I know that no one cares about the products I use on my hair but this is the first winter that I've noticed the cold take a serious (as opposed to a not so serio) toll on my locks in the frizz department. Or maybe this is just the first winter that I've actually noticed because the past three have been all baby, baby, baby - Bieber style. I've mentioned before that I love reading beauty product review posts from other bloggers ... it's my guilty pleasure when I've run out of Hulu and humor pins when Simon is working overnight. But anyway ... sometimes (or every single time) that I blog I let myself worry for a second or sixty about what certain people will think which is "muh-dik-uh-lis" as Julia says. Anyway, if I did have any sort of resolution this year it would be to chill the trill out on that front (within reason, of course - of course!) because like I should've learned in middle school ... everyone's always going to have something not nice to say/think etc SO .... live on, livers. Or you know ... something.
So ... now let's move onto harsh judgments regarding ridiculous hair routines ...
Oh, I know. And I just purchased some deep conditioner that I have yet to try (I'm on the every-three-day hair wash regimen and this is day two) so ... color me easy and super breeeeezy. I don't use all of this every day which doesn't really make it look any better .... does it? No.
(Ah yes, and I did a hair post a few months ago complete with terrrrrible video tutorial ... right here!)
Let me just say that my hair is super straight and super flat and now all of a sudden has super frizzy static laden ends (it has been recently and professionally trimmed) so ..... that is what I'm working with.
1. Redken Body Full Shampoo - I read about this over on Kate's blog and have never thought that shampoo really matters (I'm sure it doesn't make a HUGE difference) so I'd just go with the cheapest bottle at Costco but I had a birthday gift certificate to Beauty Brands so I bought this and really love it. My hair is pretty thick and I've had the (not huge) bottle for a couple months and haven't made much of a dent in it and my hair is a lot less weighed down and top heavy - does that make sense? I'm a believer.
2. Aquage Uplifting Foam - if you take one thing away from this post (other than a little lesson on my vapid tendencies) know that this stuff is incredible. You just spray a little tiny bit on your roots (like two or three sprays - no more!) right before blow drying and it makes a huge huge difference. No other volumizing gel or mousse has ever come close. It's the best.
3. Kenra Volume Spray - Another find from Kate's blog. I don't use this terribly often because it feels unnecessary for my usual house/grocery store/minivan/house/house/house routine but when I do I love it. It doesn't weigh my hair down and isn't sticky and I don't see myself buying any other brand of hairspray for ... ever? Yes, ever.
4. Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum - I just put a little of this on my ends after I shower. So far ... I like and can tell a difference in the snap and crackle factor. And it smells like "tropical fruit" according to Julia.
5. Not Your Mother's Girl Powder Volumizing Hair Powder - If our house was on fire I would grab the kids and then this bottle of magic because it is that amazing. I start to get a little ticky when I run out of this stuff. It's so much better than any dry shampoo I've ever tried. This + the Aquage = marriage made in volume lovers heaven.
6. John Frieda Frizz-Ease Secret Agent Flawless Finishing Creme - I'm so glad I randomly bought this stuff on a whim a few weeks ago because it has prettttty much cured the frizz problem. I just put a tiny bit on the bottom half of my (dry) hair on any given day if the fly aways are getting out of hand and it's great. Isn't greasy or gross and I highly recommend it.
7. Conair Infiniti YOU CURL Curling Wand - I bought this in September when I visited my family because I forgot mine here and my sister's was the size of a pencil and curled my hair RIGHT into poodle territory and this has cut my hair curling time in half. Maybe more. It's so SO much better than the other one I was using and I just saw it's $22 at Walgreens and on Amazon which I would imagine is a lot cheaper than those fancy fancy ones? I think it is.
8. Paul Mitchell Soft Sculpting Spray Gel - (not pictured because Theo is having issues and I'm distracted .... super mother/super blogger) I just spray this on my hair right before I curl it and it holds the curl really well without looking 1997 prom-ish and isn't crunchy at all. Get it and love it.
And know that I type a big and volumized game but the reality is in this afternoon's selfie ...
and that top knot would just not look the same without allllllll of my stuffs. Know that. Embrace that. Scoff at that.
So!
Tell me your favorites .... pretty please.
You always have the best recommendations.
So much better than mine.
So ... now let's move onto harsh judgments regarding ridiculous hair routines ...
Oh, I know. And I just purchased some deep conditioner that I have yet to try (I'm on the every-three-day hair wash regimen and this is day two) so ... color me easy and super breeeeezy. I don't use all of this every day which doesn't really make it look any better .... does it? No.
(Ah yes, and I did a hair post a few months ago complete with terrrrrible video tutorial ... right here!)
Let me just say that my hair is super straight and super flat and now all of a sudden has super frizzy static laden ends (it has been recently and professionally trimmed) so ..... that is what I'm working with.
1. Redken Body Full Shampoo - I read about this over on Kate's blog and have never thought that shampoo really matters (I'm sure it doesn't make a HUGE difference) so I'd just go with the cheapest bottle at Costco but I had a birthday gift certificate to Beauty Brands so I bought this and really love it. My hair is pretty thick and I've had the (not huge) bottle for a couple months and haven't made much of a dent in it and my hair is a lot less weighed down and top heavy - does that make sense? I'm a believer.
2. Aquage Uplifting Foam - if you take one thing away from this post (other than a little lesson on my vapid tendencies) know that this stuff is incredible. You just spray a little tiny bit on your roots (like two or three sprays - no more!) right before blow drying and it makes a huge huge difference. No other volumizing gel or mousse has ever come close. It's the best.
3. Kenra Volume Spray - Another find from Kate's blog. I don't use this terribly often because it feels unnecessary for my usual house/grocery store/minivan/house/house/house routine but when I do I love it. It doesn't weigh my hair down and isn't sticky and I don't see myself buying any other brand of hairspray for ... ever? Yes, ever.
4. Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum - I just put a little of this on my ends after I shower. So far ... I like and can tell a difference in the snap and crackle factor. And it smells like "tropical fruit" according to Julia.
5. Not Your Mother's Girl Powder Volumizing Hair Powder - If our house was on fire I would grab the kids and then this bottle of magic because it is that amazing. I start to get a little ticky when I run out of this stuff. It's so much better than any dry shampoo I've ever tried. This + the Aquage = marriage made in volume lovers heaven.
6. John Frieda Frizz-Ease Secret Agent Flawless Finishing Creme - I'm so glad I randomly bought this stuff on a whim a few weeks ago because it has prettttty much cured the frizz problem. I just put a tiny bit on the bottom half of my (dry) hair on any given day if the fly aways are getting out of hand and it's great. Isn't greasy or gross and I highly recommend it.
7. Conair Infiniti YOU CURL Curling Wand - I bought this in September when I visited my family because I forgot mine here and my sister's was the size of a pencil and curled my hair RIGHT into poodle territory and this has cut my hair curling time in half. Maybe more. It's so SO much better than the other one I was using and I just saw it's $22 at Walgreens and on Amazon which I would imagine is a lot cheaper than those fancy fancy ones? I think it is.
8. Paul Mitchell Soft Sculpting Spray Gel - (not pictured because Theo is having issues and I'm distracted .... super mother/super blogger) I just spray this on my hair right before I curl it and it holds the curl really well without looking 1997 prom-ish and isn't crunchy at all. Get it and love it.
And know that I type a big and volumized game but the reality is in this afternoon's selfie ...
and that top knot would just not look the same without allllllll of my stuffs. Know that. Embrace that. Scoff at that.
So!
Tell me your favorites .... pretty please.
You always have the best recommendations.
So much better than mine.
I love the idea of dry shampoo but I can't find one that doesn't make my husband say, "Are you wearing a new perfume? Something smells a little... strong." Does the Girl Powder have a heavy scent, and does it absorb pretty quickly into your hair?
ReplyDeleteEvery every time I try a dry shampoo I hate the smell! I just need something to soak up a little oil so my hair looks clean if I need to run to the store!
Deletebaby power! if you have dark hair, add a little coaco so you don't look grey. does the trick!
DeleteI've got flat winter hair & lots of fine hair I can't get a comb through it on the second day of no washing so I don't I just pull up and go on the third day well I usually don't/can't do three days w/o someone giving me the side eye/you didn't shower today look (kids are in school so I see other parents every.single.day. and they judge hard) anyway I like the curling iron thingy and I might actually use it-I've used bouncy curl to bring out the curl a bit in my hair and to control frizz It's ok but the smell is vile and my husband asked me if that cat peed on my sweater so there's that too so I don't recommend it AT ALL
ReplyDeleteHa ha - i love this post so much because it's exactly what i do. I do all this stuff to my hair and then up in a high bun it goes in order to stop sweating when im running around after my 2 year old or to stop the 8 month old's little fingers from tearing it all out .... but it's fun to pretend ;-) Love mummy beauty posts so please keep going!
ReplyDeleteI've been using Uplifting Foam for years and you're right, there is no other. I've occasionally had the dumb idea to try something new in the volumizing department and am always disappointed...so, alas, I've become faithful to my Uplifting Foam. I've also starting using Wella's Oil Huile and it's AMAZING. My hair is super fine and super straight and this stuff is a life changer for me...you would be in heaven if you used it on your thick locks. It's pricey, but a bottle will easily last me 6-8 months...maybe closer to a year because you don't need much. I use it on my ends after curling (with the same type of curling wand!) and it moisturizes & gives them great shine. You gotta try it!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE beauty posts, they just get my shopohalic engines revving!! I am going to go purchase the aquage in about .5 seconds. But I have a few favorites of my own, Batiste dry shampoo is my life. I am a natural blondish but die my locks, so in order to avoid looking like I am graying I buy the one with a tint to it. And frizz be gone with the Paul Mitchell Gloss Drops!!!
ReplyDeleteHair Glazing {http://www.redken.com/salon-services/haircolor}
ReplyDelete-I have this done every 10-12 weeks. It is compared to wrapping your hair in saran wrap. Kills the frizz, makes it nice and shiny. I use a clear gloss but it can also be tinted for a subtle change of color.
Hair Cholesterol {http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/queen-helene-cholesterol-hair-conditioning-cream/ID=prod8899-product?ext=gooBeauty_PLA_Dry/Damaged_Hair_prod8899_pla&adtype={adtype}&kpid=prod8899&sst=72b7b3a1-d6a2-d0e8-fa99-00006181afcb}
-Treat my hair, usually just the ends unless the frizz and curl is out of control, every 3-4 weeks. More often if I'm in need of a glaze
Dry Shampoo {http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/psssst!-instant-dry-shampoo/ID=prod6042671-product?ext=gooBeauty_PLA_No_Rinse_Cleansers_prod6042671_pla&adtype={adtype}&kpid=prod6042671&sst=72b7b3a1-d6a2-d0e8-fa99-00006181afcb}
-PSSSST is the best dry shampoo on the market, in my opinion.
Pre-Blowdry taming creme {http://www.sephora.com/straight-blow-dry-P297554?skuId=1376318}
-While it claims to be a straightening product for me it tames the awkward curls, manages the frizz and combats PNW humidity. I can wear my hair straight, wavy or Texas beauty queen hot rollers with this.
just ordered the volumizing foam stuff after hesitating for YEARS. come at me, $20 of volume in a bottle.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you reviewed that Girl Powder because I love the other Not Your Mother's products and I've been looking for something to replace my Big Sexy Hair powder stuff. For other hair products, I loooove Aveda and have been using it for years (the Phomollient styling foam and Confixor gel are the best). And I recently spent way too much on Pureology shampoo/conditioner but it might be worth it?
ReplyDeleteI really like Organix Argan Oil of Morocco. I only use a little on my hair just out of the shower and no other products. It definitely helps with dry/flyaway hair. But I'm not really a hair products girl, so my 2 cents may not be worth even that. http://www.organixhair.com/product/light-penetrating-oil
ReplyDeleteMy hair is dark, dark brown and I can't find a dry shampoo that doesn't look like I am greying at the roots!! My hair is super fine and gets really static-ee in the winter. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Pureology, I just don't love the price...so I've been on a mad hunt for something that compares that isn't ridiculously expensive. I just bought "Conceived by Nature" at Whole Foods! Mostly because there was a $2 off coupon for each bottle. So far, I love it...similar to Pureology in that it's sulfate free and vegan (not sure why that matters, but I hear it does!). That's about all I use for my hair. Anything else just weighs it down more!
ReplyDeleteHey Kellie! Have you tried Tresemme's dry shampoo? I've never tried it, but I've heard that it works well for dark hair...it's not supposed to leave any residue. I have dark brown hair as well and have only used dry shampoo once - when it first really became popular - and I might as well have dumped talc on my head. EEP! I definitely feel your pain!
DeleteThe Tresemme's made my dark brown super grey! I like the Big Sexy dry shampoo, it seems to have no color at all! Also- it brings the volume!
DeleteI have short curly/wavy hair, and I'm not sure how I went 26 years without knowing about spray wax. It has changed my life. I never imagined I could have short hair *and* embrace my curls/not obsessively straighten every day. I thank whippycake.com every time I spray.
I sneak my husbands shampoo once in a while when I realllly need good conditioning. Look for Creme of Nature shampoo in the "ethnic hair care" aisle. I have lots of straight thick hair that gets super frizzy when I am preggers, so this winter has been extra fun.
ReplyDeleteI really love Yes to Carrots anti frizz serum. Actually Hallie recommended it in a five favs during the summer sometime and I found it and have used it since! It's not oily, which I find many are--feels more like lotion! Thanks for your tips. I'm totally someone who's into hair and I love to hear what others use and love!
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to try out everything that Kate recommends, but this is even better because you get to try it out first and so it's like, two people's reviews from non-amazon-strangers are better than one, especially when I can see proof of how nice your hair looks.
ReplyDeleteMy goal this year (okay, my goal EVERY YEAR) is to use up all the samples and half empty bottles under my sink, which means I have enough face primer and sunscreen and hair spray and shampoo and dry shampoo to last me for 20 years. So after I finish all of those, I'll be sure to buy every single last item on your list.
A question about the uplifting foam stuff. I've seen it in action on Kate's videos, but wondering if it only works if you blow dry your hair? Because I never blow dry and I don't want to buy something that only works if I do, because that will just guarantee that it's $20 wasted, even if it DOES give me amazing big hair. Thanks!
What size is the barrel of your curling wand? I can't tell from the product site. I want to get one at Target.
ReplyDelete25mm-13mm barrel sorry about that!!
DeleteOh goodness, I'm in such hair misery right now! It's falling out like it did post-pregnancy...but no baby has been had in 6 years!! Ugh! I think it might be stress or meds related. Bah. (Thyroid checked out okay.) That aside, my hair is naturally curly, so I'm currently lovin' the L'oreal EverCurl products. Tresseme and Suave make great mousse and spray gels that I really like too. With the curls, I'm all the time trying different things in hopes of landing on the curly holy grail. HAHA! The best thing I've done for my hair is to stop using sulfates and adding a water filter (to take out the chlorine) on the shower head. For curly heads, I most definitely recommend The Curly Girl method when caring for your hair. It has done wonders for the health of my hair. Your hair is gorgeous, Grace! I'm envious of its thickness and adorableness in the top not.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing a hair post - I love them too!! :)
Have a fabulous weekend!
HUGS,
Jessica
beingbarlow.com
oooo I hope it's not your thyroid but that WOULD make sense!!
Deleteand your blog address didn't work! I wanted to check it out! :)
I love your hair posts. And you have great hair so you can be justified in posting them!
ReplyDeleteMy faves:
Bumble & Bumble 'does it all spray' before curling to help hold the curl
B&B styling lotion (which isn't a lotion but a spray) on wet hair to help hold the style
And I just posted in my quick takes but I love this new (to me) rec to mix a bit of pomade and a bit of moroccan oil and rub them together and then scrunch into wavy hair. It gives it some oomph, some fun.
I use 6 and 7 too! I've never tried Aquage but have been so intrigued because Kate swears by that one too.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how all of this would work on dark hair? Do you think Julia would think I have some cradle cap? ;)
ReplyDeleteAaaand next teach us how to take a selfie like that. Please.
So much hair envy over hurrrr! I will always be jealous of ladies who have hair longer than their chin, mine barely squeaks it out!
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to buy a curling wand (says the naturally curly/wavy/rats nesty is a better description girl) and will be searching that one out at my local Targ!
Ps-every blog post I write I think why did I bother writing this or that no one likes it oh my gosh everyone hates meeee! But now I'm just going to tell myself "don't be 'muh-dik-uh-lis' and worry so much!" xo
Dry shampoo: I use Suave Professionals. It smells great and works well and it's about $3. I also use Dust-It from Schwarzkopf for extra volume at the roots. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI actually just had blood work done this week to see why I'm losing so much hair :( I'll have to try the uplifting foam to hide my scalp. Ugh. Thanks for the suggestions!
ReplyDeleteOoOoo. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteTake comfort in the fact that others (ME) out there have worse hair than you could possibly imagine having, haha.
Manda from Eat Cake
I just bought new curling iron I use to make waves, but now I'm thinking curling wand would be better. You do what you gotta do. Right now, my head of hair is so out of control, I pretty much just wash, add leave-in conditioner and braid it into something schoolmarms the world over wouldn't be jealous of. And then it's right back to the bun, the next day. Excitement, I have it.
ReplyDeleteMy friend just started using Living Proof shampoo and swears by it (apparently Jennifer Aniston liked it so much she bought half the company!). She said she only needs to wash her hair every 2-3 days, and even if she gets it wet it won't frizz. Obv. it's pricey, but I think you can buy small bottles?
ReplyDeleteAnd I def. need a new curling iron! I think mine's from the 90s- going to check out the one you recommended!
I just discovered Eufora's Pure Polish Finishing Drops (http://www.amazon.com/Eufora-Polish-Finishing-Drops-Ounce/dp/B002HTXH5W).
ReplyDelete...
And I'm in LOVE. Just an eensy weensy bit worked through my hair (concentrating on the ends!) makes it shiny and soft and eliminates frizz. It also smells so good - kind of like a tropical/coconutty creamsicle. But not in an overly sweet way. It's a little bit expensive, but you only need to use a tiny bit, so the bottle will last forever!
Well as someone who never seeks out (much needed) beauty advice on the web but reads your blog religiously, I would be lost without these posts. I think I'm going to purchase your Aquage and add it to my Blow Dry or Not? routine
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the Orofluido hair serum (http://www.orofluido.com/en/beauty-elixir.php ) !! If Julia thinks the coconut oil smells like "tropical fruit", she'd love this too. But...it's spendy and hard to find. So my backup is the coconut oil too. BUT if you ever can't find your volume powder, check out the Big Sexy Hair Volumizing powder! ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00390DN34 ). Pretty much my fave!
ReplyDeleteI have that curling wand and I love it!
ReplyDeleteI share a similar aficionado with you and Not Your Mothers... although I use and LOVE their Clean Freak Dry Shampoo.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know why Amazon won't let me order the Not Your Mother's Girl Powder w/ other products? (Keeps saying it has to "save it for later" because it's an "Add-on Product"? What the? Why can't I buy what I want to buy?? Help, you all!
ReplyDeleteI was using the body full shampoo - recommended by my niece and certified cosmologist... but i ran out and have yet to get more - I will make it a point - as my hair is flat as flat can be.... my sister was just telling me this weekend that I need to try the Aquage Uplifting Foam - but I didn't trust her... but I guess now that you have mentioned it to, it is time to give that a shot as well!
ReplyDeleteOne crazy thing I tried this past weekend.... I went and bought coarse sea salt and mixed it in with my shampoo..... I don't think it did what I intended it to do.... give me body and prevent me from having to wash my hair EVERY.SINGLE.DAY..... but perhaps I did something wrong because according to the interweb, it's suppose to work.... and to be a great alternative to buying sea salt shampoo.
Top knot on my head for life. I even throw it on Ellen because we roll like twins. Yogurt on the shirt and all.
ReplyDeleteRecs? I can't say I have any at the moment. Right now I am waiting for all of my hair to grow back after it fell out from nursing Sam. I love that part of postpartum. You know what I love even more? That it is all growing back GREY. Never had a grey in my life until now. So, if it could just grow back super fast so I can get it dyed to the max, that would be great.
In addition to the grey, wrinkles become me. You have a post on here somewhere about good night eye creams, right? Hello, thirties! I am coming for you.
John Freida hairdryer/curler... hairdryer that looks like a large curler. FABULOUS for the postpartum mom who is losing her hair in clumps as it styles while pulling out a bare minimum of strands in a minute - and I have the worst hair to begin with. Plus, if you put product in and touch up, you look really great in 2 minutes.
ReplyDeleteIf you are past postpartum, you also look fantastic with a minimum of product.
GRACE! Thanks to a late night baby-holding Amzon mobile splurge inspired by this post, I am now the proud owner of some Aquage Foam and Paul Mitchell spray gel and I am IN LOVE. Thanks a million mama - My hair is just at that "It's medium-LONG" instead of "LONG-short hair", and I was debating whether or not I can pull off this whole LONG hair thing. The products I had been using were definitely better for my shorter layers, and weren't giving me any of the much-needed ooomph required to make long hair look awesome. I am loving the Aquage foam at the roots, and the spray gel gave just the right amount of texture to make my curling-iron-work stick. Lovin' you lots. Now I can stretch this whole "haven't had a haircut since August" thing a few more months!
ReplyDeleteYAY. This makes me so happy!!! I'd hate for anyone to order something I recommended and then hate it. Yay for long hair .... I'll die with long locks. I wish I could pull off the short though ....
DeleteHope the baby sleeps all night tonight!!! A mom can dream!
PS - The Kenra Volume spray showed up yesterday (Amazon Prime, you are my knight in shining armor), and I now have a full trifecta of sexy in my hair. BRAVO, woman. I am now forever indebted to you. I would offer you my next born child as payment, but, eh, your current inventory seems pretty solid.... :P
ReplyDelete