So many of you have asked about my hair—how I get that wavy, full look that feels a little "undone" but still put-together. Well, I'm excited to finally compile all of the details! I get tons of questions about my haircut, the hair color I use, and my extensions, plus my hair care routine. It's so empowering to finally get your hair the way you want it to be, but it can really be a journey!
Since we're not about gate-keeping anything over here, I'm going to spill all the "secrets" – from what my amazing hair stylist (@_littlebittlehair on Instagram) does and that game-changing blow dryer I can't live without, to my once-a-week wash day and the hair products I absolutely love.
Of course, everyone's hair is different, but it's always fun to swap recommendations with friends who've tried a bunch of things, right? So, let's dive into everything that goes into my signature style!
My Haircut, Hair Color & Extensions
When it comes to my hair, I like a wavy, slightly "undone" look, but I want it to be full and have volume. I have coarse hair, so it tends to hold style really well.
My hairstylist cuts my hair into long layers—the highest are a few layers about 3 inches down from my chin that I'm growing out a little more. I have one row of Covet & Mane hand-tied extensions that she puts in, and she moves them up every 7-8 weeks at the same time as I get my hair cut. Below, you can see I used to get them for length and thickness. That was two rows. But now I like to keep my hair shorter, and it has gotten much thicker on its own. So I just do one row now and I trim my hair every appointment.
I have my roots dyed every 15-16 weeks (basically every other appointment) just to cover grays. I can pretty much count the grays, so they're not too prevalent yet... She colors my hair to a level 6 warm brown, but gave me a caveat that my hair absorbs color really easily, and it would look much lighter on anyone else.
You know how after every blowout your hair just looks a million times better than when you do it? Well, my stylist shared her secret with me: it's her blow dryer. She uses the Rusk Speed Freak Hair Dryer. I went out and bought the same one! It does get very hot and dries my hair so fast. It's amazing. I used to reach for my straightener if my hair was frizzy or had creases in it, and now I can just get a brush and blow out any creases.
It never looks quite as perfect as when you leave the salon, but it's still a big upgrade from what I was using before.
My Weekly Wash/Dry/Maintenance Routine
People are usually shocked by this, but I only wash my hair once a week. Not everyone can do that, but there are benefits. Your scalp can adjust to getting washed less often—people call it "hair training" and it can take a couple of weeks or a month.
I get the question, "Well how do you go to the gym everyday and not wash your hair that often!?" Here are my tips: I wear my hair in a ponytail when I work out. As soon as I’m done working out before I leave the gym, I take out the ponytail and give my hair a quick hit with the "cool shot" button on the blow dryer, brushing it out with my pocket hairbrush. It kind of sounds gross, but it’s fine for the oils to go into your hair.
After around 4 days of no products, I'll put dry shampoo in my hair. My favorite one is the Living Proof Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo. I apply it to my roots that night and massage it in, then I sleep with it up in my normal way (more on that below).
The key to dry shampoo thata lot of people don’t know is that you’re supposed to brush it out. In the morning I'll use the "cool shot" button and blow dry out the dry shampoo, and my hair feels really nice.
The Products I Use for My Hair
For natural curls: I never use hair spray. I like an undone look, and my hair holds curl almost too well! I love my Bio Ionic 1 1/4” Curling Iron (but I wish they made 1 1/2” curling iron!) When I'm curling my hair, I mix up the direction I'm winding the hair every grouping—toward my face and away from my face—so it's more natural looking. It keeps the waves separated and a little less polished.
For straight hair: When I want to wear my hair super straight, I'll use the Bio Ionic 10X Styling Iron. My hair is coarse, and the the vibrations in the plates help smooth it out a lot easier.
I often get the question, "Do you still use the Dyson Air Straightener?" No, I actually gave it away. I just realized I wasn’t wearing my hair straight as often as it justified having it. I do still have my Dyson Air Wrap, but I only use the brush attachment on it, either lightly drying my hair after the gym with a round brush attachment, or I put dry shampoo in and use it when I’m doing a little refresh mid-week. It doesn’t get as hot as my Rusk blow dryer, so I'll use that on non-wash days.It takes too long to dry my hair from wet with that. But it’s great at finishing styles.
For hair thickness: I've been taking Nutrafol supplements for a while now. I used to have two thick rows of hair extensions, and now I'm down to only one little row. I have to cut my hair every time I have my extensions done! I take four pills a day.
A lot of people ask if Nutrafol interferes with my thyroid medication. *This is not medical advice, but here is my experience.* Before you get your thyroid checked, you have to be off any biotin for 5 days. I was told that biotin doesn’t interfere with your thyroid, it only interferes with the test. I was told I shouldn’t take any vitamins within 4 hours of the thyroid medicine I take daily, so I take that in the morning and the Nutrafol at night.
For anti-frizz: I use the COLOR WOW Extra Strength Dream Coat after I shower and before I blow dry my hair. I also like the Kenra Platinum Blow Dry Spray as a heat protectant and to combat humidity. It adds so much shine and smells amazing. I sprayed Greta’s hair with it when I was doing her hair last week and told her that one of the best things as a woman is that people go crazy over good-smelling hair.
For glossy hair: The satin pillowcase over my favorite pillow is one of my favorite things to keep my hair really smooth. I also have a hair oil that I use on my ends. But I don’t use it every day, only when I’m styling my hair straight.
For natural waves: To extend the life of my wash day and keep the natural-looking waves in my hair, at the end of every day, I flip my head over and pull my hair up into a very high ponytail—as close to my forehead as I can comfortably get it. Then I twist it around and around into a rope and then coil it into a bun, securing with a big crease-free silk scrunchie. I'll sleep like that overnight and then in the morning as I'm getting ready, I just let it down. This also helps retain volume!
What I Haven't Figured Out Yet...
Another question I get a lot is what shampoo and conditioner I use. Sigh...I've yet to find my perfect match. I almost never buy the same shampoo twice. I was using Prose Shampoo for awhile (as I mentioned in my last hair update post), but when I ran out of it one time I just didn't feel the need to go back. I keep returning to Biolage for no real reason other than it's easy, and I don't not like it.
If you've found one you love, please drop me a note in the comments! I'm still on the hunt.
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hair, hair products, hair tools, lifestyle, personal style
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This may sound absolutely bonkers but... I have fine hair and aging hair which means brittle (gotta hop on that Nutrafol train). The BEST shampoo I've landed on is baby shampoo - just basic Johnson & Johnson or the store brand equivalent. I'm not sure how it would work out if you don't shampoo daily - I do - but it's been awesome on a day to day basis. I use a thick hair mask that rinses clean as my conditioner (thank you Trader Joe's). I also love the Trader Joe's hair serum. It's smoothing but weightless in my baby sized hair.
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R&Co has been great for my hair - my hairdresser immediately noticed a difference in texture! The Television and the Blonde shampoo are my favs
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This is super specific to people with super dry skin/scalp. I've been oiling my scalp with jojoba oil with a little rosemary oil and exfoliating (I love the tool from Effortless Beauty) the night before wash day. I brush the oil through my hair, then twist it up into a high bun with a silk scrunchie and scarf. The next morning, I wash and condition with the new CeraVe shampoo and conditioner (the gentle hydrating line). I've noticed a much more comfortable (no more tightness!) and less flaky scalp.
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I love the japanese brand milbon. I use their shampoo and conditioner. I tried a lot before landing on that.
PratimReply
I’m the same with shampoo and conditioner but was told years and years ago that your hair becomes ‘used’ to them.. so whenever you change it up, your hair gets excited and loves it. 🤷♀️But I just tried method.. the lasting color one and am in love with the smell and softness it’s giving my hair!
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Goldie Locks! Great for extensions, doesn’t weigh down my hair.
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Davines oi shampoo is incredible!
And the Davines oi spray tooReply
In my opinion, we make hair care way too complicated. I'm lucky in that I do have very thick, fairly straight, and somewhat fine long hair. It's easy to style, holds a curl when I need it to, and is impervious to humidity. But when it comes to washing...I go with very, very simple ingredients. The objective is to simply clean the hair, but mostly to clean the scalp. I use Johnsons Baby Shampoo! I only scrub the scalp areas, and just let the soap rinse through the hair. I use any light conditioner that is gentle, and call it a day! I comb it out (I learned doing this SLOWLY to long hair is what stops breakage), let it almost completely air dry, then blow it out for the last 3-5 minutes. I can then cut it or leave it blown out straight. Realize that your hair strands are not living things, so adding a million products aren't doing a darn thing except coating the hair and weighing it down. Hair health is 80% genetics, 10% diet, and 10% being gentle with it. That's my advice. (P.S. I have a similar approach to skin care! And I'm very happy with my skin...but again, it's mostly genetics.)
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My hair sounds a lot like yours. I love the Redken All Soft Conditioner - its a game changer. My hair is very thick and coarse. I can use any shampoo but this conditioner makes my hair so smooth, less static. Its pricey but worth it and the big bottle lasts me like 6 months since I only wash my hair every 5 days.
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Try the Phyto line. It’s Parisian hair care, available in the states and it’s amazing. Recommend by my hair stylist. I love it and have turned several friends onto the line. There is a product for any hair type or concern.
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I love the K18 peptide prep for washing once a week. It is the ONLY shampoo that allows me to go a full week because it gets my scalp so clean without drying it out. Then I use the repair cream after I get out of the shower. I love that because I hate the feel of conditioner all down my back in the shower, especially with extensions. Plus, it’s just magic how it repairs and maintains your hairs good health. I do not work for them lol, I just love the product.
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Bioionic does make a 1 1/2! You’ll love it
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How did I not know that!?!
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I’ve been using Kitsch. It is a bar, but lathers up nicely (rub it on your hair, not hands). It is clean.
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I do love Kitsch!
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Try the L’anza White Tea Shampoo and Manila Honey Conditioner. I have similar hair to yours and also used to switch my shampoo every time. But I’ve stuck with this the last few years because I love the smell and my hair feels great!
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