My name is Kendall and I like to color my hair. Really, I am sort of down to try anything. I have permed my hair (still a favorite look to this day), cut it off into a “boy cut,” grown it out, bleached it blonde, chopped some bangs, and begun again. For the amount of things I have done to my hair, it is still in pretty amazing shape. I owe that to wonderful hairstylists over the years and GOOD product. If you are someone like me who is constantly changing up your hair, you know that picking quality products is a must… and also an added expense to already pricey trips to the salon. My hair is sort of the one thing I do for myself. I love a fresh cut and color- it makes me feel like less of a person who spends all day mothering and getting bossed around by my toddler. To make it last (and therefore, that feeling last) I get the right products to keep my hair looking good until my next salon visit.
As I said above, salon products are expensive. Some people spend money on takeout, regular clothes shopping, or whatever hobby they may have. I spend money on my hair and skin care. I rarely buy new clothes and we limit takeout (usually- pregnancy has made this more challenging but on the whole, we keep it under control). My husband spends money on guitar items like pedals, strings, and other things I don’t understand. I buy quality hair oil. Potato, Patato. Anyways, here are some reviews of my favorite salon products:
** Please note that below items are a bit on the pricier side but also last a long time IF used properly. You would be shocked at how many of us use our products incorrectly AND actually shampoo/condition our hair incorrectly. Please chat with a stylist for tips regarding your personal hair care regime. And my reviews are just my opinions. No one is paying me anything!
Shampoo/Conditioner
Pureology– As a regular colorer of my hair, I need a good shampoo and conditioner duo that keep my hair vibrant and healthy. This is a favorite. It doesn’t strip the color prematurely and keeps my hair hydrated. I specifically use the Hydrate formula that’s in a purple bottle. Heaven. Bonus: 100% Vegan formula and Pureology does not test on animals.
Kevin Murphy– Coming to you from Australia, Kevin Murphy is seriously good product for your hair. I have used several different formulas from them depending on my current hair situation. A stylist should know which to recommend after working with your hair. Not only are the products wonderful on your hair, but they smell and feel luxurious. The brand also is an advocate for sustainability in terms of packaging AND ingredients.
Pulp Riot by Barcelona: Need to keep your tone that pretty lighter shade? Look no further. Pulp Riot is an essential for those of us who go cool blonde every one in a while. Essentially, the Pulp Riot shampoo will keep your hair from getting that brassy look. I usually pair this with a Kevin Murphy conditioner. Total perfection. Also, it’s 100% Vegan!
Prose: Yup, I tried it. Actually, I used it today. Instagram and Facebook got me. Essentially, you take a quiz about your hair. Be honest or you might not get good results. I have not “subscribed” and probably won’t. With that said, I actually like my personalized formula. I ended up purchasing a pre-shampoo mask, shampoo, and conditioner. So far, it has worked really well. I appreciate that they give you super specific instructions on how to use the products. They are a certified B corp and put lots of resources in to R&D. I am interested to see how they evolve and if they make it in the current market. I think I will continue to buy as needed but not do their monthly subscription option.
With all of the above laid out for you, I should be honest that I swap back and forth depending on what’s in my shower/what I think my hair needs. I don’t like to use the same product over and over. I also no longer wash my hair every day. At present, I am washing it every 3-4 days and then rotating through my products. My hair tends to rebel when I use something over and over so variety seems to be good for it. The things I do use every wash are listed below!
Leave-In Treatments
Pureology Color Fanatic Leave-In– This has 21 ingredients to keep your hair protected. Spray it in after you get out of the shower. It’s lovely.
Bumble and Bumble’s Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protection Primer– I swap between the Pureology and this. This is great in the summer to protect my hair from the sun. It also keeps my hair from getting too dried out and instead keeps it nice and conditioned until my next hair wash.
Bumble and Bumble’s Grooming Creme– Frizzy hair got you down? Throw some of this in right after your leave-in conditioner. A little goes a LONG way so don’t go crazy. I make one of these last a year or more.
Bumble and Bumble’s Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil– This. Has. Saved. My. Hair. Once again, a little goes A LONG way. If I purchase the 3.4 fl oz, it will last almost a year. Maybe more. Personally, my ends dry up super easily. This helps. A lot! Put it on after you do your leave-in sprays and creme stuff. It’s the perfect finish before you style (or if you let your hair air dry like me!).
The Day After
Ok, dry shampoo. I have had a really hard time finding a decent one. I am weird about the texture they can leave after I spray my roots. It’s sort of crispy at times… and that drove me crazy- even if my hair looked decent. BUT, once I found Bumble and Bumble’s Post Workout Dry Shampoo Mist, I was super happy. Instead of a dry feeling on my scalp, it hydrated my scalp… and didn’t mix with my my morning workout sweat to look super oily. This is a winner for me. Also, it lasts a while.
IF you are in the Burlington area, please check out Indigo. It’s down on Battery Street. The variety of product they offer and the skills of the stylists are some of the best I have ever experienced. Bonnie is my hairstylist and a saint. She keeps up with whatever is in my head and brings it to life. I should tell you that this changes about every three months or so (insert facepalm here). I also recommend Willowbstylist. Full disclosure: I have not been to her new salon but she was my original hairstylist at Indigo and has a TON of experience- and she totally fixed my very messed up hair… that was not an easy feat and was slightly embarrassing as a first time client but she made me feel human again. She is also a saint.
The Salty Exchange 