There are few things I love more than finding a new hair product that I love. These are the products that I will *literally* take a spatula to and make sure I get every drop out of the jar/bottle/tube. Here are my current hair obsessions.

Plaine Products Rosemary Mint Vanilla Shampoo and Conditioner

Plaine Products is dedicated to trying to help solve the plastic crisis that is happening on our planet. Their hair products come in aluminum containers, which can be rinsed out and shipped back with a return label that they provide.

In addition to being planet-friendly, their products work beautifully. My hair is incredibly healthy because of the gentleness of their shampoo and the light, yet moisturizing conditioner. Their products are on the pricey side ($32), but you get a discount if you subscribe. And honestly, I would pay that much for hair products anyway, so not using plastic is a win-win for me.

Plaine Products also offers hair gel, body wash, lotion (which I have in several rooms of my house), travel sizes, and more.

Moroccanoil Treatment Hair Oil

For me, this is an oldie but a goodie. I started using Moroccanoil Treatment Hair Oil years ago, then stopped for a while. Once I started highlighting my hair again, this stuff became one of my current hair obsessions again.

I use Moroccanoil every time I wash my hair, whether I’m going to do a blowout or not, just to prevent split ends. It makes a huge difference when I blow dry, though. Before I started using it again, my hair would get super tangly during the blow dry process. Now, I can get a brush through easily.

Moroccanoil Root Boost

My hair has its unique challenges, one of them being that the individual strands are fine, but I have a lot of them. Therefore, I struggle with volume. Moroccanoil’s Root Boost offers an easy solution to this problem.

Before drying, I spray the root boost on just my roots. In addition to pumping up the volume, the spray also prolongs the life of my blowout for about a day more than usual (I wash my hair every two to three days).

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Repair Perfector

If ever there was a hair obsession for me, this is it. The Olaplex No. 3 Hair Repair Perfector is a pre-shampoo treatment that builds the bonds in hair and helps reduce breakage and improve hair health.

The instructions say to use the treatment weekly, but I use it every other week and alternate with a moisturizing hair mask on the off weeks. I can’t use both on the same day or my hair gets super limp. You can leave the mask on for as long as you like, but I usually do between 15 minutes and an hour for optimum results.

Bumble & Bumble Thickening Spray

Bumble & Bumble’s Thickening Spray has been a favorite of mine since I was in college 150 years ago. You can pick this up at Sephora, Ulta, or even drugstores (I believe).

As I’ve mentioned, my hair is fine, so a volumizer is an absolute must. I apply this after I put on the Root Boost and work it through the length of my hair before blow drying. Bumble & Bumble stylists call this their “secret weapon” because it gives volume without feeling sticky, and I 100% agree.

I will also use this spray if I’m going to put some waves in my hair with a curling iron on day two, and it helps my hair hold the curl.

4 Insanely Powerful OTC Skincare Ingredients You Need to Try Right Now

December 5, 2023

As a beauty junkie, I’m always on the lookout for new skincare trends that deliver amazing results. These four OTC skincare ingredients have been around for a while, and they are pivotal to my beauty routine. If you haven’t tried them, run — don’t walk — to the store (or, let’s be honest, run to your computer and order them online) and try them for yourself.

Hyaluronic Acid

You know the fillers that people have injected into their face? Well, hyaluronic acid is one of the components in some of the most popular fillers on the market. However, if needles don’t spark joy, or if you don’t have a few thousand dollars to drop on injectables, the topical version is powerful as well.

By increasing the moisture content in your skin, hyaluronic acid has demonstrated that it can reduce wrinkles, plump up your skin to help with sagging, and speed up wound healing. As Derek Zoolander said, “Moisture is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty,” and hyaluronic acid proves that.

Whether you prefer a serum, moisturizer, or even a vitamin, there is no shortage of HA products on the market. If you’re looking for something splurge-worthy, the Hyaluronic Serum by Dr. Laura Devgan has hundreds of five-star reviews. The Ordinary has a more wallet-friendly option with their HA 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum.

Retinol

Most of us who have spent decades searching for the best skincare products for problem skin are familiar with prescription retinoid products like Retin-A. However, in recent years, retinols have become increasingly available in OTC formulations.

Retinols are an OTC version of retinoids. In a nutshell, they work to neutralize free radicals in the middle layer of your skin, leaving you with smaller pores, reduced wrinkles, and more even skin texture. Whether in the form of a Vitamin A serum or topical cream, retinols have gained OTC traction in the last few years.

Algenist’s Green Microalgae Retinol + Regenerating Serum gets rave reviews, with users stating that it works even for those sensitive to retinol. On the slightly less expensive side, The INKEY List has a highly rated Retinol Fine Lines and Wrinkles Serum.

Vitamin C

Touted for its antioxidant properties and ability to give skin a glow up, Vitamin C is another OTC skincare ingredient that’s not to be missed. I’ve been using a Vitamin C serum for years, and it definitely helps to keep my hormone-induced melasma at bay.

The antioxidants in Vitamin C products neutralizes those pesky free radicals that speed up signs of aging. It’s important to keep these serums in a cool, dark place, as sunlight breaks down the formulations and can render them useless.

Moon Juice makes a powder formulation that can be mixed into other serums and slathered on your skin. If you prefer a more traditional delivery method, try incorporating Paula’s Choice C5 Super Boost Vitamin C Moisturizer into your routine.

AHA and BHA

AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHA (beta hydroxy acid) are sometimes called by their other names: glycolic and lactic acid (AHA) and salicylic acid (BHA). These acids work to exfoliate skin, sloughing away dead layers and exposing newer, brighter skin underneath.

These acids can be used separately, but are combined in some products to soften fine lines and improve skin’s texture. In some formulations, these ingredients can be used as a peel once a month or more often. I’ve had great success with AHA/BHA peels in aesthetician offices, but some are available OTC as well.

It’s important to note that if you use any acids on your skin, use sunscreen. I mean, use sunscreen anyway, but especially if you’re putting acid on your skin. The Shani Darden Triple Acid Signature Peel combines both AHA and BHA and consistently gets fantastic reviews. If a serum is more your speed, Sephora’s Targeted Pores Serum is a good option.

Regardless of your aims, these four OTC ingredients will help you achieve your skincare goals.

Beauty Chaos