One of the things I’d like to start doing on my blog is writing more lifestyle content. After all, fitness and my workouts are just a small part of my day. There are so many other things I have implemented in my life to support a healthy mindset and a full life.
I was sitting around trying to think about what I wanted to talk about and what would actually be useful to you and as I’m sitting there, I’m twirling my very soft, very healthy hair.
And it dawned on me – why not share a quick post about how I’ve changed my haircare routine to support healthier, stronger hair that I feel confident in. As with all of my recommendation posts, this post includes affiliate links. I made sure all links are from amazon so you can get everything you need from one shop, and I do appreciate you choosing to shop through these links. To learn more about affiliate links on my website, check out my affiliate page.
My Haircare Inspiration
For years I have just let my hair be. I gave myself haircuts in COVID with kitchen scissors, tried different hair masks, spent all kinds of money on shampoo and conditioner, and tried all the styling trends.
But truthfully, I never really stuff to a haircare routine. I thought for a long time that haircare was my sister’s thing, completely missing the fact that haircare is for everyone. I always admired how my sister took such great care of her hair, and she always got compliments on her hair, and I know that because she took the time to take care of her hair, that it was a source of confidence.
And I wanted to feel that too. I was done thinking “that’s for other people” or “I wish I had a haircare routine”. If I can wish it, I can have it.
As the internet does, I started to be bombarded with haircare content on TikTok (before I left the platform) and started to piece together a haircare routine that I thought could be sustainable and that I’d actually stick to.
Here is that haircare routine, along with my current styling tools.
Hair Tools
Shark Flex Styler for straight hairstyles
This was the year I hopped on the hair styler trend. In my holiday wishlist blog I mentioned that I would love the Dyson AirWrap, but I do not have $800 to spend on a hair tool. So this was the next best thing.
My hair is still struggling to hold the curls this creates, but it’s a journey. We’ll get there.
This is one of those things that I think is not entirely necessary, but I was committing to the routine and every girl with gorgeous hair had one of these scalp massagers.
The purpose is to stimulate blood flow to the scalp, which will help bring nutrients to the hair follicles and help your hair grow.
It also just feels really nice.
This is another tool that isn’t necessary, but it is a nice to have to help protect your hair when you’re sleeping.
Also, with so many products in my hair, I don’t want that transferring to my pillow and then onto my skin.
So I have enjoyed this, but again, it isn’t a necessity. You can always put your hair in a braid instead.
This is another nice-to-have when you’re creating your haircare routine.
I mainly use it to dampen my hair before I put on my hair mask, instead of having to get in the shower to wet my hair, or awkwardly hand my head over the tub to get it wet.
The final tool is a wet hair brush. I have been ripping through wet hair with just about any comb I can find in my bathroom.
In the spirit of really buying into my haircare routine, I bought this $15 brush and am happier for it.
Haircare Products
Every haircare girlie talks about castor oil. I was actually introduced to it when I was looking for ways to heal a surgery scar.
Castor oil really does feel like a cure-all. In my haircare routine, I am still working on how I am applying it. It feels so sticky so I am still figuring out how to use it, but it works as a great carrier oil for my rosemary oil.
The next thing in every haircare girlie’s routine is rosemary oil.
On wash day, or the night before washday, you combine your rosemary oil with castor oil and then massage it into your scalp using your fingers and the scalp massager.
Apparently, this helps stimulate hair growth and I have seen some pretty impressive results online.
Once your scalp is oiled and massaged, it is time for a mask.
Now this is the most expensive product in the routine and runs you up about $50. But it is worth it. OUAI creates really beautiful haircare that is worth the pricetag.
Of course, you can find another mask that suits your hair type and budget. I do love this one though.
Once you are out of the shower, it is time to dry your hair and protecting your hair from the heat is so important if you want to keep happy, healthy hair.
So I picked up this inexpensive, but effective heat protectant from L’Oreal and feel confident that my hair is protected.
After you’ve washed your hair with your favorite shampoo and conditioner, you’ve dried your hair, and you’re just about ready to start your day, the final step is a hair serum.
I went with SEEN because these products were designed by a dermatologist who noticed that certain hair products were causing her to break out.
With my sensitive skin, I wanted a scalp serum that would be good for my skin.
Riley Pearce 