GUYS, I GOT SOME FAN MAIL! (Actually, it was an email from a member of my mom’s book club asking what hair products I use. Counting it as a win nonetheless). I decided to turn my response into a blog because I love talking hair. A new cut//color//style can give you a new lease on life, and also hair can’t gain weight. Here’s what I do with mine on a near-daily basis (sometimes I do nothing because I’m feeling like a garbage person, and sometimes I use tools I can burn myself with because I need to spend time in society.) But this is my easy//I-might interact-with-people look!

After I get out of the shower, I layer Living Proof Fresh Cut Split End Mender onto my ends to avoid that “I just stuck my finger into a socket” look when I finish drying my hair. I got this product as a sample and it legitimately lives up to its promise of making it look like your hair is freshly cut; I haven’t been to the salon in nearly 6 weeks and at dinner a few nights ago, my friend told me she loved my new cut.

Next, I use Living Proof Prime Style Extender. I also got this one as a free sample with a Sephora order, and loved it so much I ordered it after one use. I like that it not only helps hold my style longer, but it keeps my hair soft and shiny, so when my curls fall, it still looks sleek and pretty. This one is one of my new all-time favorites.

After blow-drying my hair, I put in Conair Hot Rollers (they only take a few minutes to heat up, I usually plug them in before I hop in the shower). I am very aware this is not a trendy or cool recommendation. I will also share the tidbit that this has been part of my near-daily routine since 8th grade, when my mom gave me a set as a birthday gift. My mom has used them daily for as long as I can remember. And that’s because they are the best. They give your hair the look of Christie Brinkley circa a 1980’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. They last forever (backstage at The Groundlings once, a castmate asked me if I’d inherited them from my grandmother). They don’t damage your hair the way curling irons do. They’re the fastest and easiest option to style, as you just load ’em in, do your make-up, throw your clothes on, and then take them out a few minutes later. And your hair looks amazing. I seriously get more compliments on this style than when I put twice as much time in with a complicated, time-consuming hot tool style. Sure, it’s not that “I came straight from the beach” piece-y look that all the cool girls are currently rocking (that actually takes an hour+ in the bathroom to achieve). It’s just easy and pretty.

When I take the rollers out, I let my hair cool briefly, and then fluff and smooth out the curls with Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil. One pump is more than enough, and I start about half-way down my hair several inches away from my scalp, focusing on the ends (you want a shiny look, not greasy). I love this product because it calms down any puffiness, smooths fly-aways and frizz, detangles and has UVA/UVB filters to help protect your hair and color. (Yes, I even look for sunscreen elements in my hair products.)

Then, I spray Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray on my roots for volume and style. I know, this product is beyond-hyped. It is expensive. And it is worth it. I kept reading about it… And kept putting off buying it, thinking there was no way it could be as good as everyone says, or worth the price tag. And then MY HUSBAND told me about it, because it’s used on his hair on set. This is what convinced me. And now I am as obsessed as everyone else. (Plus, it smells so good, you don’t even need perfume.)

Finally, I layer on about a can of L’Oreal Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold UV hairspray. I read once that, before this product was available in the states, hairdressers would cart suitcases full of it back from France. I’m a snob, so that made me buy it. And I’ve never even looked at another hairspray since. I think this (and the Oribe) are the two products hairstylists pretty much universally agree on as the best in their categories. It holds style without being crispy or sticky, it’s easy to brush out and appears invisible when you do, and even has the UV filter to help protect your hair.

I can usually make this hairstyle last a few days by spraying Dove Dry Shampoo on the roots and, if I need a refresher, throwing the hot rollers in again for a few minutes while I do my make-up. I’ve tried the trendier, more expensive dry shampoos and keep going back to this one; it’s a fraction of the cost, smells amazing and does just as great a job. (I also know this because Tony is constantly stealing it from me. His role on School of Rock and the accompanying long locks have given him a new appreciation for everything we ladies go through with our hair.)

After I’m done with this routine, I strut around the house like a model until Tony compliments me.