GREAT HAIR
We all know the power of the "great hair day." How do we get there consistently, not just on salon day? Healthy hair is born on daily care; it's a slow, steady race. The great news is hair can be improved, nourished, and cared for, and you can see immediate results from incredible masks and treatments. Here are my most beloved and performance-driven products and experiences.
Let’s Get Topical
From natural to the French man who changed the hair product game.
Two times a month, use apple cider vinegar to remove buildup on the scalp and hair. It also balances the scalp and strands to prepare it to take in nourishing ingredients. Wash your hair first. Combine 1/4 cup ACV and 3/4 cup water, lean back, and rinse from the scalp and down through the ends, careful not to get it in your eyes. A great tool to keep in the shower is a tangle teezer. Run it through your hair to pull ingredients down from the scalp to the ends (use this with conditioning treatments as well). Rewash hair before conditioning.
To elevate the ACV experience, there are two fabulous products by the talented and lovely Justin Anderson that I can no longer live without. The ACV Hair Rinse cleans the scalp and hair without shampooing and stripping. I use this more often than shampoo and have seen a significant difference in my color lasting and strands not so stressed out. Follow that with his ACV Hair Mask, and it's so effective and hydrating.
And then there is the holy grail in shampoo and conditioners. Be not fooled by the many substitutes. Christophe Robin Sea Salt Scrub is the best sea salt scrub shampoo. Chunky coarse sea salt and a little goes a long way—another step to prep your follicles and hair for hydration. It rids the scalp and strands from all the product buildup, and you can feel the difference immediately. This stuff is magic.
Now follow this up with the most luxurious hair mask of your dreams. My absolute favorite for the last five years is Christophe Robin Prickly Pear Mask. So nourishing, and nothing compares. It would help if you switched up your shampoo/conditioner, much like a new "workout" for your body; the hair also needs to be surprised. For an alternative, I love Davines Minu for my color-treated hair and The Renaissance Circle, "hopeless hair extreme repair mask." It comes in a great travel pouch, suitable for 2 or 3 uses.
Ok, now, I have uncovered THE BEST hair smoothing, shine, and no frizz treatment before you blow dry. This stuff has made it possible to blow out my hair at home. I cannot believe how great it is—presenting Good Behavior 4-in-1 prep spray by IGK. THIS IS IT, ladies and gentlemen.
Now let us talk REPAIR!
If you color treat your hair, you simply must use OLAPLEX hair perfector, don't argue with me. Get it, use it once a week if you can, and send me a thank you note later. Keep your color vibrant with another superstar product by Christophe Robin, shade variation care. I use "baby blond" to remove brassiness and keep my color vibrant. There are five shades, and one for you. It doubles as a hydrating mask, and there are travel sizes, love.
Hair Growth Supplements
The "long" game that's worth it, and Nutrafol is my long-time favorite. How do you tell if something is working? Well, in my case, stop using it. It took about three months to start seeing results. AND ONE MONTH AFTER STOPPING TO SEE ALL THE BENEFITS DIMINISH. As a loyal advocate of viviscal, I switched to Nutrafol because it addresses hormones with ingredients like ashwagandha and saw palmetto, and it doesn't contain shark cartilage. I wanted a more plant-based product.
Addressing hormones and stress is where I believe this stuff works. It still includes your classic biotin, etc., that most hair/skin/nail products contain. There's also a men's version—his and hers. I only feel overwhelmed that you have to take four a day. I'm hoping a liquid version is on the horizon. Hint, hint.
Following these treatments and products will create an environment for your hair to thrive daily. I'm always trying new things, and those mentioned above have withstood the test for years. Only the best for you, only the best for us.
With love,
NVG