The Basics

I've decided to compile a list of must-haves. Things that I can not live without on a daily basis. I am talking about styling my daughters hair. For mine, I have already listed my favs. Like, the Chi flat iron, the Centrix blowdryer, the pomade, the hairspray. So, this is my "basics" list:


Good shampoo. ALWAYS, ALWAYS start with good shampoo and conditioner. I always suggest professional products to all of my clients. If you don't use them, you should. Just try it once, you'll be hooked. You may say that they are too expensive, but I disagree. One of the reasons I suggest Biolage a lot, is that it is a really good basic line, and also inexpensive. The cost per bottle is a lot different, but the professional lines are much more concentrated so you need to use a lot less, so it goes a lot further. Trust me. Try it. Especially if you spend the time and the money to get your hair colored. If you are willing to invest money into making your hair look nice and have a great color, you are wasting your money if you are not using a good product on it! Trust me. Recently, I had a client, who I assumed was using a good shampoo and conditioner. She was complaining that her color was washing out so fast and starting to fade to a really red, brassy color. We could not figure out what the problem was. Lo and behold, she was using Garnier Fructis. AARGH!! She had wasted so much time and money worrying and re-coloring her hair, when it was as simple as that. Just do it. Do it for me, so I don't freak!!
Next is just a basic brush. A vent brush, as I call it. Something that has wide enough teeth that you can comb through your hair after the shower and it doesn't rip it all out. Also so you can brush it the next morning and it gets all the tangles out! Could not live without a brush like this!!! Feel free to spend as much as you like on this!! See, you can save your pennies on your brush and save it for shampoo!!

A squirt bottle. So innocent, small and unassuming. HOLY COW! I think, between my boys and my daughter (and a little ironing!!) I use this the most. It helps to spray the hair before pulling it back in a pony tail, pushing it back in a headband, or just if it's doing something funky!

The rat tail comb. Irreplaceable. This sucker parts like there is no tomorrow. For as many intricate things that I do to my daughters hair, I use this a ton. Even if you're just doing pony tails or braids, it gives you that nice crisp part line. LOVE IT!!

Butterfly clips, to separate hair while styling different sections. Especially when round brushing.

Aaahh, my round brush. I have a very fond relationship with my roundbrush. We go way back. This is how I get crazy smooth hair in pony tails and buns and it straightens hair like no other!! This is the only kind of round brush I will use. I have every size imagineable. You couldn't pay me to use something else.

Clear rubber bands. Fairly self explanitory, but I use them a ton. I just like using them because you don't have to find colors to match outfits, find 10 that match each other, they're awesome in any thickness of hair.

Thick elastic hair bands. My daughters hair is so crazy thick, that we use this like crazy and break them just as much. I buy them by the pound!! They are the only things that hold her pony tail up all day without sagging.

My old friend. I know I 've posted about it before, but it's part of everyone-in-my-house's daily routine. I love this hairspray. I can't tell you why, you just have to try it to believe it. It just smooths and finishes and holds every style, just where I like it!

Wow, that was a long post. I apologize, I didn't mean to bore you to death, but I thought I would just share a few of my must-haves!! Hope you find something you like!!