering doing it again when the treatment fades.

I also love my Instawave hair curler. I cannot blow out my hair or even use a regular curling iron to save my life, but the Instawave basically does all the work for you. My hair looks so good when I curl with it!

@Boopers: That looks great! How long does it take you to do your full head? Looks like your hair a little longer than mine.

@SweetiePie: @Shantuck: super intrigued about this product! I have the exact hair yall describe. so how does it stack up against a really high quality flat iron? does it completely take the place of a flatiron? is it just faster/better?

@skinnycow: if I blow dry my hair beforehand it takes about 20-30 minutes to straighten it with the brush. Without blow drying it takes 30-45 minutes. I have a lot of hair and it’s pretty long. Flat ironing my hair takes at least an hour to do.

So now I want one of these brushes, too!

+ 1 on the Seche Vita top coat. It's the only way I can do my nails at home without smudging them 45 mins later.

@looch: I still love necklaces, though not even always "statement" kinds, even just longer costume pendants etc. I also try to stick to a "capsule" inspired wardrobe -- everything is mix and matchable in black, white, grays, tan/creams or navy. I have a few items of color thrown in for fun, but it makes getting dressed so easy and I always feel put together. Fun jewelry keeps it interesting. And always wear a watch!
(Disclosure: this was my approach pre-pg. My maternity wardrobe was a hot mess, and now that I'm 7w pp I am so pumped to feel like myself and get back to this style again.)

Ahhh!! You ladies have convinced me to try the brush. I flat iron everyday, it takes about 10 minutes. Do you think the brush can be as fast? I'm not really looking to add time to my routine, but I do really like the idea of it looking like a more natural straight than the stick straight lifeless flat that I do notice I get.

@mrs lavender that Bumble & Bumble hair stuff sounds exactly like what I'm looking for. Does it help with volumizing, and lessen oil? I have fine straight-ish hair (with some frizzies) and I blow it out over a round brush, but it falls pretty flat pretty quickly - I have to blow dry it basically every day or it looks horrible and gets greasy and flat.

@MrsADS: I think it helps with oil, it's never made my hair feel greasy. Even though my hair is fine/straight I also get these weird kinky frizzes which the cream helps smooth out. I distribute it a couple inches down from my roots and definitely notice a difference in the bounciness compared to other products I have used. It's my fav!

@LCTBQE: YES I have frizzy roots and it’s made worse by my baby hair from DS and my pube-like grays But this works super well on roots without leaving kinks. Way better than a flat iron in my opinion.
Did I ever tell you about IntotheGloss blog? It’s where I read about that Vintner’s Daughter oil serum I told you about. They did a whole thing about this amika brush and they truly are picky about what they promote.
https://intothegloss.com/2017/06/amika-hair-straightening-brush-review/