Product Playbook: 5 Secrets to Keep Your Hair Salon-Glam 💖
Hey, gorgeous! It's your girl, Erika, and if there's one thing I hear from my clients more than "I need a change!" it's, "How do I make my hair look this good every day?"
The truth is, while a great haircut is the foundation, your at-home product game is what locks in the luxury. You wouldn't clean a silk dress with harsh detergent, so why treat your expensive hair the same way?
Here are the five must-have product categories—and a few of my all-time favorites—to keep that salon shine and style on point.
1. The Foundational Duo: Skip the Suds
The single biggest mistake I see? Using cheap, stripping shampoo. The sulfates that give you that foamy lather are literally washing your color and your hair's natural moisture down the drain.
My Golden Rule: Go Sulfate-Free. Always.
The Pro Pick: I have to shout out Pureology Hydrate Shampoo & Conditioner. It's concentrated, deeply moisturizing, and its AntiFade Complex is the truth—it keeps color vibrant and is an absolute staple in the color world. Another fantastic choice for damaged or heavily color-treated hair is the Olaplex No. 4 and No. 5 system, which actively strengthens broken bonds.
2. The 'Daily Dose of Goodness' Leave-In
Think of a leave-in conditioner as your hair’s daily multi-vitamin and SPF. It preps, detangles, adds moisture, and (critically) protects against the heat from your blow dryer or flat iron. Don't skip this step!
Why It Works: It seals the cuticle to keep the hair smooth and reflective.
My Go-To: You can’t go wrong with It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In—it’s an industry legend for a reason. For something a little more luxurious and strengthening, I love the Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother. A pea-sized amount goes a long way to fight frizz and add shine.
3. The Color Keeper: Banishing Brass
For my blondes, my vivid colors, and my perfectly highlighted babes, fading is the enemy. You need something in your weekly routine to fight off environmental dullness and brassy tones.
Blonde/Silver Solution: Invest in a great purple shampoo! Redken Color Extend Blondage or Joico Color Balance Purple are my top recs. Use them once a week or whenever you see a hint of yellow creeping in.
Red/Dark Color Shine: For deep color, a color-depositing mask (like one from Moroccanoil or similar brands) is an amazing way to refresh your tone without a full color appointment. A shiny, healthy hair strand holds color better.
4. The Curly Hair Dynamo: Hold, Hydration, and Humidity-Proofing
My curly clients know: the right product means the difference between a halo of frizz and defined, bouncy, beautiful coils. Hydration is paramount, and you need a good blend of moisture and hold.
The Curl Specialist Secret: Look for products that offer a flexible-but-firm hold without a sticky feeling.
The Cream: Pattern Leave-In Conditioner (from the amazing Tracee Ellis Ross) is super hydrating.
The Gel/Jelly: Follow up with something like Curlsmith Hydro Style Flexi Jelly or a light mousse like Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream. I am a huge fan of the Scrunch and Diffuse method for maximum volume and definition!
5. The Finishing Polish: That Expensive Shine
The secret weapon to that polished, "just styled" look is a weightless finishing oil or serum. It catches the light and makes your hair look unbelievably healthy.
Application Tip: Use one or two drops, warmed in your palms, and only apply from your mid-shaft to your ends. Never touch the root!
The Final Step: A lightweight oil like Kérastase Elixir Ultime or OUAI Hair Oil seals the deal. They add a high-gloss finish and a subtle, amazing scent.
Remember, every head of hair is different, but starting with these high-quality, professional-grade products is the best way to protect your investment and keep people asking, "Did you just come from the salon?"
Stay glam! —Erika Jackson