"Elnett has been an industry leader cult classic for as long as I can remember. It's so good that stylists sneak it in backstage at NYFW shows when the show may be otherwise sponsored by another product line to make sure their runway styles will be perfection," says Kali Ferrara, a NYC stylist for The Salon Project at Saks Fifth Ave.
Interestingly, the product didn't actually make it stateside until 2008, and until then U.S. stylists would haul it across the ocean. Ferrara says the hairspray "is like magic." It offers a buildable hold, which means you can add more product according to your needs. It also brushes out nicely without leaving weird flakes or clumps behind.
We don't always think about hair care from the inside out, but supplements can help support hair growth and strength. Some are quite expensive, but Ferrara says she's found a winner in Vitafusion's Gorgeous Hair, Skin & Nails Multivitamin.
"I was looking for a multi vitamin packed with a dose of biotin and stumbled upon the Vitafusion brand. It carries every kind of vitamin you should ever need, all in great tasting gummies. My favorite has always been the hair, skin, and nail gummies," she says. "They're well priced, taste great, and I noticed a difference in my hair and nails within six weeks."
Curly and frizz-prone hair types: listen up! Hair stylist Bradley Leake heard about Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Defining Cream from a good friend who'd moved to Texas where the humidity was out of control. Long story short, she went through a ton of different products before she found a winner in this product. "It's a salon-quality styling cream at a steal of a price," says Leake. "It defines, shines, and makes curly hair more manageable by sealing in moisture and eliminating frizz."
Both Viola and Ferrara named L'Oreal Paris' Magic Root Cover Up as one of their favorite drugstore finds. They're not the only ones digging this product, either; it's been a cult-favorite since the pandemic halted salon visits.
"During COVID, when the salons were closed in New York, so many of my clients were asking me what to do when their gray roots started to grow in. I went to the drugstore to try out a bunch of products and I was really impressed by this one," says Viola. "It instantly covers any grays and it also dries super quickly. The formula doesn't smudge, isn't sticky at all, is lightweight, and lasts until your next shampoo."
Ferrara adds that the pinpoint nozzle makes for a more precise application, and that it's also a great product to conceal clip-in extensions.
"My clients are always asking me for the best ways to protect their color-treated hair when they're at the pool or beach, so I went on the hunt to find a great, affordable option. This oil helps keep your hair shiny and protects against the salt from the ocean, the sun's rays, chlorine, and the sand," says Viola. "It is my go-to for beach days and it's super easy to just throw in a beach bag and use throughout the day."
