My hair is super important to me.
I’ve gone through a lot with my hair and after years of coloring, cutting and bleaching, I’ve gotten to a place where I no longer crave change and a new look. Not to say that I don’t save pictures of a bright orange, curtain bangs look for possible inspo in the future. However, if I do change up my hair anytime soon, I’ll probably go much more natural and soft so that I don’t put any additional chemicals on my already healing head.
I’ve had just about every hair color: firetruck red ends, brassy yellow, true blonde, icy blonde, silver/white, purple (on accident and on purpose), brunette, ombre, highlights, and black hair. I’ve had straight across bangs, fringe, lobs, long hair and shoulder length hair. I also have had breakage, scalp burns, split ends and damage beyond belief. The last time I colored and cut my hair was in May 2018. Everything I have now is regrowth from then and it’s been a journey. I’m trying to love my hair as much as possible. I try not to use too much heat or wash it too much which will dry it out. I want it to be as healthy as possible.
I’m no expert on hair, I just know what my hair needs and wants (as weird as that sounds) and I am proud of the journey we’ve been on together. There’s still a long way to go for it to be completely healed but at least there has been significant progress.
Below are the products I use…ALL of the products I use. It’s a lot but they each serve a purpose. I also will attach pictures of my hair over the years so you can see how far we’ve come.
I hope this is helpful and also it’s important to know that as much fun as it is to have icy blonde hair (my personal fav) …the scalp burns and breakage are probably not worth the few pictures you will get.
But also, maybe they are because look how pretty!!
FAVORITE CURRENT HAIR PRODUCTS
KRISTIN ESS FRAGRANCE FREE DAILY CLEANSING SHAMPOO & SHINE ENHANCING CONDITIONER
I’ve had a hard time with shampoos and conditioners. I used to use very high end, expensive brands that my friend/hairdresser would recommend to me. They were always fine but I hated spending the money to only have my hair feel “fine”. Once I was no longer bleaching or coloring my hair I took some time off from the expensive stuff. I found these and loved that they were fragrance free which meant no unnecessary chemicals to add buildup to my hair and scalp. They leave my hair really soft and shiny which I love.
https://www.target.com/p/kristin-ess-fragrance-free-daily-cleansing-shampoo-10-fl-oz/-/A-76577774
KRISTIN ESS DEEP CLEAN CLARIFYING SHAMPOO
I use this every other time I wash my hair. Since I usually wash my hair twice a week, once will be air dried and then most likely thrown into a bun, the second time is usually styled and that’s when I use more sprays and products. This shampoo lets me clear out the gunk from those products and it’s very efficient. The only thing I’ve noticed is that it is extremely drying. On days when I use this I make sure to go in with my moisture mask as well as conditioner to re-hydrate my hair.
https://www.target.com/p/kristin-ess-deep-clean-clarifying-shampoo-10-fl-oz/-/A-76577773#lnk=sametab
KRISTIN ESS INSTANT EXFOLIATING SCALP SCRUB
I use this every couple showers, not every single time. I like this a lot because you can feel it working. The beads in the formula will eventually disintegrate as you massage them into your scalp. This really helps cleanse and heal my scalp when I know there’s buildup.
PHYTO JOBA MOISTURE MASK
I heard about this on a Kathleen Light’s video on YouTube a while back and haven’t stopped using it since. It’s lightweight and really feels like it restores the moisture to my dry hair. I use this before going in with the KE Conditioner and together they really make a difference.
https://www.ulta.com/phytojoba-moisturizing-mask?productId=pimprod2005936
LOREAL ELVIVE 8 SECOND WONDER WATER
This is my newest addition. I saw a few Tik Toks about it and then happened to see it at Ulta a few days later, now here we are. I will never not own this little bottle. You use it in 20mL doses which is marked on the bottle so it’s super helpful. I use it every other time I shower so I’m not using it with my other hair mask. It works super-fast and makes your hair SO incredibly soft. You put it on your ends and then up a bit more until you use the required amount, then you rub it in and it actually gets a bit warm to the touch and 8 seconds later…you’re all set!
https://www.ulta.com/elvive-8-second-wonder-water?productId=pimprod2013514
KRISTIN ESS FRAGRANCE FREE DETANGLING TONIC
This is my first step after a shower. I let my hair air dry for a while and then I will go in with this spray all over. It’s an incredible detangler as well as a conditioner. It really helps smooth out my hair while I’m brushing it and adds a bit of shine as well
OLAPLEX NO 6 BOND SMOOTHER
This is magic in a bottle. I’ve used all the Olaplex products and they’ve all worked extremely well with my hair. I only stopped using the shampoo and conditioner because I found something cheaper (see above). The No 3 treatment is also wonderful and I use it every so often when I feel like my hair needs it. I used it much more when I bleached my hair constantly. The No 6 smoother does just that. It smooths the bonds of your hair and leaves your hair with much less frizz and it also just feels softer.
COLORWOW DREAM COAT
This is a game changer. My hair isn’t naturally curly or straight…it’s just frizzy. The healing process has been rough since I stopped dying my hair and this spray has helped more than I thought was possible. You spray it on while your hair is still damp and then blow dry to activate it. The results are smooth, silky, and super shiny hair.
https://www.colorwowhair.com/us/dream-coat-anti-humidity-hair-treatment.html
KRISTIN ESS STYLE ASSIST LARGE DETANGLING BRUSH
Not much to say about a brush except that it’s fantastic. It tames my very tangled hair and even though I tend to forget to brush my hair once I style it, (I sometimes go a few days without brushing even though I know that’s not ideal) it always looks smoother and less frizzy once I do.
KRISTIN ESS SPACE SAVING COMPACT PRO DRYER
This is one of my favorite products. I have so much hair, so much thick hair that it takes forever for me to blow dry it completely. Even though this dryer is tiny, (I needed to get the smaller version so I could easily store it in my small apartment bathroom) it is so powerful and does the job exactly as it should.
KRISTIN ESS SOFT WAVES CURLING IRON 1 ¼ INCH
I never used to curl my hair. It was way too hard. I only bought cheap curling irons and ended up never using them. Once I decided to try this one out everything became easy. This iron is smoothing and my hair flows through it so easily. It heats up enough to make my thick hair hold a curl with little to zero hair spray. It’s a winner for me.
https://www.target.com/p/kristin-ess-soft-waves-curling-iron-1-1-4-34/-/A-75567126#lnk=sametab
KRISTIN ESS 3-IN-1 FLAT IRON 1 ¼ INCH
When I moved out of my parent’s house, I gave my flat iron to my mom so I needed a new one for myself. I debated for a long time on which to get but because I loved the KE blow dryer and curling iron so much I went for it. I love this straightener. It’s so quick to heat up and it works very fast as well. My hair is so soft, shiny and it takes 1 to 2 passes through to get my desired look. I’m overall so thrilled with my hot tools from this line and would recommend them to anyone.
https://www.target.com/p/kristin-ess-3-in-one-flat-iron-1-1-4/-/A-75567128#lnk=sametab
KRISTIN ESS FRAGARANCE FREE SOFT SHINE GROOMING CREAM
I use this product to give my curls a bit of shine once I’m all finished. I take a small amount out and rub it on ALL of my fingers. Thumbs included. Then I go to town, root to tip and juj up my look. I use it to give a bit of volume in my roots and then I smooth out my flyaways with it as well. It gives such a nice finishing touch to my hair.
KRISTIN ESS DRY FINSIH WORKING TEXTURE SPRAY
I use this spray in addition with the Grooming Cream to give my curls a more “lived in” texture. I use it at my roots and my ends to create more of a beachy look. It’s not sticky like a beach wave spray would be and it doesn’t have a lot of hold like a hairspray. It’s purely a texture spray and that’s why I love it.
https://www.target.com/p/kristin-ess-dry-finish-working-texture-spray-6-9oz/-/A-51397116#lnk=sametab
KRISTIN ESS FRAGRANCE FREE DRY SHAMPOO POWDER
I never really liked using normal dry shampoo sprays. I felt they were harsh and left a white cast that I could never get out. They also made my hair feel odd and I would always end up just taking a shower rather than letting it stay dirty with the product in. This powder, despite being white in color, is very easy to use and soaks into the hair quickly. I used to use my mom’s after shower powder in my hair to soak up oils when I was younger and this is basically the same exact thing, just better for your head and hair.
KRISTIN ESS STYLE REVIVING DRY CONDITIONER
I had no idea this kind of product existed until I found this. I always used dry shampoo but never even thought about conditioning dirty hair as well. It does make sense though, if you are cleansing the roots, the ends probably need some assistance as well. That is what this spray does. It helps the ends of your hair look and feel clean and fresh and ready to be re-styled if need be.
https://www.target.com/p/kristin-ess-style-reviving-dry-conditioner-4-8oz/-/A-75565162#lnk=sametab
