Let's Talk Hair: Our Home Hair Care Essentials

By Beauty Contributor Morgan Rainwater

I've talked to you guys in the past (here and here) about my love for painting my nails, and how often I switch out colors and patterns. Well when it comes to having fun with beauty products and changing things up, my hair comes in a close second. I like to change my hair about as often as you should change the oil in your car. I get bored easily, and I have fun expressing myself through different shades, cuts, and styles. I've had a pixie, every form of a bob/lob, bangs, no bangs, and super long hair as well.  I've also rocked every color of the rainbow except for green. Along the way, I've learned a lot about how to keep my hair healthy and looking good at home, as well as which products work and which ones don't. And today I'm going to share some of my current favorites with you. Although I have brightly dyed hair (more on that below), these aren't just for color treated hair. They're awesome products that keep your hair looking soft and healthy, and if you happen to be a color lover like me, they will help keep your color bright.

1. I've recently discovered cleansing conditioner, and it is amazing. Seriously. You might have seen the infomercials for "Wen." Well I did some research and was able to find a less expensive product that you can get at your local drugstore or online called Renpure Cleansing Conditioner. It works in the same way for a fraction of the price. (A bottle costs about ten bucks which may seem on the high end for drugstore conditioner, but when you're cutting out shampoo, it's pretty cheap.)  I'm telling you guys, just follow the directions on the bottle and you'll love the results. Not only does my color stay brighter longer, but I've noticed I've had to cleanse my hair less often. Because you're not stripping your hair with shampoo, your scalp won't over-produce oil. Many other companies are catching on too. I've also seen cleansing conditioners by Herbal Essences and Pantene recently, but I'm sticking with my Renpure. It's gold.

2. Another product I've fallen in love with is called OI Oil by Davines. I get it at my local salon, Tyler Mason, but you can find it at many locations and online right here. Just squirt a few drops into your hand and run through damp hair to leave a super soft and shiny result. It helps color last longer and is great as a heat protectant. Bottles run from $30-$41. A little goes a long way so don't be turned away by the cost. It's worth every penny.

3. I couldn't live without my dry shampoo. Not only does it extend my color because I don't have to cleanse as often, but it also gives my fine hair a little volume boost. Dry shampoo is all the rage right now so there are many different brands available, but I like Batiste.  Their Blush scent is my fave.

4. I like to add a little texture to my hair, and I've found that Redken Rough Paste gives the perfect amount of flexible definition. A lot of hair pastes feel heavy but this one doesn't. (Melissa swears by it too.)

5. When all else is done, I like to give a quick spray of TRESemme Tres Two Spray. It provides great hold without feeling sticky or stiff, it's cheap, and you can find it just about anywhere that carries beauty products.

6. A good brush is just as important as what you actually put in your hair. I don't like spending a lot of money on beauty products, but this is one area where it pays to splurge. I use a barrel brush with natural bristles like this one. It's held up for years and has been more than worth the investment.

I want to mention before I go that although I love DIY beauty (and have almost always done my color myself), sometimes you need to leave things up to the professionals. Despite plenty of research and many past successes, I'll admit I completely turned my hair to mush during one bleaching experiment. Whoops. More recently, I decided to go red (and I mean RED; not copper. R.E.D.), and after failed attempts to achieve it, ended up turning to my awesome stylist and friend, Marliese, to do it right. (I could do a whole post on red hair, by the way. Vibrantly dyed red hair is a serious pain in the ass if you don't want to bleach your hair out first. It fades quickly but then leaves behind a weird shade that won't go away. To say it takes a lot of maintenance is an understatement.)  Thankfully, Marliese worked a miracle, and I left the salon more in love with my hair than ever before. Now I go back every four weeks or so for a touch up, and keep up the vibrancy on my own in between visits with a mix of Manic Panic "Rock and Roll Red" mixed with conditioner. The key with hair is a balance between great home products/home care and help from the professionals.


What are your favorite at home hair products? Anyone else a hair color addict? - Morgan
Morgan is the queen of really rad hair colors, you guys. And despite constant coloring, her hair always looks healthy. Thanks to her for sharing her secrets with the rest of us! In addition to posting about her regular favorites, tips, and tutorials as Bubby & Bean's Beauty Contributor, Morgan is a high school Psychology and Sociology teacher, who, in her free time, can be found gardening, cooking (you can see some of her recipes here), drinking wine, or moonlighting as an amateur makeup artist.  

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