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Best Heat Styling Tool
Why: This reverse-tapered wand gives the perfect beach waves. The ceramic barrel heats up to the temperature of your choice to really make your style last. The iron itself fits comfortably in your hand and gets the job done quickly.
Honorable Mention: Hot Tools Wide Plate 1 1/4 Inch Digital Salon Flat Iron
Readers' Choice Winner: GHD Gold Professional 1" Styler
Why: It's amazing how fast it heats up and also how lightweight it is. I have medium hair and with this flat iron my hair was done sooo fast.
Honorable Mention: Conair Infiniti Pro Curling Iron 1 1/4"
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Best Curly Hair Product
Why: A curl enhancer that actually works (without making your hair crunchy) is a rare find — luckily, IGK has you covered. Add a couple spritzes of this to damp hair and it'll help define your curls while adding some soft shine.
Honorable Mention: L'Oreal Professionnel Siren Waves Hollywood Waves Defining Elasto-Cream
Readers' Choice Winner: DevaCurl SuperCream Coconut Curl Styler
Why: This is one of my most favorite curly hair products I have ever tried. I adore the coconut scent and the fact that this does not make my hair greasy or weighed down. I got more definition out of my wavy/curly/straight/confused hair than any other product before and the style made it through 2 days.
Honorable Mention: Miss Jessie's Pillow Soft Curls
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Best Dry Shampoo
Why: Have you ever had a dry shampoo that actually made your hair shiny? Well, this one does. It tames second-day hair (or third or fourth, we're not judging) like a dream, soaking up excess oil while helping your hair live its best life. You'll also love the sweet scent.
Honorable Mention: Hair Food Sulfate Free Color Protect Dry Shampoo Infused With White Nectarine & Pear Fragrance
Readers' Choice Winner: Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
Why: This stuff is incredible. It makes even sweaty, greasy hair look and smell fresh and clean. It's unlike any dry shampoo I've tried before (and I'm a connoisseur).
Honorable Mention: Dove Refresh + Care Volume & Fullness Dry Shampoo
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Best Hair Color/Color Enhancer
Why: For some serious fantasy color that is vegan and cruelty-free, look to Lime Crime. The brand's Unicorn Hair Dyes give you the colors you crave while protecting and softening strands. The delicious scent is just the icing on top.
Honorable Mention: Joico Color Butter
Readers' Choice Winner: Overtone Deep Treatment
Why: The product changed my life and my hair! There is no better way to color and care for your colored hair, I know, I have tried them ALL and this IS the best!
Honorable Mention: Pravana ChromaSilk Vivids
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Best Hair Serum/Oil
Why: Need hair magic in a bottle? This gorgeously scented oil lends softness and shine to your hair, adding in hydration without weighing strands down. Holy. Grail.
Honorable Mention: Ouai Rose Hair & Body Oil
Readers' Choice Winner: Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum
Why: This product is my must-have for blow-drying my hair. It reduces the frizziness and the time it takes to dry. It makes it shiny and soft and doesn't weigh it down and you only need a dollop. It's great!
Honorable Mention: Kerastase Elixir Ultime Original Hair Oil
Why have a good hair day, when you can have a great hair day? That was our philosophy when testing these hair products for the 2018 TotalBeauty Awards. When it comes to your hair, you should never have to settle. From hair products that simplify your life to devices that make it look like you just walked out of the salon, these are the hair innovations you need to make room for in your bathroom.
Image via Imaxtree
Image via Imaxtree
