Thank you, Living Proof, for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands who support Pine Barren Beauty. xo
Hi babes! Today's post has been a long time coming and I am finally so excited to share with you how I care for my hair! It seems like everyone is always commenting on my hair and asking questions about what products I use, where I go for color, and how I style it. For today, I am going to focus on the products I use and FAQ's.
First things first, and I've said this before, I was definitely blessed with great hair genes and I couldn't be more thankful. However, just like anything else, having naturally great hair doesn't mean I just wake up in the morning and look fab. I have to take care of my hair to maintain it's health and I have to use products I can rely on to help my curls last longer. I've tried SO many different products over the years, but I've never stuck with anything for as long as I've been using Living proof.
I discovered Living proof a little over a year ago and it has been my go to hair care brand ever since. I promise you, these products work. They are so scientifically based that it's near impossible for them to not work. There are different lines within this brand and they are all designed to work well on their own and even better when used together. All of these products are safe for color treated hair and they all smell delish. No matter the length, texture, or thickness of your hair, there is something for everyone.
I've probably tried almost all of their products at some point over the past year (except for the curl line because my hair isn't naturally curly) so I am confident that I can give you some pretty good insight on the products I love and why! Let's get started!
Shampoo + Conditioner
When it comes to shampoo and conditioner, I always look for a combo that I can trust. And by trust, I mean a combo that will allow me to go a few days between washes while maintaining the health and integrity of my hair. Because with this mane, who wants to wash and style it every day? Not me lol. Also, washing your hair every day isn't always the best thing for it. A little dirt never hurt, am I right? ;)
I have tried both the perfect hair day shampoo + conditioner and the full shampoo + conditioner. I would recommend the phd to anyone. I think it is the way to go if you're not sure which line you want to go with. The full is a little more light weight than the phd which I like. After trying both, I have been able to go a few days between washes with each.
Dry Shampoo
The Living proof dry shampoo is THE BEST dry shampoo I have ever used. I was never a major fan of dry shampoo because it never really worked for me. I always felt like my hair still looked oily or a weird residue was left over. Not the case with LP. After using it, my hair looks so fresh, smells delish, and even has a little extra volume. To use this dry shampoo, shake it well (if it comes out white, just shake the bottle some more), section hair and spray at roots, let sit for a minute or so and watch the oils disappear! After I let it sit, I like to flip my head upside down and rub it into my roots good just incase it came out a little white at first. I do not have to reapply this throughout the day! Using it in the morning is just enough to get me through the day until it's time to wash.
Restore Mask
The mask from the restore line has become a regular for me. I use this every time I wash my hair, after shampoo and before conditioner. The purpose of this mask is to restore damage to your hair. Somehow, it manages to do that! Ever since I began to use this mask regularly, I have noticed a difference in the health of my hair over time. I just recently got my hair cut, so I've been hoping it could be used as preventative measure for my ends becoming split. I'll get back to you on how it works in terms of that.
Nourishing Oil
The Living proof nourishing oil is by far my favorite product they make. If you buy anything from this brand, let it be this. There are SO many uses for this oil. It can be used on both wet and dry hair from mids to ends. It can be used as a treatment, smoothing oil, or frizz eliminator. I like to apply this as often as needed. I always apply it after washing my hair, and I usually apply it after styling and on second + third day hair to kind of tame my ends. In terms of how long the bottle will last you - I've had the big bottle since early summer and I'm only half way through, and that's using it most days of the week! SO worth it.
Prime Style Extender
The prime style extender claims to extend your style up to two times longer and I'm here to tell you that it does just that. Once I started using the product, I noticed that my curls were staying in longer than usual. Definitely not something to complain about! I put this in my hair when it's damp and brush it through from roots to ends.
Flex Shaping Hairspray
The flex hairspray is my Living proof hairspray of choice. If you're like me, you hate hairspray that is hard and crunchy. So, if you're like me, you'll love this flexible option. I like this one because I can spray it, let it set, and then brush or run my fingers through my curls to loosen them, all while knowing they will stay in place. I would describe this hairspray as medium hold, which is what I've always preferred.
Full Dry Volume Blast
If you're looking for a fab texture spray, this one's your girl. I use the dry volume blast to add volume at my root and texture from mids to ends. When using it at your root, be sure to section your hair and spray directly onto your root. When using it throughout your hair for texture, I like to hold the can far away and spray a little bit throughout. It is important to run your fingers through your hair after using it if you don't want it to feel stiff. My favorite thing about this product is the scent. I think it smells amazing and I continue to notice the scent throughout the day, not just when I first spray it.
Satin Hair Serum
The satin hair serum has a similar texture to the oil, but I wouldn't say they are comparable. This product will smooth your ends and add shine to your hair. You literally only need one small pump and it will be enough. I don't ever straighten my hair, but I've been told that this product almost has the same effect as a keratin treatment when it is straightened into the hair. Pretty awesome, right? I tend to use this after styling my hair on day one and then use the nourishing oil on days two and three.
Before answering questions, I just want to take you through my routine step by step. Nine times out of ten, I wash my hair at night. Why? Because blow drying it takes so much time. I'd rather let it dry over night and just have to style it in the morning. I can't even tell you how long it's been since I bought a new blow dryer because its' been that long.
So here's my routine for washing my hair: shampoo, mask, conditioner. *Let mask sit for at least five minutes. After I get out of the shower, I comb my hair, apply the prime style extender, comb it through, and then apply the nourishing oil. The first time that I tried this exact combination, I got a lot of compliments on my SECOND day hair, saying it looked so pretty! This is how I know these products work.
When styling my hair, I use the flex hairspray and the satin hair serum or the nourishing oil, again depending on the day. I often use the dry volume blast when I am going out. Not so much for when I am taking blog pictures because I like my hair to look smooth as opposed to messy.
FAQ
Q: Is this your natural color? A: My root/base color is my natural color.
Q: Do you get balayage? A: Yes. However, I do not know the exact color formula.
Q: How often do you maintain your color? A: I go every six months for color. Can't beat twice a year :)
Q: Where do you get your hair done? A: I go to Le Reve Salon & Barbershop in Cherry Hill. I see Dina Rae and Rachel for color + Nicole for cut and style. I can't say enough fabulous things about these people and this salon. Each and every employee is super talented + the salon is just gorgeous. If you end up making an appointment, tell them I sent you!
Q: Do you have extensions? A: NO. This is all my real hair. Promise.
Q: How do you get the subtle wave? Using a curling iron with a large barrel helps create a subtle wave, rather than a tight curl. I also always run my fingers through my hair after I curl it to loosen up the waves a bit. Always remember, curl away from your face.
Q: What size curling iron do you use? A: I use the Conair Infiniti Pro 1.5 inch curling iron (only $16!!!) However, I have had my eye on this T3 curling iron and this barrel. I plan to get it & compare cheap vs expensive when it comes to styling tools.
Q: What products do you use for the waves? Like I said above, when styling my hair I use the flex hairspray, satin hair serum, nourishing oil, and dry volume blast.
*If you have any other questions that I did not cover above, please leave them in a comment below! I so badly wanted to film a tutorial for you ladies, but time will not allow me to do that right now, so stay tuned. For now, my number one tip for curling your hair is to always curl AWAY from your face and use a thick barrel for loose waves.
As always, thank you SO much for stopping by!
Be sure to follow along on my Instagram (@pinebarrenbeauty) for a special giveaway tonight!!
xo
