SO- when I chopped my hair I actually thought life would be easier.
Yes, I can blow dryer quicker, but no… it’s not neccesarily easier. With short hair you have to be more diligent with your air. It kinda has to be perfect to look good. When I had long hair a kink was no big deal & the go-do bad hair day high pony was always chic.
THAT BEING SAID, I love the short hair & it’s inspired me to put a lot more effort into my hair. I even curl it sometimes, which is something I RARELY did when I had long hair (ain’t nobody got time for that). SO, with this extra bit of effort, I’ve also gotten into using products. I used to be fearful of products cause I HATE when my hair feels like there is GUNK on it.
My hair is curly, frizzy, a little dry on the ends, & full of cowlicks… so my hair dresser INSISTED products would 1000% fix all my hair problems. I decided to commit to a hair routine using products that actually work….
& it has made A GAME CHANGING amount of difference in my hair. LEMME break ’em down for you:
7 Holy Grail Hair Products on Heavy Rotation
1. Kristin Ess ‘The One’ Shampoo & Conditioner
not gonna lie, I totally bought this originally because of the packaging. I thought it’d look great in my shower (lol). That was a year ago & I have repurchased this shampoo/condition over & over again. I’ve never been “wowed” by a shampoo or conditioner. They are all great & seem to get the job done- but the Kristin Ess ‘THE ONE’ shampoo & conditioner is on another level.
Beyond the branding, affordable price, & the color (such a great color)- the shampoo & conditioner are AMAZING. The scent is perfect & is the perfect amount of CLEAN AF + SOFT. My hair feels LIGHT & so SOFT… not in an overly silk way, but more like a VIRGIN hair kinda way.
2. Davines Oi oil
SO- I typically don’t love an oil directly on my hair… I only wash my hair once or twice a week so I am not really looking for added OIL.
That being said, my stylist used this Oi Oil by Davines on my hair my last visit & I LOVED IT. It’s a lightweight shine & does wonders smoothing the ends of my hair after the hot tools (they tend to look a little stressed). I also use it on my curls to smooth them down as well as use it on damp hair before I blow dryer- oh, & then I use what’s left to moisturize my hands.
The bigger bottle is a little pricey, but try out the travel size (you will love).
3. Living Proof ‘Restore’ Hair Mask
Every three washes I do a clarifying treatment followed by a hair mask. I like to start with a clean slate & then give my hair some moisture.
The clarifying treatment is great, it is the Drybar ‘On the Rocks’ Clarifying shampoo, but the real star product is the Living Proof restore mask treatment. I cringe over the amount of dollars I have spent on different hair masks, but this one by Living Proof is the only one I will buy moving forward.
It gives you the look of an INTENSE hair mask (shine, shine, shine), really handles my frizz like a boss, but doesn’t weigh your hair down… as long as you rinse it all out. I let it sit for 20 minutes while I read a book, rinse with warm, & then close up the hair shaft with a blast of freezing water.
4. Ouai Scalp Scrub
Another thing my stylist does is SCRUB my scalp & it is my favorite thing ever. SO- I got my very own scalp scrub by Ouai & I am obsessed with it. Scrubbing your scalp not only feels GREAT (you know how it feels to have your head scratched?! similar to that…), but it really takes care of the health of the scalp which is more important than people know.
Shampoo cleans things but a scalp scrub really EXFOLIATES your scalp & increases circulation- which are two very important things for healthy hair & growth!! ALSO- while looking up the link, I see they now have a CBD version & I need it.
5. Ouai Hair & Body Shine Mist
so I just got this in the mail two weeks ago & I have never smelt anything better ever. When I hug a friend or acquaintance & their hair smells good, that just gives off the vibe that you’ve got your shit together.
I don’t think my hair ever smells BAD, but I think it is scentless… but now that I’ve been using this shine mist I am that girl people say “omg your hair smells so good”. BUT ALSO, it’s a super light shine mist so it makes the PERFECT top coat for your hair.
BONUS points: you can use it on the body- I always give my legs/collarbones/arms a spritz before I head out the door.
6. Living Proof Smooth Blowout Concentrate (heat protector!)
If you could only pick ONE hair products for the rest of your life, I’d say get a heat protector (if you use hot tools). My hairdress was SHOOK at the condition of my hair when I first saw her & the first thing she said was to show her how I flat iron & do I use a heat protectant?
I was flat ironing all wrong, too hot, too aggressive, & no I did not use a heat protectant.
Think of a heat protectant like sunscreen- a barrier from THAT HEAT. It’s a must and the reason this Living Proof one is my go-to is not only because it really does it job at protecting my hair from the mass amounts of heat I use…. but it seriously cuts dry time IN HALF & gives me a smooth af blowout that barely needs any flat ironing. It’s a win, win, win.
7. Living Proof ‘Perfect Hair Day’ Dry Shampoo
This is the BEST dry shampoo I’ve ever used… & I’ve had some major issues when it comes to dry shampoo. I literally can’t STAND when my hair feels like there is product in it, & so many dry shampoos would make my hair look kinda clean… but feel super dirty. Then there is the problem with being a brunette & using dry shampoo. Sure the grease is gone, but now you’re grey. Not the look we are going for.
The PHD dry shamps gives me none of those problems. It is lightweight, doesn’t make me look chalky, smells great, & makes my hair LOOK & FEEL clean af. Zack uses it too, we are obsessed with this stuff.
OKAY! THAT’S ALL I GOT. Comment below your HOLY GRAIL haircare products! x, E