There are many things to consider when establishing a hair care routine that works for you, and these factors will change as you go through different stages of life. At 53, my hair is somewhat different than it was in my 30’s and 40’s. In this post, I’m going to share my current hair care routine, some hair care tips, and hair products that I am loving.
Although I’m not a professional hair stylist, I’ve got a lot of experience in hair care. There have been many mistakes over the years and victories as well. Have you ever grown out bangs? If you made it through, then that’s a victory!
My Personal Hair Type
This article will be more relevant to you if you know my personal hair type. This is something you will want to consider when choosing how to implement any type of hair care routine and when choosing hair care products for yourself.
How I would describe my hair:
- naturally wavy and prone to frizz
- does not air dry pretty
- thick
- natural brunette – now very grey (I color my hair)
- much more dry than in my younger days; requires washing every 2-3 days
- holds curl well, but also can be styled straight
- recovering from damage from highlighting (1 year ago)
- grows quickly (root touch ups every 3 weeks)
My Hair Care Routine
My current hair care routine is pretty simple. Although I save money whenever I can, I have found that investing in high quality products is worth it. Last year in an attempt to go grey, I had my hair highlighted several times. I ended up with dry, damaged, and broken off hair! See that journey here. Now, I no longer use any bleach on my hair, and I color it myself most of the time.
Currently, my main goals are to nourish and protect my hair so I choose products that will help me achieve those priorities. That means using products that are restorative and moisturizing. Here are the products that I love…
Shampoo & Conditioner
The first step in my hair care routine is to shampoo and condition every other day on average.
Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
This was recommended by my hairstylist to help repair my hair. It prevents breakage and helps to smooth frizz.
Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
It’s been almost a year since my hair was badly damaged, so my stylist also recommended not using the Olaplex every time I shampoo, so I alternate with Pureology Hydrate Shampoo & Conditioner. This is the most luxurious product and is my favorite salon quality brand!
If you want to save some money, Costco’s Kirkland Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner is an excellent dupe for the Pureology. The ingredients list is almost identical, and I have used it and enjoy it. You will need a Costco membership to purchase these.
Post Shampoo/Conditioning Routine
After shampooing and conditioning my hair, I like to use a microfiber hair towel to get as much moisture out as possible. Then I use my wetbrush to gently brush through the hair starting at the ends and being careful not to pull.
Next, in my hair care routine, I apply the Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother which is a leave in product. This is a multitasking product that help eliminate frizz, hydrates, and protects my hair. This is why I don’t use a separate heat protectant spray.
If you prefer an additional heat protectant spray, my favorite is the Kenra Platinum Blow-Dry Mist | Ultra-Lightweight Thermal Protectant.
Finally, I apply the Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil to the ends only while the hair is still damp. This helps smooth and protect my hair…especially if I let it air dry. I also use this on my ends when the hair is dry to give extra moisture.
Styling
As I mentioned before, my hair does not air dry very pretty; however I try to let it air dry as much as possible to avoid the extra heat to my hair. If I’m having a work from home day, then most likely I will let it air dry and then pull it back.
For days when I style my hair, a blow dry includes either my T3 Featherweight 3i Professional Ionic Hair Dryer or my Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer And Volumizer Hot Air Brush.
Then to add wave I like to use the T3 – SinglePass Curl Professional Curling Iron with a 1 1/4″ barrel.
If I desire a bit of hairspray, then I will use the iconic Kenra Volume Spray 25. And here is the finished product…
For day two or three hair, dry shampoo is my go-to product. I have tried several, but have landed on the Olaplex No. 4D dry shampoo. A good tip for using dry shampoo is to spray your roots at night before you go to bed. This will inhibit the oil from accumulating while you sleep and you will wake up with fresher hair.
Hair Care Tips:
- If you have colored treated hair, use products that are sulfate free and are specially formulated not to fade your color; also protect color treated hair from the sun with a hat
- If you have blonde hair, use a purple shampoo 1-2 times/week to neutralize brassiness.
- If you brunette hair, use a blue shampoo to counteract any brassiness. I like this one.
- Minimize heat styling whenever possible…don’t use the highest setting on your blow dryer and always use a heat styling tool that has an adjustable heat setting.
Purchase Items From This Post
I’ve linked all of today’s products mentioned for your convenience. Of course you don’t have to use my links, but if you do I appreciate it in advance. Affiliate links help me earn income at no cost to you; however, this is not a sponsored post and I purchased all of these products on my own.
Other Posts You Might Enjoy:
Embracing Grey Hair
Going Grey
Game Changing Hair Products
Madison Reed Hair Color
Discover more from The Scarlet Lily
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