A lot of people are really surprised to learn that I actually have super frizzy, uncontrollable hair. (Chief among them is Kristen U. of
TheBostonFashionista. She just refuses to believe it!) I wash my hair every third day or so, and straighten it with a
huge ceramic brush and a blowdryer. (I'm sooo over flat irons. I'm a big believer in natural-looking volume and shine). I keep product to a minimum - So many stylists tell you to use this for shine and then that to mattify (remember: most are working on commission) but the best advice I ever heard was from an expert on a makeover segment on E! News who advised to just "listen" to your hair. If you're in the shower and you feel like you don't need to condition that day...don't. If your hair feels super dry, make sure to use a moisturizing product like Moroccan Oil or a dry oil before heat styling. It's all about what your hair
needs, not about a routine that you follow out of habit.
So, without further ado, my Before (yes. That's real.) and After, plus the few trusty products that I love and rely on:
STEP 1: Shampoo and Condition
A lot of experts recommend alternating products to keep your hair guessing and make sure it doesn't fall into a routine rut. I usually go for some combination of
Mane and Tail (again, yes. Really.) and
Tresemme:
Horse shampoo, you say? It's miraculous trick that supermodels and civilians alike swear by, and leaves hair super shiny and strong with just the bare minimum of effort. I introduced it to my aesthetician friend, who has access to just about every product imaginable, and as a new convert, she swears by it too.
Then, I put my hair up in a towel for a few minutes (usually while I'm scraping off errant mascara worthy of a special reunion episode of The Hills and other such post-shower activities) and let it air dry for about 15 minutes before I have at it with the hairdryer. A stylist I spoke to approved this message, affirming that letting hair airdry is a good move because it lets some of the moisture soak in to the hair cuticle before exposing it to harsh heat.
While my hair is still damp, I spritz on a dash of
Bamboo Smooth Kendi Dry Oil Mist by Alterna, which smells super-summery and is impossibly lightweight. It gets absorbed into my hair as well as into the natural bristles of the brush, so I don't have to use it every time.
I use a brush that looks like an old-fashioned duster, like
this one from Jilber.
Go for ceramic, not wood or plastic, if you can, since it not only retains heat, it recycles and reuses it as you go, plus it reduces bacteria buildup. Boar bristles add much more shine and polish than plastic, and, as usual, size matters. A mega brush like this one (about 4" inside diameter) will give your hair lots of shape and body, unlike a flat iron, which leaves your hair limp and lifeless.
Et Voila! Straight, shiny, no-fuss hair. Literally, lather, rinse, apply product (or don't) and dry with a huge brush and a positive attitude. It takes me about 15 minutes at this point, and I firmly believe that my arms have become stronger because of it.
Care to share any of your own tips? I'm always listening! Tweet me at
@scorpiondisco
Cheers,
Renata
