Whenever I post a video on Instagram, I always get comments about how shiny my hair looks. Obviously, most of the credit goes to my hairdresser. But some of it goes to the products I use everyday, so let’s talk about them.
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Moisturizing Shampoo // As a fine-haired person, I spent years using volumizing shampoos that probably did nothing. A few years ago, I switched to moisturizing shampoo and I have never looked back. The best thing you can do for your hair is keep it from getting too dry. Also, there is no need to spend a fortune on shampoo. I use a $10 shampoo from Native, and it works well.
Gloss Conditioner and Treatment // When I need to condition, I use dpHue’s gloss conditioner in the medium brown. If my color needs a refresh, I leave it on for 5-10 minutes. If my color is looking fresh, I just leave it on for a few moments.
Every few days, I also apply the K18 Molecular Hair Mask. This product really keeps my ends looking heathy and gives my hair a nice shine. It’s one of the few products that I try to never run out of.
Styling Products // When they discontinued my beloved Ouai volumizing spray, I almost cried. I had somehow missed the announcement of its impending doom, and had not stocked up. As such, I began a lonely journey to find a new styling product that didn’t make my hair crunchy and gave soft, natural volume. Enter the Roz Air Thickening Spray. Enough volume that it looks effortlessly full, and a little bit of hold to go with it.
Everyone has days where their hair looks a little dry and a little bereft. For those days, I use IGK AntiSocial spray. It smooths and shines hair and makes it look like you walked out of a 90s Pantene commercial. This product went viral last fall and has been sold out for months. The only place to get it is on the IGK website, and even then, they only have the minis left.
I rarely use hairspray anymore (part of the gift of working from home), but when I do, I like this Kevin Murphy Session Spray.
If you have any hair products that you love (especially if they address individual hair concerns), leave them in the comments.
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I’ve been on a journey with my curly hair (mix of 3a/3b) and two products I’ve recently noticed make a HUGE difference come my 2x/weekly wash day are the Mizani Wonder Crown Scalp Foaming Pre-cleanser, and the K18 Molecular Repair Oil. I use a shampoo that doesn’t foam, and it never felt like it was getting my scalp clean (don’t come for me, I was using a scalp scrubber and all the tricks in the book). The Pre-cleanser has been a godsend for this (I find it’s easier to control where it goes vs products like the Briogio scalp scrub which strip my hair), and then literally just 1-2 drops of the K18 oil before I style makes such a huge difference. I got both through Sephora samples recently, so I recommend trying them out at no cost (if you’re already shopping for something)!
Some great ideas here! For my fine, thin medium-length colored hair, I really get behind Lolavie’s detangling spray. It feels easy to use a wet brush on my hair before drying. I also love to use Lolavie’s styling cream on the back of my hair to air dry. Oribe’s texturizing spray remains a favorite for tousled ends. I subscribed to Prose’s curated shampoo, but don’t find it remarkably different. Need a good overnight leave-in product for hair thinning.
I use Vegamour’s Gro serum for my spots that are thinning (right temple and my part at the crown). I apply at night before bed. If you’re consistent with it, it works. I haven’t tried any of their other products.
Thanks so much, Sam!!
Am I reading this correctly that you don’t condition every wash?
When you use the dpHue gloss, do you go all the way up to the roots (unlike regular conditioner)?
Thank you!
If I use the K18, I don’t need to condition every wash. But because this conditioner deposits color, I sometimes leave it on a long time, I sometimes use it for a short time, just like regular conditioner.
I also was devastated at the loss of Ouai Volumizing Spray. It was my dream spray. My combo now is to do Sexy Hair Root Pump, dry my hair half way, then spray Nexxus Unbreakable Root Lift Spray all throughout the hair, then finish drying. It’s been an affordable combo for full, thicker looking hair with great volume!
I couldn’t handle the smell of the IGK antisocial spray, though I agree it works well.
I like Kevin Murphy orange bottle color products, especially the leave in conditioner spray.
I recently bought the Ouai Apple Cider Vinegar detox shampoo and really like it. Reasonably priced and does a great job of cutting through and breaking down the dry shampoo build up.
Entering my late 30s, my hair turned wavy (hello frizz!) and dry. After a lot of trial and error, I am now settled with the Biolage scalp sync dandruff shampoo (so much more moisturizing than Head and Shoulders), Purology Smooth Perfection conditioner, and the Olaplex number 6 cream scrunched in with an air dry to give some definition, control frizz and soften everything. If I blow out my hair straight (which happens like twice a year) I use the Purology Detangler spray (which is also the best detangler for my kiddos super curly, waist length, dense ringlets).
Loved this post! Would love to hear more about your thoughts on the Roz Air Thickening Spray (and if you’ve tried any other Roz products?)