Hair styling Performers and Steps
Hair envy – we all know what it is. We’ve all felt it, at least once. You see someone who has perfectly, gorgeous hair, and you are dying to know how they got it!!! Do they just know how to style hair? Is it the products they use? Or is it just flat out … great hair? Anything’s possible. Let’s face it, there is definitely something to say about good genetics. But I have to believe that with the right product, you can achieve pretty darn good hair. I look at it this way, you can take a pretty out of shape body and do wonders with the right clothing. I see it all the time. Makeup can transform any woman into a gorgeous goddess, if done right. Hair is no different. Product is the basis for a good foundation. However, it is not just the product. The amount you use, and when you use it, can be a key component when it comes to the outcome, as well.
Today, I am going to share with you my favorite, and long-time loves when it comes to hair product.
As many of you know, I love me some dirty hair! It is the best!!! It’s probably the only area where most woman would say, “The dirtier, the better!” I LOVE 3 or 4 day – dirty hair. It just seems to do what I want it to do. But I have to admit, I have been blessed with pretty darn good hair. Not all woman can relate to this. Many woman have to wash daily. There is no better way to put it, our hair is all different, and the amount of dirty days we get, varies from one to the next.
The products that I share in this blog post, will be the whole gamet. These are the products that I use from start to finish on a clean hair day. On the dirty days .. it’s pretty much dry shampoo (when needed) and a little hairspray for some hold. Frankly, that is it.
Dry Shampoo of choice, and it’s drugstore!! I use this on 3 or 4 day – dirty hair, only.
Let’s start with clean hair. You can find my current favorite shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask favorites in this blog post, here. After washing my hair, I throw it up in a Turbi Twist hair towel for a bit, before brushing it out with a Wet Brush.
Hair Product Performers & Steps to achieving envious hair (in order of use)
Step 1: It’s A 10 Miracle Styling Mousse My hairstylist always uses this mousse on my hair, when styling. It’s her favorite. I picked some up for myself and now it is my favorite, as well. A great drugstore alternative is the Got 2B Fat-tastic Thickening Pumping Mousse. I don’t like it as much as the ‘It’s A 10’, but if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly mousse, the ‘Got 2B’ is my pick.
After working the mousse into the root area, I take all of my hair in-between my hands and slide any extra product residue down the hair shaft. After doing this, I clip the hair up and do my make-up. I never go directly into blow drying. I prefer my hair to get as much air drying as possible. If I wash my hair at bedtime (rarely), this is where I would stop, until morning .. in which case, I would move onto the next product. Sidenote: If I do wash my hair in the evening, it is still quite damp when I get up.
Step 2: Bed Head After Party I have used this product for at least 15 years, maybe more. This also is one that my hairstylist uses on me, and has as long as I can remember. It’s a GREAT one! Even the packaging and name is catchy! I use this sparingly (one pump) and work it into the shaft … smoothing it through the strands. It is important that you do not use this product in the root area. My sister-in-law Amy loves this product, as well. She mentions it in this blog post, here.
From here, I move on to blow dry. I am not going to link the blow dryer that I use. It is old. Frankly, I am in the market for a new one. This is where you guys could help me. If you LOVE the blow dryer that you are using and it is a workhorse, please let me know in the comment section below. I have no problem spending a chunk of money for a great blow dryer. I am looking for performance and am more than willing to pay the price to get it.
Step 3: Smooth Sexy Hair Smooth & Seal Anti Frizz & Shine I love this stuff! This is my can’t-live-without heat protectant, anti-frizz, and like it says .. smooth & seal product. I use this on each strand of hair as I prepare to blow-dry it with a paddle brush or a large, round Boar Bristle Brush. The picture speaks for itself, I won’t be without this product. I love the fact that it comes in a travel friendly size, as well.
Step 4: Style Sexy Hair Spray Clay I love this stuff! I know, I just said that about the last product. But, when you find your holy grails, you get to repeat yourself! This is my texturizing spray. I LOVE it, because it is not too texturizing, if that makes sense. Some texturizing sprays can leave your hair feeling dirty. Although I would say that if you used too much of this product, you may find yourself doing a re-wash the next day. But when using the right amount, this product is the bomb! I use this product, only in the crown area .. just prior to going to work with my teasing brush. I also like the Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray. But you have to be even more careful with this particular product. Going heavy handed on the aerosol, could prove counterproductive. The aerosol also seems to empty fast, compared to the ‘Style Sexy Hair’. The cost also plays a factor, as it is quite a bit more, for the amount of uses that you get. The Oribe is still worth the mention however, because it is a lovely product, and smells amazing. It is a popular hair product among beauty guru’s. That’s how I found out about it, a couple of years ago. We all have different hair. If one product doesn’t perform, it’s nice to have an alternative recommendation to try. This would be mine.
Step 5: Wella EIMI Rugged Texture Matte Texturizing Paste This product was recommended to me, by one of you! Another way to describe this paste, is as a pomade. I have used other pomade’s in the past. But none have compared to this product. Not only does it smell amazing, the texture is perfect and very workable. Some pomades get goopy, very quickly. This product does not. I use a very small amount, maybe a dime size. I squirt the paste into my left palm, then I rub my right hand fingers into the paste, and then rub the fingers of both hands together. From there, I gently grab, with my fingertips, small sections of hair. I rub the product down the strand, piecing as I go. This paste also gives hold, and a nice shine to the hair.
Step 6: Tresemme TRES Two Hair Spray and Pureology Colour Stylist Supreme Control Hairspray both these hairsprays are awesome! I have used the TRES Two for so many years, I cannot even recall when that budget-friendly, drugstore hairspray made it’s way into my life. My love for the Pureology came quite by accident. It’s a pricey bugger, so I really wish I didn’t love it as much as I do. I cannot, and will not be without either of these. I carry the Pureology in my hand bag at all times. The Tresemme comes in a couple different travel friendly sizes, as well. The only real difference between the two is the Tresemme, although it claims to be a super-hold, I personally find it to be just the opposite. It leaves my hair with just enough hold, but also leaves it very moveable. The Pureology gives better hold in areas that I need it … for instance, lift in the crown area. Luckily, I only need a shot of the Pureology spray, here-or-there. The majority of my hair is sprayed with the Tresemme. Thank goodness, because I go through a TON of these hairspray cans a year!!!
Bonus Product: Tressa Watercolors Dark Brown Root Concealer (also for blondes or brown hair) I get my hair colored every six weeks. I certainly could stand to get it colored about every five weeks. But, to save money, I choose to stretch it that extra week. I use this spray to conceal those pesky gray hairs that seem to show up, out of nowhere. This seems to happen at about week four. It’s only noticeable around my hairline, and I don’t generally need to work it in, anywhere else. This works great. I use this product prior to applying my makeup. Sometimes you may get a little on your face around the hairline area, and you will need to clean that up before your makeup application. I give a slight spray to a section, then use the tooth brush to work it in. Nobody knows … well, now you guys do. lol
This is the Caddy (I actually have two) that I store my tools and product in. I love this, because I can pull it out from the cabinet below my sink, and leave it sitting on my vanity while I am styling my hair. When I am done, I just grab the caddy and put it away. Quick and convenient. It is also heat resistant, so you can put your flat or curling iron in it while they are still a little warm. I keep one caddy filled with products that I am currently using, and one with products that I use only occasionally, or products that I am testing for review. It probably comes as no surprise that I have something like this in my ‘get-ready’ collection … you know how much I love my storage and organization units!!!
There you have it! My Hair Styling Performers & Steps to Achieving Envious Hair. Please let me know in the comment section below what your ‘can’t live without’ hair products are.
Products & Tools Mentioned
Dry Shampoo | Turbi Towel | Wet Brush | It’s A 10 Miracle Styling Mousse | Got 2B Fat-tastic Thickening Pumping Mousse | Bed Head After Party | Sexy Hair Smooth Sexy Hair Smooth & Seal Anti-Fizz & Shine (travel size) | Paddle Brush | Wella EIMI Rugged Texture Matte Texturizing Paste | Style Sexy Hair Spray Clay | Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray | Teasing Brush | Tresemme TRES Two Hair Spray | Pureology Colour Stylist Supreme Control Hairspray | Root Concealer
Jaymie Ashcraft
09/09/2016Great tips!!
Jaymie
http://www.jaymieashcraft.com
Fridays Fashions link up
tracyhensel
09/10/2016Thank you Jaymie!! Enjoy the rest of your weekend! xx
Lisa
09/10/2016Love all the hair tips! My favorite hair products/guilty pleasure) are Oribe. They are so luxurious and smell amazing. I use the Royal Blowout, Dry Texturizing Spray, the Shine Light Reflecting Spray and the small Cote d’Azur Hair Perfume on dry shampoo days. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE every Oribe product I’ve ever tried. I have less expensive dupes that I use because Oribe is expensive, but they really don’t compare in quality to me.
tracyhensel
09/12/2016Thanks Lisa! I have only tried the dry texturizing spray, but definitely love it! I am afraid to try any more products, out of fear that I will ‘indeed’ love them. I know they are a little bit more pricey than a lot of the products I currently have in my arsenal. The packaging of Oribe ..is a stunner. But yea, we have to filter in our ‘not-so-expensive with our ‘expensive’. Thanks for sharing!!! xx
Heather Henderson
09/11/2016It’s like you read my mind!! I had been thinking for a few weeks about asking you to share your hair products again and then bam! Blog post and awesome snap chat tutorial, thank you ❤️
tracyhensel
09/12/2016Too funny Heather! And Thank You, glad you enjoyed both. xx
Paula
09/27/2016Thank you so much for sharing what you use. I’ve tried several of the products and love them! I wish I knew about these products earlier, but am grateful to know about them now. So thank you. You made my life better! XOX
tracyhensel
09/29/2016Your most welcome, Paula! I am so happy that you are having good luck with some of my recommendations. And I am thankful for the positive feedback! To GREAT looking hair!!! xx
Katie
10/10/2016Thank you so much for this blog post !! I LOVE the It’s a 10 styling Mousse !! I just finished watching your Snap story and you said that you were super bummed that nobody left a recommendation on a hair dryer. I always use your recommendations so I figured I owe you one hahahaha. I’m reluctantly going to suggest the Harry Josh Pro Tools Pro Dryer 2000. I’m not going to lie, it is OUTRAGEOUSLY priced and I’m pretty confident that it can only be bought through Dermstore online. However, watch their website because when I got mine I was able to get $100 off. Life with my Hot Tools dryer was going along just fine until it died on me one day, and in a fit of frustration I bought the Harry Josh. I can say I’ll never go back. The air gets super hot and the cool blast actually blows cool air (not just “less hot” air like my others), the cord is super long (9 ft. I think), and it blows air like crazy !!
Plus when I ordered it, Dermstore also threw in the Harry Josh Detangling brush, the Pro Styling Clips, and the Carbon Tail comb. And, as always Dermstore throws in a TON of samples.
Hope this helps at least a little !!
tracyhensel
10/10/2016Glad that you enjoyed the blog post, Katie! Yea, that mousse is great! Thank you for your recommendation on a ‘quality’ and ‘high-performing’ blow dryer. I will DEFINITELY look into this tool. You gave a great review .. with is so helpful!! I love when a company throws in some goodies, as well! perfect! Thanks again! It definitely helped!
Sheri
02/05/2017Now a hair tutorial, blow drying techniques!! 😬 I fight with keep my bangs off to the side!! 🙄😤
tracyhensel
02/08/2017I will definitely do that!
Christine
02/10/2017Hi Tracy,
I enjoyed this post…gonna go pick up a few of these products this weekend!
A question for you though, do you tend to have some natural volume to your hair even without using the mousse? Your hair never seems flat! I have very thick hair, but it still seems pretty flat on my day 2 & 3 hair. Hoping to find something that helps with this.
Thank you!
Anonymous
02/11/2017Oh, also….as far as a recommendation on blow dyers, I got the Dyson blow dryer for Christmas and really like it, but it’s pretty pricey.
tracyhensel
02/17/2017Christine – Glad to hear that you enjoyed this post. I do infact have some natural volume to my hair. My hair is thick, and I have a lot of it. Hope that is helpful. I have heard great things about the Dyson dryers. I have been having good luck with my elchim.
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