Hair Care Products:

Alterna Kendi Oil, Living Proof Humidity Shield, R+Co Static Control Spray, Alterna CC Cream, Alterna Smooth Blowout Cream, Mason Pearson Comb

Over the past few years, my haircare routine has become as regimented as my skincare one. I still remember a time when I couldn’t get my hair to grow or look healthy once it passed my shoulders. I used to color it way too often, switching from blonde to brunette to blonde again, I used heat on it almost every day (blow dryer, flat iron, curling iron) and was way too aggressive with a cheap brush that left my hair broken and distressed. Eventually, I gave up on pursuing colors that were not close to my own and decided to focus on bringing back the healthy and soft hair I once had when I was young. For the most part, the biggest thing I did was just left my hair alone. I didn’t color it, I let it air dry and I switched from a brush to a wide-tooth comb. I’ve really switched around and never committed to a certain few products until recently when I discovered a line while browsing at Sephora (no, this is not sponsored). It started with this Alterna CC Cream (that I found after a bit of research), which then led me to try out a few more of their products, which I’m now completely addicted to. Keep reading to see my current five products for achieving healthy, shiny hair.

A bunch of people have asked me if my beauty routine has changed at all after moving from California to South Carolina. For the most part, my skincare and makeup products remain the same, but I’ve definitely added a few more things to my haircare routine. Humidity was something I rarely dealt with in San Francisco and as someone with naturally straight hair, I didn’t think affected me that much. Oh, was I wrong. In the beginning, there were many days when I would spend the time curling my hair, walk outside and it would completely fall out, frizz up and look like I didn’t do my hair at all. That’s when I started searching for a good humidity shield/frizz spray and found Living Proof’s Humidity Shield and R+Co’s Frizz and Static Control Spray. Both have become my new best friends.

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Like I mentioned at the beginning of the post, Alterna’s CC Cream was the first product I discovered from their line. I was in search of a good leave-in conditioner and had read great things online about this one. I bought a tube and was hooked after the first use. Now, I use it once a week to give my hair a little bit of love. It’s like a good moisturizer for your face, but for your hair instead. Expect your hair to feel silky soft, smooth and healthy.

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I try and not use too much heat on my hair, but I do love my loose curls and there are days when I have to blow dry. To reduce the effects of heat, I use Alterna’s Daytime Smoothing Blowout Balm. I’ll apply a small amount on my towel-dried hair whenever I’m going to use any hot tools on it. It also not only provides heat protection but also helps with humidity and frizz.

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The last product that I’m obsessed with is Alterna’s Kendi Oil. This one I use almost every single day. I’ll apply a small amount to the ends of my hair- wet or dry- to keep it soft and silky. I try and not wash my hair as frequently as I used to and found that after day two, the ends of my hair would get really dry. This oil brings them back to life and makes my hair look incredibly shiny and healthy.

I could go on and on about hair products, but these are the five that I’ve repeatedly gone back to the store for and stocked up on. Another one of my favorite brands is Oribe (I was introduced to it by my hair stylist in SF) and love their deep conditioning treatment. For shampoo and conditioner, I honestly switch all over the place (from drugstore products to ones that catch my eye at Sephora). Right now (because I’m obsessed with the line), I’m using Alterna’s Bamboo Smooth Anti-Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner, which are both wonderful. I really think you can’t go wrong with any of their products.

Also, don’t forget to check out my Everyday Hair Curl Tutorial that lists all of the styling tools I use along with a Q&A with my hair stylist in SF about what he does on my hair (from cut to color to products and more).