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Below are client favorites, products I recommend for quality and effectiveness, and products that I often use myself at home!
I carry some of these in my salon, but if you need something sooner than at your next appointment, most of these can be delivered right to your doorstep, very quickly!
shortcut Index
All items in each category are further grouped into sub-categories by hair type and specific use.
PRO TIPS:
When washing your hair, focus shampoo on the scalp, and avoid applying to your mid-lengths and ends. Lather well, massaging your scalp with your fingertips, and when you rinse the shampoo will gently cleanse your mid-lengths and ends- preventing over-drying. When conditioning, focus product on the mid-lengths and ends, where moisture is needed the most. Your scalp produces sebum (natural oil), so frequent shampooing can cause your scalp to over-produce it to make up for the lack of moisture, while over-drying your ends!
for color-treated hair
PRO TIPS:
Shampoos and conditioners made for color-treated hair have extra moisturizing ingredients, since color-treated hair tends to get dry after processing... However, it's not necessary to have colored your hair in order to enjoy the extra moisture!
for blonde & gray
for brunettes
PRO TIPS:
Purple shampoos and conditioners help to neutralize yellow tones, and extend time between toning sessions for your platinum and silver blondes. Black shampoos and conditioners help neutralize copper and yellow tones on blondes and gray hair and help maintain gray and silver tones on artificially grayed hair.
volumizing/thickening
PRO TIPS:
Volumizing shampoos and conditioners tend to reduce the amount of emollients (moisturizing agents) in them, in order to avoid weighing down fine or thin hair. Therefore, it is important to use a deep conditioning mask every now and then to keep fine or thin hair from becoming too dry, which leads to breakage and further thinning.
for curly hair
for oily scalp
PRO TIPS:
Cold Brunette is a blue-pigmented line that is specially formulated to neutralize unwanted orange and red tones in brown, dark blonde, or color-treated hair, leaving it with a cool, ashy tone.
daily use
PRO TIPS:
Daily shampoos and conditioners are gentle and balanced, and won't over-dry your hair or weigh it down.
for dandruff/dry scalp
PRO TIPS:
Curly hair is drier by nature, so using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner is essential. Detangling with a wide-toothed comb while conditioner is in your hair, and then squeezing excess water out with a towel instead of rubbing to dry helps reduce frizz.
PRO TIPS:
The difference between a clarifying shampoo and a normalizing shampoo: clarifying targets mineral, product, oil and dirt buildup on the hair, while normalizing helps create balance of oil on the scalp.
PRO TIPS:
When dealing with dandruff or dry scalp, using a shampoo brush can help loosen flakes, increase blood flow to the scalp and feels great!
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See Scalp + Skin Care for more tools and products!
for deep cleansing/detox/clarifying
PRO TIPS:
Clarifying, detox and deep cleansing shampoos help remove buildup of styling products, hard water minerals, chlorine from swimming, oil and environmental pollutants, which can make the hair feel heavy and look dull. By removing impurities, the hair can better absorb moisture, and natural definition and vibrancy can be restored. Companion conditioners are more lightweight and add softness without buildup.
PRO TIPS:
No matter your hair type or density, or whether your hair is damaged or healthy, everyone can benefit from a deep conditioning treatment or mask! If you wash your hair daily, once a week is good. If you wash your hair weekly, once a month is good. If your hair is damaged or dry, you can use a deep conditioner as often as you like, or substitute a mask for your regular conditioner every time.
for color-treated hair
for curly hair
for all hair types
PRO TIPS:
Leave-in conditioners are typically the next step after towel-drying your hair. They provide a multitude of benefits- from making detangling a breeze, to adding moisture, shine and softness. Some also add heat protection!
for all hair types
Milk_Shake
Blah Blah
Blablah
for added heat protection
for curly hair
for frizzy hair
PRO TIPS:
Serums and oils can help retain moisture, reduce frizz, smooth the hair and add shine. For most hair types, a little goes a long way. For curly, damaged, dry or gray hair, it's ok to use more! For best results, add 1-2 drops to the palm of your hand to start, rub your palms and fingers together to emulsify, then start gently massaging into the ends of your hair and work your way up to the top. Your hair can be damp or dry, and you can add serum/oil before or after applying other products. Avoid the scalp area whenever possible to keep from making your hair fall flat or look greasy. Add more as needed!
for all hair types
See Scalp + Skin Care for more natural oils that are great for the hair!
PRO TIPS:
Heat is your hair's #1 nemesis... Applying a thermal protectant is an essential step in your routine to ensure as minimal damage as possible! To really minimize damage, apply before blow dry styling and again before using a hot tool, if you do both. Make sure the product is dry before ironing!
for all hair types
PRO TIPS:
FAQ's about applying styling products...
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How much should I use? Start with a quarter-sized dollop, and emulsify between your palms so that it's spread evenly between your hands and there are no globs. For thin/fine hair, use a little less, and for thick hair use a little more.
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When do I apply it? While hair is damp and after applying leave-in conditioner and thermal protectant.
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Where on my hair do I apply it? Start at the ends and work your way up; avoid applying directly to the scalp, except for when using a volumizing product, which helps lift the hair up and away from the scalp.
for hold
Milk_Shake
Fixing Paste
for curls
PRO TIPS:
Typically, gel and mousse will give firmer hold and a dry feel when set, while creams and pastes give more flexible hold with a slightly tacky feel and matte finish, and pomades give flexible hold with a tacky feel and added shine. Texturizing products help to define waves and give a "piecey" look and volume throughout the mid-lengths and ends, and volumizing products aid in lifting hair at the root area.
for smoothing
Milk_Shake
Smoothing Cream
for volume/thickening
for texture
Milk_Shake
Texturizing Cream
for shine
PRO TIPS:
These are products that can help you achieve "Second-Day-Hair" for another two days, push that wash just one more day out, or get you through a week or two before your next color appointment!
for color refreshing
natural shades
for color refreshing
vivid shades
for color refreshing
natural + vivid shades
PRO TIPS:
Shampoos and conditioners that deposit color can help refresh natural or vivid colors that have faded, allowing you to go longer in between salon appointments! Both shampoo and conditioner in these varieties deposit color, with the shampoos depositing more and conditioners usually depositing slightly less. However, the shampoos can be a bit drying to the hair for some, so if your hair is already dry, it might be better to go with the conditioner only.
for root coverage/highlight touch-ups
dry shampoos
PRO TIPS:
Don't be put off by the thought of wearing a hairpiece- it's an affordable, easy way to look great while growing out your natural hair! If your hair is fine or thinning, there's also the added bonus of making it look thicker and more voluminous. There's no need to worry about cutting or styling most of these pieces, as they are pre-curled or serve as a shorter top layer, though you can get them trimmed to blend if you prefer. Pictured below are pieces in gray blends, but all links have multiple shades available. You decide whether you want to wear a piece in your current, artificial color, or add instant gray highlights or the appearance of a full head of silver. The best thing about hair toppers, ponytails and scrunchies is that you can use them even after your gray has fully grown out as a quick style aid, and since they come in a variety of colors, anyone can wear them!
for the beginning of your journey- toppers
Toppers work well for any phase of your journey, but work best for those who have just started and have less than 4 inches of natural gray outgrowth.
for the middle of your journey- ponytails
These types of pieces work best for those who have at least 4-6 inches of natural gray outgrowth (if you were to pull your hair back, you would mostly see your natural color and little to none of your previous color). Any remaining hair with artificial color around where it is gathered can be hidden by the fluffed out strands/curls of the ponytail or by the ponytail itself. These are very simple to use, just style your hair into a ponytail or bun, then clip on!
PRO TIPS:
It's usually not necessary to wash your hairpiece frequently, unless you have been wearing it for long periods of time and/or often. Your hairpiece should be worn only when you feel you need to, and you should let your scalp breathe as often as you can. When you do need to wash your hairpiece, only wig shampoo and conditioner should be used, as well as a wig brush and wig conditioning spray or oil spray to gently detangle. Most synthetic pieces will air dry back into their original shape, so it's not necessary to blow dry or heat style. In fact, unless your hairpiece is listed as heat resistant, no hot tools should be used at all!
for the end of your journey and beyond- scrunchies
PRO TIPS:
Scrunchies are best for those who are in the final phase of growing out gray, and they'll get you through until you're ready to cut off the last of your artificial color. Simply style your hair into a bun, and wrap the scrunchie around the bun to secure. You'll love having your hairstyle take no time at all to look like you got it professionally styled, and these pieces are perfect for lazy days and bad hair days.
PRO TIPS:
These are TSA-approved containers that you can fill with your favorite products and take wherever you go! This is a more sustainable option over buying multiple disposable travel-sized products. Refill with your favorite products again and again. Each of the sets below come in multiple color combinations!
PRO TIPS:
It's hard to beat the smooth finish of a hot curling or flat iron- just make sure you're using a thermal protection product to create a barrier between your hair and the hot tool! Always start with small sections and lower temperatures to keep your hair from getting damaged.
PRO TIPS:
Not sure which size barrel to choose for your hot air styler or curling/flat iron? A good rule of thumb is to match a smaller attachment, barrel or plate to shorter hair, and a larger size to longer hair. Smaller sizes of curling or flat irons can still work on longer hair, as long as smaller sections of hair are curled or straightened at a time. For round brush attachments on hot air stylers, small sizes can tangle long hair, and large attachments can make it difficult to wrap short hair around them.
PRO TIPS:
If you're experiencing dry, dull, lifeless locks or split ends and breakage, heatless styling is a great way to reduce stress on your hair while keeping it looking put together! Before you buy, remember that the longer your hair is, the longer or wider the roller should be. Rollers that are small in diameter will create a tighter curl, but might not work on long or thick hair if the hair doesn't fully dry. For tighter curls on long hair, opt for long, narrow in diameter rods, and avoid overlapping the hair as you roll.
PRO TIPS:
Heatless styling can take a little getting used to, and can seem like a lot of work if you don't use the right aids for your hair type!
Fabric Styling Aids and Flexi Rods work for hair types that are straight to wavy, and work best on freshly washed hair that is 80-95% dry. Add a little setting lotion, hairspray or mousse, wrap, then let set overnight or for at least a few hours (or until completely dry).
Magnetic Rollers work best for "wet sets" on straight hair that doesn't hold a hot iron curl. It also works well for wet sets on curly and frizzy hair to give a smooth finish. On damp hair, add a setting lotion, mousse, or a 50/50 mix of gel and water in a spray bottle and spray evenly on hair. Comb small to medium sections smooth, wrap around the roller, and secure with a hinged clip. once the hair is completely dry, remove the rollers and gently separate curls or brush lightly to voulumize.
Velcro (self-grip) Rollers work best for volumizing fine hair or bangs, and can also be used to set volume and curl on hair that is still warm from blow drying.
PRO TIPS:
With so many to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know what to buy when it comes to brushes and combs! Below, all recommended tools are suitable for most hair types unless otherwise noted, and broken down into specific purposes to make it a little easier for you to choose.
detangling
PRO TIPS:
For curly hair, it's best to detangle either before you wash while your hair is dry (brush), or with a wide-toothed comb while you have conditioner in your hair. For brittle or fragile hair, it's best to detangle while the hair is dry, as hair is more fragile when wet.
for extensions
blow dry styling- for smoothing, curling and volume
PRO TIPS:
Extra care must be taken to avoid putting tension on the extensions or snagging on the installation point. Loop brushes and dual bristle brushes still make contact with the scalp to move natural oil (sebum) through to the ends where moisture is needed, but are designed to be gentle by not having any parts that can snag the hair.
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for short hair & bangs
for medium-length hair
for long/extra long hair
blow dry styling-for straightening
for styling- smooth buns + ponytails
PRO TIPS:
Hair accessories add pizzazz to everyday styles. They also help when growing out your hair, as you need to adjust your styling techniques along the way.
Kitsch Satin Scrunchies
(multi options)
PRO TIPS:
A silk or satin bonnet ensues that your style stays in place while you sleep by creating slip instead of of snag!!
PRO TIPS:
Shampoo brushes and head massagers help stimulate blood circulation, loosen dead skin cells, product buildup and dirt/debris- plus they feel amazing on the scalp!
Rosemary and Castor oils have been known to help in new hair growth on the hairline, brows and lashes, while jojoba and organ oils moisturize and add shine and smoothness to the hair lengths.
scalp + hair
PRO TIPS:
A shampoo brush is meant to be used while your hair is lathered up. Firm bristles loosen dirt and dry skin. Hair accessories add pizzazz to everyday styles. They can also help when growing out your hair, as you need to adjust your styling techniques along the way.
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face
eyes
body
mani/pedi
PRO TIPS:
These are items that help your tools stay clean and hygienic, and assist in keeping your hair healthy and looking great.
for the bed
PRO TIPS:
Satin or silk pillowcases are a great option for reducing friction on your hair while you sleep- especially if you don't want to wear a bonnet or scarf!
for the bath
PRO TIPS:
Installing a filtering shower head helps reduce the effects of hard water on your hair, plus reduces hard water stains in your tub and shower. A drain hair catcher will save you from having to call a plumber!
for hair brushes
for hot tools
PRO TIPS:
When was the last time you cleaned your hairbrush? Now would be a good time! Your hairbrush should be cleaned and sanitized just like your makeup brushes. Use the brush cleaning tool to remove shedded hair, wash and scrub with dishwashing soap to remove oil and products, then spray or soak with disinfectant for clean, hygienic brushes.
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for makeup brushes
for storage + organization
