I am soooo confused!! I have fine hair, which I get colored at the salon. I've noticed that when I wash my hair and use my regular conditioner...Dumb Blonde Reconstructor...my hair doesn't feel SMOOTH...or stay shiny for v. long...it still tangles up easily, and it seems to get dry and lose the shine again quickly.
I don't like using product in my hair, though I will use gel and sometimes mousse on seperate occasions. And I don't blowdry.

The thing that has me confused is my Dumb Blonde Reconstructor says on the bottle it can be used "as a hair mask, reconstructor or daily conditioner." When I was at the salon last, though, I read an article that said that for fine hair, I should only be using a leave-in conditiioner only(which I do have and use when tangles are bad after showering).but that colored hair should be treated with a reconstructor.
which should I be using when?? And what's the difference between the two products??
And what is the best way to keep my fine, long hair smooth and shiny??? Tips?? Advice?? Pls help!!

P.S. Dumb Blonde is made by Bedhead, TIGI.

Reconstructors frequently have protein in them to help strengthen the hair.  This can cause a build up on the hair, making it dull, crunchy and generally "icky".  You might try a vinegar rinse between your shampoo and conditioner and see if that helps restore the softness and shine.

I do a vinegar rinse about once a month or whenever I feel my ends are getting crunchie.  Some people do it every washing, some once a week.  Since I only wash my hair twice a week, I am doing the rinse about every 8th wash, but might do it more often.

I use a 1.5 liter plastic bottle and put about a 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar (ACV) in the bottle then fill with warm water (usually I fill it from the shower head when I get into the shower).

I wash my hair, then pour the vinegar rinse over my hair, concentrating on the length of my hair.  Some people will use a bucket and "dip" their hair into the bucket of vinegar water. 

I then apply my conditioner as usual. 

The vinegar smell does not last when you put conditioner on after the rinse (and then rinse the conditioner out).

I have dark blonde hair that lightens easily in the sun.  I don't feel the ACV darkens (or lightens) my hair.  Nor does it seem to have any real effect on the colored (bleached) ends of my hair.

I know others use white vinegar instead of ACV, I'm not sure it really matters.

Hope this helps!

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How long have you been using this?  Does it have any 'cones in it?  My hair appears to like 'cones, but then I end up with damage, so I have been trying to avoid them.  I've been using Kenra products, but they are a bit expensive for my taste.  The Aussie Mega shampoo and 3 Minute Miracle work well, and are a bit more reasonably priced, but not as nice as the Kenra.

'cones are types of silicones that are typically used to smooth hair.  Typically they are referring to any product at ends in "-cone".  I find they build up on my hair and prevent any moisture from getting to the hair.  This eventually causes the hair to dry out and break.   

I'll have to check out the Matrix products - I think I saw them on sale someplace.  Thanks for the info!

P.S. as for the tangles, they're still here with me...sigghh, I think I might just have to get used to them and enjoy them..they actually give my hair more body and mostly come out when I shower, so for now have just given up and tie my hair up when it's acting too crazy ! Just out of curiousity, does anyone else out there with fine, mid-length (22 inches) hair get tangles like these???

I have super fine hair,too.  I found generously spritzing it with a leave in conditioner really cuts down on the tangles.

i just wanted to answer one of kmm's original questions, i have a dark semi-perm color in my hair and i've done about 4 acv rinses in the past 2 weeks and haven't noticed any color fading.   my hair also dries incredibly fast when i do acv rinses, i don't know if this is just me or the norm.  usually it takes me about 4 to 5 hours to air dry if i'm lucky.  i was absolutely floored the first time i did a rinse and my hair was completely dry and much more manageable in a little over an hour.  it makes my hair verrrry shiny and soft, i guess 'happy' would be the best way to describe it.   
i was concerned about it stripping the color too, but so far it hasn't happened.  i got my mom to do them and her hair hasn't lost any color either.  she lightens with permanent color.