Hair // My Styling Faves

Seriously spilling the beans about my hair care regimen today, and when I tell you my biggest secret, you’re either going be really grossed out OR it will rock your world.  I’m hoping it’s the latter. ;)

I definitely do not claim to be an expert by any means, but I have tried plenty of products and methods over the past few dozen years (see below for my faves!), and am happy to share the best of the best with those of you who may have the same issues or are going for a similar look.

Keep reading for a run-down of my hair must-haves, a quick description of how I achieve a few of my go-to styles, and some helpful tips and tricks that I’ve learned along the way.

In the shower… I use Kiehl’s amino acid shampoo, followed by Kiehl’s olive fruit oil nourishing conditioner.  I obviously shower way more often than I wash my hair, but most of the time, put it on top of my head to avoid getting it wet.  About once a week (and especially after a hard workout), I scrub the roots with water, massage my scalp with my fingers, and condition just the ends before rinsing with cool water.  When I had more blonde, I’d also use Joico Color Endure violet toning shampoo about once a month to keep it from getting brassy, but this product actually works by depositing purple pigment (pretty subtle, obviously), and I haven’t needed it since cutting off most of my lighter hair.

While it’s wet… After putting it up in a towel wrap and letting it dry just a bit, I apply a nickel-sized amount (would need way less for less hair!) of aveda damage remedy from the middle of the strands down to the ends.  I’ve only been using this little guy for about 6 months, but it has made a big difference in reducing frizz and helping to retrain moisture.  Brushing out the knots is always a HUGE ordeal (and big pain in the backside), and I typically reach for a nylon de-tangling brush and my VO5 De-tangle and Shine spray for help.  Next, I blow dry my bangs with a round boar-bristle brush, and then I use a Mason-Pearson lookalike or my fingers for the rest.  Most of the time it has gotten so frizzy by this point, that I have to follow up with a dollop of Moroccan Oil on the ends and front fringe, and then I twist and clip it into a low bun to let the heat and the added oil set and give me the loose waves I like.

When it’s dry… Drying and styling takes so much effort after a shampoo that I like to keep it pretty easy the rest of the time.  I brush it every morning with my wooden Spornette, spritz generously with my VO5 De-tangle and Shine, and twist around my fingers (away from my face on either side) to re-set my loose waves.  If I want more body, I use a sea salt spray for the beach-y look, and am always amazed by how much it brings out and highlight my natural texture, and hold the curls all day without weighing it down. 

For maintenance… This is the part I get asked about most: How do I make it last so long between washes?  I’m (perhaps surprisingly) not a huge fan of dry shampoo because of the artificial scents and and massive amount of weight it adds by using it as often as I’d need to.  Instead, I opt for baby powder or corn starch, and sprinkling just the smallest bit on my roots in the morning makes a blow-out last so much longer!  I find that giving it a good once-over with a natural-bristle brush every morning and night really helps as well, and I think that by distributing the natural oils down the hair shaft, it allows the drier parts of the strands to absorb it on their own.   About a week in, I have to start getting creative, and typically opt for top-knots with my beloved spin pins, fun braids, or another attempt at a style from my pinterest hair board.  Occasionally, I’ll use a heat tool for touch-ups (the GHD styler for bangs and a Hot Tools 1.5″ barrel for curls), and although I’m not a huge fan of hairspray, I do use VO5 Non-aerosol “Perfect Hold” when necessary.  Another favorite trick of mine is putting it in braids or a bun on top of my head before bed, and not only does it keep away the crazy knots that crop up while I sleep, but it also gives you amazing automatic texture to wake-up to.  

Kiehl’s amino acid shampoo // Kiehl’s olive fruit oil nourishing conditioner

Joico Color Endure violet toning shampoo // Aveda damage remedy leave-in hair repair

Oval flatbrush // Blowdryer // Spornette boar bristle brush // Moroccan oil

Tortoise Hair Clip // VO5 detangle and shine // Lush Sea Spray // Baby powder // Spin Pins

GHD 1″ styler // Hot Tools 1.5″ barrel iron // VO5 Non-aerosol Perfect Hold Hairspray

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