Get Your Dream Hair: My Proven Haircare Routine

After years of bleaching, extensions, and over-styling, my hair was fried. Think: dry ends, breakage, and zero shine. I tried everything until I finally committed to a consistent, damage-repair routine—and the results have been insane. If you’re trying to rehab your hair back to soft, shiny, dream girl status, here’s exactly what worked for me. 📌 Pin this for later: You can find my full product list and before/after inspo on Pinterest!

🛒 Shop the Routine on Amazon: I curated everything into one easy list so you can grab what you need: 👉🏽 Haircare Glow-Up Essentials List

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🚿 Wash Day Routine

I try to wash my hair every 2–3 days—it’s the sweet spot for keeping it clean without over-drying it. Stretching the time between washes really helped with breakage and heat damage!

Step 1: Pre-Shampoo Treatment

Before you even reach for shampoo, give your hair a little TLC. I used to swear by Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector — and honestly, it’s still great — but the Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate is next level. It helps repair existing damage, strengthens weak strands, and protects your hair before washing (which is when it’s most vulnerable). Apply it to damp hair from mid-lengths to ends, follow the instructions on the bottle, and let it work its magic while you scroll or do your skincare routine. Think of this as your hair’s “pre-game glow-up.

Step 2: Shampoo — Keep It at the Roots

For volume that actually lasts, I use the Redken Volume Injection Shampoo every wash. Focus only on your roots — that’s where buildup and oil live. Lather well, rinse, and repeat if you used a lot of product. Avoid shampooing the ends; they’ll get clean when the suds rinse through. (Trust me — this trick alone keeps them soft.)

Step 3: Mask > Conditioner

When your hair needs extra love, skip conditioner entirely. After shampooing:

• Towel-dry gently (no aggressive rubbing — treat your hair like silk).
• Apply the Moroccan Oil Hydrating Hair Mask to the ends while hair is damp, not soaking.
• Pop on a shower cap and leave it for about 20 minutes.

✨ Pro tip: Let it sit while you shave or do a face mask — multitasking queen behavior.

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💆🏽‍♀️ Post-Wash Styling Routine

Once your hair is washed, here’s where the magic happens. Spray Pureology Leave-In Conditioner Spray from mid-lengths to ends. It helps detangle, hydrate, and prep your hair for heat styling.

Gently brush using a Wet Brush, starting from the ends and working your way up to avoid breakage.

Work a pea-sized drop of Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil through your ends to add shine and protect from frizz.

Add another pea-sized drop of Redken Big Blowout Jelly to boost volume, smooth texture, and protect against humidity.

💨 Styling + Blowout Routine

Here’s where your inner hairdresser comes out. Once your hair is towel-dried and prepped with your post-wash products, it’s time to style. My holy grail setup: the Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler and Dryer with the smoothing attachment.

• • Start on medium heat. Dry until your hair is about 50% dry. You want it damp enough to style, but not dripping.

• • Add heat protection. Mist Redken Thermal Spray 22 — just 1–2 spritzes. It’s lightweight but powerful, and keeps your strands safe while locking in shine.

• • Section your hair. Divide it into top, middle, and bottom sections using alligator clips. Smaller sections = smoother, longer-lasting results.

• • Round brush + barrel magic. Work in sections with your Dyson round brush attachment or a large ceramic brush.
    • Blow each section on high heat for 10–15 secondsFollow immediately with a cold shot for 5–10 seconds to set the shape
    Yes, I literally use a stopwatch for consistency. Because we don’t gatekeep good hair days here. 😌

• • Cool, set, and style. Once your hair is completely dry, let it sit for a few minutes before touching it. (The secret to a long-lasting blowout is patience — not hairspray.)

• • Optional: Add finishing oil. If you want that salon-level shine, rub a drop of Olaplex No. 7 between your palms and gently smooth over the ends.

🌙 Daily Aftercare

The secret to healthy, bouncy hair isn’t just what you do on wash day — it’s how you treat it in between. These are the little rituals that keep my blowout smooth and my strands shiny all week.

Brush It Out and Oil + Hydrate Daily

Brush your hair morning and night using a Wet Brush to distribute oils evenly and keep it soft. Rub a drop of your favorite hair oil (I love Olaplex No. 7 or Moroccanoil) between your palms and smooth it through your ends each morning. It prevents dryness, frizz, and split ends — basically, insurance for your blowout.

Protect the Blowout

A few non-negotiables: 🧖🏽‍♀️ Use a headband when washing your face to keep your hairline dry. 🚿 Always wear a shower cap — humidity is the enemy. 💤 Sleep on a silk pillowcase or use silk scrunchies to avoid breakage and creases. I usually wash my hair every 3–4 days, and by Day 2, I’ll mist a light dry shampoo–I use Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo at the roots to refresh the volume. The trick is preserving your blowout — not redoing it.

💡 Bonus Tip: If you live somewhere with hard water (Vegas girl problems, I get it), install a shower filter or a filtered showerhead. It makes a huge difference in keeping your hair soft, shiny, and free of mineral buildup. For all the products mentioned — and a few of my favorites for different hair types and budgets — check out my Amazon Shop. I like to switch things up every now and then depending on the season I’m in, so you’ll always find something new there. 💁🏽‍♀️

xo, Ria

She’s not just pretty — she’s consistent.