Hair Care Routine: Long, Strong Hair

 

Hi ladies! I recently had some questions about the products I use on my hair. I've been wanting to do a post on this for a while so what better time than now :) Many of these products are holy grail, tried and true products for me. If you want to see what products I use to keep my hair healthy, click below! It's a long one again !

A little about my hair: I only wash my hair about 2-3 times a week. Just like my skin my hair gets very oily. It is colored, but the last time I colored it was about.. A year ago. I only use heat on my hair about twice a week, if I curl it or blow dry it. The rest of the week I just let it do whatever. My hair is THICK. The actual strands are fine, but I have an insane amount of hair. This is the longest my hair has ever been. I cannot say any of these products have made my hair grow faster, but I do believe they have made my hair a lot healthier hence making my hair look longer. The last time I got a trim was February, I am due!

Shampoo and Conditioners

I'll start with the shampoos and conditioners I like to use. I've currently been using L'Oreal Total Repair 5 Restoring. It's good, it leaves my hair soft and shiny. I wouldn't say it's some miracle product, but I do like them. My all time favorite shampoo and conditioner is John Frieda Full Repair. There is a Full Body Version and Strengthen and Restore. I love both. These babies make my hair so soft and silky and they smell awesome. Both of these are also very affordable. I'm not big on spending a ton of money on hair care, there are amazing products at the drugstore!

Once a week, I use a clarifying shampoo. Just to really give my hair a deep clean. I use a lot of dry shampoo and this really helps get it all out. Garnier makes one called Pure Clean that I like but my store was out of, this Suave one works just as well and is only $1.50 for a big bottle.

This specific product I've only used twice, but really like.

Also once a week, I deep condition my hair. I'm using the L'Oreal Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm, I usually use the Macademia one but this one is so much cheaper and works just as well. It is mandatory for me to deep condition my hair once a week, my roots get oily but my ends get very dry. I apply it through the length of my hair, focusing on the ends, and let it sit for about 5 minutes. This makes my hair soft for days!

Products

When I'm done in the shower, I wring the majority of the water out of my hair. My hair holds water like nobodies business. After I get out of the shower I wrap my hair in a towel for about 20 minutes. Then I take it out and it's a huge mess. So I spray in some John Frieda Frizz-Ease Leave in Conditioning Spray. This stuff is AMAZING. I have gone through like, ten bottles. I definitely consider this a holy grail hair product. I let it sit for a minute or so after I spray. Then I take my Goody Ouchless comb and gently comb through my hair, starting at the bottom ans working my way toward the roots. This is the most tedious part, but it really makes a huge difference if you don't rip a brush through your wet hair.

At this point, I'll usually let my hair air dry for a little longer, 10 minutes or so.

Next I split my hair down the middle, take my John Frieda Perfect Ends Deep Infusion and apply about 2 pumps to each half of my hair. Focusing on the ends. This is an oil, but it's a watery consistency. It never makes my hair greasy, it always soaks right in. This is another must have hair care product. I've used about 4 bottles and have backups. I feel like it really helps keep my ends healthy.

I'm sure you're all familiar with this product. The Tresemme Heat Tamer Spray. This is my third must have hair product. I've used several of these as well. I obviously only use this product if I'm going to blow dry, or heat style my hair. I've used other heat protectants and I just don't like them as much as this one, it comes out in a fine mist so it applies evenly. I've had others make my hair greasy if I apply too much, this never does. It's a wonderful heat protectant!

This is my only expensive hair care product, it was a gift from my mama. Chi Keratin Mist Spray. I use this after I blow dry my hair. When it's about 95% dry, I stop and spray this all over and just let it sit. I actually don't like the smell of this, it smells like men's cologne kind of and it's just off putting to me. The smell doesn't last though. I'll also use this is I feel my hair needs a little extra care, I'll just give it a quick spray.

My last product is the Garnier Sleek and Shine Moroccan Sleek Oil. I don't use this all the time, only about once a week, usually after I blow dry my hair. Or if my ends are ever feeling extra dry. I only use a tiny bit because it will make my hair greasy. I really work it into the very ends of my hair.

Dry Shampoos

I've used many dry shampoos. My current favorite is the Garnier Volume Extend Instant Bodifier Dry Shampoo. What a name. I really love this one, it does give a lot of volume and definately makes my hair looks clean. It does, however, leave a white cast if I use too much. So I usually spray just a tad of this Batiste Dry Shampoo for Brunettes over that. I'm not a huge fan of that one, HATE the smell but I still use it. I've also used the Suave dry shampoo and love that one! Dry shampoos are a must for me because I don't wash my hair everyday and I'm an oily person.

Tools

I only heat style my hair about once a week, I usually curl it but occasionally I will want it stick straight. My straightener is a cheap, Remington one I got from Target only because it was purple. It works fine, but I don't use it often. My curling wand is from Conair. It's my favorite one. I've used the reverse ones and found it just made my curls messy and weird. I can do a post on how I curl my hair if anyone wants one? The blow dryer I use is one I've had for years, it's a Revlon one with a retractable cord and it works great. It will probably break now that I've said that though.

And those, dear people, are all the products I use on my hair. It seems like a lot, but as you read I do not use each one every day. I feel like I have a great, affordable array of products that have really improved the strength and health of my hair. Gosh I feel like I just wrote a novel, if you read it all, I applaud you! I apologize for not getting the best pictures of my hair. I never realized how hard it was to take a picture of your hair alone, even with a self timer hah !

Thank you thank you thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this post and maybe will try some of these products out. What are your favorite hair products!?

--Nicole :)