My Favorite Hair Products
Below I’ve rounded up all of the hair products and tools I have been using for years, so they’re all in one place. As much as I love trying new products, I ultimately want to have as much of a low-maintenance hair care routine as possible. My hair is fine but I have a lot of it, and I do get my hair highlighted - I have a separate post on what i ask for to achieve my haircut and color that goes into more detail - click here for that.
Before we jump into the list, I want to mention that not all of my products are from a salon or higher-end. Up until the last few years, I exclusively used drug store products and sometimes I still prefer it for the convenience of being able to restock them without a hassle.
To save on products, I sometimes purchase directly from my hair stylist and ask for a larger size, or I’ll wait until Sephora has a sale or Nordstrom offers extra point days.
shampoos
Davines NouNou Shampoo - This is my go-to shampoo because it’s gentle, doesn’t dry out my hair/scalp, and keeps my hair color looking fresh. You can find it online (no need to go into a salon), but the person who does my hair allows me to buy it in a jumbo size which makes it worth it.
Kevin Murphy Young Again Wash - This is a thicker shampoo (the brand called their shampoo “Wash”) so a little goes a long way, and I’ll sometimes dilute with water to make it last even longer or else I end up pouring too much. It is very hydrating but doesn’t weigh down my fine hair and smells really good.
REF Cool Silver Shampoo - I’ve always had the toughest time with purple shampoos because they either stain my hair/ hands, over-tone, or make a mess in the shower. This was recommended to me by my stylist, and although the product itself is a really dark purple, it is a thinner consistency, easy to wash out, and doesn’t stain. On average, I tone my hair every other week but don’t have a set schedule.
BrioGeo Scalp Revival - You can get this at Sephora, and I usually just get a smaller travel size and use it when I have a headache since it’s very minty. It has a slightly grainy texture, so it’s great for exfoliating your scalp and I recommend it to everyone who lives in a drier climate or needs a deeper scrub during the winter months.
Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo - Great shampoo; I used this for years and still use it when I’m traveling or need the convenience of picking something up at Target. You hear a lot about how some drugstore products damage your hair, but I don’t think that’s true for this product.
conditioners + masks
Ouai Fine to Medium Hair Treatment Masque - This is my go-to conditioner; it’s marketed as a mask but isn’t so heavy that it weighs my hair down, and I like the extra hydration since I lighten my hair. The scent isn’t overpowering, and it is easy to wash out. The brand is great about running sales, but now that Target has partnered with Ulta, I typically add this to my online order.
Hair Chemist Macademia Oil Deep Repair Masque - Cannot recommend this enough, and it’s only $10 on Amazon. I’ve purchased this 20+ times over the years, and it works just as well as higher-end options.
Davines NouNou Hair Mask - Love this, but it can honestly be a little pricy buying both shampoo and conditioner, so if I have to choose, I prefer to get the shampoo and save on conditioner.
Davines Heart of Glass Rich Conditioner - This is one of their newer products, and it’s a toning conditioner for blondes. I’m not super crazy about the smell (t’s very floral), but a little goes a long way and it leaves your hair very soft and shiny. I prefer this to toning shampoos as it’s a bit gentler, doesn’t dry out your hair, and never leaves a purple/ overtoned tint.
Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner - My boyfriend keeps this in his shower, so I sometimes use it when i’m over there. I love that you can get huge sizes at Costco, and this doesn’t leave a film that sometimes happens with extra-hydrating conditioners.
hair treatments
Dae Hair Cactus Flower Leave-In Conditioner - I like to apply it to damp hair and leave it in for a few hours before washing it out right before bed. I’ve found that this sometimes leaves a little bit of a crunchy texture after it dries so I don’t like it for styling - just for chores at home kinda days.
Davines Oi Liquid Luster - This is a newer treatment I’ve tried; you add a few ounces to your hair after shampooing in the shower and then rinse it out. Your hair genuinely glows after, and a little goes a long way so the bottle will last a while.
Kevin Murphy Crystal Angel - These glosses make your hair so soft and shiny and are really worth the money, especially if you don’t want to deal with a toning shampoo or conditioner. I don’t love the smell (t’s kind of an older floral), but the results are so worth it. I haven’t noticed a big difference between this and Cool Angel, which is for cooler tones, but your stylist might have a more specific recommendation for you.
hair oils
Dae Hair Prickly Pear Hair Oil - This is my favorite treatment oil; I apply this to wet hair and them put my hair in a loose bun before washing it out a few hours later. It is deeply hydrating without feeling greasy. If you try anything from this brand, this is what I recommend.
Davines Oi Oil - I like this oil more than the leave-in treatment version, and a little goes a long way. I can’t identify the scent, but it is definitely more masculine to me. The scent lingers for a while, which is why I slightly prefer the Dae oil.
Ouai Hair Oil - This is more of a styling oil than a hair treatment. I find the texture to be really slick rather than hydrating, but it adds incredible shine to your hair and tames flyaways, so it’s perfect for polishing off your look.
styling tools
To be honest with you, I don’t own a hair brush or a hair dryer, so no recommendations there but I do think a scalp scrubber is really worth it, especially if you suffer from migraines.
T3 Trio Curling Iron - I previously used a Conair 1” that I inherited from my mom back in high school, and I absolutely loved it and used it almost daily until it broke. I bought a replacement, but it just didn’t work the same so I decided to try a few different brands. The T3 is definitely pricey and I didn’t want to love it as much as I do, but I can see why everyone hypes it up. This curls your hair quickly, the curls last, and it doesn’t damage my hair (especially since I don’t always use a heat protectant). I use the 1” attachment the most.
Kristin Ess 3 in 1 Titanium Flat Iron - I have stick-straight hair, but on the days I actually need it to be straight, I somehow wake up with it looking crazy so I like having this on hand just in case. You can also wave or curl your hair with it, and it’s decently priced at Target.
Toothbrush - The best for taming flyaways and getting baby hairs to stay in place.
styling products
Davines This is a Shimmering Hair Mist - I don’t love the feel of a ton of product in my hair, so I gravitate more towards products that create a glossy finish after I curl it. This is a really light spray and doesn’t add any crunch to your hair, which I love.
Ouai Matte Pomade - I use this to tame flyaways instead of hair spray. The jar will last you forever and it’s easier to travel with than hair spray. It warms really well in your hands, making it easy to spread without leaving your hair greasy or crunchy, and smells so good. This is a staple for me in the winter time when static and warmer layers make my flyaways go crazy.
bobby pins and accessories
Amazon Bobby Pins - These are the best bobby pins I’ve ever used. They’re slightly longer than the ones you can get at a drugstore, but they’re much stronger and don’t budge. They come in silver, gold, and rose gold.
Terry Headband - I use this to put my hair back when I do my skincare routine. It isn’t necessary, but it’s fun, cozy, and helps me feel more ready for bed.
Carabiner - Whenever I buy new hair ties, I place them all on a carabiner to keep them organized. I also keep one in my purse, travel bag, car, and gym bag - you never know when you’re going to need an extra hair tie and this is truly a life-saver.
Silk Scrunchies - Not necessary by any means, but I always shower before bed so I like to use these since your hair is most fragile and prone to breakage when wet. I still don’t have my life put together enough to use silk pillowcases, but these make me feel like I’m at least putting in some effort.
Headbands, Clips, Bows, and Barrettes - I get all of my hair accessories at Revolve, Free People or Target. If I need something fancier or want to treat myself, Anthropologie also has an incredible selection, but they’re definitely pricier.