New Hair, Haircare

Yesterday I went for a haircut. My sister and I used to joke that when our hair got too long, we looked like afghan hounds/Saruman from Lord of the Rings. (Because if Saruman were a dog, he would be an afghan hound. Don't ask how we think these thoughts.) Anyways... I like lazy, effortless hair, not high-maintenance, afghan-hound/Saruman hair, so I braved a trip to the salon. My scraggly locks lost inches and even though hair weighs nothing at all, I left feeling so much lighter!

A new haircut always motivates me to take good care of my hair, and there are a few haircare products I've been loving for the past month or two. In an effort to use "cleaner" beauty products, I searched for a shampoo/conditioner free of sulfates, parabens and other nasties and discovered the Peter Lamas Soy and Baobab Oil Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner. These are formulated for chemically treated, dry and damaged hair, but I chose them because drugstore products tend to dry out my scalp. The shampoo and conditioner contain soy proteins to strengthen the hair and baobab oil to hydrate and increase moisture retention. I bought mine at Whole Foods; you can view the entire line here (I am interested in the rice volumizing ones next!). After washing my hair, I smooth Moroccan Oil into the ends to add extra moisture and shine. Then, to create texture, I spritz Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray throughout my hair and tie it up in a topknot while I do my makeup. When I let it down, my hair has more texture and body. 

I try to wash my hair every other day. I hate having dirty hair, but I don't want to dry out my hair/scalp by over-washing, so I use dry shampoo on the days between washings to combat oil and add a little fragrance. The two dry shampoos I'm using at the moment are the Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo Spray and the Batiste Brunette Dry Shampoo. To be honest, I prefer the cheaper Batiste and wouldn't recommend spending on the Oscar Blandi one. 

What are your favorite haircare and styling products? I'd love to know, because now there's no excuse to just throw my hair into a ponytail every single day!

♥ Ellie

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