From Tresemmé to Salon-Grade: My Personal Hair Care Transformation
For as long as I can remember, I've struggled with my hair. It's something I've always felt self-conscious about. No matter how hard I tried, I never seemed to have the kind of hair that turns heads for the right reasons. It's difficult for me to talk about my hair because it’s always been a source of vulnerability. But as I’ve grown older—and thanks to some gentle nudging from my friend and hairdresser, Nancy—I’ve learned that the products I use can make a world of difference.
For years, I was a loyal Tresemmé user, doing my best to make my hair look its best with what I knew. But honestly, it often felt like a losing battle. My hair just wasn’t cooperating, especially as I began to notice the wear and tear from years of bleaching and styling. Not to mention, I have been on a personal weight loss journey (another blog, another time) for several years that left my hair falling out by handfuls making it extra thin and fine like never before. That wasn’t long before Nancy stepped in and suggested I give salon-grade products a try (not that I hadn’t tried them in the past, but I had just bought a product here or there while still buying the less expensive products mainly). At first, I was skeptical—after all, I didn’t believe anything could truly transform my hair. But the results have been surprising, to say the least. I, obviously, did not purchase all of these productds simultaneously, but collected them over time, some of the products more recent and some of the hair tools, I have used since my school years!
My Go-To Hair Care Products
After a lot of trial and error, I’ve finally found a lineup of products that make a noticeable difference in the health and appearance of my hair. While I don’t use every product daily, I reach for them as needed, depending on how my hair is feeling on any given day or what I feel it needs.
Joico Power Spray Fast-Dry Finishing Spray
Benefits: This spray gives my hair a long-lasting hold without making it stiff or sticky. It’s fast-drying, which is perfect for someone like me who’s always in a rush, and it adds a nice shine that makes my hair look healthier than it feels some days. Nancy pointed out that the cheaper store hair spray I was using was really hard on my hair because of the alcohol content!
Kenra Platinum Thickening Mousse
Benefits: I’ve always wished for fuller, thicker hair, and this mousse has been a game-changer. It adds volume without making my hair feel heavy or weighed down. I love how it gives my hair that extra oomph, especially on days when it feels flat and lifeless.
Kenra Platinum Dry Texture Spray
Benefits: My hair has always lacked texture, making it hard to style. This spray adds just the right amount of grit to give my hair some much-needed body and movement. It helps me achieve that effortless, tousled look I’ve always admired in others. I absolutely love this stuff!
Kenra Root Lifting Spray
Benefits: Flat roots have been a lifelong struggle, but this root-lifting spray has been a savior. It gives my roots a noticeable lift, making my hair look fuller and more voluminous, which is something I’ve always longed for.
Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo
Benefits: There are days when washing my hair feels like too much of a chore, especially when it’s already feeling fragile. This dry shampoo is perfect for those days. It refreshes my hair without leaving any residue and adds some much-needed volume. Plus, the scent is a nice pick-me-up. It smells so good!
Monat Shampoo + Conditioner
Benefits: I never thought I’d see the day when my hair felt soft and manageable, but this duo has done just that. It gently cleanses and nourishes my hair, leaving it looking and feeling healthier. It’s a small victory, but one I cherish. Nancy is actually a Monat consultant!
Monat Volumizing Revitalize Conditioner
Benefits: One of the biggest changes I’ve noticed since switching to this conditioner is the improvement in hair regrowth. My hair feels stronger and healthier, which is something I’ve struggled with for so long. Nancy was right—this product has made a real difference.
Mane ‘n Tail Conditioner
Benefits: This conditioner has been a budget-friendly staple in my routine. It strengthens my hair and adds a bit of shine, which is always welcome. On days when my hair needs extra love, I take Nancy’s advice and leave it in overnight for a deep conditioning treatment. She actually suggests sleeping in this overnight several days in a row if your hair is in need of therapy!
It’s a 10 Leave-In Conditioner
Benefits: This leave-in conditioner has been a lifesaver for my tangled, hard-to-manage hair. It detangles, adds shine, and helps protect my hair from further damage. Recently, Nancy suggested I try Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Leave-In Conditioner as a lighter alternative. I’ve ordered it to give it a try, but I haven’t received it yet. I’m hopeful it’ll be another positive step forward in my hair care journey.
Head Kandy The Underdog Pomade
Benefits: Adding definition and control to my hair has always been tricky, but this pomade, another recommendation from Nancy, has made it easier. It tames flyaways and adds texture without making my hair greasy or heavy. It’s a small thing, but it’s one more tool in my arsenal to feel a bit more confident about my hair.
Tools That Make a Difference
The products I use are only part of the equation; the tools I rely on are just as important in my ongoing effort to manage and improve my hair. These are the tools that have become my go-to favorites:
BaBylissPRO Spring Curling Iron 1 Inch
Why I Love It: Being an 80’s girl, curls have always been my go-to style, and this curling iron helps me achieve them effortlessly. It heats up quickly and gives me those bouncy curls I love, even when my hair doesn’t seem like it wants to cooperate.
Hot Tools Professional Rainbow Turbo Ceramic Hair Dryer 1875W
Why I Love It: This hair dryer is powerful yet gentle, reducing frizz and adding shine. It makes my hair look healthier than it is, which is a huge confidence boost on days when I’m feeling especially self-conscious.
Lift Teasing Comb and Hair Pick
Why I Love It: I’ve been using a teasing comb like this since middle school, and it remains one of my most trusted tools. Maybe I’m old school, but if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it! It’s still one of my most-used tools and helps me add volume and shape to my hair!
Wide Tooth Comb
Why I Love It: This comb is gentle on my fragile, often tangled hair. It helps detangle without causing breakage, which is a big relief for someone like me who’s always worried about damaging their hair even more.
Professional Curved Hair Brush
Why I Love It: This brush helps reduce frizz and adds shine, making my hair look smoother and more manageable. It’s a small thing, but it makes a big difference in how I feel about my hair.
Conair Detangling Hair Brush
Why I Love It: This brush is a must-have for anyone dealing with tangles or knots. It’s gentle but effective, helping to smooth out my hair without causing pain or damage.
Why I Prefer a Curling Iron Over a Straightener
As someone who lived through the '80s, I’ve always loved big hair! I’ve found that using a curling iron is much gentler on my hair than a straightener. Curling irons allow for more versatile styling and can add the volume and bounce that straighteners often take away. Plus, curls just make me feel more like myself—confident and a little bit playful. After using a straightener daily a few years back, my hair became really brittle and in very bad shape. This helped me confirm that I am a curling iron girl.
Thank you for taking the time to read my hair care advice and recommendations. Sharing this part of my life feels vulnerable because I’ve never had what I would consider good hair. But I’ve learned a lot through years of trial and error, and I hope my experiences can help others who might feel the same way. If you have any questions, need further advice, or even have your own suggestions or tips to share, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me at tracystrendydecor@yahoo.com. We’re all in this together, and I’m always open to learning from others too.
I’ve included Amazon links to some of the products I’ve mentioned, but please know that I don’t expect anyone to buy them. I, personally, just find it helpful to know where to find products and how much they cost when I’m reading a recommendation, so I wanted to offer the same for you.
Love, Tracy
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Links to products: (in no certain order)
Joico Power Spray 8+
2. Kenra Platinum Thickening Mousse https://amzn.to/4dM8AM1
3. Kenra Platinum Dry Texture Spray 6 https://amzn.to/3X66CAx
4. Kenra Root Lifting Spray
5. amika perk up talc-free dry shampoo https://amzn.to/3WWcewi
6. Mane N Tail Conditioner
7. It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-in product https://amzn.to/4dCXSrq
8. amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Leave-in https://amzn.to/4dHnpiW
9. BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron 1” https://amzn.to/3M8Tzs4
10. Hot Tools Professional Rainbow Turbo Ceramic Hair Dryer https://amzn.to/4dLkDJx
11. Teasing comb and Hair Pick https://amzn.to/3MaCv50
12. Paul Mitchell Pro Tools detangler wide tooth comb https://amzn.to/4dMRMEQ
13. Professional Curved Vented Brush https://amzn.to/3YLnzla
Just a few photos of my tricks of the trade! lol