Reader’s Request: Hair Schtuff

Hi guys 😀 Hope your morning is going well!

From the Ask Me Anything page, I was surprised to see that mixed in with all of the baby questions (which I’ll answer in a near future post), height/weight/size questions (which I probably won’t answer, because that information won’t help anyone..they’re just silly numbers), and the pilot questions, were quite a few hair questions.

Here are a few:

What hair products do you use? Your hair always looks shiny and sassy.
First off, I love your blog! I have a question about your hair. It is so beautiful and I am wondering how you maintain your long hair and what products you use? I have hair envy! 🙂
I love your hair. It’s got so much volume and bounce. How do you style it?

Thank you so much for the sweet hair compliments 😀 With the exception of when I was a baby –I was bald and my mom had to glue hairbows onto my head until I was one- I’ve always had a thick, wavy mane.

 

Straightened:hair  Bedhead: hair

Here are some of my favorite hair goodies:

Many are courtesy of the madre, who’s a stylist and usually hooks it up with awesome hair products 😀

My favorite shampoo and conditioner is Halo:

hyshampoo  (Source)

This stuff smells like HEAVEN and is thick enough to coat my hair, make it shiny and doesn’t leave a residue. The bummer is that I’m out of it right now and you can only get it at beauty supply stores, so until I can get some more I’m using Nexxus:

nexxus

You can find it anywhere (including grocery stores and Targizzle) and I’m a fan 🙂

nexxus (2)

I get a LOT of questions asking whether or not I wash my hair everyday.

The answer:

No way!!!

Washing your hair every day can dry it out and even though I work out pretty intensely, I can’t afford to wash it every day. My hair would turn into straw :/

So, if I’ve washed my hair the night before and then exercise to the point where my hair is drenched (after a run or Zumba), I shower and wet my hair and just put conditioner in, and rinse it out.

If my hair isn’t wet, I’ll use dry shampoo.

This one is my favorite (you can find it at Sephora)

ojon

After I wash my hair (or just condition it if it’s an in-between day), I’ll rub in some Ion anti-frizz (from Sally’s)

SBS-302227  (Source)

  and dry it using the Chi Rocket and a flat brush:

dry

If I’m going to wear my hair straight, I’ll then straighten it with my straightener:

straight  (This one is by Bespoke Labs and it’s incredible)

And rub some Freddrick Fekkai smoother or Jonathon serum  on for frizzies: (both from Sephora… I usually get travel-sized everything so that they’re easy to pack up for trips)

smooth

If it’s a curly day, I’ll use the diffuser to dry my hair and then curl the wavy pieces with a 1-in curling iron I bought at Targizzle (for like $15.. and it works great)—or if I’m in a rush, I’ll throw in some hot rollers

curly

And spray:

spray

That’s pretty much the whole she-bang. (For another beauty product- related post, check out Reader’s Request: Skincare)

I try not to use a lot of product on my hair, and at night if I’m not going anyway, I’ll let it air dry. It doesn’t look very cute, but it keeps me from damaging it with heat-styling all the time.

Keep those Ask Me Anything questions coming! I love them 🙂

Have a wonderful day and I’ll see you this afternoon with a GIVEAWAY!

xoxo,

Gina

Something to talk about:What are your favorite hair products?? Anything fun/new I need to try??

(Kenra volume spray)

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55 Comments

  1. Jodie on February 17, 2010 at 7:58 am

    This is great. I like Biosilk products, they smell great and they don’t weigh down your hair.

  2. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg on February 17, 2010 at 8:20 am

    It’s taken me a while to get comfortable with not washing my hair every day, but it makes SUCH a huge difference in the way it looks! I can tell it’s so much healthier now that I’m only washing it every other day or so.

  3. sarah on February 17, 2010 at 8:23 am

    I am going to have to try that dry shampoo. I have really long hair and I’m honestly having dreams about cutting it off, because I’ve been getting so sweaty during my workouts lately. I’d love to just… wash it and dry it all quick 🙂 The only thing preventing me from doing it is my wedding in a few weeks!

    One thing I do when I wash my hair, to cut the drying time, is put my hair in one of those “drying turbans” (they have them at Target) and wander around doing the rest of my stuff, leaving the drying for last. It probably cuts 7-10 mins off my primp time!

  4. Rebecca on February 17, 2010 at 8:27 am

    I always have used the excuse that I have to wash my hair everyday because I get drenched when I work out…I’ll have to give the condition only route a try. I’m just afraid of being the smelly girl at work!

  5. Mara @ What's For Dinner? on February 17, 2010 at 8:40 am

    Thanks for the hair tips! I really only wash my hair a couple times a week, 4 at the most, and do the conditioner only thing sometimes too! I think you and i have similar hair textures, so I’ll have to give the products a try. I tried this awesome stuff called Moroccan Oil when I got my hair colored a couple weeks ago, it made my hair SUPER shiny! I may have to cave and buy some…

  6. Christie @ Honoring Health on February 17, 2010 at 8:48 am

    I have a pixie cut so the only product I use is kind of a pasty wax that “dirties” my hair on the first day of washing. I only wash it every other day and sometimes every third day. When the weather is really cold, I can go the three days for some reason. On the days I don’t wash, I don’t need any product in my hair at all.

    Have I mentioned how much I love my hair 😀 Though, I do have to get it cut and colored every four weeks.

  7. Brittany on February 17, 2010 at 8:53 am

    I use aveda and I highly recommend it!! It is organic and also does a lot of things to help the environment as well as support indigenous tribes by purchasing ingredients from them. Not only that, but I think the products work amazingly. It’s the only thing I use now 🙂

    • Fitnessista on February 17, 2010 at 9:35 am

      you’re right, aveda makes amazing products

  8. Kailey (SnackFace) on February 17, 2010 at 8:58 am

    Here’s my reader question: can I please have your hair? I have thin hair and have always been jealous of uber voluptuous hair like yours! SO gorge!

  9. Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman on February 17, 2010 at 9:06 am

    So jealous. I have fine, thin hair so I need products that add major volume. (Or try to at least.) Redken makes some great volumizing products that don’t weigh my hair down. And as much as I’d love to use an anti-frizz product, that just leaves me flat. Phyto’s root amplifier is magic.

  10. Jenn @ Livewellfit on February 17, 2010 at 9:07 am

    Will definitely be picking up the dry shampoo today! I’ve been wanting to try one but wanted to start with a recommended version. 🙂

    I recently started using “dry oil” in my hair. My stylist introduced it to me and it is becoming more available and common. It is like a serum in the sense that you put it on after you towel dry your hair but it isn’t oily and doesn’t weigh your hair down. I am absolutely in LOVE with it!!! Makes my hair so ultra silky smooth!

  11. Emily on February 17, 2010 at 9:19 am

    I have hair & skin-care questions. I have thick / wavy hair & get what I call the white-girl fro if I don’t straighten it or try it curly (very rare) 1) When you use your diffuse it is for curls or waves & how do you use it? (love your hair by the way) 2) Any other tips for making big wavy unruly hair pretty? 3) Do you still like your dry brush? Where can I buy one?

    • Fitnessista on February 17, 2010 at 9:34 am

      i just hold the diffuser under my hair (on low with lower heat) and scrunch up with the diffuser until it’s dry. then i use the curling iron to fix the weird looking pieces (because my hair is wavy, not curly).
      i still use and love my dry brush- they sell them at most health food stores

  12. Nicole @ Making Good Choices on February 17, 2010 at 9:28 am

    I love dry shampoo! I only finally bought it about 2 months ago and use it on in between wash days. I do the same thing as you, I try to wash my hair every other day and dry shampoo in between.

  13. Mellissa on February 17, 2010 at 9:40 am

    I love reading about what others use for hair care. I shampoo everyday because I have very fine hair, I use Bumble and Bumble Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner. For products I use Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray and GHD Mouse or Aveda Phomolient. Both are amazing products.

  14. Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle on February 17, 2010 at 9:49 am

    I’ve never used dry shampoo before, but i’ll definitely have to try it! Thanks for the tips I can’t wait to read about this giveaway!

  15. eliza on February 17, 2010 at 9:54 am

    Garnier fructis baby!!! I am on a college budget and it does the trick =)

  16. eliza on February 17, 2010 at 9:54 am

    Also, my question for YOU is how you rid yourself of splenda..I want to cut it out for lent along with diet sodas!

    • Fitnessista on February 17, 2010 at 10:03 am

      try to ween yourself off of it… from 4 packs, down to 2, down to 1, down to allowing it every other day, one a week, out for good 🙂

  17. RhodeyGirl on February 17, 2010 at 10:05 am

    You know way more about hair than I do! I need a hair blowdrying lesson and a makeup lesson too!

  18. Adrien on February 17, 2010 at 10:09 am

    I love Sebastian products- so good and smells like heaven- I’ve seen halo around though- maybe the next time I head to the salon I will give it a go

  19. Karyn on February 17, 2010 at 10:12 am

    i only wash my hair once a week. granted my hair is thick so i can get away with it but when i tell my friends, they look at me like i have 5 heads! glad to know i’m not the only one who doesn’t wash her hair every day

  20. Carla on February 17, 2010 at 10:27 am

    I also LOVE The Ojon dry shampoo, it is the BEST. It is pricey though, so I also keep a can of Pssssst (it’s like $5 at CVS) on hand for when my hair is only a little dirty! I only wash my hair about 2x a week, which some of my friends think is INSANE since I do workout 5-6 days a week. I am going to try your conditioner trick though for days where the dry shampoo is not going to cut it!

  21. Run Sarah on February 17, 2010 at 10:27 am

    Thanks for sharing — I definitely need to try that dry shampoo!!

  22. Heather @ get healthy with Heather on February 17, 2010 at 10:38 am

    Great stuff you use in your hair… You totally have bomb shell hair I wish mine was so thick!

  23. Heather (Heather's Dish) on February 17, 2010 at 10:52 am

    i don’t have anything cool that i use, but my hairstylist gives me samples of Goldwell products all the time. They work great and smell fabulous and my hair has never been better!

    I’m so glad you talked about not washing hair every day…I don’t but I’ve always kinda been self-conscious about it!

  24. Fallon on February 17, 2010 at 10:54 am

    I love using Pureology hair products, in particular the purple variety. It is 100% Vegan and uses all natural products that don’t damage the hair or the body. To smooth out my ends I like to use this stuff called RD Protein. I bought it from my hair stylist and it is amazing! Just a little bit on the ends of the hair and the dryness magically goes away!

    • Fitnessista on February 17, 2010 at 11:22 am

      i’ve used pureology before… love it! it’s probably my second fave 🙂

  25. Therese on February 17, 2010 at 10:57 am

    I only just recently found a stylist that knows how to deal with curly hair and now I love, love, LOVE my hair! I no longer use regular styling products and only use an awesome leave-in conditioner as soon as I turn the shower head off while my hair is still soaked (I use Mixed Chicks leave-in conditioner) and then use a microfibre towel on it. Microfibre towels are awesome because they don’t strip the hair of its natural oils and only the water. And then I scrunch like mad with Moroccan Oil which is the most heavenly smell EVER. I also don’t wash every day, I just condition. But I love the idea of a dry shampoo! Will have to check it ou!

  26. Emilyeatsclean on February 17, 2010 at 11:03 am

    Thanks for all the hair tip and tricks. I’ve always wondered about dry shampoo. I’ll have to get some and try it!

    -emily http://www.emilyeatsclean.wordpress.com

  27. Melissa (MelissaLikesToEat) on February 17, 2010 at 11:13 am

    Gina, you have to try Big Sexy Hair’s dry shampoo. It’s so awesome. It’s in their reg signature can and it’s a spray and it gives amazing volume.

  28. Ryane on February 17, 2010 at 11:15 am

    I’m still working on not washing my hair everyday… I sweat like crazy when I work out and because I’m trying to lose, I move it at least 30 min a day, so to balance it out, I only apply heat like 2x a week.
    As far as products, I loooooove John Frieda. I highlight my hair and am naturally a very dirty blonde/almost light brown but I use the “Sheer Blonde color renew” and I only highlight every 10 weeks or so as it keeps my hair looking pretty shiny (or pretty, shiny) and blonde longer. And the “weather works” weather-proofing creme is a must. I don’t leave home without it ever.

  29. Tamara on February 17, 2010 at 11:18 am

    This might be weird, but can I say how relieving it was to see that you don’t wash your hair everyday? It’s something I always feel torn about. I have very similiar hair texture/length as you and really cannot afford to destroy it by washing it everyday. You’ve put my fears to rest!!!

  30. Tracey on February 17, 2010 at 11:30 am

    One of my favorite hair products is Kiehls Creme with Silk Groom. It makes my hair SO soft and gets rid of the frizzies. LOVE IT!

  31. Kimberly J on February 17, 2010 at 11:32 am

    First comment… after months of browsing!

    I guess I should take some advice from this post and stop buying whatever is on sale at the store – not working for me! Thanks for the dry shampoo rec, will try that for sure!

  32. Angela (The Lady Loves to Eat) on February 17, 2010 at 12:05 pm

    I totally don’t wash my hair everyday, I wash it maybe twice a week. When I tell people this they think it’s gross but my hair no longer gets very oily because overtime it gets used to not being washed so often. Some girls I went to beauty school with would wash their hair for an entire week and they had beautiful hair!

  33. Karen on February 17, 2010 at 12:14 pm

    Thanks for the tips! If you’re interested I’ve seen Halo products on Amazon and HairCareChoices.com….

  34. Ashley on February 17, 2010 at 12:26 pm

    De-lurking for this one! I found your blog about a month ago and have been stalking since. You, your pilot, and your babies are ah-mazing.

    I’m also obsessed with Halo. I buy the liter size on Ebay and they are completely legit. You should try it when you’re out, mine always last 8-10 months!

    Thanks for all the great health, fitness, and style advice. Your attitude is contagious. 🙂

  35. geetha on February 17, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    Hi gina,
    Thanks for sharing your hair tips. You have great hair.
    The most wondering and cheapest way to make hair shine is…
    -apply mayo on hair for about an hour and wash it off…hair is healthy, and shines like crazy and it’s more natural stuff then all those serumsand creams. It repairs bad hair in 1 use.
    – another trick is to use very cold water for your last and final rinse…this one trick will do it. People often ask me how my hair is soooooo shiny and healthy. Trust me, try these two things and u won’t want those serums and creams anymore.
    – In india, people use coconut oil for hair. It cools your body down and is good for you.
    – Also, a healthy diet is important.
    I have a question, do they sell diffusers separately?. I have a blowdryer..was thinking of buying a diffuser. What make is yours?

  36. Hannah on February 17, 2010 at 12:36 pm

    Ugh-I have thick, curly hair that’s also super fine. I wash it maybe three times a week, but I condition as much as possible. Between working, training for a 1/2 marathon, and graduate school, I barely have time to blow dry or style it anymore, but when I do, I ALWAYS use Aveda Confixor- whether I’m rocking curly or straight that day. It gives it so much texture when it’s straight, and takes the frizz out of my curls. Another thing I love is Biolage Hydratherapie. It smells like heaven, and keeps my hair shiny and healthy!

  37. Amanda Jewell on February 17, 2010 at 12:56 pm

    Gina,
    Not to brag, but I’ve had nice hair all my life (THANK GOD)! It’s thick & wavy and the best product I use is MOP’s Leave-In Conditioner! It’s makes your hair so incredibly soft and healthy and does not weigh your hair down (especially b/c I work out similarly to you so the “too much stuff in my hair” mentality is there too). Also, for shampoo: MOP’s Mixed Greens Shampoo is fantastic. In-shower Conditioner: Organix’s Coconut Milk Conditioner = AMAZING!

    Both are organic so your hair is happy
    🙂

  38. Stephanie on February 17, 2010 at 1:01 pm

    I have wavy hair too and I adore Aveda Light Elements Smoothing Fluid, it does an amazing job at smoothing my hair and keeping it straight when I blow dry/straigten with the Chi!

  39. Ashley L on February 17, 2010 at 1:11 pm

    Coconut oil.

    Duh!

    But no really, I have intensely thick, curly hair. A smidgen of the oil while still wet shiny and moisturizes then any processed product I’ve ever used.

    I always let it air dry when I use the oil.

  40. Kristen on February 17, 2010 at 1:20 pm

    I use Morrocan oil. It is amazing for wavy, thick hair like mine!

    • Fitnessista on February 17, 2010 at 1:51 pm

      you’re the second person to suggest that! i’ve gotta check it out!

  41. Neha on February 17, 2010 at 1:33 pm

    Thanks for the wonderful and much needed post Gina. One question – do you color your hair or is it natural color? It’s gorgeous!!!

    • Fitnessista on February 17, 2010 at 1:51 pm

      hey neha,
      thank you!! i used to color it, but stopped about a year ago

  42. Marissa on February 17, 2010 at 3:02 pm

    I think everyone I know with thick hair was bald as a baby. You have great hair!

    • Fitnessista on February 17, 2010 at 3:11 pm

      thank you! <3

  43. Shannon on February 17, 2010 at 3:35 pm

    i’ve got thick hair too, and i’ve really taken to infusium 🙂 totally noticed a difference, especially in its ability to NOT leave any residue! i’ll have to keep an eye out for yours!

  44. Kristin (Cook, Bake and Nibble) on February 17, 2010 at 5:14 pm

    Your hair is gorgeous- it’s a lot like my younger sisters, which I am jealous of! Mine is less thicky and more wavy than hers, but my fave products are Pureology Shampoo and any Bedhead products!

    Loved this post!

    xo
    K

  45. Brittany on February 17, 2010 at 9:30 pm

    I think I’ve told you before but I loooove your hair – so gorgeous. I typically use volumizing shampoo/conditioner and I like to have 2 brands on hand so I can switch up it up every couple days. Sometimes I feel as though my hair stops responding as well to the same shampoo/conditioner. I’m using both EO and Aveeno shampoo/conditioner right now. I don’t wash or shampoo everyday and I really like the Oscar Blandi dry shampoo.

    I use Aveda Confixor gel/Tresemme Mouse for curly days and Aveda Pure Abundance for extra volume. I love both!!

    Thanks for sharing your tips G$.

  46. Trish on February 18, 2010 at 6:14 am

    Thank you for sharing Gina! I’ve just recently discovered your blog and you have so much fantastic information, I’ll never remember it all! lol

    This morning I’m going to try the conditioner tip in the shower. /crosses fingers!

  47. Shelly on February 18, 2010 at 11:07 am

    I do the conditioner thing too! My stylist told me not to wash my (oh so color treated) hair every day, so I was previously washing it every other day and just wetting it on the days that I didn’t wash it. My hair is fine (I have lots of hair, but each hair is very skinny) and can be oily, and I hated the texture it had on my non-washing days. I’m not sure if it was residue from my hair products not coming out or just too much oil- my hair felt sticky! However, washing every day really dried it out too much. I started using just conditioner on the days I didn’t wash (and I kind of scrub it in, if that makes sense) and my hair is so much nicer now! I’ve gone up to three days using the just conditioner and I love it. My understanding is that there is a small amount detergent in conditioner anyway, so using the conditioner gets it cleaner than just rinsing with water does- plus the conditioner makes it soft and nice smelling too. I love it!

  48. All Women Stalker on February 22, 2010 at 10:43 am

    You have such gorgeous hair! Thanks for all these suggestions! I’mma try some of ’em out.

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