These Pricey Hair Products Are Actually Worth the Money
As a former drugstore beauty brand addict, I understand not wanting to spend mega dollars on haircare.
In a former life, I would wander through the beauty section at CVS, picking up every bottle and tube that promised to give me perfect hair. Each excursion inevitably ended in heartbreak, but I would always find myself back in the comfort of the CVS beauty section.
It wasn’t until beauty school that I learned the importance of quality hair care, and decided it was time to start investing in professional products. I started out using all Aveda products and I was hooked. My hair was soft, my curls were defined, and I could feel and see the difference in the health of my hair.
Since then, I’ve been able to try so many different hair care brands (whether on myself or my clients) and have really learned what it takes to have gorgeous hair.
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It all comes down to what’s in the products you’re using. Pick up any bottle at CVS and you’re not going to see anything you recognize on the back. Or anything you can pronounce, for that matter. They’re loaded with chemicals that strip your hair of it’s natural oils and leave behind residue that can weigh your hair down and cause it to get oily quickly. When you invest in upscale brands, your hair benefits because these companies really focus on using natural ingredients that actually nourish and repair your hair.
For all you drug store beauty addicts, I wanted to share some of my absolute favorite products that made me a believer in spending moola on my hair. Trust me, you and your hair deserve this!
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Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Frizz-Free hair:
OUAI Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner
OUAI is a hair care line started by Jen Atkin, celebrity stylist most notably known for her work on the Kardashian/Jenner clan. This line is incredible, and not just because so many celebrities stand behind it. I first got the shampoo/conditioner combo as a free sample when I was stocking my pro hair kit (samples come with every order from theouai.com) and I decided to put it to the test against the New Orleans humidity. I was so impressed with it. It definitely proved worthy of it’s name. My hair was frizz free all day and super soft. Plus it smelled great!
Best Shampoo & Conditioner for Colored Hair:
Bumble&Bumble Color Minded
Bumble&Bumble makes some of my favorite styling products, but until recently I had never tried any of their hair care lines. I stumbled upon this shampoo and conditioner set on Sephora’s website right after my last color service and decided to give it a try! My hair is a vibrant red, so I’m always looking for a way to keep it looking fresh longer. This set really rose to the occasion and it’s now my favorite color-safe shampoo to use.
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Best Hair Treatment:
Saschajuan Overnight Hair Repair
This mask is made by a stylist’s favorite brand, Saschajuan. I can honestly stand behind all of their products, but the Overnight Mask is a must have. You just apply a small amount of the gel to your hair, comb through to distribute, catch some z’s, and wake up with shiny, smooth, and manageable locks!
Best Heat Protectant:
Aveda Brilliant Damage Control Spray
I am seriously addicted to this stuff! It has hints of jasmine and rose, so it smells like heaven. It’s a killer de-tangler, so it protects you from any breakage while combing your hair out and protecting your hair from heat. It’s super important to always use a protectant when blow-drying your hair or using hot tools to prevent damage and to ensure a stunning finished look.
Best Smoothing Serum:
OUAI Rose Hair And Body Oil
The entire OUAI line is amazing, but if I had to pick one thing to have forever, it would be the Rose Hair and Body Oil. It’s great to use for those super sleek Kardashian-esque looks and you can slather your whole body in it after you finish your hair!
Best Spray for Beach Waves:
Oribe Apres Beach Spray
Oribe has some of the best styling products – pretty much every stylist I know uses the Dry Texturizing Spray more than anything else in their kit. But, the perfect product for my favorite beach waves is the Apres Beach Spray. I spray this all through the hair and then use a 1.25” Marcel iron to create the perfect off-duty super model hair. Plus- It’s oil based, so it doesn’t leave your hair feeling too dry or stiff!
Best Texturizing Spray:
Balmain Hair Texturizing Salt Spray
When I found out Balmain had a hair care line, including extensions and tools, I couldn’t give them my money fast enough. I mean, who wouldn’t want Balmain in their hair?! Anyway, the Hair Texturizing Volume Spray is a no-brainer for me when someone wants a wavy lob with lots of volume and texture. It’s also a great prep product for boho braids and up-dos!
