Thank you to LIV Sotheby’s International Realty for letting me to take photos in their beautiful listing in Cherry Creek North. To find out more about the home click here!
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Never in my life have I received compliments about my hair. I’ve always had pretty fine hair and I had some issues with it breaking while I went through accutane and dealt with some adrenal fatigue. And I’ve also never had hair that grew very much. It just always stayed at my shoulders no matter what I seemed to do. But that all seemed to change once I met my hairstylist and started listening to my friends who told me that collagen was not only great for your skin and nails, but also for hair growth!
So just a little background on my own hair – I’m a natural blonde. I’ve dyed my hair brown since I was 15 and I dye it every 3 weeks at this point. It’s quite annoying, but I never felt like myself when I was blonde. Plus, my hair was always pretty damaged from bleaching it to get it to a blonde color I liked. I just feel more comfortable and confident with brown hair so it’s worth the extra time and money to have it colored regularly. I also have to tint my eyebrows since they are a little lighter in color, as well. Wanna see my blonde hair? Let’s do a side-by-side from my 15 year old, gaged-ears days. And no need to tell me you like me better as a blonde. It’s so weird when people say that type of stuff. And yes, I got my eyebrows microbladed and talk about it in this post! The 90’s were cruel.
I started adding collagen to my diet about a year ago and ever since, my hair has become thicker, shinier, smoother and longer. It’s pretty rad. I mentioned that I never use to receive compliments about my hair and now I usually get one at least once a day! And I absolutely think it’s due to the collagen I add to my coffee every morning, even when I’m traveling. I like to use either Vital Proteins Pasture-Raised, Grass-Fed Collagen Peptides or Great Lakes Pasture-Raised, Grass-Fed Collagen Peptides and use about a tablespoon or two in my coffee every morning. If it’s in hot coffee, it’s dissolves right in. But I find that I need to blend cold coffee to get the collagen smooth throughout – just a heads up. And even though I rarely make protein shakes for post workout meal, if I ever do, I use collagen! You can see all the benefits about collagen in this post. I really do think collagen is amazing and I’m a huge believer that it makes a difference, which is why I have it every.single.day.
And even though collagen has been incredibly beneficial for my hair, I definitely believe that products go a long way, as well. I’m all about natural and clean products, but I also just love products that just work. And these products crush it. Just a heads – I wash my hair MAYBE twice a week. Maybe. I just find it pointless to wash my hair if I’m just going to work out the next day and get it sweaty and greasy all over again. That being said, I also work for myself, at home, with no one to report to or dress up for. Which means I can be as gross as I want. Anywho, to keep my hair from getting too sketchy and grease-tastic, I immediately take my hair out of a ponytail once I finish my workout. I highly recommend this. It lets your hair air dry quicker and keeps it from accumulating excess oil, it prevents the huge dent from the ponytail, and it keeps your hair from creating a callick. Plus, keeping your hair in a constant ponytail, bun or headband can create breaks and damage, so it helps relieve some of those issues.
To review – #1 collagen, #2 let your hair down, girrrrl, #3 PRODUCTS.
Even though I only wash my hair once or twice a week, I really love the shampoo and conditioner I’ve been using for over a year now. I keep trying different brands and go back to this brand over and over. Colorado is incredibly dry and I feel like the conditioner is great at rehydrating the hair while the shampoo pulls out any grease left behind from workouts.
- Biolage Ultra Hydrasource Shampoo – This shampoo gives your hair plenty of moisture while still rinsing clean and getting rid of any excess oil.
- Biolage Ultra Hydrasource Conditioner – Since my hair is so dry and fine, this conditioner (which I usually leave in for 5 minutes before rinsing) hydrates your hair and keeps moisture locked in even after it’s rinsed out.
As far as other products go, these are the ones I use every time I wash my hair:
- Unite 7Second Detangler – As soon as I hop out of the shower, I spray this in my hair right away. Not only does it help detangle, but it also protects your hair from the heat, repairs and strengthens hair, and it helps lock it color!
- Unite Argan Oil – Before I dry my hair, I smooth this oil through the ends of my hair. This oil makes your hair extra shiny, it seals and repairs the cuticle, protects it from heat, and it’s suppose to help reduce blow-drying time.
- J Beverly Hills Lift Up – And the last product I use right before I blow dry is this volumizing foam. Since my hair is pretty fine, it lays flat to my head if I don’t use this product. This adds volume and fullness and helps with styling. It also doesn’t weigh your hair down!
And now let’s talk about the products I pretty much have to use DAILY to keep it looking slightly fresh.
- Living Proof Full Dry Volume Blast – My MIL introduced me to this product and I’m simply obsessed. Not only does it smell seriously amazing, but it gives your hair instant volume and texture. Since my hair is pretty fine, this has been a game changer. This is truly my favorite product out of everything I use. Get it. It’s so great.
- Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo – After falling in love with the volume blast, I decided to give their dry shampoo a chance and so far, I love it! It works great and smells great! It still does spray a bit of white if you aren’t careful, so keep that in mind.
- ColorProof Hairspray – I loooooove this brand. I’m not a person who uses hairspray every single day, but if I’m shooting cooking videos or want my hair to stay in place, this brand does the trick without making your hair feel extra stiff. You can still brush your hair with this hairspray in it, which is why I love it on cooking video days when I’m trying to keep it styled for 7 hours straight!
I use to think that hair didn’t need a routine. That it would just take care of itself. But sadly, that’s just not true! The more you take care of it (and take care of yourself), the more your hair will thrive. And this is coming from a person who use to say that my hair just never grew. I stick with a pretty strict skin regimen and that regimen has made SUCH a difference, so I’m trying to do the same with my hair, too. If you’re not on the collagen train yet, I couldn’t recommend it more. And this is coming from a person who doesn’t take any sort of supplements or vitamins.
I hope this post is helpful and let me know if you have any sort of questions! And I definitely recommend going in to a salon or to your hairstylist to find these products because many are only sold either on their website or in a salon, not through a third party!
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I may be compensated through my affiliate links in this post, but all opinions are my own. This compensation helps with expenses to keep this blog up and running! Thank you for the support!
Hey there! Have you ever tried ditching the shampoo? I am also a heavy exerciser with a lot of fine hair. I used to be such a greaseball at the roots if I didn’t wash everyday. And then after some research, I a few years ago just took a chance and stopped using shampoo, and switched to JR Liggett Shampoo bars. If I’m remembering correctly it’s just compressed oils, spring water and some essential oils. They suds up and clean your hair like a mf****er. Squeak-a-squeak-a clean. And I follow up with a really nice conditioner or mask.
Anyhoo, you’ve had such amazing results with your regime. I thought I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least mention it as an option because ….. no more greaseball scalp. And I’m gross when I workout. I wash my hair every 10 days (or more) – and usually mostly because I think I should or I want to put a mask on the ends. It’s changed my hair (and a bar lasts me for freaking ever). Winter is best to try because the first few weeks can be a little weird as your scalp adjusts, but if you’re already down to a wash every week it might go rather smoothly. The only other thing is it’s not heavily fragranced, so if your used to your hair having a really pronounced smell you might need to add a perfume or something.
Just a thought. I love it so much, when I read this my fingers just started typing before my brain could catch up (I’m crazy internet shy…i never post….on anything. But I love this damn little bar).
thanks for the tip!
I try to not wash my hair too much but I notice by day 3 my ends are SO dry and split endy looking from all the previous two days of dry shampoo. Do you put anything on your ends during those no wash days?
i don’t. but i definitely think that argan oil helps even on those other days! you may even be able to put it in dry hair, i’m not totally sure! i do, however, often curl or straight my hair to help the ends look better when they start to get a little frizzy!
Hi Juli, thanks so much for the post! I’ve tried the Great Plains Collagen a couple of times and each time it has made me sick to my stomach- mostly nausea. Wondering if you’ve heard of this and had any tips?
And I died listening to your bachelor podcast. Ughhh Ari is incredibly boring. Everything is “so awesome” and the long fingers on his long fingers on the girls’ faces when he kisses them. Puuuuuuuuuke
i’ve never heard of that myself, but everyone’s body is totally different. you could always try vital proteins and see how that makes you feel!
If you truly want to improve the overall health of your hair follicles and scalp you should look into Monat. Botanical, no harmful chemicals and anti aging. You will see results. sherryejohnson.mymonat.com
I would love to send you a sample.
Juli, I happened upon your instagram through a friend who posted one of your recipes, and I fell into this wormhole of so many FREAKING AWESOME things you post. I am loving your hair ideas and tips (especially for the days in between washes) because I find it super frustrating to have to wash my hair every morning after my workouts to look decent at work. I didn’t think it was even possible to let my sweaty gym hair air dry and then just style it, but oh what a glorious day! I tried it today and got COMPLIMENTS! I repeat, compliments on my dirty hair, ha! Thank you so much for putting so much useful and relatable information on your site and in your blog! I just started binge listening to your podcasts in the car, and I dread the day that I’ll have to actually wait an entire week for a new episode!
(sorry for the heavy exclamation usage, but I was REALLY excited to leave a comment)
isn’t it the best?!! and i swear, that living proof dry volume blast is MONEY. it helps so much with volume after workouts once your hair dries!
Late comment but YES to the collagen. I started a while back and my last appointment, my regular stylist kept saying, “wtf is going on with these baby hairs? you’ve never had these before.” It actually filled out my hair. (I had fine hair but lots of it up until my early 20s when I lost a bunch due to diet and stress- I’m hoping I can regain some of what I’ve lost.) Having it confirmed by a third party professional was bonkers.
same here!! so many baby hairs!!
Ok Juli…..your hair is gorgeous! I LOVE that LP volume stuff – it’s amazing and I have baby fine, thinning hair. Can we talk about your teeth? How do you keep them so beautiful? They are so nice and white – how do you keep them so white? Would love to know what you use. And, how do you keep your lips from chapping off in the dry Colorado winters?
Also, I cook from both of your cookbooks or your website at least 5x/week. I eat way more veggies now that you did your 30 min meals. So insanely helpful. And it must be weird sometimes to do a podcast where you are just talking and no one is talking back so I just wanted to comment that I really look forward to your podcasts and have purchased several skin care (Tula), clothing items (too many to list here) and foods (Eating Evolved chocolate and ghee) from your suggestions. I even bought an Instapot (your carnitas and buffalo chicken soup ROCK my world). Thank you!!!!!!
girl, just whiten them!! i use desert essence whitening toothpaste and i usually whiten my teeth once a year with crest white strips. and i also see the dentist every 6 months to help keep everything clean and extra white! and i use LipSmart! it’s THE BEST!! and yayyyyy!! I’m glad you’re loving the blog and books and especially the podcast! that seriously makes my day when i hear that!
Hi Juli,,,,,just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog !!! I just bought all the hair products you recommended and I am going to start the Collagen. I didn’t use the oil today ( used all products for the first time today ) do you think that is what makes your hair so shiny ?
Thanks,,,,,
i think all the products really help, but i think it also has to do with the collagen and healthy diet that i’ve kept up with for the past 8 years
I have been SO frustrated with how dry my hair has been this last month (just moved to CO ~6 months ago) and was researching all different products until it dawned on me….I should check Juli’s blog to see if she has any tips. I am so happy you recently wrote this post! Your hair (and skin) have been on point in all your insta stories lately. Thanks for sharing 🙂