If I had to describe my hair in three words it would be thick, wavy and unruly, in addition to being highlighted and colour treated. I’ve spent my life taming the beast on my head, slathering it in lotions and potions like a lunatic. I’m always looking for something that will reduce the amount of time to style my hair, and hopefully, allow it to air dry. Yes, air dry. This is something that has been elusive until lately. To be fair, air dried hair works best on hair that is healthy, and works even better on hair that may be cut in a style that is conducive to air drying.
I’ve been air drying my hair more as I recently switched up my long bob for a shorter bob, and then to a shag with bangs. I like to work my natural waves and air dry, or add some soft waves with a large curling rod, or as in the photo above, just smooth it out with a large round brush. About the bangs. Ah, bangs. I, like most women, have a love-hate relationship with bangs. I love them…when I don’t have them. Ok, ok, they do look pretty cute, and I’m loving these bangs with a bit of graduating on the sides. Bangs are known in some circles as “the French facelift”. I have a friend who used to grow out her bangs when she didn’t feel like paying for Botox – God I love her. And, as my daughter pointed out, bangs also make pony tails look super cute. Anyways, my current style is inspired by 70s and 80s Goldie Hawn. It’s a little shorter than I’d like, so, once again, I’m growing it out.
Back to the unruly hair. So since I’ve been switching up my style, I’ve also switched up my styling. I’ve recently fallen hard for some gorgeous products and of course, want to share them with you!
Shu Uemura Wonder Worker is a must-have for all air dry styles. It helps smooth hair and prevent the POUF that often comes with air drying. Don’t over use, and, it will soften curls and waves as well as making adding curls after hair dries a bit of a challenge. If you are looking to calm waves and curls, this is for you. This can be a plus or not, depending on what you are looking for. My review here.
The Shu Uemura Essence Absolue line is a panacea for damaged hair. Their Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Oil is two in product that can be used a pre-shampoo treatment or a leave-in. I like to use a few drops on wet hair before heat styling or on dry hair after heat styling. The star in ingredient in the Nourishing Oil is camellia oil which is a gorgeous healing oil for hair. It adds softness and shine without the build up of traditional oils that contain a lot of silicone. It’s another one that is often avaialable at Sephora in a trial size bottle.
Kerastase has been a favourite of mine for ages. They know how to deal with damaged hair, and take shine seriously. The Kerastase Elixir Ultime line saved my sun bleached hair at the end of the summer. The Balm and Masque from the Elixir Ultime is simply divine and I use it a couple times a month to soothe my tresses. The Elixir Ultime Precious Oil Leave In Treatment transforms my dry hair instantly, with weightless silky shine and is currently my favourite leave in oil, along with the Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Oil.
The Bumble & Bumble Invisible Hairdresser’s Oil line of products is amazing. Aside from the unnecessarily long name (really?), this stuff is so great. I’ve use the B&B IHO Primer (a leave-in spray) on wet hair, and I am in love! It really does feel weightless, and adds a beautiful and perfect softness to hair that I’ve never really encountered in a product. The dichotomy of soft, silky and weightless doesn’t often happen as products that promise this are usually full of silicone which is the opposite of weightless. I love that Bumble & Bumble offer almost all their products in trial size bottles – it’s a terrific way to try them out. That’s what I did with the primer, and I used every last drop before heading to Sephora to get a big-ass bottle. Whatever silicones are in this line, they’re light and wash out easily.
The Bumble & Bumble IHO Dry Oil Finishing Spray is also fantastic! Use it on dry hair to add shine, and a touch of silky texture. A little goes a long way and it also smells wonderful. It reminds of TIGI Head Rush, which I also adored back in the day when I used to use a flat iron on my hair. This kind of shine enhancing mist is perfect for getting a smooth and shiny textured look with no sticky build up.
Oribe is a gorgeous and luxe high end hair care line. I don’t always think that one has to pay the maximum to get a good product but I have fallen for a few of the Oribe products. They fall under the “treat yo self” category of beauty I try to avoid. When I wear my hair wavy, I like to use a curl enhancing/holding product that does not feel rough or leave a waxy or oily build up on my hair. This is a challenge, as many curl products leave a heavy residue in order to add the right amount of texture and separation to hair. My two number one wave products are Oribe, and I cannot be without them! The Oribe Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray is an amazing texturizing spray that adds soft flexible hold, texture and shine to wavy air dried or curled hair. I love it because no matter how much I use (hello day five hair) I can still run my fingers through my hair. I have a cupboard full of beach wave products but Oribe Apres Beach Spray is the Goldilocks of beach sprays – not too stiff, not too sticky, but just right.
When my hair is damp and I’m going for a wavy look by either air drying or curling, Oribe Curl Gloss Hydration and Hold is my first choice. It is not a stiff gel, and it’s not heavy. It is truly hydrating and offers just enough hold and separation to keep frizz and pouf at bay. It’s also perfect for apply to second or third day hair to refresh and add texture to waves. If you want a gel for your waves, this stuff is magic. Also, can we talk about the heavenly fragrance of Oribe hair care? I had to grab a small can of the Oribe Hair Fragrance just because I love it so much.
For straight or wavy hair that tends to get frizzy, one should always have a good texturing cream on hand. I’ve been wanting to try the Living Proof Perfect Hair Day 5 In 1 Styling Treatment and Alterna Caviar CC Cream For Hair, so I got some samples from Sephora. Stay tuned.
What are your favourite styling products? Any super cult products I need to know about? Spill!
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