I’m always trying to upgrade my hair routine with products that will give me luscious bouncy princess hair. Here are all my tips and what I’m loving.
Color
I’m embracing my natural brown and haven’t highlighted my hair for a few years. I miss having caramel pieces, but the damage and maintenance wasn’t worth it. It always looks freshly done when you have your natural color all over. I’m still growing out the old highlights, so I’ll do a DIY medium brown gloss treatment once in a while when they start to fade or peek through. 7N Wella demi permanent will also get you the same shade if you want to match me.
Cut
The goal is always healthy, thick, and shiny hair. I make an appointment every three months for a trim with blunt ends, long layers, and chin length curtain bangs. Scraggly dry ends look trashy and cheap, get a haircut. I’m allowed to say that because I’m trashy lol.
Routine
– I wash my hair once per week.
– I apply leave in spray and oil after the shower, and 97% of the time I’m air drying.
– If I blow dry I add a heat protection spray and styling product. I gravitate toward any product that claims to be strengthening.
– I sleep on a satin pillowcase. The main way I put it up for sleep is by doing an upside down braid. Flip head down (like bent over), form one big loose braid. Otherwise it’s in two loose low braids, or a low loose bun.
– I do heatless waves with a Sleepy Tie or jumbo Eternal Muse overnight curler. I have a tutorial on my Tiktok of how I do it.
– Throw away your damaging hair ties! Day to day I have my hair in a low loose ponytail with a satin scrunchie. The scalp is never being pulled tightly.
–Must have hair tie / It took me way too long to try these because they’re definitely pricey. I’m sold though because I use them daily and and they look more chic than a huge scrunchie. You’ll get the hype once you try.
– Throughout the week I add oil so my ends aren’t looking dry.
– I use hot tools 1- 3x per month.
Pre-Wash
- Amika Reset Cleansing Oil – I will forever repurchase this. I put it on my scalp for an hour before it’s time to wash my hair, and massage it in. It’s so soothing and refreshing for my dry scalp. It has the minty tingle that feels so good when your hair hasn’t been washed in a week.
- Mielle / On hair wash day I’ll apply this, do a workout, then wash it out.
Wash
Shampoo / Fekkai Detox or Redken Volume
Conditioner / My favorite conditioner is Redken All Soft because it’s so lightweight and it will always be in my rotation. I’ve recently been using Redken Frizz Dismiss for extra hydration and love it as well.
Treatment / Fekkai scrub makes my hair instantly soft. I’m not sure what magic is in it but it’s the only thing that has ever made my hair feel this smooth. If your hair ever feels gross or heavy this will fix the issue and get fresh fluffiness back.
Mask / Oribe is the best I’ve ever tried.
Leave in/ Post shower
Concoction: apply two leave- ins, then an oil on the ends.
-Lush Super Milk / This adds hydration and is great for wavy hair. I’m truly using this product for the scent though. I’m in a major Lush phase and feel incomplete without this product.
–Kerastase Anti Frizz / I need something lightweight that gives my hair shine. I hate when products make my hair feel goopy when I’ve just washed it. This one works without making it feel heavy or gooey.
Others in the rotation: Kerastase Resistance , Olaplex 6, IGK Good Behavior, and Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser Primer.
–Oil / After I use one of the two previous leave-ins, I apply oil on the ends. This is my all time favorite oil to use on wet hair to make it smooth.
Styling Products
- Dream Coat / Worth all the hype it gets. If I need my hair to look extra sleek and stunning for an occasion, I’ll use this before blow drying. This gets rid of frizz, and makes my hair have that professionally done look.
- Kenra Platinum / For some reason I actually trust that this protects my hair from the blow dryer heat, which gives me peace of mind. It’s moisturizing and smells amazing.
- Amika Brooklyn Bombshell / If you want volume, spray this and blow dry upside down. It has a light hold and acts like a liquid mousse.
- Heat Protection Spray / When my hair is dry and I’m using a hot tool, I use Amika Shield or DryBar Hot Toddy.
Leave In Products (Dry hair throughout the week)
- Amika Dream Routine / This is like a moisturizing lotion that works perfectly on dry hair. It’s great to use before doing overnight curls.
- Oil / Oribe is the holy grail, but I also love good ol’ OGX argan oil. Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser Oil is another favorite. I’m currently using up Ouai oil (good lightweight for everyday), and just purchased the Davines one to try out.
- Dry Shampoo / I don’t use it often because I feel like it can’t be good for my scalp, but I like to use a powder when I do.
- Ouai Scalp Serum / I’ve gone through countless bottles. I love that you can use it on freshly washed hair.
Hot Tools
Thank you so much for reading! Bonus honorable mention: Take prenatal vitamins and workout to stimulate blood flow. That’s the real secret to great hair.
-Kim @kimandmakeup