Hair Routine + Products

Since cutting my hair back in March, my hair has been so healthy. Cutting off the inches really gave me a chance to sort of start over with my hair. My routine hasn't changed much since cutting it, but I have noticed that I have been able to keep my ends healthier since the chop. I have another appointment coming up and I've been debating on keeping the length that it has grown or cutting it even shorter than I previously had. I definitely want to add some more layers at the bottom and maybe add some low-lights to make the blonde highlights pop. Or just go blonder overall. Matt and I cleaned out our garage a few weeks ago and came across a bunch of pictures from when we were first together, and I was so blonde! I'm thinking of going back to it. We'll see, I'm sure I'll change my mind several times by my appointment.

I’m still washing my hair 2-3 times a week, just depending on the amount of product buildup (or lack thereof) and whatever it is that we’re doing. I usually wash my hair on Saturdays/Sundays and then again during the week. I've noticed I will sometimes have to wash my hair a third time if I haven’t used any product at all because it gets really flat. In that case, I usually will use Suave Keratin Infusion Color Care Dry Shampoo to build some volume to get an extra day or two of wear.

For shampoo I use Tressemme and have switched off buying the volume one and the moisturizing one. I just ran out of it so I picked up some Nexxus Therappe Shampoo, I haven't tried it yet (as of this post), but I'm looking forward to using a better shampoo to keep my locks healthy. I have also been using the Macadamia Deep Mask and Nelson j  Healing Mask conditioners once a week (switching off with each wash). As for blow-drying, I have only blow-dried my hair once a week and let my hair air dry during the night the other wash. I think this really has been the biggest reason why I have been able to maintain the health of my hair, but have noticed that using my HANA Air Blow Dryer gives me so much more volume and helps me to maintain not washing my hair as often. I’m also using more products when I blow-dry it, so it’s really a combination, but I have noticed I can get an extra day of wear even when using no products at all when drying it.

For products, I use a combination of L'Oreal Boost It Volume Inject Mousse, Redken Guts 10, L'Oreal Boost It Blow Out Heat Spray, and a Herbal Essence Leave-in Conditioner that's no longer available. If I use my Redken Guts then I will skip using mousse, for my hair it’s just too much product and will weigh it down the very next day. Redken Guts is such a great product, I get a ton of volume and my hair really holds when I use it. It’s kind of pricey, but you can use coupons and find good deals online for it, it’s one of the few hair products (along with the Macadamia Deep Mask) I use that’s worth the extra expense.

For styling I'll use the Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray when curling my hair.  When teasing my hair on day 2-4 I'll use L'Oreal Boost It High Lift Creation Spray to create more volume. When I first bought this spray, I wasn't completely sold on it, but it really makes your hair hold a tease all day long! I really enjoy the product and will definitely re-purchase it. On any day I need more volume, and especially on day 3-4 I'll use Suave Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo. It is hands down the BEST dry shampoo I've ever used in my life. If I've let my hair air dry and need more volume/texture I'll use it on clean hair as well. On 2-4 day hair I'll also sometimes use TRESemmé Styling Aid Keratin Smoothing Serum (not pictured) to bring some life back to my hair and lose some frizziness. I don't care as much for this oil as one they discontinued. One pump is just so much product and it's heavier than the previous oil. I think I'm going to have to go back to my tried and true Paul Mitchell Skinny Serum.

As for tools, it’s pretty simple. I use a paddle brush (similar here) to comb through my towel-dried hair and a combination of that and a round brush (similar here) while I blow-dry. If I have the time, I like to use Conair Think Big Velcro Rollers to set my hair and then use either my Corioliss Classic Pro Flat Iron or Conair 1 1/4" Instant Heat Curling Iron to style my hair. To tease my hair, I’ll use either a comb, hair pick, or a teasing brush.

What products do you like to use? What are you must have, holy grail hair items? Please spill!

Nelson J Giveaway Winners!

The three winners of the Nelson J ARgan Oil 7 Moisture Healing Mask have been chosen,
check below to see if it's you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Snip, Chop, and a Giveaway!

Welp, I've cut my hair. I've been talking about it for years- seriously, I looked back on my blog posts and it's been a good 3-4 years that I've been talking about doing it. I finally decided to just go for it and I tell ya, the moment I did I felt like my hair had grown to be the length of Rapunzel's. Of course it wasn't though, it has been the same length it had always been and wasn't getting any longer. I gave up the dream of having mermaid hair without extensions and went for it. I really like the change, I'm thinking about going shorter on my next appointment. I was worried about what my husband would think because he prefers long hair, but he loves it! He keeps telling me how much he likes it and how good it looks. I mostly wear it straight but since I'm on vacation this week I hope to try a couple of different styles and really play with it.

Here are some of pictures that inspired my cut. I wanted it to be a nice mid-length (a lob if you will) with a slight angle to the front. It's still long enough to be put in a ponytail and is about the same maintenance that I had before I cut it. It's a great style that I think looks good on anyone.

Remember the Nelson j Beverly Hills Argan Oil 7 Moisture Healing Mask I've been using? Read about my review here, I'm giving 3 away!! I'm so excited to share this product with you guys, it's been awesome and has made a huge difference in my hair- it's so much softer and healthier (even before my cut). Just see below on the ways to enter and the winners will be announced next week! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Product Review: Nelson j Beverly Hills Argan Oil 7 Moisture Healing Mask

 

This product was recently sent to me for review and I've been using it for the last two months. It's a newly-launched deep conditioning hair care product by Nelson j Beverly Hills. The key ingredients include argan, citrus and peppermint oils. It contains NO sulfates, parabens, or artificial fragrances. The treatment boosts hydration for dry and damaged hair, which makes it great for cooler, dryer weather. It's available in three scents: coconut, pomegranate and rosemary mint (all natural scents). I couldn't choose a scent because they all sound delicious so they sent me their most popular- coconut.

At first, I wasn't too impressed with the product, it didn't de-tangle my hair at all and I expect conditioners to do that. After I brushed my hair and blow dried it, holy softness! It made my hair feel like that softness that comes after it's freshly cut. At the beginning of December, I cut and colored my hair, the ends were so dead and stringy, but even my stylist noticed how soft my hair was! Winning! The scent is really good and lingers for a few days as well. It retails for $20 and I honestly think it's worth every penny.

I use it every time I wash my hair (2 times a week), applying it from the middle of my hair down to the ends and let it sit while I wash my body and relax. The jar will easily last me months, there's barely a dent at all in it from using it already. Although it's a mask, it's really light weight and doesn't weigh down my hair a bit. My hair overall feels and looks really healthy and soft. For more information about the Nelson j Beverly Hills Argan Oil 7 haircare products or Nelson Chan, please visit www.nelsonjhaircare.com or call 877-540-1647.