Ride the beachy boho wave
It's that time of year, peeps. Summer's approaching and there's nothin' better than icy cold watermelon, flip flps and you guessed it, those lovely boho waves that only the ocean, the sun and the hot sand on your back can create. Not lucky enough to be blessed living in Hawaii? No worries! I've scoured the seven seas to find the best products to imitate Mother Nature.
* Note, I have immensely heat damaged, dry, very thick, layered locks (which are naturally wavy but because of the damage from years of flat iron use, they're a bit frizzy from split ends which I am in the process of fixing). While I typically need to prime & prep before giving my hair a perfectly boho look, these products are meant to skip all the extra work.
Sunsilk "Captivating Curls Styling Creme" / $5.99
When giving my hair a wavy do, I like to start with a lightweight, curl enhancing cream to bite down on frizz and problematic split ends. Sunsilk, for a mere six bucks (or less depending on where you shop) does an excellent job of this. Despite my hair being terribly damaged, a couple small pumps before blow drying keeps most of the frizz in check without leaving that sticky, starchy feeling us lovely ladies have come to hate. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to hold up as well in extreme humidity (thanks New England) but unless your ends are as damaged as mine, I'm absolutely sure it would work better. Wonderful budget buy.
Bare Bronze "Beach Hair Texturizing Spray" / $14.00
Believe it or not, Victoria Secret has fantastic bargains, especially when you manage to catch a good sale. And while most of their Bare Bronze line as unfortunately been fazed out, I've consistently spied this 'lil beauty available in most local stores. This is a straight up, no holds barred, one trick pony. It enhances your natural waves with no fuss, no extra effort and no major frills. While it does contain an antioxidant (Buriti) and sunflower seed extract for UV protection, it doesn't have a strong floral/fruity scent nor does it do much else other than, well, give you extremely natural, flowing locks. If your hair needs to be prepped beforehand due to damage, certainly do as this doesn't tame frizz, tangles or anything else. The results are unsticky and unscented to boot. *Note, while some areas are no longer offering the Bare Bronze line, they are offering a similar product under "So Sexy" for $10.
TIGI "Curlesque Curls Rock Amplifier" / $21.99
A rebottled version of TIGI's classic Curls Rock formula, this lightweight, fruity cream works extremely well for the naturally wavy or curly haired chick in the 'house. It adds gorgeous shine, a luscious scent and defines your natural texture regardless of how healthy or damaged your hair may be. It also has a relatively effective, very flexible hold which gives texturizing sprays that perfect, extra boost to keep everything in check. Simply work into towel dried hair and blow dry using your fingers. If your hair is naturally straight, thin or healthy, you'll probably do just fine with Sunsilk's creme, otherwise definitely reach for TIGI for maximum heat protection, hold and healthy, gorg shine.
blow "beach blow texturizing spray" / $21.00
I was initially torn between this and bumble's Surf Spray. In the end, both work extremely well but for reasons I'll discuss below, this 'ole gal is the winner. Formulated and marketed by the geniuses at NYC's infamous blow dry bar, this lightweight, nonsticky sea salt spray gives incredible natural shine, hold and the most gorgeous, boho waves with the least effort I've ever used. Simply spritz in damp hair, scrunch with fingers and blow dry for a sexy bedhead look. Looking for something a little more defined? Spritz n' scrunch into dry hair for beachy waves. Super humid weather? Seal your style in with a few quick flicks of your curling iron on low. The results are long lasting, touchable and nonflaky. An added bonus? Their formulas are Keratin compliant, free of sulfates, animal cruelty free and twenty-one bucks gets you a whopping 8.5 oz to boot. I can't help but rave how simply, awesome this spray is.
Bumble and bumble. "Surf Spray" / $22.00
Until I blowed and died, Bb.'s beloved surf spray was my go-to gal for beachy waves. Long lasting, bouncy and natural looking, this classic spray also gives incredible body and definition. Spray onto damp or dry hair and air dry (or use a blow dryer) for gorg. results. However if there's one thing I would change.. it's the sticky, powdery residue left behind. Even after combing through, my style would spring right back but with less than touchable results. Touching, twisting or finger fussing of any type leaves a sticky, tacky residue behind reminiscent of that old school '80s hair spray my Mom would use to spritz over my hair when I was a youngster. Accidently used a tad too touch? Double yikes: eventually it flakes at the roots leaving you with a fro' full of mock dandruff. Overall, despite its somewhat deserved hype, I'm not completely convinced it gives serious bang for the buck. (I paid twenty-nine dollars plus tax for a mere 4 oz bottle at the local salon which appears to be the typical price at Bb.'s authorized dealers.) However, it does work well in small amounts if you're not one to get touchy-feely with your hair. Otherwise I'd consider skipping.
Now for a belated dinner 'cause my stomach is a callin.'
* Note, I have immensely heat damaged, dry, very thick, layered locks (which are naturally wavy but because of the damage from years of flat iron use, they're a bit frizzy from split ends which I am in the process of fixing). While I typically need to prime & prep before giving my hair a perfectly boho look, these products are meant to skip all the extra work.
Sunsilk "Captivating Curls Styling Creme" / $5.99
When giving my hair a wavy do, I like to start with a lightweight, curl enhancing cream to bite down on frizz and problematic split ends. Sunsilk, for a mere six bucks (or less depending on where you shop) does an excellent job of this. Despite my hair being terribly damaged, a couple small pumps before blow drying keeps most of the frizz in check without leaving that sticky, starchy feeling us lovely ladies have come to hate. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to hold up as well in extreme humidity (thanks New England) but unless your ends are as damaged as mine, I'm absolutely sure it would work better. Wonderful budget buy.
Bare Bronze "Beach Hair Texturizing Spray" / $14.00
Believe it or not, Victoria Secret has fantastic bargains, especially when you manage to catch a good sale. And while most of their Bare Bronze line as unfortunately been fazed out, I've consistently spied this 'lil beauty available in most local stores. This is a straight up, no holds barred, one trick pony. It enhances your natural waves with no fuss, no extra effort and no major frills. While it does contain an antioxidant (Buriti) and sunflower seed extract for UV protection, it doesn't have a strong floral/fruity scent nor does it do much else other than, well, give you extremely natural, flowing locks. If your hair needs to be prepped beforehand due to damage, certainly do as this doesn't tame frizz, tangles or anything else. The results are unsticky and unscented to boot. *Note, while some areas are no longer offering the Bare Bronze line, they are offering a similar product under "So Sexy" for $10.
TIGI "Curlesque Curls Rock Amplifier" / $21.99
A rebottled version of TIGI's classic Curls Rock formula, this lightweight, fruity cream works extremely well for the naturally wavy or curly haired chick in the 'house. It adds gorgeous shine, a luscious scent and defines your natural texture regardless of how healthy or damaged your hair may be. It also has a relatively effective, very flexible hold which gives texturizing sprays that perfect, extra boost to keep everything in check. Simply work into towel dried hair and blow dry using your fingers. If your hair is naturally straight, thin or healthy, you'll probably do just fine with Sunsilk's creme, otherwise definitely reach for TIGI for maximum heat protection, hold and healthy, gorg shine.
blow "beach blow texturizing spray" / $21.00
I was initially torn between this and bumble's Surf Spray. In the end, both work extremely well but for reasons I'll discuss below, this 'ole gal is the winner. Formulated and marketed by the geniuses at NYC's infamous blow dry bar, this lightweight, nonsticky sea salt spray gives incredible natural shine, hold and the most gorgeous, boho waves with the least effort I've ever used. Simply spritz in damp hair, scrunch with fingers and blow dry for a sexy bedhead look. Looking for something a little more defined? Spritz n' scrunch into dry hair for beachy waves. Super humid weather? Seal your style in with a few quick flicks of your curling iron on low. The results are long lasting, touchable and nonflaky. An added bonus? Their formulas are Keratin compliant, free of sulfates, animal cruelty free and twenty-one bucks gets you a whopping 8.5 oz to boot. I can't help but rave how simply, awesome this spray is.
Bumble and bumble. "Surf Spray" / $22.00
Until I blowed and died, Bb.'s beloved surf spray was my go-to gal for beachy waves. Long lasting, bouncy and natural looking, this classic spray also gives incredible body and definition. Spray onto damp or dry hair and air dry (or use a blow dryer) for gorg. results. However if there's one thing I would change.. it's the sticky, powdery residue left behind. Even after combing through, my style would spring right back but with less than touchable results. Touching, twisting or finger fussing of any type leaves a sticky, tacky residue behind reminiscent of that old school '80s hair spray my Mom would use to spritz over my hair when I was a youngster. Accidently used a tad too touch? Double yikes: eventually it flakes at the roots leaving you with a fro' full of mock dandruff. Overall, despite its somewhat deserved hype, I'm not completely convinced it gives serious bang for the buck. (I paid twenty-nine dollars plus tax for a mere 4 oz bottle at the local salon which appears to be the typical price at Bb.'s authorized dealers.) However, it does work well in small amounts if you're not one to get touchy-feely with your hair. Otherwise I'd consider skipping.
Now for a belated dinner 'cause my stomach is a callin.'