As you guys know, I’ve looked like at least 5 different people over the last 4 years and that’s no exaggeration either. I’ve gone from my long glossy black locks to adding a fringe, from dying my whole head platninum blonde to chopping all of it off and having short hair for the first time since 7th grade, to taking a leap of faith and letting a world renowned hair stylist chop my hair into a sleek grey bob, etc. Let’s just say my license photo does not match the person standing in front of the bouncer any longer. Through all of this, I’ve managed to keep my hair relatively healthy and strong. I’ve been blessed to be surrounded with incredible hair stylists over the years and have picked up a few of their tricks and secrets for maintenance and growth. I’m excited to share some of my favorite products below with you all that have worked for me in my hair journey. It’s safe to say I definitely wouldn’t have been able to achieve my long (and surprisingly super healthy and strong) blue locks without them. Happy scrolling!

Ouai haircare leave in conditioner

I was first introduced to Ouai via Mane Addicts at New York Fashion Week in 2017. I was fresh off a horrible breakup and my hair was sporting major breakage from all the stress due to emotional turmoil and the bleach sessions I subjected it to. I fell in love with the smell instantly. It’s reminiscent of the ocean, without having overpowering aromas of coconut. It just felt clean and light, while also applying heavy duty repair and moisturizing properties to my damaged locks. 4 years later, it’s still the first product I reach for when I hop out of the shower.

christophe robin clarifying and purifying scrub with sea salt

If you google search “Christophe Robin hair scrub,” the reviews speak for itself. This scrub is amazing. I’ve been using this scrub for over 3 years now and haven’t found another product that cleans my hair as well as they do. I’ve tried apple cider vinegar salt scrubs and the smell alone just made me go running. With dyed/bleached hair and most hair types, you don’t need to wash your hair daily. However, as the frequency in which you wash your hair decreases, the buildup on your scalp (of dead skin cells, dust, pollen, etc.) increases. General shampooing is great, but I never feel my head is as clean as when I opt to use the salt scrub, especially if you’re prone to having oilier hair.

gisou honey infused hair oil

Gisou is one of those influencer-loved brands that makes you unsure of the hype at first. It wasn’t until I actually tried their products for myself that I finally understood why so many people were promoting this brand. Negin Mirsalehi can do no wrong. I love the story behind Gisou, how her and her father are super into beekeeping and this product is infused with honey from their own farms. I’ve been using Gisou’s Honey Infused Hair Oil for 4 months now and it’s always included in my post-shower routine to give my hair an extra bit of moisture and shine while it dries.

oribe bright blonde radiance & repair treatment

My hairstylist warned me before I bleached my hair that it would permanently change the texture of my hair until new follicles began to grow out. Unfazed at the time, I asked her to proceed with the treatment and low and behold - I was blonde. Thank goodness Meg at George the Salon (bless her heart) specializes in blondes because I don’t think my hair would’ve survived the transformation otherwise. I immediately realized post-bleach that my hair now resembled the same texture as a broom and began to panic. Fortunately for me, this was around the same time I discovered Oribe and they launched their new Bright Blonde and Silverati lines. The Bright Blonde Radiance & Repair Treatment gave me back the shine and texture of my hair pre-bleach. Sometimes, blonde/silver hair can give off a greenish sheen if not treated properly and I wasn’t about to go back to the salon for as frequent touch ups as I would like. This treatment gave me a salon-quality experience and made me look runway worthy for a fraction of the price. Even though my blonde days are long gone, I still keep a bottle of this in my shower to give my hair a little extra boost of softness and shine while I allow the scent to transport me back to happier, carefree days.

amika soulfood nourishing mask

A hair mask a week keeps your hair on fleek. This is corny, but true. Regardless of your hair type, you can always benefit from a little R&R, especially where your hair is concerned. The Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask packs in a ton of moisture while nourishing your hair back to health. I’ve used this mask for over 3 years now and it’s an extremely dependable mask and performs pretty great. I wouldn’t say it’s the most amazing mask money can buy, but for the price point, you definitely get a bang for your buck. I typically use it in the shower, working it into the ends of my hair and letting it soak in while I wash my body to ensure it has enough time to work its magic.

olaplex hair perfector no. 3

First off, I would like to thank Meg yet again for introducing me to Olaplex. I will never forget the first time I dyed my hair blonde. She whipped me around on the chair and I gasped at my reflection. Not because I loved how hot I looked as a blonde, but because I resembled a hippie version of Donald Trump. It was pretty orange. I begged her to go a few shades blonder that day and she finally agreed though she did warn me over and over again that it would be extremely damaging to my hair. I was pretty pleased with the final outcome, though I did noticed that my hair was significantly drier and coarse to the touch. I thanked Meg and turned to leave, but she stopped me and handed me a bottle of Olaplex No. 3. I was hooked. This stuff is amazing. For those that don’t know, Olaplex No. 3 is the at-home version of the in-salon hair treatment designed to prevent and repair damage that comes along with dyeing or bleaching. These bonds are responsible for holding together the keratin fibers that make up your hair, and they're often broken during a coloring process. This product is basically for keeping my damaged hair from breaking off and falling out. I will say for any of you that are considering going blonde or bleaching your hair and making a drastic change, make sure you have one of these bottles on deck.

hush & hush deeplyrooted supplements

I was first introduced to Hair Supplements via Kim Kardashian’s ads for Sugar Bear Hair. Upon doing further research and realizing how much sugar was in the product, I was super turned off my the whole haircare supplement industry. However, earlier this year I was introduced to Hush & Hush. Their vitamins contain vitamin A, hydrolyzed fish collagen, zinc and biotin. I really love how these vitamins are backed by scientific research and trials into the development of the formulation. The supplements do take a few weeks for you to notice the effects, but I will say Colin, my hair stylist at Salon Buzz, always marvels at how quickly my hair grows when I see her.

overtone coloring conditioner

During quarantine, my blue hair started to take on this nasty green shade. The salons were all closed and I was unable to get my hair touched up. When your job requires you to get in front of a camera daily, it can definitely take a toll on your self esteem when you’re not feeling 100%. I discovered Overtone via an Instagram ad (the irony is not lost on me) in May and I completely changed how I view home hair-dye. In the past, I’m not ashamed to say I stuck up my nose at doing your color at home. I would rather leave the work to the professionals than risk messing it up and having to go in and get it fixed. However, Overtone’s coloring conditioners are so easy to use that even I was able to figure it out. You just leave them in your hair for 20 minutes and rinse it off in the shower. You do have to wear gloves and I was quickly realized that the glove usage wasn’t so much of a recommendation as a necessity when I had smurf hands. 20 minutes later, my blue hair was back and better than ever! I love how this product doesn’t transfer and stain my white pillowcases at night. If you’re looking to experiment or in need of a touch up, I would definitely recommend their products 100%.

r+co death valley dry shampoo

Before bleaching and dying my hair, I was a “shampoo and condition every night before bed” kind of gal. Dying my hair changed everything (dramatic as that sounds, it’s true). I had to get used to infrequent washes, and for someone that values cleanliness above all else, it was quite an adjustment. I had to learn how to use dry shampoo and like it. After going through a few different brands, I realized that I didn’t like how some products felt and smelled like baby powder in my hair or the stickiness and chemical smells of others. With much trial and error, I discovered R+Co’s Death Valley Dry Shampoo and haven’t strayed away since. This is one of my favorite products to this day, and thank goodness they came out with a trial sized version a few years ago otherwise I have no idea what I’d do on my trips. It actually smells like you just washed your hair, and there’s no sticky feeling of having just sprayed something in your hair. You just smell clean and your hair feels like hair. If you’re in the market for a new dry shampoo, try it out for yourself and grab a travel sized bottle. You won’t regret it.

9 Tried and True Haircare Items I Can't Live Without