Showing posts with label hair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hair. Show all posts
I've been at a bit of a crossroads with my hair lately. I've managed to change my side part to a middle part, gotten layers, had a balayage, and have worn it down more than I used to. I've shuffled out some of my old products and have been more cognizant of how many times I wash it now that the winter chill makes my hair so dry and dull.
My hair is pretty fine with dry ends — not a great combo! But I think I have this lineup down to a tee. With however many products I've tried and that are on the market, it constantly feels like a treasure hunt. These are some of the products I've found to help create a silky and effortless blowout look.
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer - I've always grown up with Revlon hair tools and every Christmas my sisters and I were always gifted a flat iron or curling wand, but this year, I hopped on the Tik Tok trend and gave into trying this 2-in-1 hair dryer brush that has been raved about for creating an effortless blowout in minutes.
And let me tell yuh folks, it works like magic! Probably one of the best things I've purchased last year. There's no fuss with a normal hair dryer and having to hold your arm up with a brush in the other hand. It is truly a game changer.
Amika Bombshell Blowout Spray - I've always loved Amika as a brand, so I thought I would try this spray to accomplish an even better blowout with the Revlon hair dryer. I've also been keen to using heat protectants more again. It gives the perfect amount of texture and volume without build up.
Briogeo Scalp Revival Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo - I've been through the dandruff shampoo phase and I could never find a shampoo that was free of parabens and toxic chemicals.
So, I was reluctant to find shampoo for dry and itchy scalp, but I happened to receive a sample of this from Sephora and wanted to give it a proper go. I was very skeptical because it seemed almost like a face mask.
The texture is infused with charcoal that helps exfoliate and remove dead skin. It also fills your shower with the scent of peppermint and spearmint oils and my head always feels so clean and healthy after!
Verb Ghost Dry Oil - I recently got onto the Verb train and am glad I did because I found this perfect finishing spray for blowouts.
It acts as a spray-on conditioner, adds a lot of shine, and de-frizzes which is something my hair always does, even during the winter. I'm not a fan of using hair spray, especially when I'm just working at home or don't mind my style falling a bit throughout the day. This is the perfect final touch for my hair.
Living Proof Instant De-Frizzer - If you're looking for a product solely for de-frizzing, I would recommend the Living Proof one!
I used this a lot during the summer, even on my natural hair and without styling it. It leaves your hair silky and smooth and is the perfect touch up during the day when you don't have time to get the flat iron out.
What do you normally do to maintain your hair during the winter?
If there's one thing I've been asking for, it's a hair cut. My last hair cut (as gross as it is) was last October. When I was in high school, I was getting hair cuts every two or three months to maintain my long bob, but now that I'm growing my hair out I figured that I might as well see how far I can go with managing my hair. I think I've been doing a good job with it because I haven't felt the need to use hot tools or a ton of products to hold it in place—like I do that normally—but it's been nice to let my hair hang loose a natural for a while.
Thankfully, I have secured an appointment with my hairdresser to fix up my color and length. I'm thinking about going brighter and possibly blonder, but my sisters say they love my brown hair, so we'll see what I'm feeling! I started coloring my hair about two years ago and I have to say, I think I'm obsessed. It's true—the new seasons bring new hair reasons!
My hair routine has not evolved much since I last talked about it, but I do continue to use my trusty staple products in moderation. Every now and then I like to use a little spritz of styling spray to make my hair feel more "done". The newest addition is this Tresemmé Compressed Mirco Mist. I use it to add more texture and volume than I do for hold. I love it because your hair is not frizzy or sticky and it's a great pick me up when you feel like wearing your natural hair down.
There are other products I love like the Ouai Texturizing Hairspray for some added hold and body. I also have a new find, the OGX Honey Hold spray for indestructible hold on more humid days when I want my curls to stay in place.
I will fully disclose that I am not sponsored by Amika products, but if the opportunity arose, I would definitely love to be a brand ambassador for them. Growing up I used mainly Tresemmé, so I thought it was about time to give my hair some love, especially now that I am coloring it.
My hairdresser got me obsessed with their products and I realized that my hair has become so dry over the years, partly because I wasn't using the best products for my hair, but also because I was using chemical stripping shampoos and conditioners. I also shower a lot since I workout and am constantly active, so I made sure to put my hair first and find products that won't strip it away of its nutrients and color.
I scored and found this set at TJ Maxx and would highly recommend looking there first for more higher end hair products. They have a great selection of salon rated brands for decent pricing. Plus, I've had these bottles for a few months and I have barely used half of it. One product that has really saved my hair has been Amika's The Shield Style Extending spray. Now that it's starting to get humid, I like to spritz this on top of my hair as the finishing seal and it has really proved to have staying power. Most products I've found that promise to keep a hold, will flatten within a few hours, but I think I've found my staples and will continue to enjoy them throughout the summer.
How have you been managing your hair recently?
I don't know about you, but I am all about effortless hairstyles. The less work, the better. I used to spend at least a half-hour on my hair in the morning deciding what I wanted to do with it and it would normally end in me getting frustrated and putting it in a messy bun or ponytail. In middle school, I used to try all of the Youtube tutorials and "damage-free" curling techniques. I would sleep in foam rollers every day in seventh grade and honestly I wish I had the same motivation.
Alas, times have changed, life is busier, and hair is just not a number one priority. I feel like the "effortless" hairstyles are on trend anyway. I mean, it's not like Hallmark where everyone walks out looking like they're going to prom with perfect curls and volume. When I'm in the mood to get a bit dolled up, especially for a holiday occasion, I've found that the best soft curls come from a simple 1-inch curling iron and just two of my favorite products. The Hot Tools 24K Gold Curling Iron is my tried and true tool for the perfect beach wave.
Over the years, I've tested many drugstore curling irons and grew up with Conair and Revlon, but they never left my hair feeling as soft as the Hot Tools iron does. It has a nice range of heat settings, a comfortable grip, and a pretty gold barrel, but my favorite feature is the swivel cord. You don't get stuck going around your head. The barrel just so effortlessly rolls around itself, which is a win!
This is a new addition to my hair product family, the Amika Shield Style Extending Spray acts almost like a heat protectant and hairspray all in one. Not only does it smell delicious, but for loose waves, this is the perfect product for ensuring that my waves stay in place all day, despite unruly Chicago weather conditions.
I first became a fan of Amika when I got my first balayage last year. My stylist recommended the Amika Vault Color Lock shampoo and conditioner, to maintain my color and protect it. There are no parabens or harsh chemicals in these products and more recently, I've been mindful about what products I'm using on my head. While there are many other options out there, Amika has really worked for me, so I would highly suggest trying out their range of products.
I've talked about the Ouai Texturizing Hairspray and I'll talk about it again! This has to be my favorite hairspray of all time. For beach waves and lob hairstyles, texture is something my hair craves, especially because it can be a bit weighed down after I curl it. This tousled in is the perfect finishing touch.
I've embraced not having to put much into my hair, mainly because I just love my natural hair. It's taken me a while to come to terms with my natural waves and just letting it air dry after I shower. I've spent years trying to figure it out, but my hair honestly looks its best just brushed. As much as I wish I was more adventurous and still had the motivation I had in seventh grade, I think the best hair is hair that's healthily well-taken care of and maintained. What's your hair secret?
Recently I made a little hair change, one that was very needed. No, I did not chop it all off, but it's that time of year when things change and I needed a refreshed look. I got highlights last year and it kind of faded out into a muted brown color that just didn't do my natural hair justice.
My good high school friend, Natalie Grollo, knows her stuff! She has magical styling skills and I would highly recommend her to everyone looking for a freshen up or even a brand new do.
Sometimes change is good, even if it's just changing something about your look. I wasn't totally for sure about what I wanted to do to it, I just knew I needed something that looked like my natural hair, but better.
I feel like I'm going to get addicted to getting my hair done because the result is just unbelievable. Also, I just love sitting in the chair and chatting with the stylist, it's very therapeutic. We decided on a honey blonde balayage for my hair and I am beyond pleased. I didn't want to lose the length or add layers, but Natalie really achieved the color I was hoping for.
At the end of my visit, she recommended me a couple products that she used in my hair. I'll be honest, I'm not too keen on using a ton of products in my hair and I usually don't style it on the daily, but she suggested I used color locking shampoos and conditioners without parabens or harsh chemicals. Of course, I was interested because I want to maintain this hair color for as long as I can. Drugstore products, while tried and true, don't always cut it.
She advised me to use a small amount of the Amika Vault Color-Lock shampoo and conditioner to ensure that my color stays put for a few months and not to wash my hair as often as I normally do, which is sometimes every day after I work out. Not only does this shampoo and conditioner smell so floral and fresh, but it is also made with soybean oil, to protect the color from fading and stay vibrant. It also is made with an amino acid blend that strengthens my hair shaft and roots and boosts its overall health.
I am the queen of texture, so this Amika Un.Done Volume and Matte Texture Spray had to be added to my basket. When I do feel like adding an extra oomph to my hair, texture sprays are my best friend. Rather than just sticking my head with a stronghold hairspray, this gives it flexibility and added playfulness.
Doing your hair can be as simple as a clean new cut or as drastic as a totally new color. Whatever it is, I think everyone deserves to change it up a little and reinvent their look this season. It's a nice way to get back on your feet and work it.
I feel like I don't ever really talk about my hair that much because I'm honestly not one to put much effort into it most days. Some people have parts of their morning routine that they spend so much time on and my hair isn't one of them. My hair is constantly changing and I've done many things to it style wise in the past. It's still a long lob and my highlights are starting to fade for the winter, but I thought I would share what products and the main tool I use when I feel like sprucing it up a bit.
My hair feels its greatest after I shower and blow dry it for like fifteen minutes. While, I wish that was the ideal situation for me everyday, taking a shower and all that is not practical for me and my sleep-wake cycle and workout schedule. My hair feels so fluffy and looks so smooth and shiny when I do, but on most days when I shower the night before, my hair isn't as voluminous the next day.
I mainly take a brush to it and fluff it out. Sometimes when it really doesn't wanna manage, I'll use my Nume straightener, which I'm still amazed I bought for twenty bucks a couple years ago. Nume was having some promotional deal and all my sisters and I scored. If I really don't feel like wearing my hair down, scrunchies and hair ties are the way to go. I would say a top knot is my ideal hair style.
As for products, I keep it very minimal. I've raved about the Ouai Texturizing Hairspray on the blog already and love it. However, I've discovered some newbees that I love now, too. The Bed Head Mini Hard Head is a great holding hairspray and I use this mainly when I decide to curl my hair. I need a strong hold hairspray, and at least a mini size, because you never know!
I believe I've mentioned the Herbal Essences Dry Shampoo already, but I love it so much I thought I'd plug it in again. It's cucumber and green tea—so fresh and revitalizing. My hair feels so refreshed without the mangey residue that some dry shampoos leave.
The newest addition to the haircare fam is the Dry Bar Triple Sec 3-in-1 and it literally does wonders. It's basically a texturizer, volumizer, and refresher all in one. I've found that it makes my straight lob look ten times better when I spray this on. It just makes my hair look more tousled and full! If you've noticed, these are all travel-sized products. Not only did I just want to try them out at first, but I honestly don't use up full size aerisol sprays to even want to buy them. I think the less you do to your hair, the better it looks. Thoughts?
If you didn't already know from my instagram or other social media (links on my homepage), I actually just dyed my hair. It was time for a change and I am obsessed with the balayage trend. That said, I've kind of switched up or have been using some fairly new products for awhile for my lob hairstyle. My look when I usually curl or style my hair is with texture and loose hold.
I actually have two dry shampoos that I have been using on occasion. The first one is the Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing dry shampoo in toasted coconut. It is probably my favorite drugstore dry shampoo so far. It reminds me of vacation and the best part is that it gives your hair more volume and texture while also getting rid of the excess oil.
Another dry shampoo that has come in at a close second is the Herbal Essences Bio Renew dry shampoo in cucumber and green Tea. I honestly am not a fan of cucumber, but the combination is just so refreshing and nice. This one doesn't add texture, but is probably better at cleaning my hair more than the NYM's one. Both are great and inexpensive options! I use them interchangebly when I feel like it.
I also can't seem to like any other hairspray I try, but the Ouai Texturizing Hairspray is the best one I've tried. It's high end in deed and there are rumors that they have changed the scent, so hopefully if I repurchase it won't drastically change my thoughts, but my main love for this is because it doesn't leave my hair sticky and keeps the style held and in place.
My hair journey is very relaxed and isn't as drastic or as adventurous as other people's, but I like to keep trying things every now and again. What have you tried lately?
This is not going to be an entirely uplifting review of a product I know a lot of bloggers love, but I thought this review may be helpful for some people interested in trying the Kristen Ess hair care line that is now available at Target. Full disclaimer—I have only tried the extra gentle shampoo and original conditioner. I didn't know that there were two kinds until they restocked the extra gentle conditioner and original shampoo in my store.
So my experience with the products may have been affected by using the different formulas together, but I don't see how that would be a major issue since it's the same brand. Following many other bloggers and seeing the great reviews, I wasn't too skeptic paying ten dollars for a shampoo and conditioner that has been praised by many. I was just trying to switch it up a bit with my hair care.
Not only are these containers aesthetically pleasing, they are very small and you don't get much product for how much you spend. Since I was the only one using them, though, I found it fine and both lasted me a couple months. Both different types of shampoos and conditioners smell entirely different. The gentle formula smells like coconuts and vanilla which I love, but the signature formula smells very strongly of rose and floral which I did not enjoy at all.
Not only are these containers aesthetically pleasing, they are very small and you don't get much product for how much you spend. Since I was the only one using them, though, I found it fine and both lasted me a couple months. Both different types of shampoos and conditioners smell entirely different. The gentle formula smells like coconuts and vanilla which I love, but the signature formula smells very strongly of rose and floral which I did not enjoy at all.
My main issue with this product is that there is an insane amount of build up. At first, I thought it was my college's really bad water pressure, but I brought the shampoo and conditioner home to see if normal pressure affected the distribution and rinse of the product and I still woke up with greasy and sticky hair. I wasn't noticing it much until I started to style my hair and I noticed combing through it with my fingers that it felt oily and not soft or fluffy.
While I appreciated the easy-to-close cap and how it was paraben-free, sulfate-free, and aluminum-free, there are way more options that work better than these two do. I haven't tried any of Kristen Ess's other products, but I'm not entirely swayed by these two to give the rest a go. Tresemme and L'Oreal have some great products that I always fall back on.
I'll be honest, I am the type of person to buy things because they look pretty or because a majority of people enjoy a product. However, I've tried to stick to my own opinion when it comes to products because some just don't work out for some people, and that's okay! You don't need to spend much for great beauty products and this goes to show that not everything is as great of quality as it seems.
It's been a while since I have talked about anything hair, and that's mainly because my hair routine hasn't really changed. It's pretty darn simple, actually. I usually wear my hair natural and I've only been styling it with a one-inch curling wand every so often. My product usage in my hair is also very minimal and not-so-complicated either. For a while, I've been using texturizing sprays to add a bit of "umpf" to my hair. I've been loving the messy lob look for a while now, but I have struggled to find the right product that doesn't leave my do sticky and bodyless.
Since I only really use one product in my hair, I felt like I could splurge a little on one that would actually work. I have heard all about Ouai products through the media: beauty gurus, YouTubers, magazines, and the Kardashians all swear by it, but that wasn't the only reason I wanted to get this specific brand.
This texturizing hairspray acts as a dry shampoo and a hairspray. You get an oil absorbing product that also holds style, which I really like. Plus, the smell of it is great and tropical, too. For a while, I have been obsessed with the Not Your Mother's Texturizing Spray, but wanted something that could also be used to keep the look in place.
I know that my hair probably won't change drastically in the next couple of months, but I am still looking for new ways to style it because I'm bored, to be honest. I love the lob look, but sometimes I just need a quick and easy way to make my hair look good without having to worry about curling it every day. Let me know for all of you "lobbers" out there what the best and easiest way to style your hair is!
Over this past week I was able to try out this Tea Tree shampoo by Maple Holisitics, a brand that I have never heard of before, but was very interested in their all natural ingredients. They are an all natural beauty brand that is sold online and in some Walmart stores. A representative emailed me and asked me if I wanted to try out one of their products and I was very interested in using tea tree shampoo for my hair because I have noticed my scalp has been a bit dry lately and I thought the first week of college would be a great time to try it out.
I have recently been using tea tree oil on my skin and I love how smooth it makes my skin feel. I was unsure if I was going to react or something, but my head has felt fine and my hair is actually pretty smooth. I do have to say that it doesn't have the greatest scent because there aren't any artificial scents or chemicals to make it smell flowery and sweet like most shampoos in the market. I would say that if you are interested in using natural products, this brand would be great to explore to try out. You can try out some free samples through their website, too.
This shampoo I would say is used more for treatment purposes and not as much for making your hair look voluminous or anything like that. I have noticed that I haven't been scratching my head or anything, so it really helps. I would like to look into their essential oils because I love using them in my oil diffuser and when I feel like I need to put some on for anxiety or stress. I would really recommend this brand for anyone looking for natural products!
I usually never talk about hair products, but recently I have really been using only a couple that I love and need to share with you all. I am always down for trying out new products, but I have been so impressed by these brands.
I think that a simple hair routine is all you need to have the look you want. More products tend to ruin or take over your do and I'm not about the stiff and damaged life. I have three travel sized products that I have been trying out and using. I love the travel sized products because I feel like I don't use enough to need a full sized amount.
Bumble and Bumble Repair Blow Dry- My best friend had recently given me this and I was a bit skeptical about it because I haven't tried Bumble and Bumble before, but knew that it was a really good brand that people love.
I don't normally blow dry my hair, I just towel or air dry it on its own. A couple days I was working out in the morning and would come home and shower, then I thought I could try out this. It's basically a runny cream-like liquid and I would kind of tousle it into my hair and it would really make my hair feel silky smooth and blown out. I was really impressed by this and would recommend it for daily blow dryers and for hair that might need a bit of help.
Nexxus Comb Thru Finishing Mist-When I do curl or style my hair, I have only been using this finishing mist because of how much it holds my hair without being sticky and stiff. It's a medium hold hairspray that I have found to work on loose curls and waves, which is just what I love doing to my hair.
TRESemme Tres Mousse Extra Hold- I never thought I would love mousse, but I actually really like the way it makes my natural curls bounce after I apply it when I get out of the shower. It gives the right volume I want and smoothness.
I hope this helped anyone searching for a new hairspray or solution to sticky hair. I know I hate having a do that just won't allow flexibility and comfort, while also staying put. What's your go-to hair product?
Hello my lovelies! I hope the beginning of Spring is serving you all well. Where I live, it's up in the 60s! It's so nice out and because it's so nice out, we tend to dress a bit lighter and Spring dresses become one of our main outfit choices during this time of year. It also means doing our hair all nice and pretty for things like Easter, graduation, and dances if you have them! Today I have a review on one of my favorite beauty tools I own which is the NuMe Silhouette Flat Iron.
More recently I have been obsessed with straightening my hair. It's sleek and modern. I have been loving this long-bob for quite a while and straight hair looks so great on me right now! This flat iron has been my go-to for this type of look and I can't really compare any other straightener to this one. This flat iron is not cheap at all. But! Many bloggers and beauty gurus on Youtube can be affiliates of this company so be on the look out for promo codes! This is priced originally at $99. I found this through Ingrid Nilsen on one of her beauty favorites videos and I bought it for only $15 bucks! One of the best quality hair tools for the price of a flat iron you would find at the drugstore. Unfortunately, I do not have a promo code for NuMe but, if I did I would of course give it to you guys!
I believe this flat iron comes in a couple different colors but, I only saw black and hot pink as one of the options right now. They have many different flat irons and curling tools on their site so be sure to check them out! I really want to check out their curling wands because I have also heard some great things about them.
The rounded plates on the iron are great for creating beachy waves too! This iron is very portable because it isn't very big or bulky. It also came with a dust/travel bag to make sure it transports safely. The cord is also very long so if you're trying to like reach an outlet in the wall, you'll be able to stretch the iron all the way across! So handy and helpful when trying to rush and not worry about where to plug the tool in.
One thing that I am so impressed with was how fast the iron heats up. I counted to like 15 and it was already steaming! My old flat iron took like 5 minutes to heat up. I really like the nob feature on this iron; however, I don't like how you can't tell what number it's on besides 290 and 450. Maybe I like 350 degrees? How do I know if it's on that setting? You don't. I also noticed that there was no way to close the flat iron besides tying the cord around it (which is probably not safe). I was looking for a latch or something and there wasn't anything to close it with. Those were the only flaws I had noticed but, the quality and everything else makes up for it all (and the insane price).
If you are looking for an awesome quality flat iron or any other hair tool in general, I really suggest looking on NuMe's site. They have many products and the flat iron especially creates the straightest and smoothest long-lasting look. I would recommend looking for promo codes on social media because they have amazing deals on a lot of their tools, probably over 60% off if you're as lucky as I was.
Xoxo, Nat
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