The Haircare Edit
Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s these cult favorite products!
Disclaimer: I do use affiliate links in this blog meaning that if you purchase anything through my affiliate links I receive commission at no additional cost to you! I only recommend products that I have heavily researched, tested and loved, and/or used for several years.
I discovered Davines around five years ago, and the products truly transformed my hair. Since moving back to LA and getting cut and color at top salons, both K18 and Milbon have been the hot, new professional salon products for perfect, healthy hair. I have been obsessed with both the brands, and they keep my hair healthy and repaired, even with full highlights. I have since even seen my old Seattle salon add K18 and Milbon to their product selection. I think K18, Milbon, and Davines are the trifecta of brands to have in your haircare cabinet. I include a couple of one-offs such as Shu Uemura and Miriam Quevedo which I have also loved using on my hair. I also include the tools I use for the perfect blowout. Since I have naturally oily hair, I always need to at least blow dry my roots first, then blow it out. I wash my hair every 1-2 days, as that is the most my Japanese hair will allow.
For context, I have half white and half Japanese hair. It is naturally dark brunette, and I get golden full highlights all over (color-treated). I keep my hair very long (no extensions), and get it cut/colored every 3-4 months (pictures below for context). In terms of product selection, K18 is pretty universal for all hair types, but you will want to get professional advice, or at least call a salon, to choose the best products for your hair type. Though I am brunette, I see that Milbon offers products such as purple shampoo for bleached hair. You will also want help choosing the right Davines products for your hair.
Davines, K18, and Milbon can all be purchased and shipped from my old Seattle salon’s website here, or through the individual store links below. K18 and Milbon can be purchased in-person at Sally Hershberger’s LA salon. If you are on the westside in LA, Number One Beauty Center on Montana Ave. carries every product under the sun. I will continue to add and update this post as I visit the salon and receive professional recommendations.
Brand Overviews
I always think it is a good idea to do your research on brands before investing in their products. It is important to find ones that align with your values, and what you are specifically looking for. Below I include highlights of each one, but I encourage you to do your own research before deciding on the perfect product fit for you!
Davines: Davines is an Italian brand founded in Parma, Italy in 1983. It is a certified B Corporation, with a focus on ethics and sustainability. It is present in more than 90 countries, and has been carbon neutral since 2018. Every product is made from clean energy, using renewable sources. It does not test on animals, and all products are safe for color treated hair. The ‘Minu’ collection works best on color treated hair.
Milbon: Milbon is the #1 professional haircare company in Japan, and used in 40,000 salons globally. It is the first brand to examine hair through CAT-Scan technology, and is backed by scientific research. Its sustainability goals and commitments can be found here.
K18: K18 is notorious for its 4-minute molecular repair hair mask, which has patented peptide technology to combat bleach, chemicals, color, and heat treatments. You may have seen it all over TikTok, with over 11 billion views of the mask. It is a strong recommendation by salon professionals. You can read about its patents and science publications here. The products are Certified Plastic Neutral by Plastic Bank.
Shu Uemura: You may know the brand by Mr. Shu Uemera’s famous eyelash curler. Shu Uemura has a vanguard approach, with Japanese-sourced ingredients. Shu Uemura Art of Hair was launched in 2007. Its Tokyo influence is seen through and through with the products, all crafted in Japan with premium Japanese ingredients.
Miriam Quevedo: Miriam Quevedo is award-winning for anti-aging in both skincare and haircare. Science and research are used to implement biotechnology, with ingredients stemming from Barcelona, and signature fragrances from perfumers in Grasse, France. Its products are free of sulfates SLES, parabens, mineral oils, phthalates, paraffin, petrolatum and other toxic ingredients. It is sulfate-free, vegan-friendly, cruelty free, and in the process of replacing its plastic with 100% recycled plastic.
Shampoos
Conditioners
Heat Protector/Defrizzer
Hair Texturizer
Hair Masks
Hair Oil
Hair Dryer
Barrel Dryer Brush
Brushes
Flat Iron
Pillowcase (Yes, Your Pillowcase Affects Your Hair!)
ShopMy Edit:
For the most amazing haircut of your entire life, I recommend Kenneth Stoddart Hair, who splits time between Antonio Salon in Seattle, and The Bohem Salon in Palm Beach.
In LA, I recommend Erik Jon at Sally Hershberger Salon (where I get my hair cut), and Sergio Garcia at Andy LeCompte Salon (where I get my hair colored - and Madonna).
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