The Sephora Savings Event starts on April 5th for Beauty Insiders and I’m rounding up my absolute favorites in every category starting with my Hair Care favorites. Dates and details for the event, use code YAYSAVE if you’re shopping online:
- Rouge members 20% off: 4/5-4/15
- VIBs 15% off: 4/9-4/15
- Insiders 10% off: 4/9-4/15
- All Sephora Collection 30% off: 4/5-4/15
A little background on my hair: I have thick unruly hair prone to frizz from humidity. I color treat with root touch ups every 2-3 months. I almost always blow dry as air drying leaves my hair frizzy. Even though my strands are thick I had a lot of hair loss and shedding about 2 years ago. The shedding has thankfully stopped and it’s started to grow back in baby hairs (natural growth).
I’ve split my recommendations of things I tried and loved by category to help you sort through my list. There are lots of great HAIR CARE SETS available and a wide range of items are available in MINI SIZES which are great to try.
Hair Tools
I love really love the Dyson Supersonic and Airwrap. I’ve had the Supersonic since 2017 and it still works perfectly just like the day I got it. I’ve used the Airwrap since 2020 and really love it too. I think they’re game changers for the way I style and dry my hair. Yes they’re a huge ouch to the wallet, but they were both well worth the splurge. They recently added a Ceramic Pink and Rose Gold color (limited-edition) and I decided to upgrade both my tools with this new color.
The Dyson Airwrap has been updated since I bought it the improvements have made it noticeably better! Attachments have slight changes in the design to make them multi-functional.
(new demo with the new airwrap coming soon, but here’s the original below)
If you don’t curl your hair I’d recommend sticking with the Supersonic. It has stronger air flow with the nozzles for faster more efficient drying. It’s easier to travel with (if you don’t use the case).
That being said I think the Airwrap is amazing. It allows you to do so many different things in styling and drying. I will say that the curls take more time than a regular curling iron because you’ll need to use it on damp hair, use the heat and cooling options and add hair spray. For me it’s easier to use than a regular curling iron for me because of the wrapping feature. With the Airwrap I can get more relaxed beachy waves which is what I prefer, but with a hot curling iron your curls will definitely last longer.
The ghd Platinum+ Styler is my go-to hot tool for straightening and curling. It is technically a flat iron but I use it to curl my hair. The temperature is set to a constant 375 degrees and has sensors to maintain constant heat. This leaves my hair looking smooth and sleek. It goes with me on every single trip. I’ve done a few reviews and demos with this tool. 100% recommend. Smooth sleek hair in action HERE. Easy waves HERE.
Shampoo + Conditioner
I’ve been absolutely obsessed with Oribe and Kerastase lately. They’re the formulas I keep going back to.
Oribe Gold Lust Repair and Restore Shampoo and Conditioner are the best formulas I use and repurchase the most. I have splurged on the liter bottles and refills. They’re quite expensive but the larger sizes are a better buy. If you’re new to this formula I recommend trying this #Oribeobsessed Mini Trio or this Gold Lust Ritual Set (value priced).
Kerastase Premiere Line is new and incredible! It is exactly what I needed to help clarify and clean my hair of buildup from hard water in Florida. Even with water softeners the water is still very harsh on my hair here. Most detox and clarifying shampoos almost always strip my hair or cause my scalp to become irritated. This Premiere line is the formula I have been looking for to clarify and restore my natural shine.
I do think you need the full system to see the best benefits. I tried this with just the shampoo and conditioner but the Pre-Shampoo Treatment made a HUGE difference. My hair hasn’t felt this healthy and clean since I left California. If you don’t want to splurge on the entire line, I would say stick with the Pre-Shampoo Treatment, Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner. The Serum is incredible for smoothing and protecting from heat and humidity. Since this is a repairing line I don’t think I would use these everyday, these would most likely be a 1x per week routine.
I’ve tried nearly every Kerastase formula on virgin hair, hair with bleached highlights and now on hair that has root touch ups. They have a formula for every hair type.
- Nutritive is the line great for dry hair and I really loved it.
- Resistance is great good to help strengthen weak hair from heat styling
- Discipline is their anti frizz smoothing line
- When I had bleached hair and highlights the Blonde Absolu was my go-to line
I also still think Olaxplex and the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair formulas are great. I just used up some bottles of Olaplex. I haven’t used Briogeo in a while but it’s one I would repurchase in a heartbeat.
Best Masks
My favorite formulas for hair masks:
Color Wow Money Mask is a great hydrating treatment
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask is the best for smoothing
Kerastase Resistence Strengthening is great for split ends and weakened hair, also smells amazing
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-In is a leave in mask, but I still really think it’s 100% worth the splurge
Best Hair Oils / Leave In Conditioners
Kerastase Elixir Ultime is one of the best hair oils I’ve tried
Virtue Hydrating Healing Oil is great for smoothing and repairing
Olaplex No 7 Bonding Oil is great for split ends
Shu Uemura Essence Absolue is another great hair oil for added shine, but it can feel a little heavy if you use too much
Best Heat Protectant / Blow Dry Primers
I’ll mainly use a primer heat protectant on damp hair for blow drying. There are other heat protectants designed to use on dry hair for heat tools like irons.
Oribe makes a lot of heat protectants. I really like their Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray or Imperial Blowout Styling Cream.
Kerastase makes tons of primers in all of their formulas. I’ve really loved Resistance, Chronologiste or Nutritive the most.
Olaplex Blow Dry Mist is another great option that also adds volume.
Best Dry Shampoo
Three formulas I really like that don’t add any white cast to my dark hair include the Olaplex No 4D Clean Volume Dry Shampoo (probably my favorite right now), the Living Proof Perfect Hair Day PhD and PhD Advanced (both are great) and if you want to splurge the Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo is excellent.
Misc/Others
For other miscellaneous styling products, here are three I really like:
- Best Volumizer – Tie between Oribe Maximista Spray and Color Wow Xtra Large Bombshell Mousse
- Best Leave-In/Styling Cream – Dae Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream
- Best Hair Spray – Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hair Spray
- Best Detangler – Oribe Detangling Spray
That wraps up my hair care favorites post! I know there’s a lot but I hope this helps give you some recommendations if you’re looking for any new hair care.
If you have any ride or die favorites, let me know in the comments! Stay tuned for a roundup on the best makeup and skincare.
