The Best Hair Products To Take When You Travel

I always love having small products with me whether I'm traveling or just headed out for a full day. These products are my favorites and since there are SO many product out there I want to let you know why these ones are my go-to's.

Drybar- Money Maker- This is my favorite hairspray. I've been using this for about 2 years and I just love it. Some of the reasons I like it are a)the smell (people think I'm wearing a fresh perfume, even though it's just my hairspray) b) the fact that it isn't heavy, sticky and it doesn't leave any white flakes c) it's buildable, so you can keep adding over days and it won't look like you have tons of hairspray in your hair.

R+Co- Outer Space- This hairspray is great to take to an event or if you need your hair to stay! It is a little heavier than the Drybar one, but it has more of a hold. It would be the perfect thing to pack if you were going to be out dancing all night or taking a lot of photos!

Oribe- Thick Dry Finishing Spray- This stuff is perfect if you have thin hair and want to create a bit more volume and texture. I like taking this one on vacation, so I can keep beachy hair that doesnt look too frizzy. This product is great for messy beachy waves.

R+Co- Dry Desert Dry Shampoo- This spray comes with me wherever I go. It's in my suitcase, my backpack and sometimes even my purse. It's the best dry shampoo I've ever tried. I love it because it doesn't leave tons of white residue on your hair, and similar to the Money Maker it is buildable over days and you can keep touching up!

Oribe- Split End Seal- This product is great to use when you've just finished styling your hair and you either see a few dry ends OR you have fly aways. This product will hydrate those ends and also give you a really nice finish.

Oribe- Gold Lust Conditioner- This is the holy grail of conditioners. I have bleached hair on my ends, and I credit this conditioner to my hair still being healthy! I have been using this one for 2.5 years and have no interest in switching anytime soon. I used to have to use TONS of conditioner to make my hair feel smooth. This one the product goes a really long way, so even though it's on the pricier end I have saved money because I don't need to use very much at all.

Oribe- Gold Lust Hair Oil- This paired with the Oribe Conditioner are the two most hydrating products i've found on the market. This is another one I can't live without. I have tried so many hair oils and they either seem too oily, or that they don't hydrate enough. This one is the perfect mix!

Gorgeous Hair: The Best Toner Around

Do you die or highlight your hair? If your answer to that question is yes, then this product is for you. During the summer months often times the sunshine oxidizes died hair color and makes it look not so fresh. BLNDN created a toner and treatment to keep your hair tone picture perfect. Whether you are blonde, red head or brunette; this product will keep your hair from getting super brassy looking or too "orangey".

I bought their brightening trio which comes with a purple shampoo, purple toner & conditioning treatment (& it's on sale). I just started using it and had to share, and no this isn't a sponsored post I just really like their stuff. The longer you keep in the purple the more toned down your color will be.

The coolest part about this product is that it is actually clinically proven to work. Yes, they did studies on hair oxidation and this product helped prevent it!

I suggest you use:

If you're any shade of blonde

If you're brunette and have blonde highlights or even caramel highlights

Red head and don't love the way the sun hits your color

Check out their insta: here

My Hair Regimen & Favorite Hair Products

I have a new regimen for my hair and I am seriously loving it. My hair is blonder than it's been in a while, therefore, I assume it will be more damaged due to the bleach. Well these new products I'm using are saving the day. 

To be honest, the real reason I wasn't using these products before was the price. They are on the higher range of price on the hair product spectrum. However, I feel like if you don't spend he money you will be spending a lot more down the line. 

Now that I use great product I only have to cut my hair every 5-6 months, when before I had to every 6-7 weeks. It's saving me money on haircuts, and also is allowing me to grow my hair out.

My favorite products at the moment are:

oribe : Beautiful color shampoo (here)

oribe : Gold lust transformitive masque (here)

oribe : Gold lust hair oil (here)

oribe : Split end sealer (here)

R&co : Death Valley dry shampoo (here)
thedrybar : Money maker hairspray (here)

thedrybar : 1" curling wand (here)

Step 1: Wash your hair with oribe beautiful color shampoo & rinse.

Step 2: Use a small amount of gold lust conditioner (mostly on ends of hair) and let it sit for 2-5 minutes. Rinse out with cold water as this will help seal in moisture. 

Step 3: Pump some hair oil and split end seal in to the Palm of your hand. Run these products through on damp or wet hair.

Step 4: Blowdry your hair.

Step 5: For a little bit of texture use the R&co dry shampoo throughout hair.

Step 6: Starting with the bottom section of your hair use your hair wand to curl. Move your way up (I like to curl away from the face). 

Step 7: Set your curls with money maker.

This is the routine that works best for me. I'm loving my hair and how healthy it is. Try these products out and see if they work as well you as they do me! 

For The Girls: My Hair Cut & Color

I am frequently asked where I get my hair cut and colored. People stop me on the street to ask me. Most people say "I can't find someone who does great color in SF". I have personally tried a ton of different colorists and to be honest haven't fallen in love with my hair after leaving the salon. People either made the ombre way too drastic where they died my roots a dark brown and bleached my tips. Others did it and it ended up super BRASSY (which I can't stand). I've also gone places where they make sure to tone it so it is more ASHY, but over time it would oxidize in the sun and change colors. I was going to the hair salon every six weeks and spending around $200 each time coming out of the salon not even liking what I just spent a fortune on.

One of my clients I do styling for was having similar experiences at SF salons, so I suggested she go to LA to get her hair done by one of the best. We ended up going together and she insisted I try them out. We went to Ramirez|Tran Salon in Beverly Hills while on a girls trip. Ever since we went there and got the best haircut and color of my life, I am hooked. 

The process took about 7 hours, and no I am not exaggerating. They really put in work, and make sure your hair is the perfect color. Johnny Ramirez is the hair color god and Anh Co Tran is the hair cutting god. Both guys are super awesome, and the best of the best. Their clientele include Jessica Alba, Faith Hill, Anne Hathaway, Ginnifer Goodwin, Alessandra Ambrosia, Gwenyth Paltrow, Selma Blair, Whitney Port, and Victoria Beckham (to name a few). This is the most expensive haircut and color I've ever gotten, which totaled to about $600. The thing is you only need to go every 6 months. When you add up the total of this celebrity cut and color, it actually is CHEAPER than getting my hair done in SF every 6 weeks. It also looks 300x better. The best part about the whole thing, is they now come to SF every few months!

If you have been wanting a change in your hair cut or color I couldn't recommend Ramirez|Tran more highly. You will LOVE your hair. Hurry & book this week, because they still have openings in SF!

Here's some press articles if you aren't sold yet Refinery29, NYMag, Vogue, & The Coveteur.

Check out their pics on Instagram @johnnyramirez1 @anhcotran @ramireztransalon

Coachella Part 3: Hair

These photos inspire some amazing hairstyles. If you are going to coachella maybe you should try something different. Throw in a top know, some braids, a bandanna, or headband to accessorize.

Good Hair: Why it's worth the $$

Have you ever had a bad haircut? How about a really horrible die job? I unfortunately have had both. When I was young I went in to a SuperCuts with a photo of a short chin length bob (what all little girls love) and I came out with a Leonardo DiCaprio boys haircut. I cried, wore hats, and was constantly mistaken for a little boy. Hair doesn't define me in any way, but it does help me express myself. I love trying hairstyles on myself, but also love doing my friends before a night out. I realized having a good hair day can change my confidence and mood.

After spending a ton of money on hair in SF I still felt like it wasn't quite right. I was being overcharged for a haircut and dye that only would last 6-8 weeks & would turn to a really awkward brassy color over the weeks. Hundreds of dollars for a very temporary fix. I started researching hairstylists and I found Johnny Ramirez & Anh Co Tran on Instagram and Pinterest. Since I am a personal stylist, I told my client (who also couldn't find a great hairdresser) that we should go.  We ended up booking appointments at Ramirez Tran Salon while we were in LA. This place is really expensive, BUT you only have to get your hair done every 6 months! It ends up costing less than me going to an "ok" hairdresser that I have to see again in 6 weeks.

Johnny and Anh love what they do. They work super long hours, and take the time to perfect each and every persons hair who walks in to their salon. Their clientele include Jessica Alba, Anne Hathaway, Faith Hill, Whitney Port, Ginnifer Goodwin, Gweneyth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham, and Allesandra Ambrosia to name a few.

The best news of this all is they are coming to SF. If your hair is in need of a pick me up and you have some $$ to spend, then try out these guys!

My Favorite Summer Hair Products

I am obsessed with hair. This isn't news to anyone. I haven't shared my hair routine for summer, so I thought I would tell you my product obsessions.

I have been using Biolage for my shampoo and conditioner the last few weeks. I really like it! After my hair is towel dried I mix in the palm of my hand Hot Toddy & Sachajuan Intensive Hair Oil. I put both of those starting on the tips of my hair and work them throughout. After that I put some Sachajuan Styling Cream in my hair. From here I either do nothing and let my hair dry naturally, or I blow it dry. After I blow dry I usually curl my hair. I love the Money Maker flexible hair spray to finish my look. If I want a messier look I will spray in some Hair Play for texture. Lastly, if I want my curls to hold for days I will just touch up the front and spray some dry shampoo in my hair (Detox). 

You don't need to use these products, but they are what have been working best for me to keep my summer curls lasting! 

Summer Hairspiration

Last week I realized one huge thing.

Hair is everything. Yes, I said it. 
Hear me out. 

Picture yourself leaving the hair salon with a really great cut and style. You know that feeling? Hair bouncing and you have a huge smile on your face. You love the way you feel. 

Now, picture yourself leaving the hair salon in tears. The stylist did not do what you asked, and you leave with a really bad cut. I know this feeling all too well. When I got an accidental bad haircut as a kid, I was often mistaken for a boy for a summer!

My friend got her hair cut last week, and hated it. She wore her hair in a pony tail this whole week. It was definitely something that could be fixed, but we once again realized "hair is everything". It doesn't mean you need long luscious hair. All hair is great short, brown, red, long, purple, medium length; just as long as it's what you want and feel comfortable with! 

Since I know the power a good hair style can have over my confidence, I started playing and styling with my hair. I look up styles on Pinterest, or in magazines and dedicate some time to get good at doing them. Here are my favorites for the summer.

You might look at these and think that they look way too complicated to do on yourself. If you practice, I promise you can get most of them down (if not all of them). Here are some styles I've been playing around with.

Think to yourself this week about trying something new, you might just get a new found confidence!