Let’s Talk Hair | My Cut, Color & Style

Hi friends!  I’m excited for today’s post because I’m hoping it will answer a lot of your hair questions all in one spot!  I know lots of us have a love/hate relationship with our hair, myself included.

Some days it looks great, many days it’s a hot mess.  As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned a thing or two about how to care for my hair, how to style it, and how to go longer in between washes so I don’t have to take so much time getting ready.  I’m happy to share all my tips and tricks with you!  If you have any questions, let me know in the comments and I’ll make sure to answer.

HAIR Q & A

Let’s start with the type of hair I have and my cut and color, in case you want to ask your hair stylist for something similar.

MY HAIR TYPE : I have thin hair, but a lot of it.  It’s naturally got a little bit of wave, but also tends to get frizzy because I color it blonde.  I was a blonde child, but now rely on the professionals to lighten my hair.

MY HAIRCUT : I have a medium length blunt cut with some long textured layers.

MY COLOR :  I get a combination of ‘teasy lights’ and ‘baby lights’ with a highlight on my hairline that’s a little lighter than the rest- aka, the ‘money piece’.

WHO DOES MY HAIR : I switched things up about a year ago and have been going to my friend Shelby Lee at Vintage Park Salon in Spring, Texas.  She is amazing, a dear friend, and doesn’t charge an arm and a leg!

HOW OFTEN DO I GET MY HAIR DONE? : I get my hair cut about every 8 weeks and color every 16 weeks. Although I’m not as blonde as I’ve been in the past, I love how having darker balayage roots allows me to go longer between visits and my hair looks more natural while it’s growing out.

EXTENSIONS? : I’ve worn tape-in extensions in the past, but could never leave them in very long.  I don’t have any extensions in now and probably won’t wear them in the future, but never say never.

HAIR CLEANSING & DRY SHAMPOO

I typically wash my hair about every 3-4 days.  I try to go longer in between if I can, but usually I’ll have a super sweaty workout and then decide I just have to wash it.

As for shampoo and conditioner, I often switch it up, but I still like Herbal Essences as a sulfate free, gentle everyday shampoo and conditioner. It’s a drugstore brand and very inexpensive.

I have salon brands too and really like the Briogeo Scalp Revival shampoo It’s specifically for  detoxifying, exfoliating, soothing, and balancing the scalp for optimal scalp health.

And I use the Briogeo Deep Conditioning Mask.   It’s a weekly treatment to restore essential hydration and your hair’s resilience and strength, while preventing future damage.

I use dry shampoo on the first day my hair is clean to extend the life of my hair even further and also everyday in between because my hair tends to get oily at the scalp.  I’ve been using Billie Dry Shampoo lately and really like it.  It smells amazing, combats excess oil AND gives your hair major lift and texture.

HAIR CARE & REPAIR

The product I credit for growing out my broken bangs and giving my hair new life is Olaplex No. 3.  My colorists always use it and Shelby also recommended it. This product isn’t a conditioner, rather, it’s a concentrated at-home treatment that strengthens the hair from within, reducing breakage and improving the look and feel of your hair.

You apply it to your wet hair BEFORE you shampoo and condition.  You can leave it on for as little as 10 minutes or longer, and use a couple times a week for damaged hair.  I usually use it once a week.  I’ll apply it to my hair and leave it in for about an hour, then wash and condition.

Let's Talk Hair | My Cut, Color & How I Style (& my favorite hair products)

BrushStriped Amazon Top (XS) • Abercrombie Jeans (25) • Guitar String Bracelets

Out of the shower, I always spray in a heat protectant to protect my hair from all the damage I do to it with my styling tools.  A heat protectant is a MUST if you use a hairdryer, curing iron/wand or flat iron.  Those babies get HOT, even on the low setting, so you need a protectant to reduce the damage they can cause to your hair.

Let's Talk Hair | My Cut, Color & How I Style (& my favorite hair products)

Hot Toddy Heat ProtectantOribe Royal Blowout Styling SprayHeat Protectant Mist

I’ve alternate products and recommend all of these.  It’s a 10 was my go-to for years and it works really well and also acts as a detangler.

Oribe Royal Blowout is like a miracle heat protectant.  It not only provides thermal protection, it repairs split ends, nourishes, softens and strengthens the hair.  I get the smoothest blowout when I use this.

I also love Hot Toddy Mist that you spray on dry hair.  I like to use this when I’m re-curling my hair on Day 2 and beyond.
Hair Tutorial for loose waves

I wholeheartedly believe in hair products to take your hair from drab to fab.  Whenever I don’t use any products in my hair, it’s lifeless and limp.  When I add certain products, it’s full of body and movement and looks so much better.

HAIR PRO TIP: If you’re applying multiple products to your hair, start with the heat protectant, then add mouse, finally serum or oil.

Here, I used the Shu Uemura Blow Dry Spray, a heat-activated blow dry spray that adds shape memory and definition to your hair.

Hair Tutorial for loose waves

Shu Uemura Mousse

And yes, mousse!  Don’t worry that mousse was only for those 90s hairstyles with big bangs and crunchy wings.  It’s still for today, #promise!  This one gives amazing volume, leaves your hair feeling soft and touchable, and adds shine.

Hair Tutorial for loose waves

I apply a big dollop to my hand, then work it into my damp hair at the roots.

HOW I BLOWDRY MY HAIR

Time permitting, I like to let my hair air dry about 75% of the way dry, before blow drying it with a hair dryer. I caught the T3 Hairdryer and T3 1-inch wand in the Amazon Prime Day sale and am crazy for both of them.

Hair Tutorial for loose waves

T3 Wand 1 inchT3 Wand 1.25 inchT3 Hair Dryer

The 1 inch wand will give you tighter curls and the 1.25 inch wand will give you a looser curl.  I like to change it up and use both, depending on my mood and the look I’m going for.

Let's Talk Hair | My Cut, Color & How I Style (& my favorite hair products)

First, I’ll flip my head over and get it mostly dry why running my fingers through it so the air distributes throughout.  For a smooth blowout, I’ll section the top part of my hair up in a clip, then use a round brush to dry the sides and the back.

Hair Tutorial for loose waves

For the most volume, aim the hairdryer above and below the brush.  When you blow the air up and under the brush (especially if you used the mousse), your hair will automatically have lift at the root.

Hair Tutorial for loose waves

blowdry tutorial

Hair Tutorial for loose waves

I dry my bangs in their own section, alternating blowing the hair above and below and side to side to work out my two crazy cowlicks.

Hair Tutorial for loose waves

Hair Tutorial for loose waves

In the back is the same thing.  Work your hairdryer above and blow the brush for the most volume.

I’ve been so impressed with the T3 hairdryer.  Not only is it a beautiful tool, it’s much lighter than my previous hairdryer and it has ergonomic handle, making it really easy to hold.

There are five heat and two speed settings combined with a lock-in cool shot button. Volume Booster switch allows you to deactivate the ionizer to boost texture and volume.  I was reading about the technology that makes it so good, and learned that the T3 Digital IonAir digitally controls a wide volume of air that’s enhanced with negative ions to dry hair quickly for soft, healthy-looking results.

I don’t really understand that, but I think it means that the heat is gentler on your hair.  What I know for sure is that the T3 dries my hair quickly and makes it look pretty good!

Hair Tutorial for loose waves

HOW I CURL MY HAIR

Most of the time, I like wearing my hair wavy or with loose curls.  I’ll alternate between the 1 and 1.25 inch curling iron and I’m using the 1.25 inch here.

If you have trouble curling your hair, or if it’s thick, I recommend sectioning it off in clips.  I just section the top part off and put it up in one clip.

How to get loose waves

T3 Wand 1.25 inch

I start with the curling iron barrel open and hold it horizontally, curling the top portion of hair near my head, leaving about an inch or two of hair out of the curling iron.

I curl most pieces away from my face, but will curl two pieces on each side of my head toward my face for more dimension.  To do this, the clip of your curling iron will start off behind the hair, as opposed to in front.  It’s difficult to explain, so I’ll do a video and save it to my Story highlights.

How to get loose waves

Pull the hair down after releasing it from the curling iron if you want your hair more wavy and less curly.

When I get to the bangs around my face, I start with the curling iron about two inches from my head, so that those pieces aren’t as curly.

When the bottom part is curled, I release the top part and curl those sides, including the back.

HOW I STYLE MY HAIR

After I’m done curling my hair, I’ll rake through it with my fingers or a wide tooth comb to release the curls and make them look more undone.

I couldn’t live without my ride or die texturizing spray.  It’s the best one I’ve tried and gives your hair all those textured, sexy vibes.  Simply spray up into your hair, wherever you want more volume and texture.

This next product isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you want more grip in your hair, apply this volume powder to your roots and work it in with your hands.  Your hair will double in size like you teased it, but without the teasing.

I love what it does for my hair, but you can feel the product in there, which totally bothered me at first.  But, I decided to get over it because I love how my hair looks with it.  Just use it sparingly.  

Pomade

Also, to tame any flyaways or give your hair a more ‘piecey’ texture at the ends, apply a bit of pomade into your hair.  I’ll rub the tiniest amount to my hands and warm it up, then flatten any flyaways or take advantage of the workable hold at the ends of my hair to keep the pieces separated.

Finally, I spritz with a light mist of hairspray to keep my locks in place.  This hairspray is a finishing spray that provides flexible hold, not a football helmet look.

THE FINISHED LOOK

It’s funny, but I usually like my hair better a few hours after I fix it, when it’s had a chance to settle down and fall a bit.  That’s when it looks the best, or even on day 2. These pics were taken right after I styled my hair, so here’s what it looks like at that point.

And from the side . . .

and back.

Medium Length Hair tutorial

I hope this was helpful for you.  Like I mentioned above, I know it’s kind of hard to read through a hair tutorial, so I’ll do a video and save it to my Instagram highlights.  That way, I can show you and talk it through at the same time and you can see the process live.

HAIR PRODUCTS I USE

Here are the products I use and recommend:

Best hair products

♥ click the photos below to shop ♥

Ouai Dry Shampoo • A super-absorbent dry shampoo that uses volcanic minerals and rice starch to soak up heavy oils and refresh your hair. (I use nearly daily)

It’s a 10 • A multi-purpose leave-in conditioner spray that leaves dull, damaged hair in the past and rejuvenates natural oils. It works as a detangler as well as a restorative styler and helps protect against heat damage while smoothing and controlling frizz.  (I’ve been using this for years and often use it on Jordan’s tangles too)

Paul Mitchell Hair Spray • Secures hard-to-hold hair, fights frizz, boosts volume and adds shine.  (My go-to hairspray since Shelby first used it on me)

Blow Dry Spray • Heat-activated blow dry spray that adds lightweight shape memory and definition to the hair. (I recently started using this and like how it enhances my style)

Oribe Texturizing SprayA MUST HAVE!  Give it a try and watch your hair boost in volume, fullness and texture. It’s really what takes your hair from boring to bam.  It can also be used as a dry shampoo.

Blow Dry Serum • Air dry / blow dry primer with 7 instant benefits that preps the hair for any style. Instantly hydrates, detangles, smooths, conditions, boosts radiance, tames frizz, and adds silkiness to all hair types. When sprayed before a blow dry, this primer locks in moisture and tames strands for a smooth finish. On dry hair, the formula enhances the hair’s natural texture. Perfect for smooth styles, air-dry styles and blowouts.  (This one does it all and I’m still experimenting with it, but so far, it’s awesome!)

Shu Uemura Mousse • Hair mousse provides maximum hair volume and body without crunchy residue. Delivers a silky finish, smooth touch, long-lasting medium hold and natural shine.  (I love this and feel like it gives natural volume to my hair before blow drying)

Pomade • Sculpting hair pomade that defines and texturizes hair styles with long-lasting workable hold and a demi-matte finish.  (I use this for taming flyaways and for more ‘pieceyness’ at the ends.)

Gold Dust Dry Shampoo • This is the Oribe brand of dry shampoo that I like.

Brush • I’ve been using this brush to detangle my hair, I like how easy it is to clean. No little balls for the hair to get stuck in.

Colleen Rothschild Serum • This serum reduces frizz, tame flyaways and quenches dry ends.  (While my roots get oily, the ends of my hair get dry, so I’ll add a few drops into my hands and rub into the bottom half of my hair.  It makes my hair look instantly more hydrated, less frizzy, but it doesn’t make it look greasy.  Plus, it smells amazing.)

Volume Powder • This texturizing root-lift powder instantly adds buildable grip and style.  (This is the one I said doubles the volume of your hair, but you can ‘feel’ the grip in there, so it might take some getting used to.)

Billie Dry Shampoo •  This is my current favorite dry shampoo.  It gives loads of volume too.

SEPHORA HOLIDAY SALE

If you’re a Sephora Insider, you can shop the Sephora Holiday Sale going on NOW!  Not a Sephora Insider? You can sign up today for FREE and get 10-20% off your purchases!

Here’s the deal:

Rouge Early Access: October 30 – November 9

  • Sephora Rouge members have first access to shop the online event at a whopping 20% off with code HOLIDAYFUN

VIB: November 3 – November 9

  • VIB members get 15% off event purchases online with code HOLIDAYFUN

Insiders: November 5 – November 9

  • Insider members get 10% off event purchases online with code HOLIDAY FUN

Whether you’re looking for gifts or stocking up for yourself, Sephora has some really fun sets and I’m starting my shopping now!

Sephora Mega Holiday Sale

  1. SFK Give Me More Lip Set
  2. Huda Naughty Nude Eyeshadow Palette
  3. Fresh Rose Toner and Cream Set
  4. Sephora Brush Set
  5. Olaplex Holiday Hair Fix
  6. Kiehl’s Brighten Up & Glow Set
  7. Makeup by Mario Mini Palettes
  8. Biossance Uplifted & Bright Set
  9. Fenty Glossy Posse
  10. Fresh Rose Hydration Skincare Set

♥ click the photos below to shop ♥

I hope y’all have a fantastic day!  I’ll be praying for all of us, our leaders, and our country on this election day. 

 

You Might Also Like

Meet Megan

Hi! I’m Megan, mom to a thoughtful teenager and spunky young girl. We call Houston home and recently moved into our dream home. I traded my lawyer hat to become a full-time blogger in 2010. I love sharing my passion for affordable fashion, home decor, organization, & fitness to help inspire you to take care of you!

5 Comments

  1. Hi Megan! Thank you for this detailed info! I love your hair and have been waiting for this post! I don’t do instagram, but tried to find the hair tutorial video on there and couldn’t figure it out for the life of me! Any way you could post it or send me a link?

  2. I wish I could go days without washing. Here’s my question, how do you not get bed head?1 My ends get all crimped and weird and then the back of my head kind of splits where my cowlick is. Do you completely re-style it? I feel like the main reason I don’t want to wash my hair so much is because it is fine and don’t want it to get as damaged by having to dry it and style it. But if you have to re-style it every day isn’t that the same as just washing it and styling it? It seems my hair is never as good the 2nd day. Help!! Maybe its the products that help?

  3. So many people have no clue that fast hair growth amino scalp therapy shampoos (of course without any sulfates, parabens or DEA) are even a thing. We all now may achieve longer hair and possess more possibilities. Definitely worth searching.

    If you’re thinking about alopecia, damaged hair, preventing hair disorders, fast hair growth, hair and scalp health at large, the same principles actualize.

    As a general rule, you have to stay away from hair products and treatments that contain chemicals such as parabens, DEA or sulfates.

    What is beneficial for your hair is beneficial for your skin also.

    It goes without saying your content here hits the nail in the head for multiple reasons. It avoids the accustomed mistakes and traps so many fall into- buying ineffective alternatives. Keep up the great content!

  4. So this comment is actually a question about the olaplex product, Ipurchased it and want to know how to use it, it says to use befor shampooing and conditioning , on wet hair , so do I just wet it down a little then apply the product?

  5. Megan, what a great post! Just wondering if you have ever considered a side part? In that one photo where your hair is parted to the side I thought it looked great on you. Very softening!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *