If you’re new around here, you may not know but I recently went under a major hairstyle transformation! For the past two years, I had tape-in extensions, and I loved them! I just wasn’t happy with the overall thickness and health of my natural hair on its own – and extensions were great, especially for our wedding. But, after two years – my hair was tired, and honestly so was I…extensions are a lot of work! I needed to give my hair a permanent break. I was nervous because I was so used to having so much hair from the extensions – I had a feeling once I decided to take them out I would feel like like I had zero hair left. But wow, that was NOT the case at all!

I didn’t just remove my extensions – I went all in, and went for the stylish, blunt chop that is very in right now. I took about 5-6 inches off my natural hair. I was so nervous, but so ready! And as it turned out, I LOVE my short hair! I truly feel like I was always a short hair girl at heart. I’m loving the look and more importantly, the convenience. I can honestly say that I will never use extensions again…I swear!

I was shocked at how healthy my hair was after the chop. Obviously because all of the tired, dead ends were cut off – but I truly think it’s because I really stayed up on my healthy hair routine. I’ve really taken that routine up a notch since chopping my hair, just so I can maintain its health…and it’s been working! Since the chop in December, I’ve already had to get another trim because it’s been growing so fast. My ends are moisturized & full, my hair feels hydrated & healthy and I am so proud of it. So today, I wanted to share some of my tips and tricks, and must-have products when it comes to my healthy hair routine!

Detangling Hair Brush // it’s so important to be gentle with your hair when you brush it at any time, but especially when it’s wet! This is my favorite brush that gently detangles my hair and leaves it smooth and silky.
Shower Cap // I believe that a huge key to the health of my hair lately has been that I only wash it about twice a week. It’s less oily, and isn’t as dry/frizzy as it used to be. It takes a while for your skin to be adapt, it’s true when they say you just have to stick with it and “train” your hair – but the benefits are so worth it! This shower cap is INCREDIBLE for no-wash days – you can totally go underneath the water while wearing it, and your hair stays dry. It’s super soft & comfy on the inside, too!
Gallon Water Jug // This may seem a little odd to include, but staying hydrated is EVERYTHING when it comes to your health – including the health of your hair! I truly believe that because I drink a gallon of water *most days* – it helps with my hair’s moisture and overall health. Don’t skip out on the water!
Silk Scrunchies // When I had longer hair, these are the scrunches that I slept in. They are gentle, comfortable & don’t tug on your hair which can cause breakage.
Olaplex Bond Maintenance Shampoo & Olaplex Bond Maintenance Conditioner // My favorite healthy hair shampoo & conditioner! I honestly don’t think I’ll ever use anything else – it’s great for breakage, leaves your hair squeaky clean without any residue or build-up, and is safe for color treated hair and extensions.
Olaplex Hair Perfector Repairing Treatment // One thing I promised myself when I got my extensions removed & hair chopped, was that I would stay consistent with a weekly hair mask. This one is my go-to! It’s part of the shampoo & conditioner line I use, so they all work really great together. I leave this on for about an hour and the results are unreal – your hair is so soft, full, shiny & hydrated afterwards!
Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen // I truly think that incorporating collagen into my everyday routine was a big reason why my hair stayed as healthy as it did, through two years of tape-in extensions. I’ve really seen this collagen help with the growth & health of my hair, skin & nails. I love that it doesn’t have a flavor, and it blends really well in my smoothie or coffee!
Living Proof Heat Protectant Spray // I’m pretty sure all of us gals use some type of hot tool on our hair whether it’s everyday or for special occasions – but no matter how often you use hot tools, you NEED to be using a heat protectant! I try to limit my hot tool use to about 3-4 times a week. High temps can be super damaging for your hair and for me, it created a lot of breakage. This is my favorite heat protectant because it smells good & doesn’t leave your hair sticky or wet!
Morroccanoil All In One Leave In Conditioner // This is part of my post-wash ritual! It’s a great leave-in conditioner that I spray from mid-length, down to my ends to keep them healthy.
Keratase Hair Oil // I also apply this oil on my ends to keep them shiny and moisturized.
T3 Cura Hair Dryer // I try to let my hair air-dry as much as possible, but sometimes – a blow dry is just needed! Although this is a splurge, it’s so worth it to me! I never used to invest in a high-quality blow dryer and ever since I did with this one from T3, I’ve seen a huge change in the health of my hair, and the way it looks after blowdrying. It really cuts down on drying time and doesn’t leave my hair frizzy.
BPN Strong Multi-Vitamin // Incorporating a high-quality multi-vitamin is super important when it comes to hair & skin health. This is my favorite! They are a little strong, and the serving is 4 capsules per day – so I take two with breakfast, and two with dinner. You need to take them with food, like most other multi-vitamins require! Use code: STEFBARE for 10% off!
Silk Pillowcase // Swapping out my standard pillowcase for a silk one has really helped with the oiliness of my hair, and it helps my hair hold a curl or style MUCH longer, which means less hot tool use!
GIMME Beauty Any Fit Hair Ties // The BEST hair ties in the world. They are non-damaging, comfortable, soft, and let me tell you, your ponytail will be perkier than ever, and it ain’t going ANYWHERE. Use code: STEFANY.BARE25 for 25% off!