All About Hair Care

This post is going to be about some old products that I love and have used for years, and also some new products that I'm trying out. I've been on a real "hair kick" lately and not for products specifically, just actually getting my hair very healthy and taking better care of it. Everything you put into your body comes out through your hair, literally. So since I've been very sick the past few months and had so much medicine, my hair was looking dull and brittle. So I started doing some research on the best products for healthier hair. I honestly didn't really have any type of  "therapy" for my hair at home because I've never really been extremely into hair products. Not that I don't like them it's just that I get build up incredibly easy, (like one day of dry shampoo is a weeks worth of clarifying shampoo) and also my hair is pretty manageable as far as keeping in curl and what not. 

So I'll let you in on my routine right now. 
Shampoo (2-3 times a week)
Hair Mask (once a week)
Dry Shampoo (only if necessary)
Styling Products usually once or twice a week (I'll explain)

For shampoo I switch back and forth usually between two-three shampoos. Depending on what I'm needing. I use Pantene Classic Clean when I have buildup and only then. I use a color care shampoo if I have fresh color on my hair (which I don't right now). I use LUSH Big Shampoo for very voluminous hair with a lot of body, I use it maybe once or twice a month because it makes my scalp itch if I use it constantly. The other times I use a restoring shampoo to take care of my hair on the reg. Which I will talk about on down.

I don't have a conditioner that I really like which is why I didn't include one. I'm not one that buys the shampoo and conditioner in a line. I usually am never happy with a conditioner, like ever. My hair gets super weighted down and it gets oily in no time flat. So that's why I use a hair mask regularly because I know conditioning is incredibly important to the hair's health and texture.

This first product is a nourishing mask from Amika. I ordered this off of Amazon that's where I found the best deal because alot of places wanted around $20+ for it. You can use this once a week or for everyday conditioner. This is relatively new to me so I'm only using it once a week. Only because products build up so quickly on my hair. I will say though that it feels great on the hair. You leave it on for about 2-3 minutes and then rinse. This made my hair incredibly soft and it didn't weight it down in the least. When my hair was dry my hair was still soft and no build up. So major plus for that. This has a very strong fragrance though. So if you don't like that then don't buy it.

Also I have a post on a DIY Hair Mask from a few days ago. It also was very good and made my hair quite soft. Not as good as this one but still good if you are in a pinch or are feeling like a DIY project.

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These are some new products I got. I got the small size of the Clean Freak refreshing dry shampoo because I've yet to find one that works on my dark hair and doesn't turn it ashy or feel like my scalp is suffocating under product. This is an aerosol spray and I must say it really worked and worked very good. It was light and wasn't heavily scented either.

I got the cult favorite Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray. I didn't think I would like it because again, build up, and also because I had a fear of nineties crunchy curls from hair spray and gel. You use it on damp hair and then you can blow dry your hair, or let it air dry into "beachy waves". I let mine air dry. I didn't notice beachy waves but it didn't make my hair sticky or like I sprayed a whole can of hair spray on it. So I like it I feel like it's very low on how much texture it gives but I like that as well. My hair hold curl very good so I don't need a lot of product. Only when I've used a hair mask do I actually need things that help keep the style in my hair because when it's super soft it's also silky and doesn't hold curl.  

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These products have been with me a while. I love them. On the left is the Paul Mitchell Extra Body Daily Boost. It's sprayed onto the roots when your hair is wet and it adds extra volume. It smells nice as well.

The other product is Paul Mitchell Hot Off The Press thermal spray. This is a heat protectant and light hold hairspray. Also smells very nice. I don't use this as much as I should. I don't like hairspray much at all but as this works as a protection from heat damage I should use it more. It's the only hair spray I use though and it's the one I prefer if I have a choice.

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These are the two shampoos that I'm rotating right now mainly. I didn't show my Pantene Classic Clean which is what I use for build up. 

The Loreal Total Repair 5 I got on sale at Walgreens for $5 I think. I heard it was very good though. I really like it too. It makes my hair feel clean but it also is very nourishing without weighting it down like a moisturizing shampoo can do. It's supposed to be good if healthy hair is your goal.

LUSH Big Sea Salt Shampoo. This is what I use when I want my hair to be super voluminous and have lots of body. It's strange. I won't lie. You literally are scooping out odd smelling sea salt and putting on your hair. I wouldn't use it if your have fresh color though because it's a little harsh. I order mine online from LUSH.

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The "Wet Brush" I got because I didn't realize that using a paddle brush on damp hair that wasn't a wet brush was terrible for your hair. My hairstylist, who is a very good friend of mine, almost killed me for not using one. I got mine from Sally's, you can also use a Tangle Teezer brush.

For updo's or any type of style that you have to pin back I use Diane Bobby Pins. Mine are jumbo so they're much longer. The Diane bobby pins are professional grade and are very good. They don't slip on the hair and they hold the hair very tightly. You can order them on Amazon or probably find them at a salon warehouse.

I also use clear elastics for easy updos and braids. They look better plain and simple and they don't add bulk to the hair.

Forgive my lack of a smile in this picture. I'm smiling on the inside. I just wanted to give you an idea how long my hair is and what color. It needs new color actually but it's a cool toned brown base with black balayage. Balayage is where the don't do uniform highlights or weaved in highlights or slices of colors. They literally just paint pieces randomly. I really like that, even though mine is painted pieces of black which probably doesn't look natural at all, it's a more natural way of dimensional color.

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I usually only use styling products once a week maybe. If I blow dry my hair I definitely use them but if not, which is most of the time, I don't use them. When I use them though I don't have to use them again, until I wash my hair again. My hair is very manageable though so even after sleeping on it I usually just brush through it and go the next day because it's not as curly but it's still got body. Or I put my hair in a simple updo or bun. 

I wanted to add if you need something extra for volume and lift then I really like Loreal High Lift Spray. It's a teasing spray basically. It will give you instant lift when you spray it underneath a section of hair. It causes lots of residue and build up which makes your scalp itch and can hinder it from getting clean when you shampoo forcing you to use a clarifying shampoo. As you probably know clarifying shampoo can strip your hair of color and oils. It's not a great idea to use it all the time. Only when necessary.


So that's it. That's my latest and greatest hair care and styling products. Hopefully you found something useful in it or just enjoyed it. Either one. :)