Happy freakin Friday, beautiful people of the internet!!
If you haven't realized by now... I. AM. A. PRODUCT. WHORE.
There, I said it. First step to recovery is admitting you have a problem, right?! Granted, I don't think this is going to be anything that ever changes {which is one of the reasons my dad has been telling me since I was a little girl that I have to marry rich} but being the product whore that I am also means that I have tried a boat load of products. If y'all read my Empties: Skincare Edition back in March you'd know I would literally marry some products based on the way I speak about them {and I'm going to share my favorite summer products soon}; HOWEVER, today's post is all about your hair and products you should really get for that nice mane of yours.
NOW -- Before I get into this, I want to tell y'all that this is a click to shop post. It is not a sponsored post by ANY means and I have actually only received products from one of these companies {however unpaid and I worked with them again cause I loved their products so much}. I am sharing my truth, my full truth, and nothing but my truth when it comes to these products, so I truly hope you love them as much as I do.
Okayyyyy, I know a lot of you may be new here... HEY, WHAT'S UP, HELLO!! So, you may be thinking "what the heck are empties"?! I clarified what they were in my Skincare Empties post a few months ago but I'll clarify again.
Victoria's Super Sparknotes dictionary meaning of empties: Empties are beauty or skincare products that perform SOOOO well that they get used up entirely.
SOOOO now that you're FINALLY "in the know" with the beauty blogger lingo, let's get to it. I've spent a gross amount of money on products {ranging in price} and I'm about to spill the tea on SIX products that I am completely and utterly obsessed with and I've had to purchase countless times due to always using it all up... Get your debit // credit cards ready!!
THE EMPTIES: HAIRCARE EDITION
Have you ever been into a Drybar?! Have you ever just walked by a Drybar?! You know that smell that just permeates through the doors and on the streets?! Yeah... Well that is EXACTLY what the Drybar Triple Sec smells like. I swear if I could morph that spray into a candle I would BUTTTT the smell is only the beginning.
This spray is a three-in-one formula that texturizes, amplifies, and refreshes hair!! It can be used on all hair types and textures and it truly has the power to extend styling without leaving your hair feeling crisp and crunchy. I mean, I don't know about y'all but I grew up a competitive dancer so I ALWAYS had to use extra strength hairsprays to slick back my hair, so that's what I grew up using when I would just curl my hair for school or for a function. Although I would be able to crunch my hair throughout the day {which was a lot more fun than following along a class lecture or learning how to use a math compass which I still haven't used to this day} I absolutely hated the feeling.
Another reason why I love this product is because it is free of sulfates SLS and SLES, parabens, and phthalates ANDDDD it's cruelty free {you guys already know my obsession with animals}. I have probably been using this spray for AT LEAST five or six years and to this day I have absolutely zero complaints and it is an item that has made its appearance a few times on my YouTube channel.
Haven't made it to the hair salon {or had your hair person come to your house} during the pandemic? No problem BECAUSEEEE this conditioning mask has got you covered. I swear, it works like a charm and it leaves your hair smelling delicious {I promise, Chase has made a comment before}.
Anyways, while the Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask says on the packaging that you should keep it in your hair for 2-5 minutes, I like to think of myself as an overachiever. I use this mask maybe two times a month, although maybe I should start using it more frequently considering I'm basking in the sun and going in the ocean so much {aka: hello hair damage}, but I usually keep it on for a minimum of 30 minutes. I know you're thinking I'm crazy at this point BUT hear me out... I hop in the shower, I shampoo my hair, I condition my hair, I shave while the conditioner settles, I exfoliate my body, I wash my face, I rinse my hair, I get out of the shower, and with damp hair I apply the mask.
While the mask is in, I use this time to tidy up my bathroom or bedroom {or apply to jobs and respond to emails depending on the time of day // night}. Right when it feels kinda crisp and like it's drying on my head {or just when I kinda feel like it}, I will go back in the shower and rinse the mask out and then proceed with the rest of my skincare routine.
Now wanna know what makes me continue using this hair mask?!
BENEFITS:
✩ the main ingredient is argan oil {rich source of antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamins A and E to nourish and protect hair}
✩ it's free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates, artificial colors, mineral oil, and gluten
✩ cruelty free {think of all the cute bunnies}
✩ it's made with plant protein which is scientifically proven to dramatically increase strength and flexibility of hair
This was a product I was introduced to just over two years ago and was actually one of the first companies I worked with on a product for post collaboration. They are based in Texas {which is obviously one of the reasons I loved them} but the ultimately created their company because they wanted to prove that haircare can be clean, high-performing and affordable at the same time. Another thing I love about Fave 4 is that they donate time and product to help out with disaster relief efforts as well as donate to various charities.
Now their Texture Takeover spray is one of my absolute favorite products of theirs because it's good for for dry texturized hold, all-over volume, and weightless lift. They mix the benefits of dry shampoo with exclusive new hairspray polymer technology to create the best finish!! I swear it is PERFECT for after styling your hair OR for when you wake up with hair that was styled the night {or a couple days... oops} before.
I personally don't use a blow dryer cause I don't know how, but I have also been told that if you spray your damp hair with the Texture Takeover spray prior to blowing it dry, it will add extra volume, and who the heck doesn't like voluminous locks?!
I have literally been using the Platinum Hot Spray 20 product since I can remember. It smells good AND it works like a charm. I'm going to tell you though, it HAS to be the "20" {which gives the ultimate thermal protection with long-lasting, firm hold} because I have tried the lesser numbers and they don't smell the same.
Now a lil bit about this product and my relationship with it: I started using it while I was in middle school {I think... I can't even remember because it was so long ago} but since then, I haven't even bothered trying another hot spray. This spray is uniquely formulated to prevent hair damage from heated tools {aka curling irons, crimpers, straighteners} and harmful UV rays AND it permits a clean release from heated tools {meaning your hair won't stick to your tools like normal hairspray}.
I have also gotten A BUNCH of my girl friend's to purchase this bad boy because it truly works wonders. ANDDD if you're wanting to straighten your hair {I never straighten my hair} but you want to make your hair extra silky, I recommend you try using the Kenra Platinum Silkening Mist as well. That's a product I used to steal from my mama because it smells so good and literally would leave my hair feeling soooooo smooth. While this is not one of my "empties," I have bought it a couple of times but I don't use it as much cause my hair is naturally pretty silky BUTTTT it helps repair split ends and eliminate frizz and flyaways and provides maximum thermal protection.
Now that I am actually writing this post {it's almost 4pm and I just plugged in my crimper}, I am realizing I actually need to buy more of the heat protectant spray SOOOO y'all won't be the only ones purchasing that today.
So, to be honest, I probably didn't start using Not Your Mother's products religiously until the end of 2019 ANDDDD I originally only bought their products because they smelled yummy and looked cute {lol, I am ALL about aesthetic}. I was "influenced" {ha!} by my favorite Instagram gal Jamie Kidd to try more of their products and now I can't stop.
I swear she's perfect though... Perfect hair, perfect tan, perfect wardrobe {literal wardrobe of my dreams}, perfect love story, etc. ALSO, she's really freakin nice and real. She and I have had a conversation via instagram and she is so honest when it comes to everything... Talk about a total girl crush!!
Anyways -- The Not Your Mother's 10-in-1 Perfector is one of the products I have gotten myself to purchase multiple times.
I don't know about y'all, but I grew up ALWAYS putting detangler in my hair after a shower. If you know me, you'd know that my hair is naturally super straight and I do get extremely lucky because it doesn't get that tangly {even after just jumping in the ocean unless I get pummeled by a wave}, but detangler just makes it that much easier to brush your hair our once you hop out of the shower... This product isn't JUST a detangler though...
WHAT IT DOES:
✩ adds body
✩ strengthens
✩ detangles
✩ moisturizes
✩ adds shine
✩ controls frizz
✩ repairs dry hair
✩ heat protection
✩ mends split ends
✩ seals cuticle
This 10-in-1 Perfector literally takes care of ALL your hair's needs. You can basically retire all of your individual products and replace it with this one!! Another product that has the same magic as the Not Your Mother's 10-in-1 Perfector would be the Eva NYC Mane Magic 10-in1 Primer and I've used and love this one as well {however prefer the other for some reason}.
Okay guyssssss... I have been doing this list really in no particular order of my favorite products but more so in alphabetical order BUTTT this is a good one...
I swear one of the ONLY reasons why Tatiana and I joined Barry's Bootcamp in Dallas was because we thought an instructor was hot and loved us {turns out he was gay and in a long term relationship already} AND the fact that this particular location used Oribe in their locker rooms. I am talking about Oribe shampoo, conditioner, body wash, AND lotion... SCORE!!
Call me crazy cause this stuff is freakin expensive... I am VERY much aware because mine and Tati's obsession and addiction to Oribe started there and wasn't healthy AT ALL; however, we made sure we got every bang for our buck at Barry's. We would take THE LONGEST sowers {sorry planet} and would take lil tiny travel bottles to fill up on our own to use the two or three days between our Barry's classes {shhhhhh, let's keep that a lil secret}.
I'll be honest though, while the shampoo wasn't my absolute favorite {it kinda made my hair feel dry when I was washing it}, I was OBSESSED with the conditioner and body wash. There is seriously something about their products that made spending over $100 per bottle a lil more justifiable.
It could be that the cypress extract, argan oil, and maracuja oil restore your hair's natural moisture and shine. It could be that the bio-restorative complex of plant collagen, caffeine, biotin, and niacinamide strengthens and rejuvenates your hair. It could be that the strengthening protein blend undoes damage and repairs split ends while shea butter restores moisture and elasticity. WHO KNOWS?!
NOW -- If you're like me now {aka: more aware of your budget and unable to afford shampoo and conditioner that are almost like $200}, then I would recommend you using the Not Your Mother's Naturals Coconut Milk & African Marula Tree Oil High Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner. This is A LOT cheaper {try like $10 a bottle} and it will leave your hair feeling and smelling so yummy. It is extremely gentle, never tested on animals, and almost free of everything you don't want in your products {98% free to be exact}.
IF YOU HAVE ANY HAIRCARE PRODUCTS OR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ME {aka: your empties}, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME!!
As I said earlier, I am a product whore and love trying new things. When it comes to recommending products I will also try my very very best not to steer you wrong; however, I am aware that everybody's body {skin and hair} reacts differently to things. If you do happen to get anything from this post and you try it out, make sure to tag me on your insta-g story so I can repost {@victoriadoder is my username}.
Now I gtg cause I'm having my "squad" {hey, shoutout} over for game night and margs!! If you read this within the next 24 hours maybe you can witness some of tonight on my story & if you haven't tried making one of my infamous frozen margaritas {made with all fresh and organic fruit}, I will be making a YouTube video soon on how I make them!! I have posted the recipe before BUT now that I worked with Yéyo Tequila {and my dad did a blind taste test and LOVED it}, we're going to start implementing it into our margs instead of Patron or Don Julio.
That being said, make sure you subscribe to my channel!! I have a bunch of good videos that I am planning on recording soon {and I have a couple more that I need to hopefully edit and make them go live within the next week or two}.
HAVE A FABULOUS WEEKEND!!
xoxo V
