I have been obsessing over Kristin Ess for quite a while now. You know those people that seem to know exactly what you want and need in your life before you do? She is one of those people. Kristin Ess has lots of products and I have slowly, but surely gotten lots of them. I thought I would stop and chat about the products that I have been using.
The first thing I love about her line is the packaging. Everything she makes is so pretty. If you are going to use these products everyday they might as well look pretty too. I also appreciate that she has a tutorial for every single product on her website. If you have any doubts on how to use one of her products you can check out her website, here. Kristin Ess has so many products that it can be overwhelming. To make it easier to find what you need, she color codes her products. Cleanse and condition is in a pink bottle, wet styling is gray, restoring is white, dry styling and finishing is black, and her scalp line (yes I said scalp line) is a beautiful emerald green/blue color. Most, if not all, of her products contain Zip-Up Technology™, a proprietary strengthening complex designed to "zip-up" split ends while targeting weak areas of the hair, smoothing the appearance of damaged cuticles and helping to protect hair from environmental stressors and color fade. Yes, I will take all of that please. They are color safe, keratin safe, and cruelty free.
I'm including her description of the product followed by my personal experience with them. Oh, did I mention all of her products (excluding tools) are $14 or under?
Mhmm...welcome to the Kristin Ess obsession my friend.
Cleanse & Condition
The One Signature Shampoo
Highlights: For all hair types, lightly clarifying, high lathering, safe for daily use, sulfate-free
Thoughts: Okay, I'll be honest. I am not very picky on shampoo. I love the way this one smells and it is sulfate-free so I am here for it. I will keep using it for sure, but shampoo is shampoo. Ya feel me?
Frizz Management Cleansing Conditioner
Highlights: For all curly hair types, frizz controlling, humidity combating, moisture reviving, low-sudsing co-wash
Thoughts: For all you frizz heads like me, you will want this in your routine. Although, after reading about this product I have not been using it the way she suggests. Read the back of those bottles, y'all. If you don't have frizzy hair, just go for the signature conditioner.
Wet Styling
Style Assist Blow Dry Mist
Highlights: For all hair types, ultra lightweight, split end smoothing, shine enhancing, cuts drying time
Thoughts: In short, this is a must have. It actually cuts down on your blow-dry time and just makes your hair look smooth and shiny after you blow-dry. I use this every single time I blow-dry my hair. It is a smaller bottle but it lasts much longer than I would've expected. Buy it, love it, enjoy that extra time you have.
Restore
Weightless Shine Leave-In Conditioner
Highlights: For all hair types, detangling, softening + strengthening, moisture sealing, shine enhancing
Thoughts: If you have hair, you need this product. If you have hair that is easily tangled (aka all curly headed girls) you MUST HAVE this product. No matter how crazy my hair is, this product always helps me detangle it. I also have noticed my hair being more moisturized and a little extra shiny. This is the first product I ever bought from her line and I will forever be buying again.
Dry Styling & Finishing
Style Reviving Dry Shampoo
Highlights: For all hair types, oil absorbing, odor eliminating, bow dry extending, vitamin enriched
Thoughts: Dry shampoo is another product that I haven't really gone wrong with. I have used a few and liked them all. I typically just use dry shampoo to add volume to my hair when it is dirty. I do not have oily hair at all so I am never looking for it to soak up the extra oils. I will say it leaves my hair feeling extra clean. I really like this dry shampoo and will repurchase because I love KE and it's the same price as all other dry shampoo on the market.
Style Reviving Dry Conditioner
Highlights: For all hair types, instantly softening, shine boosting, frizz reducing, oil + odor absorbing, UV + heat protection
Thoughts: Game changer. I thought this was such an interesting concept that I had to try. The first time I used it my hair was in a ponytail and looked awful. I sprayed on the ends and was amazed at how it changed the look of my hair. I can't really explain how but it did. I think it just added shine, tamed the frizz, and made it look more alive. I used it on my hair again when it was down and I didn't have time to re-curl. It added a little oomph to it and I was able to wear my hair down again. It also adds UV protection for your hair. It is a definite have to try.
Finish Working Texture Spray
Highlights: For all hair types, texture building, instantly volumizing, ultra-light hold, soft matte finish
Thoughts: This product is one of her most popular. Many compare it to the Oribe texturing spray but I have not tried that yet. I use this product after I curl my hair. It seems to give my hair volume and add a little texture. It makes my hair look a little more lived-in and not so perfectly curled. I will definitely repurchase this product although I would love a texture spray that does not give a matte finish. Sorry, I want to add all the shine I can get.
Refine Signature Finishing Spray
Highlights: For all hair types, multi-tasking, brushable finish, style setting, medium hold
Thoughts: I have some thoughts on the hairspray. At first, I was super disappointed. It sprays out so hard and fast. Most hairsprays tend to be more of a mist in my opinion. It kind of left a crunchy/sticky feeling. But (there is a but here), when I run my fingers through it the crunchy/sticky feeling leaves and I'm left with some fabulous shiny hair. I know, I am confused about it too. I might need to try spraying it farther away from my head but it just sprays out pretty hard and fast. So what I am saying here is, if you brush or run your fingers through your hair to lessen the curls you would like this hairspray. If you don't do that, I would pass on this one. I will keep using this to figure out the situation. Too bad I can't call up Kristin Ess and ask what I am doing wrong because everything she does is perfection.
The One Signature Hair Water
Highlights: For all hair types, delicately fragrant, style reviving, moisture restoring, super-fine mist
Thoughts: I bought this product to help me out when I wear my hair natural. I have curly hair but after day one it gets frizzy and I can't wear it down. I bought this hair water to help reactivate the curls and just give it a wake up call. I didn't notice a big difference the couple times I used it. However, I need to try it when my hair is fixed with a curling iron or straightener. I need to give this product more of a chance before I rule it out because it has some great reviews online.
Scalp
Instant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub
Highlights: For all hair types, removes build-up + flakes, scalp soothing, hydrating + rebalancing, gently exfoliating, non-drying
Thoughts: This is like no product I have used before. I had a hard time applying it. It has the consistency of a scrub and is hard to move through my hair. She made the bottle so that you could apply easily. I think trying to get to each part of my scalp while in the shower and holding this bottle while not even being able to see what I am doing makes it difficult. I typically just use the product where I can easily get to. It does what it says but I wish application was easier. I am going to try more of her scalp line and see how it compares.
Styling Accessories
Wide Tooth Detangling Hair Comb
Highlights: Gently detangles, scalp stimulating, for all hair types
Thoughts: Besides the fact that this is a beautiful comb it does a great job detangling. I typically use it for brushing out some curls after I have curled it but I have used on my hair after getting out of the shower. I really like looking at the comb but I also like using it. Definitely should get if you want to brush out your curls. It won't take hold of your hair enough to ruin the curls which I like.
Style Assist Medium Detangling Hair Brush
Highlights: Gently detangling, shine enhancing, for all hair types
Thoughts: Did I need this brush, nope. Did I get this brush, yep! I had the Wet Brush beforehand which worked really well on getting the tangles out with the help of my leave-in conditioner. Kristin recommends brushing your hair in the shower, but I don't do that at this point. This brush was just so pretty though, I needed it. It works just as well as the Wet Brush and is only a few dollars more. Who would not want a brush this beautiful?
Tools
3-in-One Signature Flat Iron
Highlights: Titanium plates, delivers heat faster, ionic technology, boosts shine, even heat from root to tip, 4 heat settings up to 440°F, auto shut-off for less stress
Thoughts: I have been using a CHI iron for as long as I have known and it died on me (3 straighteners later). I was tired of re-buying them so I decided to try out Kristin's straightener. After all, it is the prettiest straightener I have ever seen. The first time I used it I did not like it. I felt like it pulled my hair a little (compared to CHI). After using it a little bit, I noticed it wasn't pulling my hair it was just different from CHI. Y'all, this kept my hair straight. If you have curly hair, you feel the struggle. I really love this straightener now. Besides the fact that it keeps my naturally curly hair straight, it always adds shine to my hair! I am so happy I bough this one and definitely would recommend it. I do not use this to curl my hair, but it would be easier to do that with this iron because of the way it is made.
Holiday Sets
Frizz Reducing Satin Pillow Case + Frizz Reducing Towel Turban
I got these items with holiday sets that she was selling. I really hope she will add these items to her permanent line because I love them. I use the towel turban to keep frizz out of my life and to help get ALL of the water out before drying my hair. Regular towels actually cause breakage and frizz. Nobody has time for that! I also use her pillow case and have seen a difference in how my hair does not frizz up. Have you seen the trend of frizz being my enemy? Regardless of what brand you buy, you need to get a satin pillowcase and towel turban if you have naturally curly hair. Although, all hair types could benefit.
Hair French Pin + Metallic Bar Clip
I love the bar clip and it really holds on to your hair. The french pin I have not used other than to throw it up while at home. I need to get fancy and wear it out. Women who wear french pins have life figured out right?
Kristin Ess has lots of other products I want to try. I will do another blog post or add to this one as I try out more of her products. I am so excited to have found such an affordable hair care line that is absolutely beautiful and WORKS!
My best friend, Aubrey, also loves Kristin Ess (sorry for getting that obsession started) but she has different hair than I do. We thought it would be such a good idea to give you different perspectives depending on your hair type. I have curly, dry hair while she has more fine hair. She also tried different products so you will definitely want to check her post out here.
I love to hang out on Instagram and share life, so follow me at tia_mccutchen. Just click here!
Happy day and happy hair!
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