I am lucky enough to have a best friend that is a very talented hair stylist (Hi Renee!) that always steers me in the right direction when it comes to taking care of my hair. I know that everyone's hair is different, so what works for me may not work for you. That being said, I think we can all appreciate a good deep conditioning treatment and beach spray. So here are the hair products that I consider to be essential for keeping my hair looking its best.
Healthy Sexy Hair Shampoo, Conditioner, and Leave In Conditioner - What can I say, I'm obviously a big fan of this line of products by Sexy Hair. The shampoo and conditioner are safe to use on color treated hair, they're sulfate, paraben, and gluten free, and they're moisturizing enough to use every day. They have a subtle scent, but that doesn't bother me since I use so many products after washing my hair.
I recently started using the leave in conditioner, but I know it will come in handy come summer. My ombrè ends tend to dry out in the summer, so this leave in conditioner should do the trick. It's moisturizing without leaving a greasy finish, and my hair looks and feels so healthy after blow drying!
DIY Hair Mask - I use this DIY combo every other week or when my ends start to feel a little on the dry side. It smells amazing and it's a great way to pamper yourself on the weekends. Apply it to your hair, throw it up into a bun, and relax for 30-40 mins (I usually read or paint my nails). Make sure you wash it out really well with shampoo and follow up with conditioner, you want your hair to look healthy and shiny, not greasy!
Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray - No wonder there is a cult-like following for this spray, it's the best on the market in my opinion! It gives my fine, straight hair just the right amount of grit and texture for that "I just spent the day at the beach" look. It even smells like the ocean. I use it on damp hair before blow drying, on dry hair before curling, and as a refresher on day-old curls. It seriously works miracles on my hair.
Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Sea Salt Spray - I tried this sea spray as an inexpensive alternative to B&B's (which is not cheap!). It smells like coconut (love) and is a bit more moisturizing than the surf spray (also love). I don't get as much volume from this spray, but I still switch off regularly between the two.
Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum - I'll use this before blowdrying if I want to give my hair a sleek, shiny look. My hair is naturally straight, but this serum gives it a glossy sheen that doesn't look greasy. It helps speed up the drying process and it smells delicious, kinda like candy.
Not Your Mother's Beat the Heat Thermal Spray - I'm guilty of blowdrying my hair almost everyday, so I try to make up for the heat damage by using this on dry hair before straightening or curling. It gives a slight, flexible hold so there's no need for hairspray (which I can't seem to find one I like, shocking isn't it?).
Suave Dry Shampoo Spray - I'll be honest. I use this because it's less than $3. And it smells like pineapple. Oh yeah, and it works. I know that not washing your hair everyday is actually good for it, but I HATE how greasy and flat my hair can get. That's where this gem comes in. It soaks up the unwanted oil, gives my hair some body, and smells like a tropical drink. All for $3 a can. You can't beat that.
Other sources-
To make your own beach spray and leave in conditioner, check out Sunnie Brook's blog.
If you're not familiar with using dry shampoo, check out this blog post from The Beauty Department.
Have you used any of these products? Let me know what you use in the comments. Also, hair spray suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
