Sunday, November 20, 2011

Hair necessities

When I initially thought of posting about my hair products/regimen, I was all 'oh, I don't use many products anyway so this will be a really short post.' Not so much. In all fairness, products add up quickly when you give all the juicy details of how you make a blow-out last, which hair brushes you like the best, and take the time to post the EXACT bouffant shower cap you use on your off days. Yes, I use a shower cap. Like a grandma. But let me tell you, grandma was on to something. See more embarrassing hair secrets below.


1) Aveda Brilliant Shampoo and Conditioner.  I love that this shampoo is gentle but cleans really well.
2) MOP Lemongrass Root Lift.  I have a LOT of hair. While volume isn't an issue for me, volume at the roots (where you WANT it) is hard to achieve because my hair is really heavy.  I love this product, it works AND smells heavenly.
3) Aveda Smooth Infusion Glossing Straightener.  This product does exactly what it says, I have lots of curl/wave in my hair and this helps immensely when I blow dry.
4) Aveda Smooth Infusion Style Prep Smoother.  I use a small amount of this on the ends of my hair because I love the silky feeling.
5) Ergo TGR 3600 Hair Dryer. If ever there were a styling tool that changed my life, this is it.  It is tiny, lightweight (important for me having LOTS of hair to dry, which takes forever), and is a salon-quality professional dryer with 1600 watts of power.  I've had mine for 3 years and have never had a problem.  Plus, it comes with a cute little stand. :)
6) Cricket Technique Thermal 3 1/4" Round Brush. I LOVE THIS BRUSH.  I does absolute wonders for volume and straightening my hair.  I use this huge one so that I don't completely wear my arm out while blow drying.  If you want volume at the roots and a straight, silky smooth blowout... buy this brush. You won't be disappointed.
7) Chi Turbo Large Paddle Brush. This brush is great for blow drying the layers underneath my hair, it's also what I use to brush out my hair before I wash it (crucial for me in the detangling process after I wash it), and what I use to brush out curls underneath to give a soft, glamorous look.  Just a great brush.
8) Hot Tools Gold 1 1/4" Curling Iron.  I use this to curl the ends of my hair when I don't wear it straight.  Sometimes I curl it with the clamp (but don't close the clamp all the way to avoid creases) for big, soft curls... and sometimes I wrap my hair around the barrel without the clamp for a more undone, wavy look.  This iron gets really hot and the cord doesn't get all wrapped up when you're trying to rush to curl your hair.
9) Aveda Control Force Hairspray. I don't use much so this lasts forever.  After I curl my hair with an iron, I spray the curls with this to help set, then shake them loose after they cool.


As discussed in other recent posts, life can't be glamorous all the time.  I do not wash my hair every day. I do not have the time, energy, or need to wash my hair every day.  I typically wash it every 3 days, and these are the products that help my blowouts last.

10) Goody Hair Claw Clips.  I use these all the time.. to section my hair when blow drying, to put up my hair when I wash my face, and most importantly to pile it up on top of my head to go under the shower cap.
11) Spa Sister Bouffant Shower Cap in Lotus. This is my shower cap. My exact one. And I love it.  It does a great job of keeping the water away from my hair in the shower on days when I don't wash it.
12) Ojon Full Detox Rub-Out Dry Cleansing Spray.  The less embarrassing of my two 'dry shampoo' alternatives, I usually use this one on day two.  As far as brand name dry shampoos go, I like this one the best.  It smells great, doesn't leave a white residue all over your hair, and gives great volume at the roots. It's not the best for absorbing oil, but we'll get to that.  I keep the small size in my purse for freshening up my hair if I go straight from work to happy hour or dinner.
13) Summer's Eve Feminine Powder in Cotton Breeze. HEAR ME OUT on this one.  So, years ago I used baby powder to help absorb some of the oil at the scalp on days between washes.  I SWEAR by this, no 'dry shampoo' can touch the effectiveness of powder to freshen a blowout between washes.  But I absolutely hate the smell of baby powder.  So, one day I was in Walgreens and I thought - it's just talc.  Surely there are other powders with talc that smell better than baby powder?  So there I was, looking at 2 very different (and equally hilarious) options: Dr. Scholls foot powder, or Summer's Eve feminine powder.  Obviously I chose the better smelling option, and while I giggle all the time when I use it, it works amazingly well.  This is one hair product that I absolutely cannot go without.  As embarrassing as it is to list this as one of my hair necessities... it's what I use.

27 comments:

  1. i love your "for the days between" section - i really need some help in that department, so i'll be sure to try out some of those products!

    ReplyDelete
  2. love this post..
    http://inhalefashionandbeauty.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great post! Am I the only one who HAS to wash her hair every single day? Seriously? I've tried going without washing it for even a day, and it's just a disaster. Hmmm.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You are hysterical. Oh, by the way, I totally use a shower cap, too! :) And I have the same problem with massive amounts of hair. Going to have to try that root lifter!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great post, many great tips! I wash my hair every 3 days too. And I also have a lot of hair...

    ReplyDelete
  6. I swear by Ojon's dry shampoo. I tried a cheaper Tresemme option, and it just didn't do it.

    I'm always looking for more volume and a better brush when I'm blowdrying - two of those products are on my Amazon wish list! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love that you use dry shampoo - I can't live without it. Sadly I use Psssst! from the drug store. I'm blond so the white-ish spray doesn't show. Or I'm just a hot mess all day and don't know it ;) Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  8. i wash every other day and don't use a dry shampoo because the one time i bought it (oscar blandi), the can got all crazy on me and would get like freezing and spray out on it's own. i literally threw it out the window from the second story because i thought it was going to blow up. yes, i am always this dramatic. =)i have never tried powder and just about died of laughter with your foot or feminine powder choices! hahahaha

    p.s. i totally use a shower cap too.

    xoxo, jenn
    the stylish housewife

    ReplyDelete
  9. Um, you also use those hair clips to attach towels around your friend's necks.

    I am CRACKING UP about this post. F. Y. I.

    ReplyDelete
  10. My hair is big, thick and curly. Being that I wear it curly often, I condition on the days I don't wash. I wash it about 3x's/week because otherwise it gets dried out. I love your brutal honesty. I have never needed dry shampoo type products, but I have heard of using baby powder and I bet your version smells way better! :-) Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  11. lol you just made my morning! #13 From Brooklyn with love ~jen

    ReplyDelete
  12. You have a lot of utensils. I need to step up my hair regimen. It's pretty simple. Wash+Condition+ Go!
    http://whichmewillibetoday.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks so much for the tips! I have been thinking about investing in a good blow dryer for a while now, and this one sounds amazing!

    I also only wash every 3-4 days, and I wear a shower cap too! No shame here, ha! Using the Summer's Eve is hilarious, but I might just have to give it a try!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love seeing what other people's hair routine is! I have that same Hot Tools curling iron, it's the best. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. love seeing your routine. for in between days, you should definitely check out ojon... the texturizing mist is beyond and smells like heaven!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. And PS - literally started laughing out loud by your Summer's Eve powder - hilar. Whatever works!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great tips and post! A little weary of #13 though ;)

    ReplyDelete
  18. This post was really helpful! I've been looking for a great dry shampoo to use.

    -Angela
    http://headtotoechic.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  19. Uh...I cannot wash my hair 1x every 3 days...after 1 day I already hate myself. My hair reeks..and it looks greasy, it doesn't matter whether I try dry shampoo it doesn't help.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great post honey! How was I not already following you? Thanks for visiting ..Kori xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love dry shampoo! Dry Klorane if you get a chance; it's rather awesome. x

    ReplyDelete
  22. Awesome post! So crazy about summer's eve! Thanks for the tip -- haha!

    xx
    Jen

    http://belledecouture.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I use dry shampoo - Pssst but I will definitely try Summers Eve. I use Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel as my face primer for my foundation and LOVE IT. I use to use the Bare Minerals primer and read a while back that it was the exact same thing. I was in a pinch and remembered the Monistat...tried it and haven't stopped using it! I've even recommended it to several people. I also work on Brides makeup and I use it and it is perfecto! :) Liz McNeil

    ReplyDelete
  24. Does the Summers Eve powder leave a white residue behind that makes your hair gray like baby powder does?

    ReplyDelete

I love comments!! Let me know your thoughts :)