My Guide to Gorgeous Locks

Hair is probably the second most important thing to me after my skin. I take very good care of it and always have. I used to hate my curly hair when I was younger, but as I grew older I began to embrace my natural curls gracefully. Curly hair is difficult to maintain, at least more so than straight hair. For instance, you can't brush your curls once they're dry, it has a tendency for dryness and you need to apply some sort of styling product after you jump out of the shower.

If you're reading this and you have curly hair, here is something else to feel blessed about: those with straight hair spend hours and money trying to achieve curls, lose waves or a more voluminous, thick appearance to their flat hair (no offense, straight-hair gals). I even had a Keratin straightening treatment once because I wanted to "rock" short hair. That's when I really began to miss my curls. Luckily, they grew back, and I have a routine that makes my curls look awesome.

1. Investing in good shampoo and conditioner: Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner

I began using this duo four years ago and its been my favorite combo since. They're aimed for those with dry color-treated hair, though you can still use it even if you don't have color-treated hair. The shampoo is thick and different to all other shampoos I've tried. Due to its dense texture, you need less amount than an ordinary shampoo. Even though it's sulfate-free, it lathers and cleanses perfectly. It has a subtle lavender scent which I find captivating. The conditioner is my favorite because it smells like peppermint and envelopes your hair in this coolness you just have to experience yourself. It is so relaxing and so soothing on the scalp and even your back as you're rinsing off the product (if you have long hair, it feels SO good!) PS: Men love it, too!

2. Using an oil or serum after you jump out of the shower.

I've tried Moroccan Oil Treatment, Agave Hair Oil (sold at Sephora) and now I'm using Oribe Gold Lust. Out of all three previously mentioned, this one has the thinnest texture. I like to apply an oil from mid-shaft to ends after I (gently) comb my hair after getting out of the shower. Think of it as a serum for your hair -- it has a concentrated formula and penetrates deeply to nourish and heal.

If I am going to have a blowout, these would be my only two steps. I'm always left with touchable soft, silky hair. 

If I am going to let my hair air-dry, I proceed to step 3.

3. Use a styling product for curly hair.

I've tried an array of products for curly hair. My holy grail is Moroccan Oil Curl Defining Cream. This is my second bottle but my first one lasted a little over a year (!). When I had shorter hair, a pump would do the job, but now I have really long hair and I use two pumps, though I divide it. I use one pump for half of my hair (left side), using my fingers to distribute the product and then I use a second pump for the other half of my hair (right side). I then let my air dry and I get the most bouncy, gorgeous, frizz-free curls that people always compliment.

Another great thing about this product is that second day hair and third day hair still look polished. In fact, sometimes my second day hair looks better than my first day hair.

Extra Tips for Curly Hair
- Avoid humid areas after you get out of the shower. Turn on the AC if needed until your hair is mostly dry.
- Don't wash it every day: use dry shampoo if you need to.
- Do a weekly intense treatment: I like to use coconut oil and sleep in in.

Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil Review

I've been a fan of hair oils or "serums" all my life. It's a must-have in my haircare routine because I always apply a dime size from mid-shaft to ends prior to using my favorite curly hair product, Moroccan Oil Curl Defining Cream. 

I've used the MoroccanOil Hair Treatment and the Agave Oil Treatment before, but before I ran out of the last one, I decided to get the Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Oil (100 ml / 3.4 fl. oz / $48) just to try something new and well, because I was already shopping at SpaceNK. 

Texture-wise, Oribe's Gold Lust oil is thinner than both the MoroccanOil and Agave oil, which I prefer. I just use a dime size amount right after combing my hair as soon as I get out of the shower. 

This oil makes my hair soft yet it's very lightweight, so it doesn't weigh it down. I also use a smaller amount just on my ends if I want to touch-up on hair day #2 or #3. If you have short hair, you might want to use less than a dime-size, otherwise, it will make your hair oily.

Oribe's signature scent envelopes your hair, and bonus: it's a scent that men love. Jasmine, edelweiss flower extract, shea butter, argan oil, lychee, sandalwood and bergamot are just some of its key ingredients -- an ingredient list I instantly fell in love with: 

Cyclopentasiloxane, coconut alkanes, dimethiconol, caprylic/capric triglyceride, crambe abyssinica seed oil, coco-caprylate/caprate, limnathes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, argania spinosa kernel oil, tocopherol, parfum/fragrance, hordeum distichon (barley) extract, orbignya speciosa kernel oil, santalum album (sandalwood) extract, phellodendron amurense bark extract, astrocaryum murumuru seed butter, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, citrus limon (lemon) peel oil, citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) fruit oil, ribes nigrum (black currant) seed oil, jasminum officinale (jasmine) oil, citrullus lanatus (watermelon) fruit extract, litchi chinensis fruit extract, lenotopodium alpinum flower/leaf extract, TBHQ, limonene, hexyl cinnamal, linalool, citral.

Overall this is an amazing hair oil that leaves my hair remarkably soft, bouncy and smelling ultra-sexy.

Travel Bag Essentials

I have made it a habit to carry with me minis because there is always that one time I need one of them, a couple or more. The cool thing about carrying a small travel bag in your purse is that no matter what the plans are that day, if they change, you'll have everything you need with you (say you decide to spend the night at a friend's house, or maybe the weather isn't cooperating with your skin and hair). Obviously this bag is customized to my own needs. The purpose of this post is to give you ideas of what to carry with you, not a specific guide of what you need.

Skin: I keep a sample of Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil because it is strong stuff. It will get rid of any waterproof makeup I'm wearing. I also like to keep a small cleanser, in this case Origins Checks and Balances, because I like to double-cleanse. Moisturizing is key to me, both the eye area and the face/neck, so I always make sure I always have a few samples of those in there (Caudalie Premier Cru The Eye Cream, Origins GinZing and High-Potency Night-A-Mins shown in picture). And of course, Caudalie Beauty Elixir is a must in my hand-bag as this instantly refreshes with it's minty scent.

Hair: I love that Dry Bar offers a travel-size of their Detox Dry Shampoo. How clever. This dry shampoo will instantly add volume, freshness while getting rid of oil. Oribe Cote D'Azur is basically perfume for your hair, but a must if you're going on a date or if you've been in a bar or around friends who smoke, gross.

Teeth: Very important. I have the habit of flossing after every meal. I personally cannot stand the feeling of food between my teeth. A toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash always come in handy, especially if you're spending the night outside of home or if your meal at the restaurant has too much garlic.

Miscellaneous: I've worn contacts since the age of nine, yes, nine! I always carry eye drops with me as it is very important to lubricate the eyes throughout the day. And a Q-tip. I always have a Q-tip with me. This is such a handy tool to touch up eye-makeup throughout the day. Say your mascara smudged a bit, or you have, you know, things going on in the inner corner -- don't stick your finger, use a Q-tip.

The Princess Tag

About a month ago, Tati created the "Princess Tag" which featured all her favorite high-end products that make her feel like a princess. I selected six products in my collection that, well, make me feel like a princess. 

Hope you enjoy.