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Pro Hair Picks: Tools & Products I Use (and Recommend)
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items After years behind the chair (and way too many “holy grail” claims), these are the products and tools I keep coming back to. They’re stylist-approved, tested on every hair type imaginable, and worth every inch of counter space. From blow-dry sprays t...
Sections
5
Shampoo
Conditioner
Treatments
Styling
Tools
Shampoo
As a stylist, I’ve tried just about every shampoo out there. These are the ones that keep hair balanced — clean without stripping, hydrating without weighing it down. Whether your hair’s color-treated, fine, or frizz-prone, these are the bottles I re...
This one’s for the overworked, heat-styled, and color-treated hair that’s crying for help. It uses bonding technology to actually strengthen and repair from the inside out — not just coat the hair to look healthy. I love it for bringing softness and ...
10.1 oz Triple Repair Shampoo Bonding for Damaged Hair - Kenra Professional | Ulta Beauty
When my hair started falling out from hormone shifts, this shampoo was my anchor. Formulated with biotin and a Length Care Complex, it’s all about longer, stronger hair by reducing breakage and helping retain what you’ve got. I reach for it when I’m ...
10.1 oz Extreme Length Shampoo For Longer, Stronger Hair - Redken | Ulta Beauty
This is a must-have in my kit for men, kids — honestly anyone who needs a scalp reset. The tingle from the tea tree, peppermint & lavender combo is zero-fluff, full refresh. It’s been a classic for decades and for good reason. I use it on men who...
16.9 oz Tea Tree Special Shampoo - Paul Mitchell | Ulta Beauty
If you’re invested in color and want it to stay fresh, this shampoo is a serious pick. It’s loaded with keratin + African Manketti oil to repair damage and preserve vibrancy. Pro tip for fellow stylists: it’s super concentrated — make sure hair is fu...
10.1 oz K-PAK Color Therapy Color-Protecting Shampoo - Joico | Ulta Beauty
If the hair you’re working on or living with is feeling dry, brittle, or just plain “meh” — this shampoo is a go-to for restoring softness. It’s vegan, infused with hyaluronic acid + avocado oil, and built to hydrate while cleansing (yes, you can act... Pro tip: Use a small amount, work into a good lather, and rinse thoroughly — it’s rich stuff, so more doesn’t always mean better. Perfect for: dry/porous hair, hair that’s lost its bounce or shine, and making hair look and feel touchably soft again.
10.1 oz Food For Soft Hydrating Shampoo - Matrix | Ulta Beauty
I've honestly never used a better line. I just hate the price tag so this is definitely a “luxury” line! It's highly concentrated so little goes a looooooong way!
Nutritive Hydrating Essentials Discovery Gift Set for Dry Hair - Kérastase | Sephora
Conditioner
Because the right conditioner can make or break your wash day. These are my ride-or-dies for smooth, manageable hair that feels soft but not coated. Perfect for tangle-free brushing and a little extra shine.
This one picks up where the shampoo left off — it’s my go-to when the hair looks fragile from heat, color, or over-doing it. With arginine + oat peptides in their DualBond tech, it doesn’t just smooth the surface — it strengthens where the hair is ac...
10.1 oz Triple Repair Conditioner Bonding for Damaged Hair - Kenra Professional | Ulta Beauty
When my hair started its full-blink fallout from hormones, this conditioner became a non-negotiable part of my kit — and my recovery. Infused with biotin, castor oil and the Length Care Complex, it strengthens fragile strands so they don’t just grow ...
10.1 oz Extreme Length Conditioner for Longer Stronger Hair - Redken | Ulta Beauty
This has become a quiet staple in my personal routine—especially on shave days. The refreshing blend of tea tree, peppermint, and lavender leaves my skin feeling cool, smooth, and soothed (and yes—I use it to shave my legs). It doesn’t feel heavy, it...
16.9 oz Tea Tree Special Conditioner - Paul Mitchell | Ulta Beauty
This isn’t your everyday rinse-out — it’s a rich, repairing conditioner built for color-treated hair that needs more than the basics. It seals in shine, neutralises damage and gives that “fresh colour in the chair” feel at home. Stylist tip: because ...
8.5 oz K-PAK Color Therapy Conditioner - Joico | Ulta Beauty
If your client’s hair is feeling dry, brittle or just thirsty, this conditioner is a must-have in your kit. Infused with avocado oil and hyaluronic acid, it smooths, hydrates and gives serious detangling power—without that weighed-down feel. Perfect ...
10.1 oz Food For Soft Detangling Hydrating Conditioner - Matrix | Ulta Beauty
Treatments
Deep conditioners, masks, oils, and leave-ins — this is where the magic happens. These are the products that repair damage, protect from heat, and keep your hair looking healthy between salon visits. If your ends are sad, start here.
This leave-in was a lifesaver during my hair regrowth phase after hormone-related shedding. It’s packed with biotin and soy protein to strengthen fragile strands and seal split ends while supporting healthy growth. I use it on damp hair before blow-d...
Extreme Length Leave-In Conditioner - Redken | Ulta Beauty
I love this stuff so much—it’s one of those products that just does it all. It smells incredible, softens the hair instantly, and adds shine without weighing anything down. I use it on clients as a leave-in, but it also makes the perfect cutting loti...
Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat Protectant Leave In Conditioner Primer - Bumble and bumble | Ulta Beauty
This is the oil I pull out when my clients’ hair needs to shine, smooth and calm — and honestly, when I want my own hair to behave like it had a glam weekend. It’s rich in argan oil and shine-boosting vitamins, and it transforms frizz-oriented or dry...
3.4 oz Moroccanoil Treatment Hair Oil - Moroccanoil | Ulta Beauty
Styling
From volume sprays to heat protectants, this section covers the finishing touches that make your hair look professionally done, even when it’s just you, your mirror, and a prayer. Each one helps with hold, shine, and humidity control — minus the crun...
This is my go-to for instant volume and that lived-in, effortless texture. It gives fine or flat hair major lift without the crunch or stiffness—just airy, touchable fullness that lasts. I love using it after curls or a blowout to add body and moveme...
8.2 oz Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray - Bumble and ...
If you’re chasing sleek, frizz-free blowouts that don’t take all day—this is the one. It seriously cuts down on dry time, protects from heat, and leaves hair smooth, shiny, and soft. I’ve used it for years in the salon and it’s one of those products ...
6.8 oz Platinum Blow-Dry Spray - Kenra Professional | Ulta Beauty
This is the heat-protectant and finishing spray I keep in my kit when I want serious style longevity and protection. It offers heat defense up to 450 °F, gives high-shine polish, and completes a style with hold that lasts. Perfect for: prepped hair b...
Heat Block Spray 22 - Kenra Professional | Ulta Beauty
For my color-treated clients, this one’s non-negotiable. It locks in up to 98% of color pigments and gives serious heat protection up to 450 °F. I use it right before hot tools or as a finishing mist—it keeps the tone vibrant and the style intact without stiffness or build-up. Perfect for: anyone who’s invested in their color and wants long-lasting vibrancy plus styling protection.
Color Maintenance Thermal Spray 11 - Kenra Professional | Ulta Beauty
Tools
Let’s be honest — not all hair tools are created equal. These are the ones that actually deliver salon-level results at home. Think: less frizz, more shine, and no arm fatigue halfway through. Every tool here is stylist-approved and worth the counter...
Okay, this one’s worth the hype. It gives you that fresh blowout look without juggling a round brush and dryer. The oval barrel lifts at the roots, smooths frizz, and adds shine—basically salon results in your bathroom. I use it on damp hair (about 7...
amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0
This dryer is everything I’ve been chasing—and nothing else in my kit hits the same. With its 1900-watt AC motor, ionic + porcelain ceramic tech, six heat/speed combos and a cold-shot button, it gives me fast drying, targeted airflow and real salon-l... I keep trying replacements, but they either don’t get hot enough or the air is too diffused—this one nails both. Perfect for: when you want less frizz, more shine, and a blow-dry that lasts without killing your arm.
Porcelain Ceramic Carrera2 Dryer - BaBylissPRO | Ulta Beauty
This is the go-to for my curly-haired clients that want pin straight hair. The half-inch Nano-Titanium/ceramic plates hit max heat (~430 °F) and are sleek enough to slide right into the root zone without missing a strand. I keep one in my kit for edg...
Mini Straightening Iron with Travel Pouch - BaBylissPRO | Ulta Beauty
This one’s a true kit essential—seriously, whether I’m styling fine hair, thick hair, loose waves, or tight curls, this curling iron always comes through. (I have it in every size) The nano-titanium/ceramic barrel kicks up to 450 °F and the Sol-Gel c...
3/4" Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron - BaBylissPRO | Ulta Beauty