Every girl has her “thing.” For some, it’s makeup. For others it’s facial creams or treatments. But for me, it’s my hair. I’ve always been a hair girl and it’s where I invest most of money. Because of that, I’ll test out any product (within reason) that will improve my hair quality. A full, healthy head of hair is very important to me, as are my hair care products.
I have a ton of hair. It’s almost like a horses tail! In addition, my hair is a bit of an oxymoron, as it’s super thick, yet I have very fine strands of it. My hair is currently the longest it has ever been in my entire life, which sounds crazy as I write it! As a kid my mom kept it short and on trend, as I rocked a Dorothy Hamill haircut for a long time. And after that I just kept it super short as it was easier to maintain. I decided to grow it a couple of years ago because I craved a ponytail. Well I’m finally at ponytail length and I might keep going.
Given my extensive experimentation with hair care products and tools I wanted to share my current favorites with you. So here we go…..
Shampoo and Conditioner
For years I have relied on tresemme (usually the volume or moisture rich type) to wash my hair. I got hooked from my friend who let me use hers on a trip and I never looked back. It was salon quality at a price I could afford. That was probably 10 years ago and then I started this blog and had the opportunity to test out Biolage Matrix 3 Butter Control System (shampoo and conditioner) and I got hooked. Although it’s a bit more expensive, is is worth every penny. Because it takes my dry, over processed hair and brings it back to life. It makes it super soft and healthy looking again. It also removed the tiny frizz halo I had on my head every day. These are some of the best hair care products I’ve found.
Overnight Creams and Masks
There is nothing like a good old-fashioned V05 Hot Oil Treatment 🙂 But things have evolved a bit in the hair care products industry and now there are several masks available to replenish your hair. I’ve recently bumped up my deep conditioning on my hair to about 3 times a week. And I alternate between the following products.
Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask – This is an in shower mask. I leave it on for 5 minutes and rinse out before getting out of the shower. It packs in the moisture that my hair is lacking.
Biolage 3 Butter Control System Overnight Mask – This is a thick overnight restoring mask. I have to rinse it out in the morning before styling my hair.
Biolage 3 Butter Control System Day Cream – I actually use this cream at night and let it soak in. No need to rinse it out in the morning, it absorbs overnight.
Pantene Overnight Miracle Serum – You don’t need to rise this out in the morning, it gently works overnight and you wake up with soft revitalized hair.
Heat Protector Spray
I always, always, always put a heat protector on my hair before I style it and you should too. It’s one of the most important hair care products you can get. A heat protector will add conditioner to your hair to protect it against the high heats of styling. It will lessen the breakage associated with these high heat tools. Apply it to wet or damp hair and make sure you get all of your hair and not just the top layer. I don’t have a go-to favorite, but I’ve been using Tresemme and CHI lately.
Hairspray
I’m the queen of hairspray. Just ask my mom! She literally had to scrub it off the bathroom walls and floor when I was younger (Thanks Mom!). Over the years I’ve had my favorites for many reasons and some of them have been discontinued. There is a clear sadness when they discontinue your favorite hairspray, it’s just as bad as a breakup! Here are my honest thoughts on the hairsprays I have used in the past and current.
Frizz Ease Moisture Barrier Firm Hold Hairspray – True to its name, this hairspray holds your hair in place all day. I mainly use it because it blocks the moisture on humid days and keeps my hair in place. It is a firm hold spray and trust me, everything stays in place with this hairspray.
Tresemme Micro Spray – A fairly new product on the market offering multiple levels of hold. With a flexible hold, smooth hold and boost hold ,this is a lightweight hairspray that is brushable and light. My hair’s too thick for this type of spray, but it would be great for thinner hair.
L’oreal Elnett Hairspray – My current go-to hairspray that I’m buying in bulk right now! This hairspray holds my hair in place all day, yet brushes out immediately and lets me re-style it. It smells great and offers a strong flexible hold all day. My hair moves and bounces, while staying in place. The only con is it sticks to everything in the bathroom, so I have to wipe down the counters and floor frequently.
Other Products
Powder Play – The best volumizing powder I’ve used in a long time. Use it sparingly because a little goes a long way. I dust it on the roots of my hair and let it soak in. I then put a little in my hands and flip my head upside down and rub into the roots. Flip up and style as normal. What I love it that you can regenerate it all day long by fluffing up your roots.
Secret Weapon Touch Up Cream – Literally my secret weapon and final touch on my hair every day. I use a small amount of this cream and smooth it over my hair. It tucks away all the frizzy ends and leaves every hair in place.
Tools To Use
T3 Blow Dryer – The best investment you can make is a good blow dryer. While the cheap drugstore dryer works, it can damage your hair. Using one that has an ion generator actually does wonders for your hair. It dries your hair smooth versus frizzy and puffy. The T3 has been my dryer for a long time. These dryers are built to last and with an average 2 year warranty on them they are worth the money. Mine is the older version, but their current models can be found here and here.
Straightner – My personal favorite is the CHI, I’ve been using it forever and haven’t found another one that works as well. Its a 1 inch ceramic straightener and it works very well on my hair. It heats up in minutes and stays hot the whole time I’m using it. I have wavy hair and this straightener gets the waves out in a single pass.
If you are traveling internationally you will want to pick up the CHI dual voltage version. I fried my regular straightener on my first trip abroad using the wrong voltage converter 🙁 After tons of research I found this one and it’s amazing! Heats up to 425 degrees in seconds and gets my hair super straight. This is a great investment tool!
Curling Iron – This might be shocking, but I use a standard Revlon 1.5 inch curling iron and it’s under $15! (My hairspray costs more!). This curling iron does the trick. I like a loose wave so the heat of the curling iron isn’t as important as it is for my straightner.
Teasing Comb – The bigger the hair the smaller you look 🙂 I love big hair and teasing the roots is how I get that volume. Any teasing comb will do and you can grab a cheap on here.
Round Brush – I’m partial to a ceramic rough brush and have a few sizes I use depending on the final look I am going for. The 1¾ brush provides a smooth look with a loose underturn on the ends. I use this brush everyday as it is quicker for me and lets me dry more hair at once. The 1 inch brush let me get close to the roots and give a little more volume on the top of my head.
Good haircut
All the tools and hair care products in the world can’t help you if you have a bad haircut. Finding the perfect stylist is the first step to having great hair. Mine found me, actually. Back when I worked at the Gap, the salon next door was training students. They offered me a free haircut and I took it! While the actual experience was long, I realized the teacher was very talented. I found out who she was and booked her for my next cut. 16 years later I’m still going to Laura for the worlds best haircut. Yes I strayed a couple of times and it was brutal and I learned some hard lessons.
She introduced me to my colorist, Robyn, and well I’ve never looked back. Because Robyn matches my hair color perfectly, you would never guess how grey my hair really is 🙂 These two talented ladies have since started their own salon. It’s called Philip James Salon and they are on fire! They each have over 20+ years of experience. I drive out to the Chicago burbs to see these ladies because they are worth it. Therefore, If you need a cut or color I highly recommend them, you can see my hair as proof of their skills. Laura is my hairstylist and you can see her work on her Instagram feed. Robyn is my colorist and you can see her work on her Instagram feed. If you want to get in touch with them to book your appointment you can do so a few ways.
- Vagaro Pro App – Download it, search for Philip James Salon and schedule your appointment, super easy!
- Text or Call them at 630.440.0277 (Laura, Master Hairstylist) or 630.854.5388 (Robyn, Master Colorist)
- Reach out to them on Facebook or Instagram (here and here)
- Tell them Later Ever After sent you!
Looking for more hair care products, check out a few of my hair focused posts here and here.
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