Tweet
The Best Leave-in Conditioner for All Hair Types
This year I am on a mission to find my holy grail of hair products. Recently I was introduced to the best leave-in conditioner by my stylist at Ulta—she only had to use it once on my hair and I had to ask to her, why does my hair smell so good?! I fell in love with Redken One United, a multi-benefit leave-in treatment that works wonders when it comes to my tresses. I spritz a few times on my damp hair when I get out of the shower before I blow dry and the results are amazing. From manageability (conditions, detangles, strengthens) to protection (primes hair for styling, safe for color-treated hair, prevents split ends to name a few) to beauty (adds smoothness, shine and controls frizz), this hairspray really does it all. I find that most leave-in styling products leave my hair feeling heavy and sticky which is the worst feeling! This formula is so lightweight, smells great and my hair always feels so soft after I blow dry. And did I mention this product is great for all hair types? It’s rare to find a universal leave-in conditioner for all hair types but the fact that I have yet to find one negative review online is a sign. Seriously, there is not one negative review on Ulta. Read the positive reviews here. If you’re on a budget and $22 seems a bit steep, you can scoop up a travel-size for just $10.
Lazy Beauty: The Air Drying Styler
‘Tis the season for air drying hair… and Bumble and Bumble has the first-of-its-kind hair cream you need to pull off a refined look without the hassle of a blow dryer. I’ve always been a fan of air-drying for hair health (and other lazy reasons), but usually my look yields more flyaways than I can count. My hair also tends to lack volume and that silky smooth feeling. “Don’t Blow It,” by Bumble and Bumble enhances texture and adds bounce using a plant-based conditioning blend. Next to my trusty Dryspun Finish Texturizing Spray, this has become my second most-used hair styling products in my hair routine. After towel-drying my hair, I apply about a dime-sized amount and work through evenly from roots to ends. This is the best product for air drying hair. If you’re not ready to commit to the full-size $30 price, you can scoop up a travel-size for $14.
Check out more of my favorite Bumble and Bumble products below!
Tools of the Trade: Summer Hair Essentials
I’ve been growing my hair out for my wedding in November and let me just say, I’ve learned that maintaining silky smooth tresses is like working a part-time job. The good news is it’s been manageable thanks to a few of my favorite hair products and tools. Read on to find out more about my summer hair essentials…
EcoTools Smoothing Detangler—This lightweight brush not only detangles, but helps manage frizz and static flyaways. I use this when styling my bangs (I brush side to side so my bangs lay flat and fit the frame of my forehead). I also like to use this for a sleek and straight blowout.
EcoTools Full Volume Styler—My hair has always lacked in the volume department, and this brush gives me that little extra oomph I need. It has an aerodynamic Eco-Vent design that allows for faster drying time and less heat damage.
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Full Foam Mousse—I love this cushiony crème formula that gives the illusion that I have thick hair. A little goes a long way, I work the product through damp hair and my hair always feels so soft after blow drying.
Redken Guts 10—With DC humidity in full force, I’ve been spritzing my hair with this best-selling spray to control flyaways and keep my hair in check. I’ve always been picky about hair spray but this offers control without any sticky residue. If you don’t want to commit to the $18 bottle, Ulta sells a travel-size version for $8.50.
Looking for some hair-spiration? Check out this easy breezy summer braid below. You can shop all the June Looks You Love (makeup and hair products) at 30% off with promo code Summer15!
Special thanks to EcoTools for sponsoring this post!
My Wash and Blow Dry Essentials
People always ask if my red hair is my natural hue. I wish. But I always make it a point to say that I do have natural red highlights! What I do love to brag about is how I’m able to preserve my red tresses using R+Co Gemstone Color Shampoo and Conditioner (c/o Neiman Marcus). This luxe duo is perfect for anyone with color-treated hair. I apply a quarter-size amount of the shampoo and work to a lather, which is infused with Hibiscus extract (softens and conditions), Pea extract (protects discoloration), Rice Extract (smoothes and maintains moisture), and Golden Root Extract (combats thermal stress). Its partner-in-crime conditioner has all the same benefits of the shampoo plus a light airy fragrance that leaves my fiancé constantly wanting to sniff my hair (weird, but somewhat romantic right?). I only apply a dime-size amount of conditioner (a little goes a long way) and focus on my ends and comb through my wet hair for even distribution. Much of my blow dry routine is dictated by how much time I have. If I’m in the mood to get all dolled up, I follow through with R+Co Chiffon Styling Mousse, a lightweight mousse for volume, body and shine. Lately I’ve been lusting natural soft curls (I have naturally straight hair) and my new GHD Curve Soft Curl Iron (1 1/4 inch) is so easy to use and heats up in a jiffy. If I’m in a rush or don’t feel like drying my hair, I reach for L’Oreal Blow Dry It Thermal Smoother Cream and Quick Dry Primer Spray (c/o L’Oreal Paris). While I have yet to find a drugstore anti-frizz product that eliminates frizz, this cream helps with managing it. And for just under $4, L’Oreal’s Primer Spray cuts my drying time in half while shielding against any heat damage from my dryer. I rarely have time to primp during the weekdays so I use this spray religiously.
Do you have a holy grail hair product? I’d love to hear about your recent purchases in the comments section!
Shop more of my wash and blow dry essentials below:
Photography by Kate Ann
