Hair necessities

When I initially thought of posting about my hair products/regimen, I was all 'oh, I don't use many products anyway so this will be a really short post.' Not so much. In all fairness, products add up quickly when you give all the juicy details of how you make a blow-out last, which hair brushes you like the best, and take the time to post the EXACT bouffant shower cap you use on your off days. Yes, I use a shower cap. Like a grandma. But let me tell you, grandma was on to something. See more embarrassing hair secrets below.

1) Aveda Brilliant Shampoo and Conditioner.  I love that this shampoo is gentle but cleans really well.
2) MOP Lemongrass Root Lift.  I have a LOT of hair. While volume isn't an issue for me, volume at the roots (where you WANT it) is hard to achieve because my hair is really heavy.  I love this product, it works AND smells heavenly.
3) Aveda Smooth Infusion Glossing Straightener.  This product does exactly what it says, I have lots of curl/wave in my hair and this helps immensely when I blow dry.
4) Aveda Smooth Infusion Style Prep Smoother.  I use a small amount of this on the ends of my hair because I love the silky feeling.

5) Ergo TGR 3600 Hair Dryer. If ever there were a styling tool that changed my life, this is it.  It is tiny, lightweight (important for me having LOTS of hair to dry, which takes forever), and is a salon-quality professional dryer with 1600 watts of power.  I've had mine for 3 years and have never had a problem.  Plus, it comes with a cute little stand. :)
6) Cricket Technique Thermal 3 1/4" Round Brush. I LOVE THIS BRUSH.  I does absolute wonders for volume and straightening my hair.  I use this huge one so that I don't completely wear my arm out while blow drying.  If you want volume at the roots and a straight, silky smooth blowout... buy this brush. You won't be disappointed.
7) Chi Turbo Large Paddle Brush. This brush is great for blow drying the layers underneath my hair, it's also what I use to brush out my hair before I wash it (crucial for me in the detangling process after I wash it), and what I use to brush out curls underneath to give a soft, glamorous look.  Just a great brush.
8) Hot Tools Gold 1 1/4" Curling Iron.  I use this to curl the ends of my hair when I don't wear it straight.  Sometimes I curl it with the clamp (but don't close the clamp all the way to avoid creases) for big, soft curls... and sometimes I wrap my hair around the barrel without the clamp for a more undone, wavy look.  This iron gets really hot and the cord doesn't get all wrapped up when you're trying to rush to curl your hair.
9) Aveda Control Force Hairspray. I don't use much so this lasts forever.  After I curl my hair with an iron, I spray the curls with this to help set, then shake them loose after they cool.

As discussed in other recent posts, life can't be glamorous all the time.  I do not wash my hair every day. I do not have the time, energy, or need to wash my hair every day.  I typically wash it every 3 days, and these are the products that help my blowouts last.

10) Goody Hair Claw Clips.  I use these all the time.. to section my hair when blow drying, to put up my hair when I wash my face, and most importantly to pile it up on top of my head to go under the shower cap.
11) Spa Sister Bouffant Shower Cap in Lotus. This is my shower cap. My exact one. And I love it.  It does a great job of keeping the water away from my hair in the shower on days when I don't wash it.
12) Ojon Full Detox Rub-Out Dry Cleansing Spray.  The less embarrassing of my two 'dry shampoo' alternatives, I usually use this one on day two.  As far as brand name dry shampoos go, I like this one the best.  It smells great, doesn't leave a white residue all over your hair, and gives great volume at the roots. It's not the best for absorbing oil, but we'll get to that.  I keep the small size in my purse for freshening up my hair if I go straight from work to happy hour or dinner.
13) Summer's Eve Feminine Powder in Cotton Breeze. HEAR ME OUT on this one.  So, years ago I used baby powder to help absorb some of the oil at the scalp on days between washes.  I SWEAR by this, no 'dry shampoo' can touch the effectiveness of powder to freshen a blowout between washes.  But I absolutely hate the smell of baby powder.  So, one day I was in Walgreens and I thought - it's just talc.  Surely there are other powders with talc that smell better than baby powder?  So there I was, looking at 2 very different (and equally hilarious) options: Dr. Scholls foot powder, or Summer's Eve feminine powder.  Obviously I chose the better smelling option, and while I giggle all the time when I use it, it works amazingly well.  This is one hair product that I absolutely cannot go without.  As embarrassing as it is to list this as one of my hair necessities... it's what I use.