Low Maintenance Hair Routine- Guest Post
Hey guys! Happy Humpday! I’m super excited today to have the gorgeous Gina from Sweet and Modern guest posting for me, and you all are in for a total treat. She shares my love for makeup, fashion, and baking, so I pretty much knew we’d be friends from the get go!
Today, she’s going to be sharing how she maintains her beautiful locks, and sharing her favorite hair products. I’m also guest posting on her blog today, where I’m talking all about lip products. Be sure and check it out over here!
As much as I love experimenting with make up, nothing gets me more excited than hair products that work. When it comes to hair, I am low maintenance to the MAX. I get my hair trimmed maybe every 3-4 months, I don’t color my hair, and I rarely use hairspray. I just like to keep things simple and easy! After years of experimenting, I finally have it down to a science…. and I wanted to share my routine + favorite products with you all today!
Low Maintenance Hair Routine
First off, I have to say, I only wash my hair 1-2 times a week (#godblessdryshampoo). But also, it’s no coincidence that I can go longer than that if needed. I attribute that to Living Proof shampoo & conditioner. I use the No Frizz line. This stuff is no joke. I used my old shampoo for a short stint when I ran out and I was shocked at how much faster I had to wash my hair (hello oil!) I’ve discussed this before, but they are doing something right over there. I always pin my hair up in a bun during showers (or use a shower cap!) and my hair stays perfectly intact!
On the days I wash my hair, I towel dry it and comb it out immediately using my Wet Brush. You must get a Wet Brush. If you somehow missed the boat, here is your life raft. Seriously, I cannot stress this enough. Especially those of you with long hair. Total. Gamechanger.
Next, I put in some sort of repair cream/heat protectant. This is crucial! Although I try to avoid a lot of heat, the days that I do style, I want my hair to be protected. I use Living Proof Split End repair, It’s a 10, and Kenra Blow Out Spray. Depending on how my hair feels, the weather, how I am planning to style it….will determine which one. More often than not, I use at least two together. I am guessing this isn’t recommended by any of these companies, but it works for me. 🙂
If time allows, I let my hair air dry to about 50% dry. I will then flip my hair over and blow dry just the roots. Not everyone does this (or needs to!) but my hair does not dry attractively at the root without a little guidance. Just giving it a little one minute blast does wonders! I then let the rest air dry. If I am in a rush and have to go out, I dry all of it at once (upside down … because volume).
Now.. you will notice I don’t put a lot of stuff in my hair, and in my experience, the more product I use, the less time my style holds. On special occasions where I am going for extra volume, I like to put Dry Bar Southern Belle to my roots before any blow drying. Just a little goes a long way for pumping your roots up!
Once my hair is dry (usually several hours later or the next morning) I will section my hair off and use a curling iron to put some loose, messy curls in. I prefer to use a 1 inch wand. Day one curls are a little tighter than I would prefer but it helps to add more days to your style! After the curls are cooled, I finger comb through my hair after the curls are cooled to make them a little more natural.
I then use Drybar’s Triple Sec (aka the holy grail of volume and texture) to spray on the top section of my hair. I usually massage it into my scalp for max volume. If you have to pick one product to get this month, make it Triple Sec. It is unreal how quickly it can transform your hair and … the smell. Oh the smell. I’ve never sprayed this in my hair without my husband saying “your hair smells really good!” It’s just heavenly.
And then, of course, a day or so post wash, I start incorporating Drybar’s Detox in the AM. Detox is Drybar’s dry shampoo and it is the delightful cousin to Triple Sec. It works, it smells amazing and I cannot sing its praises enough. I have tried nearly every dry shampoo worth mentioning and I keep coming back to this. Yes, it is kind of pricey. Also, yes …. it is that good.
I have to give a special shout out to my “runner up” (and more budget friendly option) Batiste Dry shampoo. Truly, this stuff works. And it is half the price. Ladies tell me over and over that dry shampoo just doesn’t work for them. I know everyone has different hair and sometimes certain styles require a lot more maintenance. But… with some experimentation, most people can get several days out of a wash!
So, there you have it! My curls fade day by day, and if they are looking particularly rough by day 4, I usually start pulling my hair half back or resort to a bun (or hat if I’m not at work!) I love my low maintenance routine. Washing less = getting ready faster + decreased heat damage. Yes please!
So I have to know… what are your favorite, must have products?! Tips and tricks? Let me know in the comments!
-Gina
A huge thanks to Gina for guest posting for me today! Who else feels like they need to step up their hair game now? I know I’ll be using some of these tips and I’m definitely interested in the wet brush and dry shampoos she mentioned! Hope you enjoyed today’s post and be sure and show Gina some love in the comments and give her blog a visit to check out my guest post on lip products!
Thanks for stopping by!-Cara
Linking up with Wonderful Wednesday, What’s Happening Wednesday, Wow Me Wednesday, Thursday Favorite Things, and Think Tank Thursday
So, I need those hair products!! They sound amazing. Thanks for all of the tips.
xoxo,
Angelle
http://www.dashingdarlin.com
Thanks for reading!!! They really are great products. I hope they work well!
As a mom with a crazy busy toddler and a newborn, I NEED this post! My hair routine is so sad. But dry shampoo is DEFINITELY my friend!
Ohh yes!! Perfect for busy lifestyles 🙂
The color of that skirt is stunning!! But you hair looks lovely. I haven’t been able to find a dry shampoo I like so this is the next one I’ll try out!
Kirsten – http://thewanderingbrunette.com
I really hope it works for you! They do carry a brunette dry shampoo as well!
My hair is so thin, I’m scared to use dry shampoo. I’ve also never been to a DryBar….
In my experience, dry shampoo gives me a lot of volume ! Especially triple sec! Good luck 🙂
I definitely have to try out DryBar’s products. I went to one in NYC once for a blowout and remember how great the products smell!
Yes!!! One of the best parts of Drybar! The smell! 🙂
I swear by Living Proof!
It’s crazy how well it works!!!
Girl I am all about that dry shampoo life! haha Great round up. I really need to try drybar’s products!
xo,
Sara Kate Styling
They are so good. And smell amazing !
Her hair looks amazing! Def need low maintenance in my life!
Thanks lady!!! Less is more 🙂
I like dry shampoo. I’ll have to look into this one.
It’s my favorite all time!
ohhh, I’ve tried the dry shampoo but not the other one!
It’s amazing ! Highly recommend !
Your hair looks great. I love a low maintenance hair routine. I’ll have to try those products.
– Cait | http://www.prettyandfun.com
I’ll be trying out some of those products too! She has gorgeous hair!
Thanks Cait ! Hope you love them!
These are great tips! Because I get up so early, I am am all about low maintenance!
xo Ashley
Dry shampoo is perfect for early mornings when a wash is not happening !! 🙂
Low maintenance is always in style. Pinned it to https://www.pinterest.com/superveganmom/awesome-hair-tips-tricks/
Agreed! Thanks for pinning!
Couldn’t agree more 🙂
I’ve been wanting to try Living Proof to keep from having to wash so often. Thanks for sharing all of these products because I have no idea what to use on my hair and don’t have a lot of time to spend on it each day.
Sarah – I truly saw a difference after using LP!!! Love it 🙂
These days I am all about low maintenance! Thanks for the tips!
Me too!! You’re welcome:)
I’ll admit that I have never used a dry shampoo before. I am someone that washes her hair every day. I did however, purchase a dry shampoo recently. So I will have to give it a shot! M-F when I have work I am very low maintenance when it comes to my hair. These are all great tips!
That was definitely me too!! It’s a big change but one that has saved me a lot of time !
Gorgeous hair! I love living proof too!!! Just a great line!
Her hair is amazing! Sadly, I have no hair routine…I do whatever I have time for, which is usually just a messy bun lol
Thank you!!
That’s great too!! (Triple sec makes for the prettiest messy buns!!!! I swear! ) 🙂
Her hair always looks gorgeous! I used to think I could never skip a day with hair washing, and I’ve started to the past several weeks and have noticed a huge difference. Yay for DryBar dry shampoo <3
Green Fashionista
Thanks Kate 🙂 it’s a godsend!
Beautiful guest post!! I love dry shampoo, this looks like a good one.
These are great tips and products I definitely want to try. I don’t like to spend a lot of time on my hair or use a lot of products either–who has time for that!!?
I am with you!! 🙂
My hair routine has been pretty simple lately…up in a bun on the top of my head. LOL I love going to hot yoga but my hair always feels SO gross and sweaty after so I always feel like I need to wash it. I haven’t really tried dry shampoo after running or hot yoga but maybe it’s time I start…
Girl, I hear you. My biggest hang up was not washing my hair after sweaty work outs. There is definitely a technique to dry shampoo + sweaty …. You have to get that hair dry first ! I know some people have a hard time with that though! I think it’s worth it for the convenience !
Yes to having great products and for dry shampoo! I used to be the everyday wash girl and now I’m like…when did I wash my hair last? hehe…I love the Amika dry shampoo and the texturizing spray. I haven’t heard of the Triple Sec, will have to give that a go! I love all of your tips, and I was just nodding my head with the curl thing..me too!
I love it! I tried Amika too and it just wasn’t right for me (smells great though!!) I hope you find another product to add to your mix 🙂
Dry shampoo is life! This sounds like a high maintenance routine with all those products (because I’m seriously THAT low key, haha!) but her hair is gorgeous!
Haha it does seem like a lot ! Most wash days I am only using 2-3 products and since I don’t wash much, it doesn’t feel like too much:) but I totally get you! Less is more !
Great post and I too love dry bar products. My issue with living proof was the packaging and the small hole to get the product out of, but I might have had a duff one. Thanks for sharing. Going to buy some triple sec!
Kate, I remember thinking the small hole was a but odd, too, but then ended up liking the products so much I got used to it. Hope you have luck with drybar ! 🙂
Low maintenance hair is my kind of thing. There’s just not enough time in the morning to spend on it. Great tips and nice to hear from another blogger, thanks Gina!
Thanks for sharing, great post. I love love Triple Sec from Dry Bar. It works so well on my fine curly hair. I love not washing my hair every day but it did take time for me to get use to it. I use to wash my hair every single day.
So did I! It’s definitely a mind shift. Triple sec is my best hair find this year !
Gorgeous hair, love this post! It’s so nice to see a post about low maintenance hair styling, especially with my busy lifestyle.
XO
Lee Anne
http://www.lifebylee.com
So glad you enjoyed !! Thank you 🙂
Great post! Before my first child arrived I trained my hair to go several days between washes and it was the best decision I made for my hair. I was not able to take a shower everyday much less wash it on a consistent basis so that really helped!
That’s such a great point ! Hopefully my hair will be “baby ready” 😉
Living Proof Shampoo’s are seriously magical! Do you ever use a clarifying shampoo? I try to sneak it in every other week just to get all that dry shampoo out of my hair hehe.
Hi Claudia! I DO actually!! Probably every other wash I sneak in a clarifying shampoo:) I totally agree with you!!
I need to try some of these hair tips for sure! I wash my hair every single day because if I don’t it’s super oily. Also my hair dries very flat with zero volume. My hair is probably my worst feature and I’d love to liven it up and make it pretty. Thanks for the tips. I’m gonna give the blow drying thing a try and see if it helps 🙂
I hear ya on being low maintenance! I can usually get away with washing my hair every other day, but more than that and I feel it gets too greasy. I need to try the Batiste.
That’s exactly how my hair can be too!! The less you wash the better it gets and the dry shampoo totally covers those days in between 🙂
Drybar has the most amazing products but I’ve never tried their dry shampoo! I’m definitely going to have to give it a try when my Living Proof is gone! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
I LOVE drybar! LP is a great line, too and some people have better luck with it. Drybar has been key for me 🙂
Dry shampoo is life! Thanks for sharing your favorite products, I’ll have to check some out. I can’t believe that is your natural hair color! It is absolutely gorgeous.
xx nicole
http://www.nicoleparise.com
I absolutely agree! Can’t imagine a routine without dry shampoo. Hope you love them! 🙂
Her hair is sooooo pretty!!! Love the color.
Thank Chelsea!!
Isn’t it though?! Love it!
Lovely post. I’ve cut my hair tho. My previous hair was destroyed because of bad relaxers.
Thank you ! Hair can be fragile that is why I try so hard to decrease heat and product 🙂
Had bad experience with dry shampoo, Will give this a try since you have tried it out and liked it.
I hear that a lot! I think you have to definitely find a good one and use it correctly. Hopefully your next experience is better 🙂
Lovely guest post! I love keeping my hair routine as simple as possible. I try not to use too much heat throughout the month, so I typically wear my natural curly hair.
Yes!! Less heat is key!! Thanks 🙂