Now that I have a new hair color I thought I’d write an updated routine post.
Cut & Color
My hair is a faded dark auburn with highlights. I touch up my roots with the auburn dye, I do not touch up the rest of it, mostly out of laziness and not wanting to get color on the highlights. I go to Kiki at Mod Salon in Portland for the highlights and cuts. She uses foils and no toner. They’re basically bright orange, which is expected when you have been depositing red on it for years like I have. I’m aiming for bright highlights without damage, which has been the outcome.
I’ve gotten highlights three times now, the first two times were a few balayage foils on the bottom, but the most recent time that I went I asked her to focus them mostly around my face so they’d be a lot more noticeable. It made such a big difference which I was not anticipating going in, but I love the result. I feel like my makeup looks completely different since it’s so much lighter around my face. I color my roots every month with Loreal Chroma Cayenne dye and 10 cream developer, both from Sally Beauty. I get cuts like every three months. When I notice the ends reaching to about my belly button I know it’s time for a trim. I ask her to give the ends a good dusting to get off the dry dead ends, shorten up my layers, and thin it all out.
Washing
I wash my hair 1-2x a week max, and do so at night right after work so it has time to air dry before bed. Carol’s Daughter is sulfate free, so I love it for keeping my color intact. Another favorite is Kirkland shampoo and conditioner at Costco, but I don’t make Costco trips enough to keep stocked up on that. Carol’s Daughter is easy to just grab at Target. I love the Green Supreme one the best, but I also have the Cleansing Milk in my shower that I my boyfriend uses to wash his hair. The cleansing milk is very conditioning and it cleans my hair but also is very moisturizing. It’s meant for curly hair that doesn’t get heat styled, and it feels like you have a leave- in product in it almost.
For conditioner I’m currently using the Biolage Matrix that was on sale at Ulta, but I usually like the get the knockoff brand of that at Sally Beauty. I’m not typing “Sally’s” because it’s such a pet peeve of mine when people say “Nordstrom’s” so I’m trying to correct myself from doing the same thing with Sally’s lol.. Side tangent there.
I comb the conditioner through my hair in the shower with my holy grail comb from Sally Beauty that I’ve been using for like 10 years. I cannot live without this thing, and have recently bought a second one to keep in my purse too. Ideally I’d have one in my room, my car, at work, in the bathroom drawer, in my gym bag, in the shower, etc. It’s that good! I use it for styling and detangling throughout the week too. The Wet Brush you’ve probably heard people talk about is nice too, but I prefer it on dry hair.
For a mask I like to use the It’s a 10 knockoff on the bottom third, or this one, that comes in a 60 oz tub for $22. If you want super shiny hair I definitely recommend the second one.
Drying
After I get out of the shower I comb through my hair, and put it up in a Turbie Twist. They’re lightweight microfiber that holds hair in place so I don’t have to balance a huge wet towel on my head.
Once it’s like 30-50% dry, I take it down and put It’s a 10 (generic version again) in it, Kristen Ess Keratin Spray, and oil. I love the Paul Mitchell Skinny Serum (Generic Value version again) and Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser Oil. Most of the time I just let my hair air dry, but otherwise I would blow dry it when it becomes about 70% dry.
Wear, Dry Shampooing
I sleep with it up in a loose ponytail on top of my head in a scrunchie. On the first day of having clean hair I usually wear it in a ponytail if I’m going to work, always being careful to not have it pulling too tight on my roots. I’m paranoid that having it too tight will be harsh and make my hairline recede, which is probably ridiculous. I workout with it up in the scrunchie in a high ponytail, with the end clipped up with a claw clip and a headband on to keep sweat away. After the workout I take down the clip, and redo the ponytail a little lower. Keeping it up all day keeps me from touching it, which I find doesn’t make it as oily as it would be with me pushing it away from my face or tucking it behind my ears.
Day 2 I use dry shampoo, even if it’s not oily. Playing offense instead of defense (so bad at sports that’s prob not an accurate comparison lol) will help stop the oil before it starts. I have a couple favorite dry shampoos- Hask Coconut, Dove Volume, and Bumble & Bumble Pret a Powder. This is also a great dry shampoo that’s not ACTUALLY a dry shampoo, but it severely dries out my scalp and I only use is on special occasions because I’m paranoid about it like suffocating my hair follicles from the dryness. It’s a secret weapon. The rest of the days I keep my scrunchie/ ponytail thing going, combing it with my jumbo rake comb like twice a day- morning and night.
Styling
If I’m going somewhere that I want to look good and wear my hair down, I’ll straighten or curl it. Tools I use are linked! I’ve used Tresemme as a heat protectant for years. It might be a placebo, but I feel like it does an okay job at keeping damage away. After heat styling I love to use texture sprays. My favorite is the Kenra dupe by Generic Value, but there’s also a “Reboost” spray that I like from Sally Beauty that is good for use on roots because it gives grip texture and a little oil absorption. The best hairspray I’ve ever used was a Suave one that was discontinued, so now I use this one.
Say it’s like halfway through the week and my roots are looking limp, but I want to style it. My trick is to brush it out, put dry shampoo foam in the roots and heat protectant through the ends, then do a little blow dry, then curl it. It basically gives me another three days. The dry shampoo foam & blow drying thing is great for if your hair is sweaty after a workout too. Having a beanie handy is another great way to hide limp oily roots!
Supplements
I truly believe that good hair is made with good nutrition. When I take collagen I notice a huge difference in not only my hair but also my skin. I also take prenatal and fish oil vitamins for my hair. I eat low carb as often as possible, but lots of fat, which I think helps hair too, but I honestly don’t know any science behind that. I drink a lot of water always too, which I like to think helps everything.
That’s all I can think of for now! I’m always updating my Instagram “HAIR” highlight with what I’m using as well. Follow me @kimandmakeup. Feel free to leave me any questions.