MY HAIR CARE ROUTINE & TIPS

There is a lot of effort that goes into my hair to make it semi normal looking. Most days, it goes up in a messy bun, mainly because it takes so long to get it to my desired state and/or style. My hair is really fine on top, but my length is frizzy and it has way much more volume than the top. So I either end up trying to match my length to the top, but I do have more success matching the volume on the length to everywhere else. I genuinely have no idea who or if anyone else have these same problems, but I feel my general hair care routine can be of use to a majority of people.



The products I am going to talk about are all the main ones in my hair care product collection (links to the products are the titles), I don't use all the products every time I wash my hair. The only time I do is when I am properly styling e.g. for a night out or event etc.

COCONUT OIL

Yes, back to the coconut oil! I am still pursuing with coconut oil hair masks. I completely cover my hair in coconut oil, concentrating mainly on the length and ends. I either do this before I go to bed, and wash it out the next morning, or a few hours before I wash my hair. I shampoo twice to make sure there is absolutely no traces of the oil left or my hair will go even more greasy than it already does. I don't use an awful lot of conditioner as the oil does a lot of that job, but my ends can always use more conditioner. I haven't had a massive amount of luck with this method, but I am continuing to try and do this at least once a month.

SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER

This TRESemme volume shampoo & conditioner have been a god send. My hair is very flat at the top and these give my hair that extra 'oomph' all the time. TRESemme is definitely my favourite brand for shampoo and conditioner. Very occasionally I substitute this conditioner for the TRESemme Salon Silk conditioner, normally for when I am going for a really straightened style and I want sleekness.

TRESEMME MASQUE

TRESemme's Keratin Smooth Masque has been the best masque I've ever used. The texture is so smooth and lovely. My hair is badly damaged from heat and colouring, and this is slowly replenishing my hair. I probably don't use this as much as I should, or leave it in longer than the recommended time, for the state of the damage, but this may become my one and only hair masque and see if that helps even more so. It makes my hair feel very lightweight and so much easier to manage as it definitely stops my hair from tangling and makes it much smoother.

L'OREAL MASQUE

I started using the Full Restore masque before I used the TRESemme one. I didn't notice a huge improvement at first, so I have continued with it. I normally use this when my hair needs a bit of detangling and smoothing, but I'm not styling, as it isn't as effective as the TRESemme one. The texture of the two are the same, but I haven't felt it has helped my damaged hair replenish as much.

HAIR DRYING GLOVES

I definitely did not expect much from these when I first saw them. I thought they'd be just a gimmicky item and not actually do much. I then saw a review on YouTube from grav3yardgirl about some. And she too thought the same as me. I was just as surprised as her when she realised they actually work! So, I purchased a cheap pair, just in case, and I haven't actually repurchased another more expensive pair. The cheaper ones are fantastic. For frizzy hair, it is definitely recommended to use a cotton t-shirt to towel dry your hair, and NEVER use a towel. Using a towel to towel dry your hair pulls apart strands that creates the frizz. Towels take out all the moisture from our hair and we only want to remove the excess water in it. Cotton only soaks up this excess water, and not the moisture we need to stop the frizzing. So, this have been the best hair care product I have ever bought, I use these gloves after I've washed my hair, brush through my hair, then put my products in that I want to use. They also prevent my hair from going flat, I run my fingers (with the gloves on) up towards my roots to give them a boost upwards, then I tie my hair in a very loose bun, making sure my hair is not flat to my head whilst it dries. I don't always use mousse with this method, sometimes I do when I want the extra oomph.

LEAVE IN TREATMENT 

So, this little beauty has been a life saver. I use this after every single time I wash my hair. I maybe use too much, but that has never effected the results. I run it through my ends when it's damp, and slowly work it through, going upwards. It has given me the smoothest, silkiest hair I've ever had! It makes my hair so much stronger and healthier looking. It does claim to "help reverse the look of up to 2 years of damage", and it actually does. I've only been using it for 4 months but it is definitely a must-have for me now.

TRESEMME MOUSSE 

I bought this mousse to complement my shampoo and conditioner. I use about 2 squirts and gently massage it into my roots. It does give my roots the extra lift I look for, makes it easier to backcomb and smooth out the top for when I do backcomb.

SCHWARZKOPF MOUSSE 

I haven't seen any difference at all between this mousse and my TRESemme one. They both do a good job and do exactly what they say/what I expect. The only thing that depends on which one I use is which ever one is closest!

N.4 PREP & PROTECT 

I got a sample of this in my monthly Birch Box in February. My first impression of it was not great. The fragrance isn't the best, I still can't quite figure out what it is. But, thankfully, it doesn't stick to your hair, the smell does disappear. I simply spritz it over my whole hair, and brush through. It is absolutely amazing for detangling and preventing tangles. My hair definitely feels much stronger and softer.

STRAIGHTENING BAUME

This is another sample from Birch Box, from March. Again, I am impressed with this product. It can be used on damp or dry hair. I simply work a coin sized amount through damp ends and any remaining product I run through the top of my hair. My hair feels so much smoother and sleeker than normal. I love that only a small amount is needed. I can use this with or without straightening my hair, too. Heat does seem to activate it more and make it work even better, but I do like having the option to use heat or not.

ARGAN OIL HEAT DEFENCE 

I rarely use this when I'm not using heat, and when I do, it's only because the smell is absolutely gorgeous! Just like the straightening baume, it does work better on my hair when I use heat on it. I really don't need a huge amount, just 2 or 3 spritz is more than enough, brush through and then I use my hair dryer.

HAIR DRYER

This hair dryer has been with me for many, many years. From when it came out, I believe. I have never ever gotten on with hair dryers, no matter what product, what hair brush or what method I use, my hair was always extremely fluffy on the bottom, and as flat as an ironing board on top. But, this little beauty, has saved my hair. I can get the volume I so crave, and the sleekness I need. I highly doubt I will ever use anything else to blow dry my hair again. I do it in small sections to get the maximum amount of volume I can, and when I decide to have a full fringe, it acts as a heated velcro roller, which is so handy! And then, I use it to brush through my hair as I would a hair brush, to ensure my hairs smoothness.

And that's it! My, that was long! Below, I have included some before & after pictures (not the best quality), so you can see for yourself the difference!