While this may seem like an unnecessary extra step (you are conditioning in the shower after all), our experts say it's crucial. Pelusi points out that leave-in conditioner helps you detangle and comb your hair more easily, which saves time. And Jones says using a leave-in daily helps "keep hair hydrated and acts like a 'primer' before applying styling products."
If you have fine hair or are worried about volume, Potempa recommends Aussie Mousse + Leave-In Conditioner, $4.99. "The combination of root-lifting volumizer and a soft, leave-in conditioner makes it really easy to style your hair. I always apply it before I blow dry," she says.
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No. 2: A boar bristle brush
Both Potempa and Jennifer J. love Mason Pearson boar bristle brushes because they "can create a perfect, sleek ponytail or a full, voluminous wave," Potempa says. But if you think the $170 price tag makes baldness sound appealing, rest assured that there are more affordable alternatives. Try the Denman Groomin Brush with Natural Boar Bristles & Nylon Pins, $15.99. It has a mix of natural boar bristles and nylon just like the Mason Pearson, but is a fraction of the price.
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No. 3: Oil
Yes, everyone needs oil -- even those of us with baby fine hair. Jones points out that a good hair oil can keep ends polished and frizz-free, and of course add lots of shine. And there are formulas that won't make hair look greasy. Jennifer J. loves L'Oreal Serie Expert Mythic Oil, $30. "It's not an oily oil, but a luxurious moisturizing oil that won't weigh your hair down. It will actually cut your drying time down too," she says.
Babaii recommends Couture Colour Pequi Oil, $12. It "not only provides shine but adds moisture and healing properties into the hair," he says. "You can even use it to refresh your hairstyle." Just add a few drops and brush through hair to add softness and shine.
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No. 4: A salon-quality blow dryer
All our experts agreed that a quality blow dryer is worth the investment. "Your hair won't look like you just got a professional blowout without a salon blow dryer," says Jennifer J. And Babaii adds, "A well-made, powerful dryer cuts drying time in half." Here are a few of our experts' favorites:
Potempa: H2PRO Ultra Light Nano Hi-Tech 2500, $109.99. "This is the quietest, lightest blow dryer I have ever used. I love that it dries my hair fast and has a cool button that locks in place." A blast of cool air at the end of a drying session sets the hair, closes the cuticle, and leaves hair feeling healthy, she says.
Jennifer J.: Barbar Ceramic ECO 8000 Blow Dryer, $99.99. "[It] is the grand daddy of all blow dryers. It is strong, silent, and eco-friendly."
Jones: Paul Mitchell Express Ion Blow Dryer, $150. "Get [dryers] that have baked-in ions and ceramic -- not plated. A girl's got to have the real thing!"
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No. 5: Heat protectant spray
If you're using hot tools, a heat protectant spray is a must. "With the power in modern blow dryers and the high heat of flat irons [450 degrees in some cases], we need to make sure our hair stays healthy to look its best," Potempa says. But if you're wary of putting yet another product on your hair, Babaii suggests a multi-tasking spray like IT&LY HAIRFASHION Pure Texture, $16.49. "[It] serves as a root booster and helps create those beach waves. You can also use it to protect against humidity and heat damage."
There are currently 2,084 hair products on ulta.com, and I've tried almost all of them.
I'm a beauty editor after all, so this comes with the territory. And while testing every new hair product that hits the market is a serious job perk, the one little downside is that my bathroom is overflowing with flat irons, curl creams, spray foams, scalp exfoliators... you get the drift.
This isn't just a beauty editor's plight, though. Most women I know are on a quest for amazing hair, which leads them to buy and try an obscene amount of hair products.
Obviously we don't need hundreds of hair products. So, to weed through the superfluous and pull out the essentials, we talked to five pros: Celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa, celebrity colorist and owner of Juan Juan Salons in Beverly Hills, Calif., Jennifer J., owner of Marco Pelusi Hair Studio in West Hollywood, Calif., Marco Pelusi, Head & Shoulders celebrity hairstylist Sunnie Brook Jones, and celebrity hairstylist David Babaii.
What they gave us: A complete list of the only hair products every woman really needs. Read on to see if you've got everything they recommend and get ready to toss anything else taking up space in your bathroom.
