My roommate's got fine blonde hair, very straight, a bit above bra strap length at present.

She's got a few issues that could use addressing.  First off, her hair won't hold barettes well, and the shorter 'bangs' sections get in her face at work.  She's not allowed bandanas, and headbands don't stay on her head well, just slip off the back.  I've tried claw clips, which seem to work well, but other ideas will be welcome, as mine's always been the type to stay put better.

Second, she's having odd tangling issues.  I looked her over for splits, and she's got barely any.  However, running your fingers through her combed hair, it 'catches' like it were split, as if the hairs were a bit 'sticky' or something.  She uses stuff with cones in it <Freida blonde line>, which I think might have soemthing to do with it.  Oiling with Jojoba and a leetle shea butter on the ends helped a bit, and I told her to wash it less, or just do the scalp.

Anyhow, that's what I came up with.  We'd both greatly appreciate advice from people with more experience in the 'straight and fine' department :)

let her try avinegar rinse and stay away from that awful john frieda stuff (i used their brunette line ... lets say rather cuze it smelled good cuze burk to it for the rest).
jojoba even tends to give straw in combi with many (cheap) silicones, that's why i stay away from all of them these days since jojoba is obviously a must.

Yep, Styg, I agree.  The -cones could be smothering the hair.  A good clarifying would probably help a lot.  Then try to stay away from the -cones for a while to see if the hair condition improves.  Using jojoba oil on damp hair should help some.  

The rough feeling of the hair could be breaks in the hair that have not yet turned to splits.  Or it could be the layers of product build up.

My hair would never hold a barrette either.  I found small french ropes or braids worked well to hold my hair away from my face.  If she doesn't want to do all the hair, just do the front pulled back into a ponytail.

Good luck!

He hee! A chance to advertise my favourite hairstyling help.

Bun net (a smaller version of hairnet, that looks almost invisible when on) makes many updo styles to hold in slippery hair. Her hair is long enough for many updo styles- maybe the net would help.

My own hair is so slippery, that normally ponytails and most braids are impossible to make lasting and neat. Updo styles last much better. Many updos are easier to make in slippery hair, if you make a ponytail first. Cinnamon bun is very easy, and it can be secured with pins or hairsticks or even with a scrunchie.  Also Chinese bun might work.
  Other thing is, that she might benefit from changing her daily style according to washing intervals- the slipperiness of hair decreases when days pass and styling is easier.
   My personal styling schedule looks roughly like this:
1.day after washing: very well secured cinnamon bun or scarf bun
2.day cinnamon bun, scarf bun, possibly chinese bun
3.day almost any style will last if made properly
4.day (washing day) braided styles will survive

I found the new "soft touch" barrettes seem to hold in my hair pretty well.  I found them at Wal-Mart for a couple of bucks (3-4 to a card).  They are rather fragile though, I have broken a couple of them when I tried to put too much hair in.  I can't remember the brand name (heard about them on these boards somewhere) - Goodie or Vidal Sassoon maybe.  I also use those metal clip things (sort of long triangular things that snap open & shut).

Tangles - Anais' C-COW-C cleaning method works well for me (diluted conditioner rinsed through hair, then diluted shampoo & conditioner combo on scalp hair, then diluted conditioner again on the length).  Usually the next day or two I use Jojoba oil on the length.  Wash every 3-5 days.  Vinegar rinses every so often.