Wow, such great wisdom from the YLF hive mind! Thank you, everyone. It is all applicable and true and I am taking it all in. Yes, I did have a buyer's remorse moment, LOL, but the microfiber towel comment was particularly genius, and reminded me about how the stylist had dried my hair completely before adding product. (I sat under one of those old-time dryers, in fact.) That seems to have made all the difference.
I don't think there is a night-and-day difference between my hair earlier today and now, but it's different enough that I am much, much happier now. And it feels softer and not product-y like before. I guess wet hair + product creates a residue. For me, anyway.
I am thinking there is something relatable, even to those of you with different-textured hair, to commiserate with my original frustration. Hair is really, really difficult (I've always assumed straight hair is easy, but I'm sure it's not, in other ways). I am applying myself to master all this stuff about clothes and shoes and makeup and hair now, in my early fifties. It is a lot and I wish I had done it sooner now. But I'm enjoying the challenge. It really helps to have you all here to offer wise words to everyone else! You all are awesome!
xoxoxo