True Life: People like my hair more then they like me.
Haha, kidding.. kind of. There seems to be a recurring theme in about 90% of the comments I receive on Instagram. My hair. And for the record.. (drumroll…) Yes, it’s real. I totally lucked out in the hair genes department but I also try to take really good care of it. I decided to put together a post answering your questions and any advice I have so it can all be found in one place.
Coloring:
I typically get my hair colored 3-4 times a year. This has made a huge difference in the strength of my hair compared to when I was getting it done every 6 weeks a few years back. I am able to do this because my hair dresser focuses most of the color at the tips. I wouldn’t say I have a full ombre style but it is more natural around the root to prevent obvious grow out. My hair dresser also does a process called balayage for highlighting, which is softer and more natural looking. She typically does a toner at the end too.
Washing:
I only wash my hair once per week. Two reasons: 1. I’m lazy and it’s a big production and 2. the more you wash it, the more oil it produces and you need to wash again.. You might need to train your hair to do go longer in between washes. Dry shampoo will be your best friend!! I prefer the one by Batiste.
Less washing = Less restyling = Less heat = Healthier hair
I’ve tried a ton of different shampoos and conditioners. A commonality between all of them is that I always use a moisturizing set. If your on a budget, I really like the Garnier brand. I recently purchased the Nexxus Therappe Moisture Set and I have noticed a difference in my hair. I justified spending a little bit more since I’m not washing as much and a large bottle will last me a few months.
Also, for blondes, very important… use a purple shampoo!! This will help keep your blonde brighter and prevent fading. Game changer! I always mix it with my normal shampoo every time I wash my hair. If I am feeling like my blonde is starting to dull I will put the purple shampoo directly on my dry hair for about 10 minutes before hopping in the shower.
Styling Products:
I am going to do a separate tutorial on how I curl my hair. But here are all the products I use to help strengthen, protect, and style my hair.
#1: A wet brush!! If you have one take-away from this whole post, this should be it. Buy a wet brush. Just do it. You will see what I am talking about. They are super cheap and you can get them from Target, Walmart, or Amazon. It has cut the time time it takes me to brush out my hair after the shower in half. It detangles without pulling or tugging.. I don’t know how they do it, it’s just amazing. You can use it on wet, dry, curly, straight, thick, or thin hair. Maybe I am just so impressed because I have too many vivid memories of me as a child sobbing while my mom brushed out my thick hair. This brush is a godsend.
Invest in a good hairspray but don’t use too much.. You get what you pay for in this situation. A more expensive hairspray is going to do a better job at holding that style you worked so hard for. But less is more.. in my experience, the more product I use, the more weight is added to your hair and that pulls down your curl.
Lastly, I am embarrassed to admit this, but I use a cheap Conair curling wand. No clamp. I probably should invest in one that is better for your hair but that’s all I got right now. I typically curl my hair once and ride it out for the week, with a few touch ups here and there. I also use a heat protectant before curling.
Hope this helps to answer some of your questions! May we all have thick, luscious locks!! Amen.