A “Good Hair Day.”
We’ve all experienced one, but they’re few and far between – and we rarely know how or why they happen. Is it the products you use, how you style your hair or the environment your’re in… who knows?
Well, I’ve been trying to break the code for months and testing tons of products and scouring the web for styling tips. Plus, we’ve had a variety of temperatures, winds and moisture levels in Cincinnati this Spring, so it’s given me all the tress-testing variables I need!
So, today, I’ve reached a hypothesis for this perfect-hair-search science project. I found six products that – when combined with some good styling tips – produce consistent good hair days regardless of the weather (will come in helpful as the rainy April goes in like a lion!)
Granted, this is for my hair type and not everyone’s. But I have pretty versatile hair (has some natural wave, I can scrunch it to be curly, but usually wear it straight) so I’m hoping many of you can relate and benefit from some of these recommendations! Here goes…. drum roll please!!
Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum ($30, Sally’s Beauty Supply)
Put a quarter-size amount in the palm of your hand, spread it across both palms, flip your hair over and apply to the ends of your damp hair and work up to the scalp. This smooths the hair, reduces dry time, protects the hair and controls frizz.
John Frieda Full Repair Root Lift Foam ($6, Kroger or Target)
Give the bottle a good shake (I mean reeeeally good shake… otherwise it’ll come out as liquid, not foam), fill a palm with the foam, spread between both palms, and apply at the crown. This protects the hair from heat and gives a nice flexible lift that lasts all day. This is especially good if your hair tends to be thin or go flat often.
Oribe Gel Serum ($64, Mitchell’s Salon & Day Spa)
Put a dime-size amount in your palm, spread between palms, flip your hair and add this to your ends. This will give your strands definition for some subtle “pieciness.” This gold-flecked gel has active moisturizing agents so it keeps your hair looking healthy and bouncy with sheen rather than stiffness or waxiness.
When wearing it curly, I still use all the above products, but I use a blow dryer with diffuser attached on low heat. Then, scrunch and diffuse until dry.
When wearing it straight, I start with my hair flipped over to blow dry all the hidden hair underneath first (which, if remains wet, will curl and look undone). Then, I flip it over, use a round brush at the crown to give that area lift and activate that root lift foam, and then a flat brush to get everything else. After everything is dry, I like to use the “cool air” setting on my blow dryer for about 30 seconds (the blogs I read said this helps to close the hair’s cuticle and set the shape). Then, I straight iron the ends. First, using the iron vertically (parallel to my head) and then horizontal (perpendicular to my head) for the best straightening and smoothing.
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray ($43, Mitchell’s Salon & Day Spa)
Experts call this product “backcombing in a can.” So, it gives you that texture and lift you need without teasing… or, dare I even say it… a Bumpit. haha! This is especially great for the days I wear my hair in a bumped pony or half up.
Oribe Impermeable Anti-Humidity Spray ($42, Mitchell’s Salon & Day Spa)
Spray on this protective, vitamin-rich finishing spray to keep the frizz at bay, especially on rainy or humid days. Great for blow-outs and curls alike.
Pantene Anti-Humidity Medium Thick Hairspray ($5, Kroger)
As with many of the products mentioned above, this one is also anti-humidity to help fight the frizz (which is pretty much a problem for anyone with hair during Cincinnati summers). What I like about this product is that you can choose which one is best for your hair type (fine, thick, medium-thick, etc) and it holds really well without being stiff or crunchy.
Even though I said I’d only be talking about six products, I should also mention one more product that I like to use on “day 2” hair. It’s Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo ($11, Sephora) and it’s great for you ladies out there, like me, who skip a wash a few times a week (which is very good for your hair, ladies!). I prefer the non-aerosol because it lasts longer, but both kinds work well. The dry shampoo comes in a variety of colors too (red, brown, black) to better match your hair. Basically, this product just absorbs excess oil and makes your hair look more refreshed! Highly recommended!
Hope this helps and you have many good hair days in your future! Happy Friday!!