Hair tips, Routine, & Current Favorite Products!

Today we're talking all about HAIR! I'm no hair expert by any means but I feel like I've finally come to a place where I am content with my hair routine & I finally found some products that I love! I also get questions all the time about what I use on my hair and how I do it and so I thought I would answer all of those questions here as well! 

My hair has always been a problem for me. Its curly and can be frizzy but it's actually really fine in texture! Hair stylists are always so confused by my hair because it is so fine, I just have ALOT of it. My hair gets super tangly and it either looks good in one of two ways. Either I need to blow dry it straight and then curl it, or I scrunch it after I shower and let it air dry! Since the Hawaiian humidity is no joke and I'm pretty low maintenance, I usually scrunch it and let it air dry. 

It's interesting because when I was younger, I hated my hair! Super straight hair was the in style when I was in middle school and highschool and so I always wished for straight hair. Growing up I pretty much always blowdried and curled or straightened my hair and I would only ever wear it curly if I didn't have enough time. Nowadays, I love my curly hair! Thankfully, "beach waves" became a thing and so now I always get people asking me about how I get my tousled waves! 

I also think I've finally found my "color" that looks good for my hair. I have dyed my hair pretty much every color under the sun. I'll never forget for my thirteenth birthday I had a sleepover with my friends and we snuck out to the grocery store so I could get box dye and dye my hair red! I always have loved doing new and different things with my hair and mixing it up.

In recent years, though, I have been pretty much staying consistent with my hair color. As I've said before, I'm a low maintenance kinda gal when it comes to beauty and so I love balayage because it mixes so well with your natural color and it grows out so nicely! I usually get two balayage's a year, one during the Fall and one in the Spring time! Since I only get my balayage touched up twice a year, I go about twice in between each time to get a toner put on my hair. Toner for your hair is something I've recently started doing and it is a game changer! It keeps the brassy color away and keeps your balayage looking brand new! There's nothing I hate more then my hair starting to turn and orange hue where it's been bleached and so that is why toner is a lifesaver for me! 

I also only cut my hair about twice a year.  I've never been a believer in regular "trims". Maybe that's just me, but I don't really get trims. I honestly think that is the secret to growing your hair out long! Ask anyone with long hair how often they cut it and they will probably tell you that they hardly do! That's pretty much my only secret to hair growth. haha. 

As far as products go, there are a few products I will splurge for but most of my haircare products are super inexpensive! I LOVE the Kristen Ess line from Target and most of my haircare products are from her! I think everything in her line is under $15 and so it is budget-friendly but also super high-quality, which I love. Here are my favorite products from her line...

The One Signature Shampoo : I use her Signature shampoo on most days! I love that it is sulfate free but still lathers and it really does clean the hair! Before I started using this shampoo, I would often deal with product build-up that would cause dandruff. I haven't had that issue though with this shampoo and it's only $10! Can't get getter than that. 

Purple Shampoo : I alternate the signature shampoo with this purple shampoo which I love because it is an at-home toner that you can use to keep the orange/brass color away! I use this about twice a week and Its the only purple shampoo that I can actually tell makes a difference! 

The One Signature Conditioner : Yep, you guessed it, I use the Signature Conditioner too! This is totally not a sponsored post, I just love this line! I love this conditioner because it does its job without leaving build-up in your hair! 

& Last but not least, probably my favorite product from Kristin Ess is this Curl Defining Cream! : Before this product, letting my hair air dry was always risky because I never knew how it would turn out. I use this curl defining cream on my towel-dried hair after I scrunch it and I just put a dime-sized amount and comb it into my hair! It helps my curls stay defined but not crunchy and it also helps calm down the frizz! I honestly LOVE this stuff and cannot go without it! 

My two other MUST-HAVES: There are two other products that I use on a daily basis & love! I get them from Sephora...

Verb Leave-in Mist: I love love LOVE this detangler!! It's the only one I've found that isn't heavy and doesn't leave a residue! Leave-in conditioner is a must for me because my hair can get tangled FAST. This leave-in mist helps to calm the frizz, tangles, yet doesn't leave my hair oily!

Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo: Oh, how I love this dry shampoo! This is my only "splurge" haircare product. Its $23 but in my opinion it is 100% worth it! My hair can get on the oily side and even dry shampoos often add to it but not this one. I love how lightweight this one is and how it really does transform oily hair into voluminous and clean looking har! I don't use dry shampoo a ton when my hair is curly (that's what top knot's are for) but this stuff is a lifesaver when I get blowouts. I actually have a membership with Drybar and so I get two blowouts a month! I also can't travel without this. I just picked up a travel size version to take on my trip to California! 

I hope you found this helpful and that I answered all of your questions about hair! If you have any other questions, comment them down below and I will make sure to answer them! Hope you are having a great week!!

xo,

Lo

Summer Travel Beauty Essentials

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I have traveled quite a bit this Summer and so I've spent a lot of time packing, unpacking, and re-packing my cosmetics bag! I think I have finally narrowed it down to my tried & true favorite products to have on hand while I travel! I like to keep it simple, especially while traveling and so I try to keep it pretty minimal while packing my cosmetics. Here are the top items that I think are crucial to have on hand while traveling! 

My Must-haves: 

1. Mineral Powder to keep you matte all day

This is probably my must-have #1 because there is nothing worse than having to reapply makeup throughout the day! If you have followed me for long then you know that I am obsessed with this Mineral Peptide Powder and I hardly ever use any other face makeup! It has SPF in it, protects my skin from the environment, and gives great coverage!

2.  Life-proof Mascara

When you travel, you need a mascara that can withstand long days in the sun, adventuring around a new town, and to make it through happy hour! I have tried a ton of different mascaras and Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara is by far my favorite. I love the volume it gives to my lashes and the tube lasts me such a long time! Totally worth the price, in my opinion!! 

3. A Moisturizing Deodorant

This may seem strange and TMI but when I travel to dryer climates, my arm-pits sometimes get irritated after shaving!  I'm not sure if this happens to you too but Native Deodorant is my all time favorite deodorant and its super moisturizing while also sweat resistant! 

4. Eye serum (ain't no one got time for under-eye bags!)

There's nothing like jet lag to bring out those under-eye bags. my Bright Eye Complex is my #1 skincare item when it comes to travel because it instantly brightens my under-eye and gets rid of any dark circles or puffiness! 

5. Self-tanner 

Since sun-protection is really important to me, I use R+F's Sunless Tanner to keep my tan game strong all year round. I often travel because of a wedding, special event, or a work function and so I keep self-tanner with me to help me get ready for an event! 

6. Dry Shampoo

I have been using Dry Bar's Detox Dry Shampoo recently and am LOVING it! Also- this is currently on sale for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and so if you were wanting to try out a new dry shampoo or texturizing spray you have to get this bundle before it sells out!! 

7. Hair Detangling Spray

My hair is hard to manage. It's like a lion's mane and taming it is out of the question. I've tried so many different brands of detangling spray and it's been so hard to find one that works but doesn't weigh down my hair! I just picked up this Verb Leave-in Mist from Sephora and have only used it a few times but I am already OBSESSED. It is so lightweight, doesn't have a heavy scent, and makes my hair so smooth and easy to comb! 10/10. 

8. Neutral eye-shadow

When I travel, I like to keep my makeup pretty simple and no-fuss. I always have a neutral eyeshadow palette with me s that I can still create numerous looks but don't have to think too hard! I am currently LOVE this Nordy Girl Matte Face & Eye set from the NSALE! I'm not sure how much longer it will be in stock but $44.50 for $202 value?! That's insane!!

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What is one of your favorite products that you can't travel without?! 

Your friend,

Lo