TV Glam Secrets: Hair

Hair is quite honestly one of my biggest struggles when it comes to my on-air appearance. Some days, my hair cooperates & I feel like a total rock star... other days, it's like fighting with a drunk person & I just want to throw it up in a ponytail and be done with it. (Then there's the really really bad days where I just want to chop it all off). I've spent the last 7 years trying to find a TV look that works for me... and although it's still a work in progress, I'm learning to love the big curls.

​I have fairly thin hair... and if we're being real, I don't take care of it as much as I should. (I'm pretty rough with the brush and I show no mercy with my teasing comb - #CloserToGod). But I do splurge on a few quality products... and favor others that I literally find on the clearance shelf at the grocery store.

​I don't know much - but I can tell you what I know... and just to be clear, the products listed are my favorites by personal experience. No freebies, sponsorships, or paid endorsements were made - just a regular gal sharing what I found works (and what doesn't).

From tangles to TV -- it's all about taming the mane.

​THE BASICS

I don't use a super fancy-schmancy shampoo or conditioner - it's usually whatever is on sale at Ulta / Target. Currently, I'm using Matrix Biolage shampoo & Kenra's conditioner... but I'm not too picky about either. I'll also rotate Tea Tree's conditioner in there but quite honestly, I only buy it for the smell (love everything Eucalyptus!) 

Every once in awhile, I'll use Chi's 'Keratin Reconstruction Conditioner'. I use it when I feel my hair needs a good "drink of water" - I'll lather it in & let it sit for a few minutes while I shave or scrub my face. It works wonders but kinda pricey - so definitely not an every day thing for me.

COLORING

I was born platinum blonde... but as each year passes, I feel my natural hair color gets darker and darker (I may have to give up the 'blonde ghost' one day, but I'm not there yet).

​For years, I was on a pretty normal routine of seeing my hair dresser every 6-8 weeks for a full highlight & haircut. I always said the same thing - "I want to be brighter & blonder". The battle to fight the 'dirty blonde' color has been a long one.

But since the end of last year, I've been trying something different. I've been seeing Craig at Craig Piatti Salon for close to a year now. At my first appointment, he had asked if I was in love with the foils & the highlights, etc. I've never had a problem with 'em but he convinced me to try more of a balayage (a 'sweepy, very natural, transition' look) - and instead of using foils, he uses Saran Wrap. It's the oddest thing... but it works! I now get a partial balayage each time I go. It's much pricier than what I'm used to paying (+$200 for the color - a little piece of me dies every time I pay)... but I also only have to go back every 12 weeks. So the longer stretch between colors makes me feel a little better about the expenditure. (But I'm not going to say that paying hundreds of dollars for hair isn't absurd. Because it is. Lol)

PREPPING

My hairdresser turned me on to L'Oreal Professionnel's 'Serie Expert - Repair 10-in-1' - and I HIGHLY recommend. Like I mentioned, my hair is pretty thin and tangles very easily, especially with all the curling. For years, I was using the "It's a Ten - Miracle Leave In Conditioner"... but my stylist told me that wasn't doing much for me. (He literally compared it to putting Pledge on real hardwood.) So for the past several months I've switched to using '10-in-1', spraying a good amount right after I shower... and I've noticed a HUGE difference. Better shine, not as many split ends, just overall, healthier hair. I love this stuff!

STYLING

I usually do my hair once I get to work so by that point, it's air-dried enough to start curling. I usually curl with a 1.5" curling iron (nothing fancy, it's a CON-AIR that I've had since college).

One of the best products I've found to help with volume --> Living Proof's 'Volumizer'. This stuff is HEAVEN-SENT. I usually spray it on my roots after teasing and post-curling. It's sticky enough to hold but it doesn't leave that 'greasy' look. Ulta carries the entire Living Proof line - all good stuff. Would recommend their dry shampoo too!

The deal-breaker for me is hairspray. I've tried everything... both high-dollar and cheap... and the one product I keep going back for is Tresemme's Extra Hold (4 out of 5 strength - green label). I've been using this FOREVER and love it. It gives just enough to still be able to comb after you spray but holds nicely once set. (And it's cheap, only a few dollars - I literally buy it at the grocery store. In bulk. Lol)

Bonus: a more recent product that I've found (via my hairdresser) is Tecni Art's 'Next Day Hair - Dry Finishing Spray'. I usually use this on my days off when I don't curl. It makes my hair feel thicker... not quite as wispy & weak as it actually is. I think it adds volume - just my opinion.

Let me know if you have any questions! I'd love to hear your comments & feedback.

​-- KC