I Put My Hair Through Hell—My (On-Sale) Secrets That Keep It Long and Healthy

I've tried practically every shampoo and conditioner under the sun, and Oribe's iconic Gold Lust collection is still the dynamic duo I can't shut up about. From a special Bio-Restorative Complex that contains ingredients like biotin and plant-based collagen to Mediterranean cypress extract for next-level moisture, it just can't be beaten. There are three shampoo-and-conditioner sets that are always, always in my shower (you'll meet the other two later), and this is one of them.

I have only met two—yes, two—leave-in detangling formulas that truly detangle and condition my damaged hair so well that I quite literally only lose a few strands during my comb-through. And this stellar formula is one of them! I'm hooked for life, and I recommend it to anyone and everyone who is sick of subpar leave-in conditioners and detangling cocktails.

When my lightened strands start to look and feel like straw, I immediately turn to this lightweight moisturizing cream to imbue some much-needed silky-softness and shine. The brand also makes a version for thicker hair types, but this one is geared toward fine-to-medium and extra-long hair—aka mine. 

Despite all of the havoc I wreak on my hair in terms of bleaching, my scalp somehow manages to stay pretty balanced, healthy, and flake-free (probably due to my shampooing cadence and how minimally I use styling products that can cause buildup). That said, I've been having a moment with this scalp tonic from Augustinus Bader. It's formulated with tons of great ingredients like oat kernel oil, watercress, Indian cress, maca root extracts, and vitamin B5, and it noticeably helps reduce shedding and general hair loss while simultaneously supporting fast and healthy natural hair growth. 

For years, hair oils have been an integral part of my haircare routine, and it's a nonnegotiable step the second I get out of the shower with freshly cleansed strands. I use a tiny bit of Augustinus Bader's hair oil (which has the same famed TCF8 technology as the brand's iconic face creams) on damp strands. Just be sure to use it sparingly, as a little bit goes a long way, and too much can make your hair a little greasy if it's fine or thin. 

I'm not going to pretend like I style my hair every day. In fact, my lack of heat styling is a huge reason my bleached hair is as long and healthy as it is. That said, T3 is one of my favorite brands for heat and styling tools, and this flat iron is honestly amazing and as "safe" as it gets in the damage-prevention department. You can customize the settings to suit your hair type (texture, length, and color), and then it monitors and maintains the heat of the irons to keep your strands intact and happy.

There are a lot of expensive and inexpensive hair dryers on the market, but this travel-sized T3 model is great to have for trips. It's 25% lighter and 30% smaller than a full-sized T3 hair dryer, but uses IonAir technology to produce 10 million negative ions per second, offering smooth, shiny results in mere minutes.

Investing in this showerhead from T3 is one of the best things I've ever done for my hair. Not only does it look great, but it's the easiest way to keep unwanted chemicals and minerals from damaging and discoloring my hair. 

If I could only use one other hair product in addition to shampoo and conditioner, this is the one I'd pick. I've gone on and on about this OG product from Olaplex for years, but I can't imagine life—or my hair—without it. I apply it to wet strands once a week and try to let it marinate for at least an hour, but a whole day if possible. Because of said ritual, I only lose a couple of strands of hair post-wash as I comb out and detangle, which is a truly satisfying feeling that never gets old. I'll put it like so: If you're not using this, your hair is mad at you.

I'm telling you now that you absolutely positively need to add this bonding serum from Olaplex to your cart. I love anything and everything Olaplex makes (clearly), but dare I say this is my favorite formula yet? I'm a minimalist when it comes to hair products, but this lightweight serum has officially edged itself into the deepest valves of my heart. I apply a nickel-size amount to my damp hair pre-oil and any other styling products, and once my hair dries, it's impeccably soft, smooth, shiny, and healthy feeling. If you like instant and long-term gratification when it comes to the look and feel of your strands, you'll flip for this.

I mentioned earlier that there are three sets of shampoo and conditioner in my shower at all times. Olaplex's is the one I reach for most often for ultimate protection against hair shedding and snappage. I legit panic when I realize I'm nearing empty. 

I want my shampoo and conditioner to help me tick every box in the hair department: shine, bounce, body, and softness. Many fail, but this pair from R+Co's sustainable range, Bleu, is one of the rare few that succeeds. Fortified with everything my thirsty hair craves like coconut, babassu, and sea buckthorn oils, saffron crocus extract, red marine algae, cucumber water, and caffeine extract, the duo is an investment-worthy miracle I'm so glad I discovered. 

As a rule, I hate wave sprays. Usually, because they contain sea salt, which immediately turns my platinum strands into a crispy, sticky disaster that repulses me. (I hate feeling styling products in my hair, nothing is worse, IMO.) So you can imagine how surprised I was when I fell head over heels in love with R+Co's beautiful rose-infused formula. You're left with soft, hydrated, touchable, and shiny texture thanks to a lush mix of ingredients like rose flower water, calendula flower water, sea buckthorn seed oil, quinoa, and panthenol, which is rich in vitamin B5. 

Retro packaging aside (I'm a sucker for anything that drips vintage inspiration), this is my absolute favorite hair oil when I want to add shine and softness to my style after the fact. It's lightweight—never greasy—and it makes your hair shimmer with shine. I can't get enough of it.