My Current Haircare Favorites! + Hana Review

Hair styled with Jilbere 1.5" porcelain curling iron

Hair is one of my favorite beauty topics because I am constantly experimenting with new products and styling routines. Currently, I've been styling my long hair in one of two ways- voluminous and curled or straight and sleek. After months of experimenting with new hair tools and styling products, I've conjured up a list of my current haircare favorites:

Pureology Blow Dry Amplifier ($22.00)

Click for product information

This blow dry volume gel is super lightweight, non-sticky, and creates big yet natural volume in my hair. Most importantly, it is alcohol-free! Most volume products contain many drying agents such as alcohol, so I think the alcohol-free benefit is fabulous. With most volume products, my hair will have massive volume but will lose all shine, moisture, and signs of healthiness. This product eliminates that problem and gives me big, natural volume with shine, softness and wonderful hold. Pureology products also have an Anti-Fade complex for color treated hair. Although I do not color my hair anymore, some of you may find this very beneficial. I like this product much more than my Big Sexy hair products, including their blow dry gel, which I also own. The Pureology also has a much more pleasant, light scent.

Bumble & Bumble Texture (Un)dressing Creme ($26)

Click for product information

Bb Texture is one of Bumble's newer products, and it has received a ton of online news coverage in the beauty world. This product is amazing, but it does take some practice to understand how to use it and how much of the product is appropriate to use for your hair type. The creme itself is a slightly tacky cream texture that is meant to create tousled, gritty, next day hair (i.e. the Olsen twins). Some people complain that it is sticky in the hair or that you cannot run a brush through it, but I think that when you use a tousling product meant to create grip to the hair, the look is not meant to be brushed out or perfectly polished. It creates a carefree “done yet undone” look as long as you start with a tiny bit of product and work more in depending on your hair type. I would recommend starting off with a dime size. I use about a quarter size for my long, slightly course hair, and find that it is the perfect amount to keep it from being sticky yet still working effectively to bring out the layers and tousled waves in my hair and give my hairstyle good hold. I use it in damp hair after I shower and either tousle it and let it air dry for beautiful beach waves, or I apply it liberally to my hair (even at my roots since it creates tons of volume) and give it a rough blow dry without a brush. Then, I curl my hair, allowing Texture to act as a primer and holding agent to add grip for more curly, wavy, voluminous looks as well as updos.

Bumble and Bumble Styling creme ($24)

Click for product information

I have the travel size of this creme and my main purpose for this product is to slick and hold back my baby hairs when I'm going for a sleek, polished high ponytail. It is a wonderful multi-purpose product and is also great for styling curls and to create some hold when blowdrying hair straight.

Hana Shine Shield Thermal Protectant ($18.99 for 2 oz, $29.99 for 6 oz)

Click for product information

This is a wonderful serum that was sent to me by Missiko. I wasn't asked to do a review on it, but I found it to be such an awesome product that they sent along with the flat iron, that I really wanted to include it in my favorites. Some of the straightening/smoothing serums I have loved in the past are the CHI Silk Infusion, John Freida Frizz-Ease, Biosilk, Redken Smooth Down, and Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum. I've tried just about every serum you could possibly think of and the Hana is my favorite along with the CHI Silk Infusion. The scent of the Hana serum is AMAZING. Like I seriously have some sort of crazy addiction to it. I go to a Korean salon to get my hair cut, and it reminds me of one of those magical hair serums your stylist puts in your hair that smells amazing and makes your hair all bouncy and smooth, yet you have no clue what the name of the product is! I use this on towel-dried hair just before I blow dry my hair straight, and it creates the most silky smooth hair. It moisturizes and nourishes hair with Jojoba oil and silk, protects my hair from heat appliances, and is nowhere near greasy yet has the capability to penetrate my course strands! The consistency is slightly more thin and runny than other serums I own. It is a pleasure to use and I'm so glad that I was given the opportunity to try it out because I have been using this almost everyday and have become pretty loyal to this stuff! This has impressed me so much that I will be buying this from the website when I run out.

Hana Pro 1” Flat Iron ($119.89, on sale)

Missiko Hair Straighteners

CHI Flat Iron

Hana

This hair styling tool, along with the Hana serum, were two products that were sent to me for review consideration from Missiko. I was actually surprised that I liked the flat iron because I own many excellent flat irons (CHI, Ion, Fahrenheit) and didn't think this would be anything special. I think that the most prominent differences I noticed with this flat iron was the considerable amount of shine that it gave my hair as well as the lightweight feel of the iron itself. When you have long hair like myself, straightening and styling your hair can really tire out your arms! I love that this iron is so incredibly lightweight in comparison to the irons I had been using previously. From a purely aesthetic standpoint, I also love the blue plates. I think they're pretty :) I also like that this flat iron has multiple temperature settings- an option that my CHI iron does not provide. It straightens my thick, course hair very well and I like to use it in conjunction with the Hana Shine Shield Thermal Protectant serum. I have yet to use the Hana flat iron to curl my hair, as I am not a huge fan of curling hair with a flat iron, but if I ever do try it, I will be sure to update on how that goes.

Hair styled with Hana 1" Pro flat iron

I think the biggest question with any sort of product sent gratis from a company is “Would I ever purchase this myself with my own money?”

The regular retail price for the Hana Pro 1” flat iron is $205.99. I honestly would not pay over $200 for a flat iron that I have not tried out beforehand. Additionally, I doubt that I would ever purchase a flat iron over $200 because I believe that is a ridiculous price for a flat iron, even the well-known GHD. On the other hand, the website appears to have the Hana Pro 1” flat iron on sale for long periods of time for $119.89. Now would I reconsider? YES! I paid a little over $100 for my CHI flat iron, but I prefer the Hana iron over the CHI and if I didn't already have multiple flat irons, I would most definitely purchase this iron with my own money after seeing how well it straightens my hair and how much shine and bounce it creates and gives to my layered, long hair. I understand that it can be difficult to gauge how well an iron will work through an online review, but please feel free to ask me questions about the Hana products I have reviewed, feel free to comment below!

Jilbere Porcelain 1.5” Curling Iron ($29.99)

Click here for product information

This baby heats up to 392 degrees with multiple heat settings in less than a minute and most importantly, STAYS hot while you're styling! It's a wonderful deal for a high-quality curling iron from Sally's for only $29.99. Check the monthly Sally's ads because they almost always have these irons on sale or as a free gift with purchase. I received this iron as a free GWP because I bought the Jilbere Porcelain 20 Hot Roller set, which I also highly recommend. The 1.5” barrel is perfect for creating those big, voluminous Kardashian/Victoria's Secret curls that I love. Check out the first pic of this post- I used this iron to achieve those big curls. I grab 1 inch sections of hair and flip my iron out away from my face to create big curls and volume :)

Hair styled with Jilbere 1.5" porcelain curling iron (on left)

Ion Volumizing Shaping Mist

Click here for product information

I like to set my finished curls with Ion Volumizing Shaping Mist in the big blue can from Sally's because it smells amazing for a hairspray and it holds well and provides volume without making my hair stiff. This is my "everyday volume" hairspray. For a stronger hold at night, I go with Beyond the Zone's Flipped Out. I love finding these awesome, cheap beauty gems at Sally's!


Disclaimer: All products were purchased by me with my own money, except for the Hana Pro 1” flat iron and the Hana Shine Shield serum, which were sent to me for free from Missiko. I was not paid for this review nor was I obligated to write a review that reflected Missiko in a positive light. These are my own opinions and as someone who saves their hard-earned money to spend on quality products, I would never recommend something that I didn't truly love.

How I get beachy summer waves without heat

I always loved the look of beachy, effortless waves, especially for the summer, so I'm glad to have finally found a way to achieve that look. I've been meaning to do this post for awhile now, but haven't really gotten around to blogging lately. I get a lot of questions about my loose waves so I thought I'd show you guys the technique I use, as well my favorite products.



(Beyond The Zone Spray scrunched + one bun)

Let's start off with a little hair history. My hair is naturally pretty straight and coarse with a very slight wave. Not a good wave, but a really bad funky one. Like I literally have two poofy waves in my hair. For the past few years, I've been very bad to my hair. I used a straightener and blow dryer on my hair just about every single day. I hated the way my hair air-dried and was always working against my natural texture.

PRODUCTS:
I've tried a countless number of mousses, spray gels, cremes, etc. and I can honestly say that these are the only products that have delivered with my stubborn hair type:

-Beyond The Zone Super Sexy wave spray ($5.49 @ Sally's w/pro card, $6.29 without, bright green bottle with purple cap)
-Garnier Surf Hair paste ($3 @ Walmart, bright green rounded tub with yellow top)
-Garnier Wonder Waves spray ($3 @ Walmart)
-David Babaii Bohemian Beach spray ($10 @ Ulta, dark brown bottle)

Before discovering these products, I was never able to create waves in my hair without using heat. They would always turn out straight or frizzy and completely undefined. The Super Sexy spray is the product that initially encouraged wave in my hair and worked to give me beachy waves, therefore it tops the list. It smells like watermelon vodka (I hate vodka) so I always have to hold my breath when I spray this stuff. The scent goes away quickly though. The David Babaii is good, especially when used to refresh curls, but it leaves a slightly heavy feel.

TECHNIQUE:
I've really been loving the combination of Garnier's Wonder Waves and Surf Hair. I blot my wet hair with a towel and spray Wonder Waves to my hair when it is damp and scrunch like a madwoman. I wait until it is just a little less than halfway dried and I scrunch a dime-sized amount of Surf Hair paste after rubbing it between my hands, making sure not to cover one spot more than once. I let my hair air dry naturally. To make really gorgeous waves, I gather two sides of my hair into high ponytails, roll into buns, and bobby pin with two crisscrossing pins. I let that air dry and then shake out the wave. Experiment with different amounts of each product to work with your hair. I find that this combo gives me defined waves while controlling frizz. Start off with less, and then work more into your hair. The biggest thing is avoiding crunchy, heavy waves.



(Note that my hair is nowhere near as wavy as this naturally. Garnier combo + two buns)



On another note, I've been completely obsessed with wearing my bucket hat. It matches with everything, protects my hair and face from the sun, and gives off a perfect easygoing summer look when paired with beach waves. The combo reminds me of those Lily Donaldson Burberry ads :) I was inspired to start wearing my bucket hat after seeing a beautiful spread in Allure called "Summer Essentials."


(Photo credit to Allure)

I haven't used heat on my hair for an entire month now, which is pretty impressive considering I used to straighten and blow dry my hair every single day. I can't believe how much softer, shinier, healthier, and less frizzy my hair has become in just one month. My hair has a different look and feel to it, and it is easier to style and manage. I would suggest you guys to take a "no heat" challenge for the summer and see how much your hair improves!