Another of my Essentials Lists is My Hair Care Essentials!
As a qualified hairdresser (not practising however) my hair is extremely important! This list will be all the essentials I use on my hair.
The First Item on this list will be Shampoo and Conditioner
These are the most critical of all hair care essentials, without shampooing and conditioning your hair, nothing will make it look nice. To create any style, you need healthy, clean hair. Shampooing and conditioning your hair at least once a week can help maintain hair health. I currently use Herbal Essences as I love the effect it has on my hair and it isn't too expensive. Since switching to this brand, my hair has became much softer and shinier.
Next is Conditioning Spray and Heat Protectors
Both of these may not be essential to everyone, but to me, I couldn't be without them. I use an extra conditioning spray on my hair as it can become very dry and this helps combat that; however I do recommend anyone who uses heat on their hair, even if its just to blow dry it, uses a heat protector too. Heat protectors protect hair from heat damage, which is actually the most common form of hair damage after chemical damage (from over colouring hair). Both of my products are by Schwartzkopf and they would be my favourite product brand. I buy my hair dye from them as well as it gives me the best results. One of these items (The conditioning spray) is a professional exclusive, which just means you need to go to a professional wholesalers to purchase it, the other (heat protector) I bought in a discount store.
Another treatment I always have to have is Argan Oil
I never used to Argan oil in my hair until about two months ago. I used to think it weighted my hair down, and made it look lank and greasy, when really I'd just been using too much. It really is only a pea-sized amount that is needed only on the ends of your hair. I tend to use this more on dry hair or before shampooing, so it melts onto my hair fibre. I would only recommend using this once a week, as using it too much could leave your hair looking lanky and greasy, which isn't the desired affect. If you really can't stand Argan oil, Moroccan Oil or coconut oil is also brilliant for hair!
Now that treatments are out of the way, your brushes and comb choices are also important!
You know yourself what your hair is like. Personally I have a lot of medium hair, but its fine in places; because of this, I use a wide tooth comb on my wet hair, and a denman brush on dry hair. I would never recommend using a brush on wet hair unless its a Tangle Teezer or a Wet Brush. Using a brush on wet hair can damage the hair fibres and that can cause breakages at the root of your hair. This means that you would have damaged, unhealthy hair growing down, which could lead to some hair loss, not a lot, but a slight amount more than normal. If you have very fine hair, using a wide tooth comb when your hair is wet, would be a brilliant idea, and investing in a soft brush for when your hair is dry. Thick hair would need the likes of a tangle teezer when wet and a Denman brush or paddle brush when dry. Using the right brush for your hair type can help keep hair healthy and keep breakages to a minimum.
Lastly is Heated Appliances!
Your heated appliances for your hair range from your hair dryer to straighteners, to curlers to heated rollers. My essentials in this category are;
- A Hair dryer
- Straighteners
- Curling Wand
- Crimper's
I own all of these, and I have more than one of some of them.
First of, a hair dryer is nearly essential once your hair reaches a certain length, or if you need to be somewhere quickly after a shower or bath. Always keep a hair dryer on the middle temperature when drying hair, to prevent damage. Also using a larger round brush for longer thicker hair is always a good idea, or a paddle brush. Short hair would benefit more from a small round brush or vented brush, as they are easier to work with in short hair.
Straighteners come in all shapes and sizes now, meaning people with shorter hair can get a smaller pair which could be easier to work with, and people with longer, thicker hair can get straighteners with larger paddles, to help smooth out their hair. All of this means that there is a lot to think about when buying straighteners before you even look at the make! I have always had a preference for Corioliss Straighteners, as they work well with my hair type, however GHD, Cloud Nine and BaByliss are all also very good makes. It all depends on personal preference, and what makes work well for you. If you are really unsure, your hair dresser would be more than willing to help you.
Curling wands come in a lot of different styles, just like straighteners, my own curling wand has a guide on it to help create a curl. I prefer this kind as I find it makes it that bit easier to style my hair. Short hair would benefit from a slim wand, with a clip grip on it to help hold the hair; while longer hair would benefit from a large barrel without a grip as you would twist it around. Curling your hair takes practise before you start getting it right. Always make sure to monitor the temperature of the curling iron and use a good heat protector, as the heat can cause extreme breakages in the hair. 
My last heated appliance is my all time favourite, my crimper! Crimper's were much more popular in the 80's and 90's but are still used today for root volume or an edgy look. Whenever I crimp my hair I do it in small sections throughout my hair for a textured affect that's really eye catching. Crimping hair at the roots can help add a lot of volume, and aid back-combing; but make sure to be able to cover it with another bit of hair if you don't want people to see the zigzag pattern! I have used these to style my hair all over, and it came out looking very thick, but the texture it had was amazing. I was able to back-comb it much easier and it stayed in place longer.
I really hope you enjoyed reading about my hair care essentials and how I use them! If you want to know more on any of the products, such as prices or where to buy, leave me a comment and I'll let you know to the best of my knowledge!
Until next time!
Bronagh x
