At fall fashion week a few years ago, an editor asked me if I was from Texas. Considering I don’t have even a hint of a twang, this has caused me to ask a lot of questions about myself. I mean, my thing for cowboy boots is practically bordering on the romantic…but other than kicks and resting nice face, what about me screams Lone Star State? Then it dawned on me.
Two simple words: Big. Hair.
Yes, you could say I have a volume fetish. Though I have quite a lot of it, my tresses could be described as fine and generally in need of a boost. My hair dries stick straight out of the shower, but without product, I run the risk of looking like the little girl from The Ring. >shivers<
Anyway, as I’ve been getting lots of questions on Instagram lately about what products I use, I decided to share a few of my favorites. What collagen injections are to lips, these little tubs and tubes are to strands. Happy plumping!
1. B & B Pret-a-powder: I don’t step foot onto an airplane or tour bus without this teeny multitasking product. Haven’t washed your hair in 4 days? No problem. A few shakes of this dry shampoo and you’ll look like you just had a blow out. It’s great for greasy roots and gives a subtle boost without desperately trying to wash your hair in the hotel sink AGAIN.
2. Redken Extreme Anti-snap: Between highlights, sun, snow, curling irons and last minute dips in over-chlorinated pools, my hair regularly takes takes a Ronda Rousey-style beating. I’ve been using this product for years to smooth the cuticle and help keep the ends as healthy as possible while I avoid haircuts with the same passion I avoid decaf coffee. A pump or two on wet hair is a lifesaver.
3. B & B Brilliantine: If I told you I understood exactly what this product is, I’d be lying, but I’m not lying when I tell you it’s made of sexy magic. They did a study and everything. I like to use a little dab on day-after curls to create a slept-in, tousled and piecey lion’s mane. Rawr. (<- Last time I ever use that word, hopefully.)
4. Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play: This hairspray is super light, but packs a punch in the hold department. It’s awesome for setting styles, curls or taming fly-aways. Pro tip: Flip your head upside down, spray the underside of hair, flip head upright again, watch blood drain from your face (I assume that’s the “play” in “spray & play.” Now smile. Because girl, you look gorgeous and your hair is like a glorious waterfall of diamonds and shine.
5. B & B Full Form Mousse: This is an extra step for maximum body. I use a dollop on damp hair before blow-drying. The heat activates the product, adding lift and hold. It creates a good base for styling afterward and turns up the volume from warm to broil. Don’t overdue it with this one or your hair feel like your thighs after leg day at the gym. A half of a palmful goes a long way.
Now time to share. What are your must-have hair products?
Thanks for this! My chemo curls are finally almost completely grown out and I’m almost back to my completely straight hair again. I’m definitely going to look into those first three at least!
So exciting! Can’t wait to see:)
Thanks for sharing! Your hair is so lovely.
With you on the Pret-a-powder, I also love Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo w/ oat milk. I only wash my hair twice a week so those save my life all the time.
Otherwise I use Beauty Protector’s Protect and Detangle, and in the summer time Morrocan Oil Glimmer Shine Finish. They both smell like vacation and love.
For hairspray Number 4 Non Aerosol Hairspray. Also quite nice smelling and holds without making my hair terribly crunchy.
These are all amazing recommendations! I’m going to try them out. I <3 anything that smells like vacation:)
Yay! Enjoy. 🙂
Sexy magic lion’s mane! Yes! I’m going to give it a shot. Day after tight curls? Because I usually try to do a tousled loose curl look when I curl it. Are we talking fancy curls?
Also, Big Sexy Hair makes Powder Play, which is a product I am having a wild, passionate love affair with. It allows me (read: you) to control where you want your volume, which is nice because my hair sometimes doesn’t take to product completely. Although it is a powder, it continues to blow my mind because it’s kind of wet. What?!
Also love the phrase “resting nice face.” Definitely going to use that.
Thanks for sharing!
I usually do loose curls on day one, so day two will be like very gentle, piecey waves. Thanks for sharing the suggestions! I actually LOVE Powder play. I like to use it at the crown–super sexy!
Thanks so much for this post! I have very long, curly hair and I’m a hair-product junkie! My biggest tip for maintaining long beautiful hair is keeping it strong, doing a leave in conditioning or oil treatment at least once a week does wonders. I do an all natural, DIY oil treatment that I found online a while back, in a container mix together: 1 cup unrefined coconut oil (you’ll need to let the bottle of coconut oil sit in a hot water bath until it liquifies before you’ll be able to use it ), mixed with 1 tablespoon each of: jojoba, macadamia, and almond oil. A batch of this will last you for months and it smells fantastic 🙂 apply to damp hair, leave on for 10 minutes, then shampoo and condition like normal. This oil treatment will not only strengthen your hair, without leaving it heavy or greasy, but it adds amazing shine and softness! For hair products and styling, I always use a natural boar bristle brush, and I absolutely love Redken Extreme Anti-Snap leave-in treatment, I put it on my hair when it’s still damp and it prevents frizz and repairs/protects against heat damage . Redken Diamond Oil is another favorite for me, it’s really great for ends whether your hair is damp or wet. I use it after I’ve straightened my hair, I put just a few drops on my hands and comb them through my ends. The ends of my hair can look hammered (especially after heat), but diamond oil helps to repair the split ends and gives them a gorgeous shine. Also the bottle lasts forever, because you really don’t want to use more than a few drops at a time because it can make your hair look greasy if you use too much. You can use the diamond oil as an overnight leave-in treatment though, you put 10-15 drops in your hands, distribute evenly throughout your hair, and then wash out the next morning. I hope at least one of these tips will be helpful to you! Thanks again for your post, I just got B&B Brilliantine and Pret a Powder and I’m so excited to try them! 🙂