MY CURRENT HAIRCARE, CUT, AND COLOR
Welcome to my current haircare routine hub! If you’ve seen a product in one of my reels, YouTube videos, or social posts and wondered what I’m using, you’ll find it here.
I keep this page updated with the products I’m currently loving, how I use them, and most importantly, who they’re best for and why. My routine changes depending on my hair’s needs, which is why you’ll see different products used on different days.
My goal isn’t to tell you to buy everything I use—it’s to help you understand what will work best for your hair. As you read through this guide, think about your hair type, concerns, and goals.
Every product featured here has been thoroughly tested over time and compared against many others. While it may look like a lot of products, I don’t use them all every day, they’ve just passed my test of products worth sharing. Use this guide to find the products and routines that make the most sense FOR YOU.
If it has a *** it means I’m not currently using it because of a sunflower allergy. But before I knew of that allergy I had tested the product and LOVED IT so I I thought it was important to keep it listed.
I’m going to break this down into 4 separate sections – click each one to jump there:
Don’t be afraid to switch up your products. Your hair’s needs change based on the season, your environment, and even what’s going on with your scalp. Some days your hair may feel oilier and need a lighter shampoo, while other times it may feel dry and need extra hydration.
I also recommend washing your hair as infrequently as works for your lifestyle and scalp.
When I shampoo, I focus mainly on my roots and scalp. I don’t intentionally shampoo my ends—instead, I let the shampoo rinse through them naturally. In my experience, the roots need the deep cleanse, while the ends benefit more from conditioning and moisturizing. I also always shampoo my roots twice, which helps remove buildup and leaves my hair feeling much cleaner.
Scalp Remedy Shampoo by Virtue
A little goes a very long way. This one is great for more sensitive scalps – it’s fragrance free but you know I love Virtue and the quality of care it gives to the hair!
Restorative Shampoo by LolaVie
I tested this from Ulta and really liked it. I use it when the hair is hydrated well and feeling too weighed down. This is a great all around shampoo.
Ultra Hydrating Shampoo + Conditioner by Goldie Locks
This is great for hydration and has a lot of science behind why what’s in it is in it. It’s very hydrating and a little goes a long way. This is the conditioner I use but I also only use conditioner when my hair is feeling super dry. I don’t use it all the time to be honest. It’s too easy for hair to get weighed down so when I can use key products to help my hair already, I don’t use conditioner often.
Clarifying Shampoo by Goldie Locks
Hair needs clarified periodically. This isn’t something you do daily. It’s more of a monthly thing; but stripping the hair of hard water, hair products is helpful as well.
Extra Love Volumizing Shampoo by IGK
This is such a good one if you feel your hair has just been feeling either flat or dense. I wouldn’t use this on the daily, moreso as needed and in rotation with a hydrating one!
faq: How Often Do You Wash Your Hair?
I typically wash my hair every three days, and a big reason I can go that long is because of the products I use before blow drying. They help my style last until the next wash, with just a few touch-up products on days two and three to manage oil, static, and frizz.
When I wash my hair, I don’t always use conditioner or a deep treatment. If my hair feels healthy, hydrated, and soft, I’ll skip it and move straight to my post-wash routine. Those products help with frizz control, volume, curl retention, humidity, and hydration.
However, if my hair feels dry, damaged, or prone to breakage, I always follow shampoo with conditioner to give it the extra moisture and support it needs.
The best routine depends on your hair type, hair condition, and even the climate you live in. Fine hair can get weighed down easily, while thicker hair may need more moisture and control.
For example, I live in a humid climate and have fine hair that gets oily easily. I use Virtue 6-in-1 for heat protection and overall hair health, a small amount of Goldie Locks frizz control, and Goldie Locks oil on my ends only.
The key is to ask yourself: What does my hair need today?
Your hair is always changing, so you don’t have to use the exact same products every wash day. Some days you may need more volume. Other days you may need hydration, texture, frizz control, or extra heat protection.
For me, these are the challenges I’m usually trying to solve:
- Thin hair
- No volume
- Frizzy parts of my hair
- Won’t hold a curl
- Needs texture since it’s more fine
Now this is why I use what I use:
Create by Virtue
This is a heat protectant & styling aid (I skip this sometimes and just use the others; again, it depends on how the hair is feeling). I use this product when my hair already feels pretty soft. The other products can make the hair feel really really soft and we don’t need that if the hair is already feeling healthy. It shines, texturizes, and protects.
K18 Leave-In Repair Hair Masque
This hair masque is great for repairing hair on a deeper level compared to a normal leave-in conditioner. I apply this to the ends of my hair, focusing on the pieces towards the front as those are more susceptible to heat damage/every day breakage. I leave it after applying it for 4-6 minutes and comb through my hair it’s had some time to sit.
Rahua Aloe Vera Hair Mousse
I promised I’d try to find great products that don’t have all the scents and that work good- and I’ve been impressed by this mousse. It’s aloe Vera based so it’s also help find the hair and it doesn’t have any strong smells at all! It’s worth a try. Let me know what you think once you’ve tried it out.
Smoothing Cream by Goldie Locks
A heat protectant, smoother, frizz defender, hydrating – and boy does it! I use just a couple pumps and a little bit goes a long way.
Blow Dry Spray by Goldie Locks
Only spray this into my hand first and then apply – a little goes a long way. This is super hydrating but helps protect hair up to 450 degrees and extend the curl. Helps seal off split ends and makes hair look sleek. If I use this one I usually put it only on ends and put virtue up higher in hair for best results. Incredible product for all hair types but used minimally for fine hair and can use more for thicker hair.
Thickening Glaze by Kenra
This one is for the roots when and to add in some texture for fine hair or use Swell down below.
***Swell by Navy
Swell is thickening as well. If you liked Glaze by L’ange, then you’ll like this in place as a hair lotion too. *** This one you don’t see me use only because it has sunflower oil in it (I have a sensitivity to sunflower oil) but it’s an amazing product.
One analogy I like to use when talking about hair and using the right products for it is it’s like seasoning your meat. You wouldn’t throw the meat directly on the grill without the proper marinades or seasonings – the same goes for hair!
Using the right products before blow drying is going to help your hair hold a curl and helps style to last longer.
I call these my “short hair” styling tools because they’re the ones I’ve personally tested and loved on my own hair. If your hair is longer, your experience may be different, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for your hair type and styling goals. Remember, what works for one person may not work for another.
You may also notice me using curling irons in videos that aren’t included on this list. While those tools get the job done, they aren’t products I fully recommend. Most were either last-minute purchases while traveling or tools I borrowed from my daughters. The tools listed here are the ones I genuinely stand behind and would recommend to others.
There are a few different curling tools I enjoy using and regularly rotate through them depending on the curl I want for the day. Above are all tools that I have tried & love for styling short hair whether it’s curling, at-home blowout, or a sleek straight look for the day.
The Seint Detangling Brush is one that’s gentle on the hair and great for use on damp hair after showering and applying your products to your hair.
In some of my older videos, you may see me using a L’ange flat iron – they no longer make that specific one so here’s another I’ve tested and approved for you! The NuMe Tourmaline Flat Iron is a solid one I’ve been using for some time now and highly recommend.
The Rootie by Voloom is a tool I’ve shown on my social channels & tutorials – I like using this to add volume at the root of my hair before styling. You can get this tool using my link (click here) or use code JOCELYN20 when checking out for the biggest discount!
The Infrared Thermal Brush by Sutra is a great tool to have on hand, especially if you’re familiar with using a roundbrush already. The size I use is the 32 mm. Make sure to use the link below and code JOCELYN15 at checkout for the biggest discount!
I wanted to include a few curling iron options at different price points because I’ve tested them all. In general, quality tends to improve as the price goes up, but when it comes to curling irons, whether the upgrade is worth it really depends on the person.
For my short hair, you’ll usually see me using a 1¼-inch (32 mm) barrel in tutorials. All three options below offer shorter barrel versions, which is what I prefer. If you have longer hair, your needs may be different, but since this page is focused on short hair, that’s what I’m basing these recommendations on.
Here are my picks from lowest to highest price (click the underlined text to shop):
InfinitiPro by Conair– A great basic option if you’re looking for something affordable. It gets the job done, but I haven’t found it to be as durable over time, especially if you travel frequently.
BaBylissPRO – My middle-ground recommendation. It feels like a step up in quality, heats consistently, and has been very reliable in my experience. As with any new hot tool, I recommend starting at a lower temperature and adjusting as needed.
T3 Interchangeable Trio – The premium option. I love the interchangeable barrels and the overall quality feels excellent. Many people say their curls last longer with T3, although I think curl longevity depends more on your hair type and products than the tool itself. It’s definitely the priciest option, but it’s a great investment if you like having styling versatility.
If you’d prefer to use less heat, I also recommend the rollers listed below.
DOM DOM HAIR ROLLERS: MY FAVES
These are my current favorite hair rollers – click the video below to see how I use them!
faq: What blow dryer do you use?
You might notice I don’t have a blow dryer mentioned here in the blog and that’s for a reason! I have yet to find a blow dryer I really want to recommend and would like to be able to give a couple options. In the meantime, I’m always testing out tools to bring to you with an honest, tried and true opinion.
faq: How Do You Keep Your Hair Healthy?
I get asked about how I keep my short hair healthy and truly the answer is I feed my hair! If you keep up with me elsewhere besides just my blog, you’ve probably heard or read my posts stating “feed your hair.” What I mean by this is dig deep and find what your hair needs for styling purposes and always make sure to keep it hydrated. One of the easiest ways to do this is by drinking lots of water and keeping your body hydrated in that sense but your hair will also tell you what it needs if you pay close attention. Your ends may be a little dry or there might be breakage – does it need some oils for hydration or a deep conditioning treatment? Does it simply need a trim to keep things in order? If you listen close enough, you’ll hear what your hair is hungry for!
Aren’t sure which haircare products are right for you? Check out this Healthy Hair Guide I created to help give a bit more direction into finding what products are right for styling hair, maintaining it, and giving your hair what it needs.
Texture sprays
**Beach Club Texture Spray by IGK
I love this spray for texturizing styles and adding a bit of product to help hair hold its style without feeling too heavy.
** This is my favorite! But you won’t see me using it because it has sunflower oil and I have a new found allergy to it. This is my favorite and it’s why you might see me use it in past videos. This one doesn’t make the hair oily or too heavy.
Dry Texturizing Spray by Oribe
This is the texture spray you’ll see me use at present. It’s not my top favorite, but I do really like it, and it doesn’t have sunflower oil so I can use it.
Virtue Texturizing Spray
This is my 3rd favorite texturizing spray but it does have sunflower oil so I can’t use it. You need to make sure you don’t spray too close to the head; it’s easier to use too much compared to the other 2.
Sex Hair DomDom Texturizing Spray
This is my most recent texture spray find – I LOVE this one by DomDom. I also use the rollers from this company and highly recommend to all – this texture spray gets the job done without weighing down the hair.
HairSprays
Sensitive Strong Hairspray by No Nothing
For my gals that are sensitive to fragrances/scents or who simply want something that doesn’t smell, this one is for you! It holds up well, doesn’t have a lingering smell in my nose, and I love that the brand is about no unnecessary ingredients!
No. 25 by Kenra
I’m picky with what hairsprays I use and have tested many, this one included. I think it works great and it does have a strong hold so keep that in mind if you’re looking to try it out.
Dry Shampoos
Dry Shampoo Powder by Goldie Locks
I love that this is a lightweight powder that doesn’t leave my hair feeling full of product and is easy to take on the go too.
AirWash Dry Shampoo by K18
This one is BOSS! It’s not your normal dry shampoo – it goes on wet but works almost like a texture spray when it dries. Once you spray it on make sure to really work it into those roots to also aid in volume.
styling aids: oils + pastes
Virtue Healing Oil
This is such a good one for dry ends or even just after styling. Your ends of your hair receive the most heat and are usually the driest part of the hair shaft. This oil helps to repair and keep those ends soft, not brittle.
Semi-Matte Putty by Atlas – This paste is perfect for men’s hair but can double for women’s hair. It’s quite tacky and can definitely give short hair a piecey look.
Badlands by R+Co. – Badlands is the most unique out of the four pastes above. It’s meant to be a dry shampoo pomade but must be used in a specific way for best results, especially when using it on the roots. I love the gritty texture it adds for the ends of my hair when styling.
6-in-1 Styling Paste by Virtue –This one has a creamier consistency and would definitely keep it at the tips of the hair only. It does a great job of giving the hair a piece-y look without the grit so if you want more soft/less texture in your hair, this is the way to go.
All In the Details: The Cut, Color, & Maintenance
I always keep this section updated with my current haircut and color formula by the incredible Chris Jones and Emily Cooper at Salon Bugatti!
If you’re new here, most of my haircuts are done more for education’s sake to help teach how to communicate clearly with your stylist, find what you want, and be happy once you go home.
To see more regarding my hair maintenance and hairstyles, check out my hair guide on Instagram by clicking HERE.
Details on the Color from Emily Cooper (@emilycooper_hair)
Below are details on the new color done by the amazing Emily Cooper (@emilycooper_hair on Instagram) – check it out so you know exactly what was done!
Emily had her work cut out for her on this one! My head was so heavy with all the fouls. She will be doing her own reel regarding everything she did and Chris will be giving his own take on the cut so follow them on Instagram @emilycooper_hair and @chrisjones_hair for more as they’re super educational in all they do.
