I’m wrapping up the year with a best of Skincare and Hair Care favorites roundup of 2021. This year has been a very sad one for us, if you follow me along on social you know we had to say goodbye to Lucy this past week. We are very grateful she made it through Christmas with us. She was a very happy dog and we feel so lucky to have had her in our life for 17 years. We have family in town for a couple of days to help distract us with their company. To all who lost a loved one this year, my heart goes out to you!
In my effort to end the year on a positive note, here is by Best of Skin Care and Hair Care for the year with my top picks in each category.
Hope you are ending the year on a good note! I’m hopeful for a better year next year. I have a lot to be grateful for with so many good things even though there were a lot of tough moments this year. Sending you all lots of love!
A number of you have asked for more hair styling features and reviews and today I’m excited to share a look at the Kerastase Elixir Ultime Oil Serum ($51 for 3.4 oz/100 ml) available at Sephora. It’s one of my favorite multi-tasking products to add hydration to my ends, reduce frizz and add shine without weighing down my hair.
The Elixir Ultime Oil Serum has a blend of different oils including marula oil (for softness and shine), camelia oil (to keep in moisture) and argan oil (to strengthen and protect). It’s suitable for all hair types and has a beautiful scent with a mix of floral and woody notes.
You can use this on damp hair before you blow dry as it doubles as a heat protectant and leave in conditioner. One pump is enough to coat my entire head evenly from roots to ends on damp hair.
You can also use this as a finishing product worked into the ends to help with any dry areas or lightly throughout the hair to smooth frizz and add shine. I’ll sometimes pair it with one of their hair primers like the Discipline or Resistance Blow Dry Primer for added heat protection. Shine will last up to 48 hours. It also works to seal split ends. If you’re looking for a good hair oil, I highly recommend checking this one out!
You can also find the Elixir Ultime available in a Travel Size (1.7 oz/50 ml), Shampoo, Conditioner and Mask format. Do you have any Kerastase favorites? Let me know what your favorite line is!
By popular request I have an updated Hair Care Roundup! Today’s roundup is Part 1 focused on shampoos, conditioners, and masks. Part 2 (coming soon) will have my favorites for styling. I have thick hair strands but with age I’ve noticed some thinning. My hair hasn’t been highlighted or bleached for at least a year since I tried to grow out my natural hair color and also get rid of the damaged sections. This year I noticed a lot more white hairs start to pop up and started to do root touch ups. I might go back for some color at some point soon.
For hair care since I have thick naturally frizzy hair I look for smoothing products. I wash my hair either daily or every other day. Here are my favorite brands right now.
Hair Rituel by Sisley
The best of the best that I’ve tried is from Sisley with the Hair Rituel line. There is really nothing quite as good in my experience and 100% worth the splurge. I try to stock up during sales or good gift with purchase options. Saks is having their Friends and Family event with 15% off beauty (on most brands, now through 10/4) and the Sisley-Paris Hair Rituel website often has good bundles and offers.
I love that the line has a very natural soothing scent with each product so it’s not heavily perfumed and won’t interfere with my fragrances. My favorites:
Revitalizing Smoothing Shampoo ($79 for 200 ml) – I have thicker hair strands that is frizz prone and this helps the best to smooth my hair. It has macadamia oil which adds a nice shine. It’s comforting to the scalp and lathers well. (Also available in a Jumbo 500 ml Bottle which I have splurged on before.)
Restructuring Conditioner ($79 for 200 ml) – Another favorite to help hydrate hair, restore shine and works well to smooth and detangle.
Regenerating Mask ($100 for 200 ml) – I use this once a week or alternate with my other hair masks. It has four botanical oils including Shea, Macadamia, Camellia and Hazelnut. Adds shine and feels nice when massaged into the roots.
Nourishing Balm* ($120, apply as needed) – A unique pre-shampoo treatment I apply on ends and leave in for 30 minutes before rinsing out. Works well when ends feel ultra dry or brittle.
Soothing Rebalancing Shampoo with Sage Extract* ($79 for 200 ml) – This is the latest from Sisley for scalp care to be used in conjunction with their new Soothing Rebalancing Cure for a 3 week intensive program to rebalance the scalp. I have a pretty healthy scalp so I use this as a clarifying treatment 1x per week to help rebalance everything. It works to help reset everything for my scalp as needed.
As an intensive program treatment, they recommend using this 3x per week for 3 weeks. After they recommend alternating with your regular shampoo.
Pre-Shampoo Purifying Mask ($100 for 200 ml) – a unique mask that absorbs excess oil, dirt and impurities in a White Clay form. Love that it has a tip applicator so you can squeeze it right into the scalp. Helps to rebalance and clean. One of the few scalp treatments I can use because others don’t rinse easily or are irritating on my sensitive scalp.
Shop My Hair Rituel Favorites:
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Oribe
Another long-time favorite, I really love Oribe Hair Care and Styling Products. My go-to formulas for cleansing include the Gold Lust Repair Shampoo ($49 for 8.5 oz) and Conditioner ($52 for 6.8 oz). This line is great for shiny healthy hair. I love that both help hydrate and add shine without weighing it down. I also have used and loved the Gold Lust Transformative Masque ($66) but usually end up repurchasing other formulas.
You can find these in travel sizes individually or in the Oribe Obsessed Set ($49). Also available in the Liter sizes which are a much better buy value-wise in the jumbo bottles (I have bought in the larger sizes and think it’s 100% worth it). During the holiday they often have sets or bundles that give you a price break.
Shop my Oribe Favorites:
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Olaplex
It was love at first wash with Olaplex. So many recommended it and I found perfect when I had color-treated hair. It is one of the few bonding/strengthening formulas that I’ve tried and truly liked. With color treatment + heat styling I noticed my hair became more sensitive and prone to breakage. Olaplex really helped prevent breakage for me. I still use it on non-color treated hair and love it. I would say this formula is probably my most repurchased in hair care.
If you’ve never tried the line I 100% recommend getting their Healthy Hair Essentials Set ($60, for an $84 value) to try their best sellers at a price break.
I tried the No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask and thought it was just ok. A bit small for the price and the pump wasn’t easy to use (kept getting stuck).
I buy mine from Sephora or Nordstrom. Shop My Olaplex Favorites:
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dpHue
dpHue is a great line for hair care I feel is unique in the hair care industry. Their Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse ($35 for 8.5 oz, or $57 for 20 oz) is a great cleanser you can use instead of shampoo to clean the hair without stripping it. The Apple Cider Vinegar scent is pretty potent when you have it on the scalp, but once rinsed out I don’t smell it.
They recently launched an Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse Lite* ($35 for 8.5 oz) which is better suited for fine hair. I tried this and liked it but since I have thicker hair, I prefer the original.
The Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Masque* ($42 for 9 oz) is a new favorite. I just started using it and think it’s a great medium-nourishing hair mask. I like that it works on the ends but doesn’t feel too heavy. It also doesn’t have the same Apple Cider Vinegar scent the rinse does. The masque is more floral scented. Will 100% repurchase.
I tried each one and was really impressed with the Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner formula. It contains Camomile to soothe and restore hair. Left my hair smooth and cleansed. I also really like the Intense Repairing Mask for added hydration. Highly recommend checking it out! Available at Molton Brown.
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Other Loves
A few other loves I wanted to mention that I’ve loved. The Kiehl’s Olive Fruit Oil Deeply Reparative Hair Mask is the best deep hydration mask I’ve tried. I use this once a week and love it. I am currently out but just repurchased.
Christophe Robin makes some great masks as well (also currently out but on my list to repurchase once I use other products up). The Christophe Regenerating Hair Mask with Prickly Pear Seed Oil is also a phenomenal product to restore shine and moisture. It is on the thick side so I recommend you avoid putting it directly on the scalp because it can be a bit difficult to rinse out. For color-treated hair the Shade Variation Masks were life savers for me. I used the Warm Chestnut one and loved it!
Also really like the Kerastase Resistance lineup as well, just haven’t repurchased in a while but it’s the one formula I keep going back to with Kerastase.
Shop My Favorites:
If you’re looking for a new shampoo or conditioner to try I hope you found this roundup helpful! Since the holiday season is a few months away I already see a lot of mini value sets out. I always try minis before buying the full size.
Let me know what your favorites are right now! Would love to hear about your hair care routine! Stay tuned for styling favorites soon!
Press samples indicated with a *. All others purchased by me.
The Sephora Spring Savings Event starts on 4/9 for Rouge Members! I’ve put together my list of top recommendations in a 3 part series: Hair, Skin and Makeup. I’m kicking off the first roundup with my top picks for hair care.
The event is available to Rouge Members first for early access online and in store. The dates and savings by tier are listed below. Some exclusions and limits apply. Use code OMGSPRING at checkout to redeem offer:
Rouge Members Save 20% off 4/9 to 4/19
VIB Members Save 15% off 4/13 to 4/19
Insiders Save 10% off 4/15 to 4/19
Here are my favorites for hair care split by category. I’ve tested so much product over the years and I’m one who washes my hair almost daily. I go through a lot of shampoo and conditioners. I neglected masks for a while but started using them again and am so amazed at how good some are. I didn’t realize how dry my hair was!
Best Shampoo and Conditioners
My three go-to brands at Sephora for shampoo and conditioner these days are Olaplex, Oribe and Briogeo. I don’t use a clarifying shampoo or product regularly but I really like the rinse from dpHUE. What I use and repurchase the most frequently:
My go-to mask has been the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair. When I had more noticeable highlights I also really loved the Christophe Robin Shade Variations (available in different tones). It lasts about 3-5 washes. For an at home darkening product I also loved the Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask in Cocoa. This worked really well when I had some brassy highlights that were growing out and I wanted a temporary color at home (also only lasts about 5 washes for me).
For a deeper condition I can’t rave enough about the one from Kiehl’s. It’s one I just recently discovered and I’m 100% obsessed. If I could just pick one, it would be the Kiehl’s for non-color treated hair. For color-treated hair plus tint I really love Christophe Robin.
One from the archives, hair highlights from 2018. Shine is thanks to the Christophe Robin Shade Variation Hair Mask in Warm Chestnut.
Best Dry Shampoo + Styling Favorites
For dry shampoo I try to keep this to a minimum because I find it can build up. In Florida with the heat and humidity + sweat if I’m outdoors there is no skipping a wash. I do like some of these to add texture though. Ones I really love:
Andrew bought the Dyson Airwrap Complete Set for me over Christmas and I absolutely love it. I have not yet reviewed it but hope to soon. The Complete Set is usually almost always sold out. They do have some bundles pop up every once in a while like the Airwrap Styler Limited-Edition Gift Set (same as the complete but with an added pouch).
During the holiday I’m that person who is almost impossible to find a present for. I finally found something beauty-related that I wouldn’t buy for myself but still kind wanted. I held off mainly because I already own the Supersonic Hair Dryer.
I have not used the Supersonic since I got the Airwrap in December. I love the versatility of the Airwrap version and attachments are easy to use. Power-wise I feel like the Supersonic is stronger in the airflow and is also easier to use with a traditional round brush. The Airwrap is still very powerful and I find it gentler on my hair.
I’ve tried all the attachments. Review very soon! I did buy the 1.2 inch Long Barrel Attachment curlers which is best for my hair length. In December the set barrels worked just fine but I have not had a hair cut in a few months and find the longer barrels work better.
That wraps up my hair care favorites roundup! To recap on the Sephora Spring Savings Event, use code OMGSPRING at checkout to redeem offer for these dates:
Rouge Members Save 20% off 4/9 to 4/19
VIB Members Save 15% off 4/13 to 4/19
Insiders Save 10% off 4/15 to 4/19
I’m hosting another giveaway! 3 different people will be selected to win a $100 eGift card to Sephora. Open internationally but you must be 18 years or older. Details:
Open Internationally
Must be 18 years and older
All you have to do to enter is follow the steps in the widget below, complete at least 1 of the entries
The more steps you complete, the more entries
Giveaway runs 4/8 through 4/11/2021 11:59 PM EST
I’ll pick 3 winners on April 12, 2021 and email winners that day (winners will be emailed directly from me, I will not be contacting any other way)
Happy Wednesday! If you’re looking for some gifts for the hair care lover here are some things I’ve used and love. There are tons of sets at the $25 and under price point so if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly I’ve linked a bunch below. IGK, Living Proof and Briogeo have tons of minis and sets to pick from.
For hair accessories I’ve been loving the hair clips from J.Crew – I find they are pretty good quality and hold up well for my hair. I like that they have different sizes available and the tortoise print ones are pretty! I’m a huge fan of Slip Scrunchies because they won’t tug or pull my hair. They will stretch out with use, but still retain their elasticity for me.
For a round blow dry brush I can’t use one that is too wide because it’s just hard for me to do on my own. I really like the T3 Volume Round Brush and the Sisley Blow Dry Brush No 2. For a regular vent brush the Yves Durif Brush has been my go-to for a while now.
For a luxurious treat, my favorite lines are Oribe and Sisley. I don’t think you can go wrong with either brand. I love the Oribe Gold Lust line and their Styling Set. For oils I think the Sisley Hair Oil is the best one I’ve tried out of any brand. I can’t recommend it enough (review here in case you missed it a few years ago).
In terms of hair styling tools, I’m on the hunt for some new ones. For hair dryers I’ve still been using the Harry Josh and Dyson but I’m looking for something new. I haven’t quite decided what to buy next but if you have any you really love let me know in the comments! I stopped using a curling iron as I found my hair became a lot more fragile after color treating it. For straighteners I like the HAI Convertible Iron and the Dyson Corrale Straightener but am super interested in the new L’Oreal Steampod. If I end up getting anything new I will be sure to review it!
If you’re looking for more in depth hair care reviews, I have some linked below:
By popular request I’m doing another updated roundup for my favorites in skin, body care and hair from Sephora! In putting together my list it I discovered that most of these are tried and true repeats. I’m a creature of habit when it comes to skincare although I love trying new things. I always try to scout out the minis or travel sets to try first. While there are quite a few brands I love that aren’t carried at Sephora (ie Oribe, Chanel, 111skin, etc). Most of what I love can be found at Sephora.
Quick recap on the spring Sephora April sale dates/details (use code SPRINGSAVE):
Rouge Members – Save 20% off 4/17 to 05/01
VIB Members – Save 15% off 4/21 to 4/29
Insider Tier – Save 10% off 4/23 to 4/27
To help give some context on my routine and what I use I have normal/combination skin and in my late 30s. Since moving to Florida I’ve experienced a wider range of climate changes compared to what I experienced in California. The dry season is very dry and then there are humid days where outdoors feels like a wet blanket. And there’s everything n between.
Product rotation and routine changes depending on season and also time of the month as skin oil production changes with climate (ie humidity or lack of) + hormones. I also have different products for morning vs afternoon or evening. Morning routines are pretty much the same. The afternoon/evening routine is different depending on if I have makeup on, if I just worked out, if I just went to the beach and have sunscreen + sweat on etc.
When it comes to finding a good a routine I think it depends on so many factors. If what you’re using works, no need to change it! No need to have a complicated routine but beauty is my job so I don’t mind trying out new launches and products.
I had such a rough time with sunscreen last year. I really wanted to try a wider range of brands because so many of you asked how it held up in the Florida sunshine. I had so many allergic reactions, I’m scared now to try new brands. My tried and true from Sephora are from Supergoop! and Sol de Janeiro.
Hope you found this helpful! I’m picking a giveaway winner from my last giveaway today. Also I’ll be hosting another one soon at the end of the week so check back! I’m going to try my best to have the NARS summer picks and Natasha Denona haul swatched before the end of the sale.
Maintaining healthy and strong hair as I age has been a priority for me and I’m so excited to partner with HUM Nutrition to share a look at one of my favorite hair supplements. After experiencing some hair loss with stress and breakage with color treatments I started trying out some biotin supplements to help with hair growth. I’ve tried several over the years and the one I keep going back to is the HUM Hair Sweet Hair so this collaboration couldn’t be a better match for me!
The HUM Hair Sweet Hair gummies come in two sizes, a 60 count bottle and mini 14 count bottle. As someone with a sensitive stomach I like that these are easy to eat any time of day with or without food. Your mileage may vary depending on what ingredients mesh well with your body.
These contain:
Biotin, Folic Acid, B-12 all help with new hair growth by promoting healthy cell growth
PABA Para-aminobenzoic Acid helps maintain natural healthy hair color to increase hair pigment production (supposed to help prevent gray)
Zinc helps reduce hair loss by repairing the growth tissue, it’s also great to boost immunity
Fo-Ti Extract is for scalp health
According to HUM you can expect to see results in 4-8 weeks. I notice stronger healthier hair around week 4 of daily use (take 2 per day). After using these I find I experience less hair loss in the shower or bath, hair grows faster and healthier, my natural shine has returned. I highly recommend giving these a try!
Have you tried any of the HUM Supplements before? If so which ones? What did you think? Several of you have recommended I try the Glow Sweet Glow (just bought the mini of this one) or Daily Cleanse. I have the Beauty zzZz on my list to try to help with sleep. Would love to hear more about what you have in your daily routine!
