I have never been able to pick a hair color and stick with it. I have gone back and forth between blonde and dark brunette since high school. As soon as I would dye my hair dark, I would see someone with blonde hair or a cute blonde hairstyle and immediately want to go back. Or I would have just gotten back to the blonde color I liked and would see someone with beautiful dark hair and be instantly jealous. Thankfully my hair stylist has always made me wait 8 weeks between visits and would slowly bring my hair back to blonde.

Just looking at this makes me want dark hair again!
My hair is probably my favorite physical feature so I take great care of it. However I did a lot of damage to it by going back and forth between colors. I have a lot of hair (and I’m a poor college student) so I don’t like to buy expensive salon products that won’t last a long time. But I wanted to share with you the products that I do use that keeps my hair healthy, soft, shiny, and growing long!
My Favorite Hair Care Products
Shampoo & conditioner: I have a lot of hair. It is very long and very thick. So I use a lot of shampoo and conditioner and washing it takes forever. My hair is also very fine so if I don’t wash it everyday it gets very tangled and knotted. By the second day it needs to be in a ponytail or messy bun, but still feels gross. I use Dove Daily Moisture for shampoo and conditioner because they are more affordable for me. My hair stylist actually suggested I don’t buy salon products because I’d go through them too quickly (and she’s looking out for me because she knows I’m poor – thanks Sylvia!). I also get complimented on how great I smell all the time and it’s my hair!
Deep Conditioning Hair Mask: Because I do dye my hair and don’t use salon shampoo&conditioner, I use Oribe Gold Lust Transformative Masque as a deep conditioner/mask. It is a little more expensive but it lasts longer and deep conditioning is so beneficial for your hair! I love this deep conditioner because it has such a pleasant smell and my hair feels noticeably softer before I even get out of the shower.
Leave In Conditioner: It’s a 10 Miracle Leave In Conditioner is actually a miracle. It detangles your hair so well that your comb just glides through your hair and leaves it feeling so soft and looking shiny. I’m not sure what sorcery they used to make this, but it is life changing. Seriously. Don’t believe me?! Look at the reviews on Amazon – it is the #1 Best Seller in Hair Styling Gels and has almost 3,000 reviews with 4.6/5 stars! I use it every day after I shower.
Wide Tooth Comb: Any wide tooth comb will do, but here is my new one Jeff just got me the other night at CVS. My last one broke, damn thick hair. Using a wide tooth comb after you shower is so much better for your hair because it’s gentler on your hair as you detangle.
Heat Protectant: I use this Kerastase Resistance serum/gel before I blow dry, straighten, or curl my hair (I rarely am motivated to curl it though). You can apply this to your hair damp or dry and it keeps your hair smooth and frizz free. I’ve noticed a difference in how strong and healthy my hair feels using this versus other products when drying or straightening.
Straightener: My hair is pretty straight naturally but it is thick so if I don’t straighten my hair, I look like a lion. My hair looks poofy and it’s not cute. My hair stylist recommended a CHI hair straightener, so obviously I got whichever one came in pink.
These are my favorite hair care products that I use every day and have used for years. Of course I have a hair dryer too, but I try to let my hair air dry as much as possible.
What are some of your favorite hair products?
I love the Lanza line and noticed a major difference in my hair while I was bleaching it last year. It’s more than I’ve ever spent on shampoo and conditioner but I’ve cut back on washing my hair to once every week or two. The bottles I’ve had in the shower have been there since last November! I love Dove as well and the It’s A 10 leave in conditioner.
I’ve never heard of Lanza, I’ll have to check it out. My hair just gets so knotted & tangly if I don’t wash it every day or every other day. If I have a really lazy weekend (or if I’m sick and lazy) then I can get away with not washing it for a few days which is so nice because washing my hair is such a chore lol!