One of the things people ask me in person is how I care for my hair! I get asked ALL the time – multiple times a week when I was working in an office! My hair is pretty long and super thick and I love to braid and curl it. So I try a lot of new hairstyles, and I guess that makes people curious what I do! So I wanted to share my haircare routine and why I love each and every item. Hair is very personal so if you have products you love, fantastic! But if you’re looking to shake it up here are some great products to try!
Shampoo & Conditioner
I have tried tons of shampoos over the years. I’ve tried lots of drugstore brands (Suave, Pantene, Herbal Essences, etc) and had some success. I really loved Suave (I think I was using this one?) but after running out and buying it again it just didn’t feel the same? My hair stylist told me that drugstore formulas change a TON, so you could get a totally different product only a few months later. I also had a bad reaction to dry shampoo (more about that in a bit), so I wasn’t willing to take a chance.
Enter Aveda. I’ve used Aveda on and off my whole life but stopped when I thought drugstore brands were working. Now I use all Aveda and I’m not going back! I use Shampure Shampoo & Conditioner probably 75% of the time, and the rest of the time I use Scalp Benefits Shampoo & Conditioner. Their Scalp Benefits gets down to the scalp (duh) and cleans buildup and promotes a healthier foundation for your hair. I was having mini dandruff and that cleared it up completely! My hair is so silky after using both!
*Note, scalp benefits has a very pungent earthy smell – just a FYI. I don’t mind it but some people do.
Leave-In Treatment
After I let my hair dry a bit (air dry or in a towel) I put on this Aveda styling creme. A little bit goes a long way – I’ve had the same one for over 6 months and there’s a ton left! It smells great and my hair is noticeably smooth and my flyaways are tamed!
Styling Products
I mentioned above that I had a bad experience with dry shampoo – it all started a year ago. Last January I broke my right wrist so it was SUPER hard to shampoo (again, my hair is long and thick!!). I started using more dry shampoo to try and extend my hair between washes — I had been using the same brand for over a year but I really amped up my usage. After a few weeks I started to notice my hair looked thinner, and then it was super apparent at my temples that I was losing hair. For a while I thought I was dreaming, but both my husband and mom agreed! AAHH!! Panic ensued and of course internet searches, and lo and behold that dry shampoo usage can clog your scalp and impact hair growth. So I stopped it completely!
Now – a year later – I have SO SO many hairs that are 4 inches long that I’m pretty positive are growing from after the dry shampoo incident. Obviously this doesn’t happen to everyone, but just be aware of your hair type! Turns out I can’t last multiple days without washing – I need to clean it more often.
Ok so now that that scary story is done, onto things I love!
I love this hairspray more than anything else I’ve ever tried. It smells amazing and holds all day without being crunchy! There is nothing better!
I’ve tried a few texture sprays and ended up returning them to Sephora because they did nothing. Not this one – it smells FANTASTIC and gives my hair texture and volume. It’s pricey but I had a container for over 2 years! It’s great for using in buns, braids, or ponytails to add some texture.
Tools
I love to curl my hair and alternate between using a wand (for waves and looser curls) or a normal curling iron. My hair stays curled much better with the wand, but be careful not to burn yourself!
I have been using a drugstore hair dryer until recently. I splurged last summer and got the Drybar Buttercup and my life has CHANGED. It is so amazing! My hair is softer and smoother, has less flyaways and it dries faster! I’m hooked! It’s expensive but you get what you pay for sometimes, and my hair is so long and thick that I appreciate any time savings!
Haircare Tips
At my most recent haircut I asked my stylist why a friend was having a hard time growing out her hair. His first question was “does she use heat on it daily?”. The answer was yes and he said that heat on your hair can really damage it. This might be obvious to you (and I was behind the times) but it’s been a game changer with my hair care. Unless I have somewhere I need to be immediately after I shower I let my hair air dry. I changed my routine to shower in the evenings so my hair can dry overnight – then I either curl it (leaving ends out) or braid/style it. My hair dries straight so if I shower mid-day (easy now!) I can let it dry and then wear it for a few days. All this is to say that laying off the heat styling can really help your hair!
Also, If you’re looking for a great stylist in the Minneapolis area I recommend Robbie at Juut Southdale. I love him and haven’t even looked for a stylist in St Louis because he is so amazing!!!
I hope this post was helpful and educational! If you have any questions about any of these products let me know – I really do use them daily and love everything!
