For quite some time I’ve wanted to have one blog post for hair in which I could answer FAQ’s readers send like what products I use to curl my hair and who styles it! I hadn’t gotten around to it, mostly because I don’t really think my hair is anything to talk about—haha! But you know me, nothing inspires me like a little organization and I decided I had to have everything in one little spot so I truly do hope this is helpful for you all! Check out Monashee Hair Salon in Calgary for expert styling and personalized hair care that brings out the best in your look.

Type

I typically start every hair post sharing a rundown of my hair type because I think that’s so important before you go out and buy product after product hoping to achieve a certain style! I have lots of textured dirty blonde hair. My hair pulls extremely warm tones! So my stylist is constantly working to “ash” up my hair and nothing gives me more of a stomach flip than terms like, “warm blonde” and “honey blonde.” On other girls it looks like they are kin to Blake Lively and live on a sandy beach. Me? You might as well just color my hair with your little orange highlighter you’ve got on your desk next to that cup of coffee and call it a day! I was always very, very blonde as a little girl [my dad’s family is Swedish] but of course with age and hormones my hair has darkened. I’ve asked my colorist along with multiple stylists in Dallas [that only do color] if I could go brunette and they look at me as if I just asked for their right kidney. They explain that my hair would look green because of my natural blonde and then they go on to say how if you are blonde your new growth is always going to look darker in juxtaposition to your highlights, but if you compare it to a brunette it’s very light. Now, I’m no hairdresser so I don’t really know why my hair would pull green tones as a brunette but I just listen to those wiser than I in these kinds of situations! BUT if you ever see a Snapchat one day of me with brunette locks, that means I have hidden from said hairdresser and tried something I’ll most likely regret. My hair dries naturally wavy, but I definitely have to use some product in order to have those “walk out of the house waves.” Because my hair is so textured, I can put a lot of product in it and it not feel greasy, so do make note of that when I talk about products below! I also don’t really get oily hair. I could go 6-7 days without washing it, but I do not! haha! Because of my hair texture, my hair also does whatever you do to it. If I straighten my hair it will last for days and same goes for curling or teasing.

Products & Protection

• Shampoo & Conditioner: I love Oribe or Kerastase shampoos and conditioners! I’m currently using this Gold Lust line from Oribe, see the shampoo here and conditioner here. I wash my hair about twice a week! If I’m on a running kick, I’ll of course wash it each time I run. But those running kicks are few and far between. 😉
• Toner: I haven’t used purple shampoo since I found this Kenra product while making an Ulta run! I’ve used purple shampoo for the past 10 years and honestly, nothing I have ever tried has beat this. Be very careful with how long you leave it on or it could leave you with a purple tint. Also, use this on your deep conditioning days so it doesn’t dry out your hair! But as long as you’re careful with those two things, this product can seriously extend your trips to the salon.
• Hair Mask: I’ve tried a million hair masks and honestly, I go back to natural products each time! I love Castor Oil & Coconut Oil. Now, if you have extremely fine hair you may want to stay away from Castor Oil. It’s a very thick oil that is used to strengthen hair and promote hair growth. I put it on my roots [people also put it on their lashes!] and then put coconut oil through my ends. I let my hair sit like that for an hour or so and then I’ll wash out. I just have to shampoo twice and all is normal. I’ve had a few girlfriends come to me with strands that have been bleached one too many times and this is the cure all we use on them!
• Protection: If your hairdresser uses Olaplex, you’re definitely familiar with this take-home bottle you receive after your appointment. I have really coarse hair so I just leave this bad boy in my hair after I wash it and it makes it SO soft/strong. However, most people do put this in their hair after they shampoo and rinse out. I would say the difference between this and regular hair masks is that this protects my hair from becoming fragile due to highlights and regular hair masks keep my hair soft and smooth.
• Heat Protection: I’ve yet to find a heat protectant I absolutely love! I use this CHI one, but I’m not in a committed relationship by any means. 😉
• Hair Oil: I run this through my strands once I’ve finished styling my hair. I’m not in love with the rest of the Ouai line, but I must have this on me 24/7! It’s incredible! My photographer always notices a huge difference when I use this vs. when I don’t.
• Dry Shampoo: I love this by Living Proof or this by Bumble & Bumble. The Living Proof one is the only dry shampoo on the market that actually cleanses your hair! I love the Bumble & Bumble because it leaves no residue and is extremely nourishing.
• Hair Spray: This is my favorite hairspray for the past 8 years! Sometimes I try different brands, but I always repurchase this one. I use hairspray like water and this one lasts me for months on end!
• Volume: You must try Triple Sec! And you must read this tutorial to see how magical it is!

Tools

When it comes to hair tools I get asked a lot which is better: GHD or T3? Both are incredible. I think GHD works really well if you have “easy to style” hair. If you have pretty manageable hair that isn’t necessarily one way or the other this is perfect for you! Maybe it dries straight or a bit wavy but you don’t have to do too much to style it. GHD has a softer barrel and clamp, so it’s great for hair that doesn’t need too much work. Now I have very textured/wavy hair so my hair requires a LOT of work and I can use my GHD curling iron and love it! But if I do sleep on my hair wet and have a crazy kink, I love the T3 for that. The T3 has a heavier clamp and barrel making it perfect for smoothing out waves or curls here or there. My friends with fine hair prefer my GHD and my friends with incredibly thick hair prefer my T3. Both are amazing and both keep a curl for days. I’m nuts and use both because I “neeeeed” both.

• Curling Iron: T3 or GHD
• Straightener: T3
• Blow Dryer: T3
• Teasing Comb: This
• Velcro Rollers: These
• Hair Brush: Wet Brush
• Ponytail Holder: InvisiBobble

See a few hair tutorials here, here and here. When we move in our new home one of my goals is to film a full-out hair tutorial so you can watch it and see step-by-step! However, I’m no Youtuber so I apologize in advance for either how long it will take me to make said video or how awkward it will be to watch.

Stylist

I go to Britany Marshall Beauty in Fort Worth. To set an appointment her e-mail is: britanymarshallbeauty@gmail.com

If you aren’t local to Fort Worth, you can watch her Youtube here! She has lots of hair tutorials you can watch. Below I’ll share what she does for my color and cut if you go to a different salon outside of Fort Worth!

She works Tuesdays, Thursdays, most Fridays and every other Saturday. She did do my wedding hair, and I know she books about a year and a half to 2 years in advance for weddings.

Color/Cut

Here’s a more close-up shot of my cut so you can show your stylist! I have long layers and get my hair cut about twice a year. Typically if I have some dead ends around my face, she can just snip them easily while I’m getting a root touch up! I did get a blunt cut right after I had Maxi and I loved it, but I’m back to my layers! This picture above is how it grew out.

For color, I just get highlights with a toner. Because my hair pulls warm tones if I do break my base, it just turns brassy in a few weeks. I only do a full highlight once or twice a year and then just do a partial every 6-7 weeks! I only do a full once or twice a year to make sure I keep the bottom of my hair healthy AND because I just have too much hair. haha! If I do a full it takes about 4-6 hours and with little Miss Maxi there just isn’t that much time to sit there. 😉 A partial takes me about 2-3 hours. When she highlights my hair she uses Olaplex to keep it healthy.

Earrings: Shopbop | Eyeshadow: Palette, Tutorial | Bracelet: Tory Burch | Dress: Older

Photography by: Angie Garcia