Tag: waves

Everyday Heat-Free Waves + Current Hair Routine

by Mackenzie

Hello & happy Monday! I am excited to announce I will now be having a blog schedule (yay for organization). I will be posting every single Monday and occasionally on Fridays too! So check back every Monday for a new post.

So today’s post is definitely long overdue. Throughout my years blogging/on social media, this is been my #1 most requested post: a heat free hair tutorial + my daily hair routine. I have always enjoyed making the previous hair posts (like this one about growing long, healthy hair), so I decided it was finally time to share my little secret to heat-free waves. So without further ado, here is my hair routine + my heat-free method for loose waves.

T H E   P R O D U C T S

sponge rollers

These are my little secret weapons. I sleep with sponge rollers in my hair pretty much every single night. I’ve been sleeping with sponge rollers in my hair since I was about 2 or 3 years old. I personally do not find them uncomfortable, but that is most likely because I have been using them for about nineteen years now (except for those two years in middle school where I was addicted to the flat iron).

I naturally have course, wavy hair. However, my natural waves are messy, unpolished, and unruly (inserts the Miley Cyrus song ‘Can’t Be Tamed’). In middle school, I would spend an hour every single morning trying to straighten my hair, in failed attempts to tame it. When I decided to start the journey to healthy hair, I decided to use my sponge rollers again as a heat-free method to polished, effortless hair.

I love sponge rollers because they give the effect that I used a curling iron. I also love that they save me so much time in the morning. I can just take them out, and go (instead of spending an hour straightening/curling my hair). Sponge rollers take me under a minute to put in, and in the morning, I can just take them out in seconds. Most importantly, I love that they do not damage my hair. I have been bleaching my hair for years, which is incredibly damaging. Using sponge rollers keeps me from using excessive heat on my hair! Almost forgot to mention this final pro of sponge rollers- but they are also very affordable. The set I linked above are under $2.00. Sponge rollers are very budget friendly!

To some, sponge rollers may seem ridiculous or strange. My roomies over the years have probably been so perplexed at first by my strange sponge roller addiction, but to me, saving time in the mornings & preventing damaged hair makes them SO worth it. I love being able to wake up in the morning and get ready quickly- especially if I have work or class.

I hope that you can find my hair tutorial below informative & helpful!

Loreal everpure condition | Batsiste dry shampoo | OGX coconut milk serum | Moroccanoil | Loreal shine spray

Here are a few of my favorite hair products. I have repurchased ALL of these products multiple times, and they are products that I plan to continue repurchasing for years to come. I am constantly testing out new products, but these are my top five that I always, always come back to. I find that they work very well for my hair type, and most of them are ultra affordable.

T H E    R O U T I N E

I wash my hair about 2-3 times a week. This is something that I think surprises some people, but my hair really doesn’t get greasy (neither does my mom’s hair). It’s important to try to avoid washing your hair every single day, as it does strip your hair of essential oils.

After washing my hair, I usually dry it gently with an old t-shirt (which is better on your hair than using a towel). I then brush through it, apply a heat protectant, and blow dry it using my favorite blowdryer. My blowdryer is pretty much the only heating tool I use, but to me, it’s an essential. I personally use a blowdryer because my hair takes HOURS to dry naturally + using a blowdryer really tames my hair and makes it straighter/sleeker.

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How to get Perfect Beach Waves

by Mackenzie

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Chi Silk Infusion | Garnier Shine Spray | Surf Spray | Leave in Conditioner

Even though summer seems to be forever away, who says you can’t rock some tousled beach waves this season? Whether your hair is collarbone length or hip length you can still rock this look. I’ve been receiving lots of questions about the hair products I used when I was in Maui and how I styled my hair. Here are my top tips for achieving beach-ready hair (even if you are just cozying up by the fireplace with some hot chocolate)…

  1. Prep your hair with the right products – Having the right products to create your beach waves is absolutely essential. Your #1 secret weapon will definitely be Salt Spray, no doubt. My go-to is the Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray which is for ‘beachy, windswept styles’. I have been through almost three bottles of this heavenly product, and it is worth the splurge. I’ve been dying to try Bumble & Bumble’s new Surf Infusion. If you want to try a drugstore alternative, definitely check out Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray.  I use salt spray when my hair is both wet and when it is dry by scrunching it into the bottom half of my hair. The other products pictured above include Chi Silk Infusion, Garnier Shine Spray, and It’s a 10 Leave in Conditioner. I have naturally very dry and coarse hair that tends to get mega frizzy angry. Though Salt Spray creates a nice, beachy texture, it can dry out your hair a little. To help my hair feel soft and manageable, I use some hydrating products to balance everything. Right after getting out of the shower,  I apply ‘It’s a 10 Leave in Conditioner’ after towel drying my hair. I then lightly brush through my hair. I avoid applying this product to the roots so that my hair is not greasy or weighed down. After that, I scrunch the Surf Spray into my roots and tips of my hair. Once my hair is dry (hours and hours later..), I will style it. You could also blow dry your hair if you don’t want to wait for it to dry. I recommend blow drying it upside down to get some additional volume. After styling my hair, I will finish it off with Chi Silk Infusion in the bottom half of my hair. I use this product by rubbing it between my hands, and then running through my hair. This keeps the fragile tips of my hair hydrated and healthy. I spray Garnier Shine Spray throughout my entire hair just to tame frizz and create shine. My sister and I have loved this affordable product for years and years. The last product I use is hairspray, and I will use it all over my hair. I actually like to hairspray my hair upside down because I find that adds volume.  To touch up later in the day, I will scrunch in some more Surf Spray to refresh the waves!
  2. Style – Even if you don’t have naturally wavy or curly hair, you can totally achieve beach waves with the help of a curling iron. I personally prefer a one inch barrel because it creates nice, loose waves, however, you can definitely use a smaller barrel as well. I find that using a cone shaped wand like this one helps easily create beachy waves. I will wrap each chunk of hair around the barrel instead of clamping my hair. When you use the clamp, your hair tends to look too styled and can leave creases. When I use a curling iron, I will take a strand of hair, wrap it around the curling iron, hold it for a few seconds, and then lightly let the piece of hair go. If you have naturally straight hair, I would suggest splitting your hair into sections and layers, starting with the bottom layer first. Make sure you are curling each piece away from your face to create a more windblown affect. After you finish curling it, flip your hair around to help the curls look a little more natural. If you find your hair looks a little too styled, spray in some more salt spray, and you’re good to go.
  3. Extend your beach-ready look– Why would you want your new tousled hair to only last one day? Be beach ready in the morning by sleeping in two loose braids or trying out sponge rollers. Sleeping in braids will create nice waves- just comb through your hair with your fingers in the morning to loosen up the waves. If you want to try sponge rollers, I recommend tying your hair up in a high pony with a scrunchy. Then take chunks of hair from the ponytail and roll them up in sponge rollers about half way. In the morning, take the rollers up and hairspray your hair upside down at the roots. Shake it out, scrunch in Salt Spray, and finish off with some shine spray to top it all off. I am also a huge fan of dry shampoo for second (or third.. or fourth) day hair. My all time favorite is Batiste. I love how affordable their dry shampoos are and the variety of shades and scents.

Thanks for checking out my blog!

xoxo