Today I wanted to share my current haircare routine and what’s working for me. Over the years I’ve tried so many different shampoos and products, and I feel like I’ve finally fallen into a haircare routine that I genuinely love and can see actual benefit from, especially with highlighted blonde hair which we all know takes a bit more work!
I’ve been highlighting my hair for about the past two years now, and after having darker hair there for a while, I really love how it looks. It’s definitely a lot harder to keep blonde hair healthy, and keeping it hydrated and not brassy really is key to a good blonde! I get my hair highlighted every 4 months, with a full head of highlights then two lots of half-heads, so roughly three times a year I’m at the salon.
As you can see below, my hair goes super blonde once I’ve had my full head done, and then more of a darker blonde as my natural colour comes through. These photos are pretty much a year apart, with the first one being taken right after my full head of highlights and the second ready for another full head. I’ve only had two lots of half highlights in between. This makes it cheaper and still gives me the blonde colour I’m after!
I am a bit of a minimalist when it comes to my hair, so I use very few products, especially on a regular basis. I also try to use natural products where possible too, although I really struggle in finding natural hair styling products that work, so most of the ones I use aren’t natural.
But here we go, here’s my go-to haircare routine for highlighted blonde hair.
Haircare Routine: Products & Washing
I like to wash my hair every three to five days, depending on what I’m doing. I’ve found the less I wash it the less I have to, and of course being a mum means very limited time anyway! I always condition or apply hair masks before shampooing, and most times I only apply the conditioner to the lengths and the ends before applying just the small remainder to the roots. This gives the dryer part of my hair the hydration it needs, without making the roots greasy. This style of washing has been coined reverse-washing and I have been using this method for years now and find it really works.
The shampoo and conditioner I’m currently using is the Innersense Hydrating Range*. They do a really good job, and while they are a bit pricey, a little does go a long way. These products are completely natural and are hands down one of the best natural shampoo and conditioners I’ve used.
Every second wash, I’ll use a purple shampoo to help tone my hair and reduce any yellow or harsh tones in my hair. I’m currently liking the Hi-Lift True Blonde Zero Yellow Shampoo. While it’s not natural, it’s an awful lot better than many other purple shampoos and I find it does a good job of toning my hair. It also comes in a pump bottle which is much better and less messy for dispensing the shampoo.
I used to use the Fudge Purple shampoo, which admittedly does an amazing job, but it’s packed with literally a million chemicals and the upside down bottle means I ended up with purple ALL OVER THE BATHROOM whenever I did my hair. (If your less un-co than me, by all means give this one a try as it’s great, but every time I did my hair it looked like I got into a fight with a smurf and I’d find purple shampoo everywhere for the next few days…..)
Haircare Routine: Treatments
Every couple of washes I like to use a conditioning treatment in place of my normal conditioner. I’ve tried so many different hair masks now, and I’ve found the humble coconut oil to be the best and most effective. I wrote a post about how I use this here, and it’s so simple and easy!
I also often use a leave in conditioner, and I love the Innersense Sweet Spirit* one as it’s so hydrating but doesn’t weigh my hair down. I also use the DeLorenzo Infinite Detangler sometimes too as I love the smell of it and it makes my hair so so soft and really easy to brush out. This one is really good especially if my hair was really tangled which usually happens when I use purple shampoo.
Haircare Routine: Drying & Styling
I try to avoid using heat on my hair as much as possible. In the winter, inevitably I end up having to use my hair dryer once a week (because who wants to leave the house with wet hair!?), but mostly I try to let my hair air dry as much as possible. I am very lucky to have naturally straight hair, so generally I don’t do much to style it. I might straighten or curl it once every couple of weeks, but that’s it! I know I’m really lucky to have very low maintenance hair!
If my hair is freshly washed, I’ll often leave it down and wear it naturally. If I’m working or just around the house, it’s often in a low bun to keep it out of my face. On the third day after washing, when my hair is starting to look a little….average, I’ll pop it up in a high bun or a ponytail to disguise the fact it’s a little worse for wear! I’ll admit, I’m not very adventurous with my hair, and I only have about 3 or 4 ‘go-to;’ hairstyles and they are all super basic. This is something I definitely would like to get better with!
Haircare Routine: Styling Products
Since my hair is so easy to style, I use minimal styling products. When it comes to any heat-styling, I always use a heat protectant and the one I like best is the Schwarzkopf Heidi’s Heat Styles Protectant (available from your local supermarket or drugstore). It’s not natural, but is an affordable and effective heat protectant. Again, since I don’t heat style my hair too much, I haven’t invested in anything too pricey.
When it comes to brushing, I swear by the The Wet Brush Pro . I use this on my hair when it’s both wet and dry, and it’s hands down the best brush I’ve used. This brush is so much more gentle on my hair than other brushes and doesn’t pull or tug when I’m trying to brush out knots. I don’t brush my hair a lot, perhaps only once a day. In fact, sometimes I don’t even brush my hair in the morning as it still looks fine (again, VERY lucky to have low-maintenance hair!) I generally have it tied up in a low bun for most of the day (otherwise Jack likes to pull at my hair), so very very simple!
If I’m straightening my hair, I’ll sometimes use the ghd Straight & Smooth Spray which makes my hair mega smooth and shiny. I usually use this if I’m straightening my hair for photos or events, as I find this spray does make my hair oilier quicker. The same with the DeLorenzo Amplifying Voluminising Spritz – it makes my hair look amazing and voluminous for a day or two, before it gets oily quickly. So again, it’s one I just use more for special occasions.
What does your haircare routine consist of? I’m always looking for new products to try, so pop them in a comment below!
