hair

GIFT GUIDE: BEAUTY STOCKING STUFFERS

Dec 08

It’s that time of year again! We’re one week into December, and gift-buying crunch time is coming soon. These are my picks for stocking stuffers for the beauty lover in your life!

Living Proof Dry Shampoo
Read: The best dry shampoo ever.

Tula Primer
You can’t go wrong with a blurred look.

Bio Oil
Tried and true. Good for keeping dry skin at bay.

Real Techniques Beauty Sponge
WAY better than the Beauty Blender, and it’s a fraction of the price.

Lime Crime Metallic Velvetines
One of my favorite lippies for the winter season.

Slip Small Silk Scrunchies
Makes me feel a little less bad about wearing my hair up so much.

OPI Nail Polish in “Let’s Be Friends”
The most flattering nail polish EVER. Buy one (or three) for everyone.

Lime Crime Venus XS Vixen Palette
These shadows are super-pigmented, and this palette is travel (and stocking) friendly.

Ouai Hair Oil
If for nothing else, it smells AMAZING.

Morphe Lip Gloss in Flower Child
Gimme alllll the peach tones.

Lilly Lashes in “Miami”
I usually opt for Ardell lashes, but these babies are worth the price.

SHOP THE POST:

THE BEST DRY SHAMPOO, EVER

Dec 06

I hate washing my hair. I love taking a good hot shower morning and night, but I absolutely despise washing my hair. When your hair is as fine as mine is, it gets pretty hard to go too long without looking like you put bacon grease directly on your roots. Okay, that’s a bit of an overstatement but you get the point. I’ve been on the hunt for the best dry shampoo I can get my hands on because ya girl loves dirty hair sans the whole looks-smells-and-feels-dirty part. That’s not asking for too much, right?

My problem with most dry shampoos is that they have an intense smell. No one wants gross smelling hair, I get it. But I also don’t want to walk around smelling like I poured a whole bottle of floral perfume on my hair when I woke up- it gives me headaches. But I also want something that smells nice, just not strong. Once again, is that too much to ask for?

Oh and I need volume. Lots and lots of volume. Fine hair also tends to be synonymous with flat hair, and this Texas girl ain’t here for flat hair. If a dry shampoo doesn’t give me killer volume, it’s a waste in my book.

For a long time, I just used magnolia-scented baby powder in my hair as dry shampoo. I loved the smell and it wasn’t too strong, plus the baby powder gave a decent amount of volume and soaked up any excess oil or grease in my roots. I can get away with using baby powder unless my roots are grown out… then it just looks like I am prematurely greying. Plus the powder ends up all over my bathroom floor and counter and then I look like I spend all my free time doing blow in my bathroom. Oops.

Then I met Ouai Dry Shampoo Foam. My first thought was, “yeah, not putting wet foam in my dry hair roots. You’re crazy, Sephora lady.” But, she convinced me to try it anyway and I walked out with a bottle.

YOU GUYS. This is life changing. One little dollop of foam removes oil, product buildup and gives the most volume I’ve ever gotten from ANY product. I use this when my hair is actually clean just for volume! The best part? It works for literally ALL hair types- straight, curly, wavy, blonde, black, red, you name it! It’s not made from powders like many other dry shampoos, so absolutely ZERO white residue in your hair is left.

Also, it legit smells like Tom Ford perfume, but the smell isn’t too strong either. Just a little bit of the foam goes a long way, which I love because I don’t like repurchasing hair product all the time. You will definitely get your money’s worth out of it!

Hate washing your hair too? Run, don’t walk to pick up this stuff. I won’t tell anyone you haven’t actually washed your hair… it can be our dirty little secret.

I’ve linked a few of my other favorite hair styling products below so you can go even longer without washing your hair. Dirty hair for everyone!!!

KEEP IT COOL

Oct 18

Platinum hair has been “in” for a while, and that’s no secret. From high school and through most of college I kept my blonde tone anywhere from strawberry to golden and never thought I’d vary from that. I jumped on the icy train quickly and switched to cool toned blonde around the time I moved to New York, and since then I’ve gotten questions about how I keep my hair cool and light.

MY ANSWER? Patience, for one.

AT THE SALON

If your hair isn’t light blonde to begin with, it’s best to take your time with lightening it so you don’t damage your hair (if you do, I have solutions.) If you have any sort of red in your hair, be it from your natural color or from dye, the process of getting that cool tone is going to be trickier. Work with a stylist that is skilled with blondes and you’ll be just fine!

Now, there are two ways you can lighten your hair — highlights or bleach and tone. It is probably safe to say that most strikingly ice platinum blondes do bleach and tone, where bleach is applied all over and then toned to the right color. If you’re going for dramatic, this may be the way to go. If you like more dimension in your hair, you’ll want to opt for highlights, which is what I do.

MY HIGHLIGHTS TRICK

There are several things I do for my highlights to give the all-over color feel while maintaining dimension. First, my stylist in Houston does heavy slices of highlights as opposed to weaving them. This is better if your hair is already light so you don’t have stripes. I also alternate doing full highlights and partial. I like my color to be bright around my face as well, so sometimes I’ll have my stylist lightly brighten the roots all around my hairline on my face. This is what works for me, and I always recommend talking everything over with your stylist to create the look that is best for your hair and what you’re going for!

THE TONER

If you want an icy, cool toned blonde, you may need to tone your hair. I recommend opting for a toner that is grey, purple, or blue. Think about it like a color wheel. Purple is the opposite of yellow, so it will cancel out the yellow tones. Blue is the opposite of orange, so it will cancel out the orange tones. I’ll get more into those later!

I tend to favor more of a silver/grey tone to my hair, but I actually haven’t been toning it lately. I’ve been seeing Melanie at N Salon recently and she recommended not toning my hair, and I’ve loved the results so far. She just highlights and uses a purple shampoo on me. This is exactly why it’s best to talk through what your goals with your hair are with your stylist — they can recommend the best process for YOUR hair.

AT HOME UPKEEP

Keeping your hair icy doesn’t end at the salon, unfortunately. Lucky for you, I’ve found an arsenal of products that help me maintain my color and banish gross, yellow brassiness.

JOICO COLOR BALANCE PURPLE SHAMPOO

This one is probably a no-brainer. You’ve likely heard to use a purple shampoo to get rid of brassy tones. I’ve tried a few, and my biggest complaint with most that I’ve tried is that they never seem to feel like they actually clean my hair. I don’t wash my hair often, so I want it to feel clean no matter what shampoo I use, and I really don’t want to wash it twice to get that feeling.

I use the Joico Color Balance purple shampoo because it miraculously does give that clean feeling and just the right amount of color. I’ve heard great things about the Fanola No Yellow shampoo, but I have yet to try it.

OVERTONE DAILY CONDITIONERS

This is what I use when I want a dramatically “cooler” look. I have both the pastel purple color and pastel silver. The pastel purple deposits a little too much color for my liking, so I usually stick with the pastel silver. The ends of my hair soak up color very easily, so the silver gives the cool tone without straight up turning my hair a different color.

They have a ton of different colors so if you’re trying to maintain red, rose gold, or virtually any other color, they have something for you!

EVA NYC LEAVE-IN FOAM

I don’t use this frequently either, because it also deposits quite a bit of purple color. However, I like to use it when I want my color to look amazing in photos. It also smells AMAZING which is always a plus. It’s definitely great for a little extra boost when needed!

That’s about it! As I’ve mentioned a few times, it’s always best to work with your stylist on your color. They’ll be your ultimate resource for the results you’re looking for. Have you tried any of these products, or what are your secrets for keeping blonde color cool? Thank you for reading!

SHOP THE POST:

HOW TO KEEP YOUR HAIR HEALTHY

May 04

I don’t think it’s any secret that I highlight my hair- and with bleach comes damage. Whether you color your hair or not, it can be hard to maintain healthy hair. I’ve been coloring and highlighting my hair for about 10 years now, and I’ve learned a few tricks along the way to keep my hair strong, even through my transition to platinum.

MY NUMBER ONE SECRET?

STOP WASHING YOUR HAIR.

I mean, please wash your hair. Just don’t do it as often. I only wash my hair MAX twice a week. This allows for your natural oils to run through your hair and keep it moisturized. I definitely understand it can be hard to just switch to not washing your hair as often, but build yourself up to it. Add an extra day between washing your hair each time you wash it until you’re only washing it once or twice a week. I PROMISE you can do it! Get a good dry shampoo (I’ve got a post on my favorite one coming up!) and you’re good to go. If you’re blonde, baby powder works great too. Eventually, your hair will stop getting “greasy” or “oily” plus you won’t be putting as many harsh chemicals on your hair, it’s a win-win!

NOW LET’S TALK PRODUCTS.

I only use salon quality products on my hair, and I only purchase them from a salon or beauty store like Ulta, Sephora or Nordstrom where you know you’re getting the real deal. Don’t ever buy higher-end products from a drug store, Walmart, Target, etc, you don’t know what’s really in them.

For shampoo and conditioner, I recommend getting a product that is strengthening. I love Joico K-Pak shampoo and conditioner for colored hair so I don’t risk stripping out my toner that keeps my hair cool-toned. They have a version for colored hair and non-colored, so make sure you pick up the right one.

If your hair is already damaged and you’re trying to repair it, you will want some sort of damage therapy leave-in treatment. I use Aveda Damage Remedy, it’s also a heat protectant for an added bonus. I run this through my hair evenly, making sure it gets it all.

If you’re not one for blowdrying your hair, then great! No heat — that’s perfect. I can’t air-dry my hair. I hate it. It gets a weird texture, and I’m not about it. So since I’m inevitably going to put heat on my hair, I make sure to do it in a healthy-ish way. Aka a GOOD hairdryer. You may have a stroke at the price, but my last hair dryer lasted me for almost 10 years before it shot fire out of it. That was a fun day. Anyway, I use a slightly older version of this T3 hairdryer. I got mine at Costco for a bit cheaper, so check there first if you have a membership. They also have a mini version that’s cheaper too. My hair dries a lot faster now with this dryer and faster drying = less damage.

I also try to avoid styling my hair with a curling iron or straightener. I have naturally straight hair, so all I have to do is give it a 30-second hairdryer blast to smooth out any kinks. I also recommend sleeping with your hair in a bun with a crocodile clip or in a braid to keep it from getting tangly and breaking in your sleep.

THE HOLY GRAIL

O L A P L E X.

If you don’t know, now you know. This is the MAJOR secret. Ask your stylist about mixing Olaplex in with your color and also doing an Olaplex treatment. It will do WONDERS on your hair. This is truly the gamechanger in my hair-health routine. I have Olaplex added every time I highlight my hair, and I use the No.3 treatment at home. You know how chocolate can mend a broken heart? Olaplex can mend your broken hair. Okay now I’m just being dramatic, but, you need this.

OTHER COOL THINGS YOU WANT

By now, you’ve probably heard of sleeping with a satin pillowcase to prevent breakage. If not, this is a thing. And you should do it. My satin pillowcase is from Savvy Sleepers and I kinda want one in every color… is that too much?

I’ve also become hooked on these Invisibobble hair ties. They look like telephone cords and are actually super cute in your hair. More importantly, though, they don’t pull on your hair as much or rip hair out of your head, and they’re less likely to leave those dreaded kinks in your hair. They even make tiny ones for smaller sections of hair if you’re a fine-haired babe like me.

ANYTHING ELSE?

Get regular haircuts. If your hair is super damaged on the ends, cut it off. Even if it’s several inches. I promise your locks will grow back quicker than you think and won’t be constantly breaking anymore. If you’re trying to grow your hair out, this is way more important than you would think. My hair grows stupid fast and it’s solely because I keep my ends from getting damaged so it won’t break off. Also, those tiny hairs you see around my face are baby hairs, not breakage. I’ve had them for forever and they drive me nuts, but that’s neither here nor there.

It’s definitely not impossible to color/highlight your hair AND keep it healthy. Last time I got my hair highlighted my bae Chris said he’s never felt my hair so healthy ever before. For context, he’s been coloring my hair since I was 14. I’ve done A LOT to my hair with him — basically every shade of blonde, brunette, and even a short stint with red hair. This is by far the lightest my hair has ever been and also the HEALTHIEST. So it’s possible! Don’t let yourself believe otherwise.

And that’s all my tips! I have more hair-themed posts coming soon, including one on dry shampoo and how I keep my hair cool toned. If there are any other hair type posts you wanna see, definitely let me know! I also wanna know if you try out any of these tips and they help. You can always email me if you wanna chat or have more specific questions. All my luck with transitioning into not washing your hair! ♡

SEPHORA SPRING SALE

Apr 23

If you know me at all, you know I can’t resist walking into Sephora as soon as I see it. (Okay honestly I pretty much run as soon as I see it.) Lucky for all of us, Sephora’s Spring Sale is back, BUT it ends today. I decided to round up some of my favorite or “must-have” products for you to snag before the sale ends tonight. Today is my 23rd birthday, so I had no shame clicking “add to cart” on a few items as a little birthday present to myself.

SOOO… HOW DOES IT WORK?

First off, you need to be a Beauty Insider to participate in the sale. You can sign up here. Once you sign up and have your items all in your cart, you’ll want to enter the code for which level Beauty Insider you are.

Beauty Insiders: 10% off everything with code YAYINSIDER

VIB: 15% off everything with code YAYVIB

Rouge: 15% off everything with code YAYROUGE

MY FAVORITES:

INVISIBOBBLE // These are my favorite hair ties! They look way cute in your hair and don’t leave a crimp.

KOPARI COCONUT BODY GLOW // I want anything and everything that will make me glow AND smell like a tropical paradise.

LAURA MERCIER TRANSLUCENT POWDER // I always need more powder. Always. #OilySkinProbs

NARS POWERMATTE LIP PIGMENT // This liquid lipstick does. not. budge. I have the shade “Get It On” because I’m incapable of resisting a cheeky color name.

ANASTASIA DIPBROW POMADE // This is the secret to amazing brows.

T3 HAIR DRYER // I have an older model of this hair dryer, but it’s made a HUGE difference in my hair. (aka I dislike washing my hair a little bit less now)

ANASTASIA GLOW KIT // Does anyone else want to bathe in highlight? Just me? Ok.

DR. DENNIS GROSS ALPHA BETA PEEL PADS // Every time I use these my skin feels BOMB. Read more about why you should get these here.

KATE SOMERVILLE EXFOLIKATE // I use this in the shower, turn the water heat all the way up (I enjoy burning my skin off it’s fine), and then enjoy the steam for a couple minutes before washing it off.

WHAT I BOUGHT:

SOL DE JANEIRO BRAZILIAN CRUSH FRAGRANCE MIST // I just wanna smell like summer all the time.

DR. JART ALL THAT CONTOURS SHEET MASK // I’ve heard this sheet mask is similar to getting Botox, so I will report back with results. Sidebar — I got Botox almost 2 months ago and I’m working on a post about that experience!

NARS CREAMY CONCEALER // This concealer has a cult following, and since I’m almost out of my beloved Tarte Shape Tape I decided I would give this a try.

ESTEE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR FOUNDATION // This is a repurchase for me! I love this foundation because it has great coverage but also feels super light.

If I had it my way, I would probably purchase just about everything during this sale. BUT I’ve done a little too much #treatyoself this month (birthday month so it’s justified?) so I had to limit myself a bit. Let me know what you’re picking up for yourself from the sale — be sure to hurry, it ends tonight!

HAIR ROUTINE

Oct 19

Just a couple days ago, my sweet friend Tori asked me for all my hair product recommendations, and she inspired me to write an updated hair routine post! Thanks, Tori 😉

I have very fine chemically treated hair, so the products I use are catered to my hair’s needs. If your hair is thick and curly, these products may not work for you! Always use products for your specific hair type, and if you’re not sure if you have fine or coarse hair or what your hair type is, ask your stylist!

With that being said, make sure to ALWAYS buy your salon-quality hair products from salons ONLY or somewhere like Sephora, Ulta or Nordstrom where you know you’re getting the real deal. Don’t ever buy salon hair products from the drug store, or somewhere like Walmart or Target, because you could be getting a fake or expired product.

Now, onto the good stuff.

Shampoo/Conditioner

I like to switch out my shampoo and conditioner when I run out of one type so that my hair doesn’t get too used to a product. One of my all time favorites is Living Proof No Frizz, which is great for frizzy hair or if you live somewhere where humidity is a problem! Currently, I’m using Aveda Color Conserve Shampoo and Aveda Damage Remedy Conditioner. I absolutely love the way that Aveda products smell, and I wanted something that would protect and heal my highlighted locks. If your hair is colored in any way, you’ll want to be sure that you’re using color safe products, so your color doesn’t get stripped out of your hair.

For blondes specifically, I also love Pureology Perfect 4 Platinum. The shampoo has a blue tint to it that helps tone your blonde when you wash. Blue tint will cancel out orange tones, and purple tint will cancel out yellow. I also use a purple shampoo about once a week to keep brassy color out of my hair. My blonde tends to pull yellow, especially around when it’s time to get my highlights done again, and purple shampoo helps fix the color back to how I like it.

Styling Products

To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of using styling products. I’m always hesitant to put something on the ends of my hair out of fear it will weigh my poor fine hair down. However, I’ve fixed this traditional “limp” fine hair problem with Pureology Root Lift. This is a root lifting spray that you spray directly into your roots when your hair is damp before blowdrying. As the name suggests, it lifts the roots of your hair, preventing hair from falling flat and it also helps absorb oil!

If i’m going to use anything on the ends of my hair, I make sure that it’s something that is strengthening and will help prevent breakage. I love using Pureology Strength Cure Split End Salve, but I don’t use it every time I wash my hair so that I’m not adding too much protein back into my hair.

When drying my hair, I style it with this Spornette round brush. The thing I love about this brush is that the barrel of the brush is longer, which makes it easier for styling your own hair. Using a round brush can be a little tricky until you get the hang of it!

I love finishing off a look with Moroccanoil hair spray, mainly because the scent is to die for! In between washes, I also use dry shampoo. I didn’t include a specific one in the post because I haven’t quite found one that I absolutely love yet! Every one I’ve tried has just seemed kind of “eh” to me, or I get incredibly tired of the scent. I’ve been using this one lately and I like it, but I’m getting a little tired of the smell. If you have a favorite, let me know in the comments!

I can be a bit of a diva when it comes to my hair, but I think it’s worth it to keep it in good shape! Have you tried any of these products or which are your favorites?

Summer Hair

Jul 09

photo taken by Hunter Wuensche

I’ve teamed up with my favorite hair stylists to bring you the last part of my summer series, summer hair! I asked three stylists that I’ve trusted with my locks over the years what their must-have products for summer are, and these are their responses!

Photo courtesy of Alyssa McCurdy

Alyssa McCurdy, ONE TWO ZERO Salon in Cypress, Texas

Her Must-Haves: Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream | Moroccanoil Hairspray | Living Proof No Frizz Humidity Shield

Alyssa’s first pick is the Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream. “I put it in right before I blow dry my hair while still damp, and it smoothes out flawlessly when I blow dry,” she says.

Alyssa loves the Moroccanoil Hairspray “because it has just the right amount of hold for a little bit of added volume without weighing my hair down especially with me not washing [my hair] everyday!” (Alyssa got me hooked on this hairspray, it smells amazing!)

Alyssa calls her final must-have, Living Proof No Frizz Humidity Shield, a “miracle in a can.” She advises to use it after hairspray, as your final product. “It holds your style throughout the day while blocking humidity which can make it fall or frizz,” she says. Perfect for humid summer weather here in Texas!

Alyssa has been cutting my hair since high school, and the updo she gave me for prom junior year has by far been my favorite! Your hair is in good hands with her, promise.

Photo courtesy of Chris Jeffcote

Chris Jeffcote, Blue Mambo in Houston, Texas

His Must-Haves: Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray and Surf Infusion | Raha Vital Restore Conditioner

Chris says he tells his clients who have wavy hair to use Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray and Surf Infusion to “create easy manageable styles.” He also advises clients who do a lot more to their hair (color, bleaching, hot tools, etc.) to use Raha Vital Restore Conditioner. Chris says he likes it for protection against sun exposure and for daily upkeep.

Chris has been coloring my hair since high school. He’s given me every color from blonde to black (and even red!) and it’s perfect every time. Seriously, if you want amazing color, go see Chris!

Photo courtesy of Angela Spenrath

Angela Spenrath, The Haven on Main in Tomball, Texas

Her Must-Have: It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-in Product

Angela calls this her “number one go-to for every season.” (I have to say it’s mine too!) “With sun exposure, salt water and chlorine, you will find that your hair will start in to lighten up more so than during the winter months and you will also be at greater risk for breakage,” she says. “With ‘It’s a 10‘ it helps to seal the cuticle and prevent lightening of the hair do to UV.” Angela also says that It’s a 10 will help prevent breakage and keep your hair hydrated, which is very important in the summer.

I feel like I’ve known Angela for as long as I can remember, and I couldn’t even tell you when she started doing my hair. She was the one who cut off ten inches of my hair to donate, and she even fixed my sixth grade pink hair disaster. She’s a miracle worker for that one! Cut, color, style, you name it, Angela can do it.

Thank you so much for reading! What are you favorite summer hair products?

Hair Saviors for Fine Hair

Feb 12

There are two truths to having fine hair. It is tangly and it is limp. My childhood smells like Suave kids’ detangler spray from my mother’s desperate attempts to de-knot my hair while I screamed. If you have fine hair, you probably know exactly what I’m talking about. As I’ve gotten older, my hair is still just as prone to knotting, and teasing it from lack of natural volume has not helped either. Combing my hair out after showering used to feel equivalent to having my scalp mauled by a vacuum.

But then I found two products that have quite literally become my hair saviors.

1. It’s A 10 Miracle Leave-in Product. They sure got the “miracle” part right. Just a few sprays of it makes a HUGE difference. My hair colorist, Chris, was the first to use this on me and I think I ran out and bought it that day. No other product has ever de-tangled my hair in the way this does. There is literally no tugging or pulling through knots. This product is also great because it contains keratin, which adds natural strength back into your hair. This is super important if you use a lot of heat tools.

2. Kevin Murphy Body Builder Mousse. The main reason why fine hair doesn’t have volume is because there isn’t really any texture to it. Any sort of volumizing mousse helps add texture to give your hair more body. However, a lot of these products give your hair that dreaded “crunchy” feel and make your hair feel heavy. Kevin Murphy’s does not- it’s lightweight but still adds volume. I put about a golf ball sized (or more) amount in one hand and take small amounts from that to work into my roots all over while my hair is still wet. Adjust how much you use to how much hair you have; I don’t have a ton of hair unfortunately. Then just blow dry your hair and natural looking voluminous hair is yours!

Both of these products are great even if you don’t have fine hair, they’re absolutely suited for all hair types. The It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-in product you should be able to find easily at Target or Walgreens, but you’ll have to visit a salon to get your hands on any Kevin Murphy products, and you can locate one near you on their website. If you’re in Austin, head to Luxe Apothetique in the Domain for Kevin Murphy! I just picked up this product there the other day and I’m already loving it.

What are your must-have hair products? I hope you are all having a great week and thank you so much for reading!

hair

SHOP THE POST:

AT THE SALON

MY HIGHLIGHTS TRICK

THE TONER

AT HOME UPKEEP

SHOP THE POST:

MY NUMBER ONE SECRET?

NOW LET’S TALK PRODUCTS.

THE HOLY GRAIL

OTHER COOL THINGS YOU WANT

ANYTHING ELSE?

SOOO… HOW DOES IT WORK?

MY FAVORITES:

WHAT I BOUGHT:

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