If there’s one topic that gets the most comments over on my Instagram, it’s my hair. I always receive a ton of questions about my haircare routine, favorite products, the styling tools I use, etc., and I thought it would be helpful to put everything into one post for future reference.
I will say I am definitely pretty lucky when it comes to my hair. I’ve always had no problem growing it super long, and it also grows very quickly. I wouldn’t say that’s the result of any products or routines I have. I think both of those things are all up to genetics. However, I did want to share everything I use because I think it helps to take care of my hair and nourish it so that it’s able to stay healthy no matter how long it gets.
To start off with the basics, I’ve never dyed my hair before, and the color you see in photos is my natural color. It’s also surprisingly thinner and more finely-textured. My hair is naturally wavy, but I wouldn’t say I have curly hair.
My overall haircare routine is pretty low-key. Because I have never dyed my hair and don’t have to worry about preserving any color, I actually wash my hair daily. I am strictly a night-shower girl, and there’s just something about going to bed with freshly washed hair that I love. The L’Oreal Ever Strong Sulfate Free Thickening Shampoo is the shampoo that I have used for years. Literally over a decade at this point. It’s gentle for sensitive skin, smells absolutely amazing and helps to add some volume to my hair. I’ve tried a ton of different shampoos over the years, but I always keep coming back to that one. It’s incredible, and I highly recommend it – especially for the price!
I’m not quite as committed to my conditioner, but the one that I have been loving lately is the Dove Beauty Nourishing Secrets Conditioner in the coconut scent. It’s ultra rich and hydrating, and it makes my hair super soft and shiny without weighing it down. I’m also a sucker for any coconut-scented products. I like to purchase the larger bottle with a pump so it lasts a while.
Usually once a week, I’ll also do a conditioning hair mask for some extra moisture. My favorite one to use is the Dae Monsoon Moisture Mask. I’ll typically apply this when I take a bath, then twist my hair up into a claw clip and let it sit for around 20 minutes before rinsing it out. This mask is pure magic. It makes my hair so silky and smooth. There’s a noticeable difference in both how it feels and how it looks the day after I use this mask. I just repurchased this during the Sephora sale – one tub lasts me around six months. I think this would make a fabulous Christmas present, too!
Because I was my hair daily, I also tend to heat style it daily, as well. I have naturally wavy hair, but I prefer it straightened or curled. I’ve been using a T3 straightener for about a year now, and I am really enjoying it. It does a wonderful job at flat ironing my hair without damaging it, as I’m able to choose from many different heat settings. The T3 creates a shiny and smooth style without frizzing. It’s definitely high quality, and I think I’ll own it for several years to come. The straightener itself is also beautiful and looks nice sitting out on your countertop. I section off my hair and straighten it in parts to get a more polished look. These are my favorite sectioning clips from Amazon. They are amazing and under $7!
Here’s a little confession – I actually don’t know how to curl my hair with a proper clamp curling iron. I can do it with a straightener, and I can use a curling wand. But I have never been able to figure it out with any traditional curling iron. At this point, I’ve kind of given up and just leaned into the curling wand waves. Which is fine by me, because it’s one of my favorite styles to do. The NuMe Curling Wand is the only wand I’ve ever owned. I purchased it on a Black Friday sale about seven years ago now, and it still is going strong. This wand creates gorgeous, easy waves that look glamorous and sophisticated. If it ever breaks, I’ll just repurchase the same one again – that’s how much I love my NuMe wand.
Since I heat style my hair so often, I make sure to use a heat protectant so that I can extend the health of my hair. I adore the Drybar Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist because it’s a fine aerosol mist. It coats your hair without making it feel oily, wet or greasy like most other heat protectants do (especially ones with spray caps). This is one of those products that’s not necessarily a “fun” one, but it’s essential to the life of your hair. I’ll typically mist each section before I use a straightener or my curling wand, and it does the trick perfectly.
To cap off my hairstyles, I’ll add a touch of some hairspray for hold. Like my heat protectant, I gravitate toward anything that has a finer mist application. There is nothing worse than having crunchy-feeling curls. The absolute best hairspray I’ve ever used is the L’Oreal Elnette. But, it’s expensive and difficult to find in stores. Lately, I’ve been using the Tresemme Tres Two Ultra Fine Mist Aerosol Hairspray. You can’t beat it for the price – it gives soft, touchable hold that lasts all day. The can is also massive, and it seems like you’ll never run out of it.
On the rare occasion that I need dry shampoo, I always reach for Batiste. There’s a reason why it’s the best! All you need is a few sprays around the roots and crown of your hair, and it’s like you’ve just stepped out of the salon. It adds volume, gets rid of any oils, and it makes your hair smell incredible. And for a seemingly instant blowout, I always reach for the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer Brush. It’s hot, but it’s fast and it works like a charm.
Linking all of my favorite hair products and more in the carousel below!
