I think we can all agree that when it comes to hair, Blake Lively is hair goals. I mean she’s probably goals for a lot of other reasons but her hair is seriously amazing. And try as I might, my very plentiful but fine hair just doesn’t quite cut it without some help. Instead of the glam, full hair, I end up with strands that resemble straw which also lay limply on my shoulders. But over time, I’ve learned the beauty of hair products. I’ve asked lots of questions, tried lots of samples and now have an arsenal of products that give me as close to Blake hair as I’m going to get without extensions. And today I want to share them all with you.
For me, it’s a combination of things that start with leaving in conditioner and ends up a styling spray. I’ll be honest and say I don’t always use all of these products. But there are a few that I always use and don’t think I’ll ever be without. So if you’re looking to feel inspired with your hair again or maybe just want more affordable hair products, read on friends. This one is for you.
Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle*
It would take an incredible product for this one to be dethroned. I can honestly say I’ve been using it for the last 4 years and I always come back to it. It’s a great leave in conditioner and heat protector. I love a good two in one product that gets the job done. Plus it saves me money. I’m a big believer in keeping your hair healthy if you want to do any look. So making sure I protect it before heat stying is key. Also, since it’s a leave in conditioner, I always spray it post shower when I’ve towel dried my hair a bit and I’m brushing it out. This means I don’t have to worry about heat protector later if I choose to air dry it. It’s the lazy girl’s guide to keeping your hair healthy.
Kristen Ess Thickening Spray
One of my favorite hair guru’s on Youtube shared the wonder that is Kristen Ess products last year and I’m forever grateful. Kristen is similar to the Jen Atkin’s of the hair world. She has celebrity clientele, is a girl boss and owns a killer hair product line. You’ll find her products on the shelves at Target. I own quite a few and love them all. But the thickening spray is my go to for volume when I blow dry my hair. I like to do a bit of the upside down drying technique to add the boost to this product. However, this product has become my go to for full hair. And it’s super affordable which is always a win.
Pantene Dry Shampoo*
As a blonde, I know that I’m a bit luckier when it comes to dry shampoo. The white cast issue doesn’t tend to be as bad for me. So when I’m testing dry shampoos, I’m looking to see if they absorb grease and if they help bring my hair back to life. But if that same dry shampoo knocks it out of the park and is great for all my darker haired friends, then I know it’s something I can recommend. Pantene’s dry shampoo does all of the above. And it’s crazy affordable. This is really the product that helps give my hair and especially my roots volume on days 2 and 3. I make sure to brush it through and then use my hands to really amp up the volume. Occasionally, I’ll test the waters of other dry shampoos *i’m coming for you bumble & bumble pret-a-pret dry shampoo*, but most of the time I always come back to ever affordable and always reliable Pantene. Why fix what isn’t broken?
Living Proof Full Dry Volume Blast*
This product comes with a story, a warning and still quite a bit of love. After making my way through my first can of Volume Blast and armed with a 20% off Ulta coupon, I set out to restock my essentials. Those essentials being Anastasia Brow Wiz*, Urban Decay All Nighter*, OPI Big Apple Red* and of course my lovely volume spray. So of course in the wee hours of getting ready on a Sunday morning for church, I reached for my faithful spray. Mind you I was under caffeinated and on a schedule. I did one good spray. But the next one came out more like a squirt gun. I actually sprayed it at the wall to see if I was just not awake enough to be styling my hair and it hit it like target practice. And because I was clearly not making good choices, I sprayed my hair again and end up looking like someone had rolled a lollipop in my hair. Not pretty.
Now, I ended up exchanging my product at Ulta and getting one that worked a bit better. And I’m still quite a fan. I love to use this to help when I want super full and textured hair. It’s got a powerful spray so be warned when you start spritzing. But it gets the job done. As far as price point, it’s a bit more expensive compared to my other products. However, I still find I use it regularly. Just make sure you check it before purchase.
Redken Frizz Dismiss Instant Deflate Serum*
When you’re trying to achieve thick, full hair, no one really wants to look like they stuck their finger in the electrical outlet. This redken serum is the solution to that problem. It helps give your hair that extra bit of shine and keep the fullness without all the added chaos. I tend to brush out curls on day 3 for a more sleek but full look and this serum is key. A little goes a long way so I find that one bottle will last quite a while. It’s also great to rub on the ends to help them look more nourished. If you’re looking for a serum that gets the job done and isn’t too pricey, I’d highly recommend this one.
Redken Windblown Hairspray*
I was at a wedding last year where one of my friends joked about how the fake snow her husband so loving dumped in her hair was killing her 3 day hair vibes. No one wants crunchy hair that looks more like a mold than your actual hair. And she now had crunchy white bits clinging to her well styled locks. Heck, I even found a few hiding in mine the next day. Redken windblown is the holding hairspray for the 3 day hair girl. It helps to hold your style but still gives you the ability to change or touch up your look the next day. This means you can still work with you hair to add in the dry shampoo or extra curls the next day and it’s not crunchy or stiff. I tend to brush mine out for a more Hollywood glam on day 3 and if I’m super lazy, I’ll rock the messy bun on day 4. Nevertheless, my hair holds well no matter the style and I have options no matter what day my hair is on. It’s my go to finishing hairspray.
