I've finally got a new hair routine down and I'd love to share it with you. I've been doing this since about March and I think it's stuck now as well as many of the products that I use as well as what I use in between washes. I have this specific routine because I cut out all silicones from my hair routine. I found that products with silicones or dimethicones often added to the already dryness of my hair. So IÂ cut them all out. My hair is fine but I have a lot of it - IÂ don't know if I would consider my hair fine but thick, but it's a lot when IÂ go get it colored or cut. And it has a slight wave to it but it's not really a pretty wave - so IÂ do twist it often (more on that below). More than anything - all these products, to my knowledge, are cruelty free.Â
IÂ typically wash my hair about once a week - sometimes more if needed but generally once every 5-7 days. Since my hair is slightly damaged I use a lot of product between washes and depending on your hair and scalp needs, you may want to omit or add to this list... or just pull out pieces of it out.Â
SO, my hair is drier and damaged from over processing this blonde... My scalp is normal and since I've trained my hair to go several days between washes it's no longer oily like it used to be, by the next day... I also avoid drying my hair under heat and only dry it every once in awhile (special occasions, just because, you know...). Usually when I dry my hair, I am straightening it with a round brush as well as using more product and additional products for the extra drying that the hair dryer does to my hair. But on any given day I let my hair air dry and this is the directions for that. Since I've let my hair air dry I've noticed I have a slight wave to my hair and it is indeed not stick straight as it appears to be when I blow dry it. I also twist my hair in between to keep it somewhat curly/wavy looking than it does just straight out of the shower. If my hair isn't twisted into "space buns" it's up on top of my head in a thrown together bun and secured with my favorite hair accessory; a gator clip (yeah, the ones your hairstylist use to separate your hair when cutting/coloring it). I need to bedazzle the ugly things but it's what I use.
When I wash my hair I use Hairstory New Wash (list of links at the bottom). It's just what it is called, a hair wash and is created to replace shampoo and conditioner. Personally, I've used the Deep (for drier hair) and the Original (for normal hair) and couldn't really tell much of a difference between the two for me so I like both. I keep the Deep at the beach and use the Original at home (since my hair seems drier at the beach). The New Wash is def something to get used to as a first time user as it does not sud but I love the stuff. It feels more like you're washing your hair with a conditioner but it rinses super clean and your hair is still soft - unlike with shampoo. With the New Wash it's safe for all types of hair (even for kids or color treated), you can't over wash, and as a bonus it comes in sustainable packaging (which I'm always for).
Immediately out of the shower, IÂ use the K18 to help repair my damaged hair. IÂ was told about this product by a few of my "hair" friends and they also thought it was silicone free (and indeed it is!). IÂ was hooked after the first use. I've noticed over time that my hair is softer but honestly, it is so damaged I need to grow it out or hope for a miracle at this point... this is the closest thing to a miracle for my locks. Make sure to read the directions if you try this repairing leave in - let it sit for 4 minutes after you apply and a little goes a long way. This one is super pricey but worth it.Â
If my hair wasn't so damaged I could probably go without oils and leave in's but it's super porous and sometimes tangly (if I don't comb it out in the shower) so I added the It's a 10 leave in and I loved it so much I use it between washes to keep my hair from feeling dry especially if I brush it out and restyle it. If my hair is super dry or tangly I will add the leave in immediately after the K18 along with a few drops of grapeseed oil AND/OR I will use it to spruce up my hair and waves after combing or brushing (it gets sorta frizzy) and it brings it back to a manageable state and makes my waves look better. When using it for waves/curls I noticed I liked the feel of this better than any other product after a day or two of sitting on my hair. I noticed texture sprays added too much texture and curl products weighed my hair down. ((I add 2-4 drops of grapeseed oil often to the leave in but too much will make my hair oily for a day or so)). More on grapeseed oil use for hair.Â
Last but not least I have dry shampoo. I have two at two different price points as well as time it takes to apply... I really like Hairstory's Powder. But it does take a few minutes to apply. So if I have time and am not in a rush I use that. I also like that a bottle lasts what feels like forever compared to a can of dry shampoo. It takes longer to apply as it is not under pressure. I apply this directly to the root as well as with my fingers all over my scalp on days I need a little boost when my hair looks flat. However, if I am in a rush my go to is Not Your Mother's Dry Shampoo. It's just been my tried and true for a long time. My favorite is the purple bottle that is for volume, but I do love all of their dry shampoos for different reasons (read their label for usage). Both of these products do not contain talc and I appreciate that.Â
If you use any of these and love them, I'd love to hear it as well as any product that you think IÂ should try. I'm looking for a tried and true curl/wave product but haven't found one I adore quite yet.
Via Amazon:
- Grapeseed Oil:Â https://bit.ly/3QCcXOA
- It's a 10, Potion 10:Â https://bit.ly/3wi93SK
- K18:Â https://bit.ly/3QQCVOk
- Not Your Mother's Dry Shampoo: https://bit.ly/3wmAaw7
- 1 4oz Bottle (for oil): https://bit.ly/3Af1Ggp
- OR 4 Pack of 4oz Bottles (for oil): https://bit.ly/3dDfwBj
Via Hairstory (wash, powder, & other products available):Â