Without products or tools, even the best hairdressers would struggle to manipulate hair into some of its many wonderful shapes and styles. But I like to keep things simple; you don’t need a hatful of products to make most things work. If you choose your arsenal wisely, you can maintain beautiful, sexy hair with a streamlined and economical bag. If you have the right cleanse and condition regimen, a good prep product –– something you apply to damp hair before blowdrying to help create support –– and a good finishing product –– something you apply to get the texture and finish that you want –– you are well on your way to great hair. Let’s continue the journey by looking at the features and benefits of some of my favorites…
A Blowdryer and a Boar Bristle Round Brush: Two products in one, but they work so well together that their combined value should be noted. The heat of the dryer manipulates hair so you can create your own individual style –– it’s essential unless you wear a ‘wash and go’ style. The boar bristle round brush is a classic styling tool. It’s great for lifting hair off the root for volume, the bristles grab the hair nice and tight for smoothness, or you can also use the rounded shape to create wavy or curly textures.
Gentle Shampoo & Conditioner: There are so many shampoos and conditioners on the market that it can be a bit of a minefield. I find hair benefits most from modern, sulfate and sodium-chloride free products as they are exceedingly kind. Find shampoos and conditioners with organic and natural ingredients that don’t strip away natural goodness.
Set & Style Spray: This is my favorite, versatile prep product for blowdrying. It gives touchable, moveable hold, volume, and lots of shine. It can be used to set hair with rollers or an iron, to blowdry loose or polished. Great for prepping braids and twists too.
Refinish dry shampoo: I don’t know how I ever lived without it! By soaking up excess oils and removing buildup, it creates instant texture and volume for any style –– and it adds a modern, gritty, lived-in finish that gives a wow factor to any look. Gorgeous on the go, miracle style rescue.
Defrizz Serum: For finishing smooth, straight blow-dries this is my go-to. Eliminates frizz, controls fly-aways, and eases access volume. Place a few drops on palms, work along the mid-shafts and ends, and blowdry on high heat for smoothest ever styles.
Curl Enhancer: For those with a wavy or curly texture, my favorite product is curl enhancer. Made to tighten and unite wavy and curly hair textures, it adds lots of moisture and a lovely, shapely spring. I like to scrunch it into loose styles, otherwise I blowdry with a diffuser for more definition.
Thanks to Nick Arrojo for this contribution to Style Noted!
