the hair necessities

Quick confession: The title of this post-- the hair necessities-- is totally an on-purpose play on "The Jungle Book" song "The Bare Necessities." I'm humming to it right now... and if it's now stuck in your head, sorry. ;)

When I was little, I didn't like my hair. Kids can be cruel-- especially to anyone different-- and my red hair made me different. I wanted black hair or brown hair, honestly. It wasn't until college that I really appreciated the color and now my hair is probably my favorite feature. I'm not too fancy when it comes to taking care of my hair, but I do have a routine of products that I use to tame the mane. 

Let me explain one quick thing. I do not wash my hair every day, and most often I try to go every two days. Before you tell me how gross that is, for one thing, I'm lazy and this saves me a TON of time. Also, I've heard from so many people that washing your hair daily is really not good for it. It takes time to train your hair to be able to go without a daily wash, but if you can hack the few greaseball days getting there, it is worth it. Promise.

1. Aveda style prep smoother. This is the only fancy hair product I own, but I swear by it. It's non-greasy, light-weight but keeps my hair smooth and easier to style. I'm hooked.

2. Ceramic Tools flat iron It's not the fanciest, priciest flat iron, but it's a ceramic one that works really well for me (my hair is slightly wavy) and for the price, ($21 on Amazon!), it cannot be beat.

3. HANAair blow dryer. I've never been a fancy-pants blowdryer person. A lot of time I'm running late and don't have time to blow dry my entire mane, but I was asked to review this one by the fine folk at Misikko and I'm impressed. Turns out nice blow dryers make a difference. This one is labeled as the best professional blow dyer, and it honestly wins its title: it makes my hair silkier, my hair style last longer and my hair is dryer, faster.

4. Tresemme Tres Two Extra Hold Hairspray Sometimes you need the hairs to hold. This spray is awesome but it doesn't make your hair too helmet-like.

5. dry shampoo by Sauve. I've tried a few dry shampoos but this cheapo one by Sauve wins. It smells delish and works well. I spray it on my roots after I work out during lunch. I cannot love on this product more.

5. baby powder. So here's the real secret behind how I don't wash my hair daily. I put in baby powder in my hair, concentrating on my bangs and roots and crown of my head, before bed. I like the lavender baby powder so it doesn't smell too baby. (The husband appreciates that.)

6. Suave rosemary mint shampoo and conditioner. There's a certain high-end brand (ahem Aveda) that makes this awesome rosemary mint shampoo that I cannot justify buying. Luckily there's this low-end brand that sells something practically identical for a fraction of the price. woot.

Do you have any favorite hair products? And have I convinced you to stop washing your hair?

xo, erika

(some affiliate links used.)

hair twists

Every week I play a little game with myself:
How long can I go without washing my hair?
To be honest, I rarely go more than two, but I always try to streeeeetch it to that third day, and I usually can with a bun or something a little cuter, like knotted twists.

 tease, twist, secure. voila.

three twisted buns hairstyle via cup of joe

and my necklace is from pretties by meg-- snag one here!

xo, erika

the dirty hair manifesto (a tutorial)

 So I think you guys all know my secret by now...

I don't wash my hair that often. And before you go all "eeeewww, Erika" on me, hear me out.

Not only does this allow me to be more lazy in the morning, but it's actually not good to wash your hair daily because it can dry it out which leads to damaged hair or hair that overproduces oil.

And I know what you're thinking right now -- you're thinking that your hair is too greasy, that you can't do this, but let me tell you something. I was just like you. In high school I got up way too early to wash and blow dry my hair every day and it was rough going.

Then I got to college and well I was too busy flirting with the future husband to be washin the ol' hair, and I met a friend who taught me how to rock dirty hair.

And now I want to pass what she taught me onto you!

First off, the products:

baby powder: this product is like the best thing ever. Yes, it's great for baby bums but it also absorbs hair greasies like no one's business. Even if you have dark hair, a little bit of baby powder goes a long way. My trick? Put it in at night so it has time to absorb and you can avoid the powdered hair look.


dry shampoo: this is a recent addition to my dirty hair arsenal and I mainly use it after I workout to freshen my hair and do some major dirty hair control. Suave and Tresemme brands are great.

hair pretties: a pretty headband, or this adorable mint turban by rayna jaye is a great way to hide your greasies. Or, put it up! I have a pretty strict dirty hair schedule. Day one-- it's blow-dried, down and straightened. Day two, it gets a bit of waves, and day three it's hiding in a top knot or another updo. I love the tye for doing these sort of styles.

not pictured: teasing comb! If your hair gets limp and flat when it's dirty, I highly recommend a teasing comb that can plump it up. Also, hair with a bit of body can also hide those greasy, lank roots. (how gross of a word is lank?)

Finally, you need to know that this regime takes TIME. You have to train your hair. Right now your hair may be used to getting washed every day, so it gets greasy quickly. With time, you can train it to go longer-- just expect some really painful greasy days while you get there. But it's worth it. I promise. :) Think of it as the greasy hair olympics.

questions? comments? holla at me. I do love talking about my dirty hair. ;)

xo, erika

p.s.  I do wash my hair though-- most often every two days.  :)