There hasn’t been a lot of great news coming out of the summer of 2020 but on a very superficial level, I have finally mastered my summer hair care routine so I’m going to go ahead and call that a win.

I have not blow dried it since March but am able to make it look presentable (when I want to which isn’t very often lately!) in a matter of minutes.

A lot of that has to do with the fact that I stopped bleaching it, but I also discovered a bunch of products that work really well for me. I’ve shared a few of these finds in various 5 Random Things posts but wanted to corral them all into one today.

Prose shampoo & conditioner: It took me way too long to try Prose but after hearing everyone I know rave about the brand, I finally bit the bullet and took their online consultation to get my customized products. That was three months ago and I’m sold. Not only are they customized to your hair type but also to your geographic location so they take into account variables like humidity and the hardness of your water.

Transparency note: I worked with Prose for sponsored content on Instagram last month. With the link above, you’ll get $10 off your first order. If you’re already a Prose customer, the discount will not work.

Olaplex No. 6 bond smoother: My hairdresser has insisted that I use Olaplex No. 6 for years and I have been loyal to it for a long time because it works. I mix a drop (you don’t need a lot) with the Playa hair oil after a shower to lock in moisture, eliminates frizziness, and protect your hair. If you color your hair, I can’t recommend Olaplex No. 6 enough.

Playa Ritual hair oil: I use the Olaplex year-round but have added in Playa hair oil for summer. It does everything that the Olaplex does but adds a layer of UV protection. As mentioned above, I use it after the shower but I also smooth some through my hair before a day at the beach for extra sun protection. It makes a big difference when air drying your hair frizz-wise too. Not to mention, it smells like heaven.

My hair is really fine so most hair oils make my hair heavy and oily but this one is light and clean with no greasy residue.

Kitsch microfiber scrunchies: These have been a game-changer for me. I like to shower at night most days but I hate sleeping on a wet pillowcase. I’ll tie my hair up in a bun with one of these microfiber scrunchies and it sucks up excess moisture in record time. It doesn’t dry my hair all the way but comes pretty close. I throw them in the laundry to wash.

Navy Haircare texture spray: I love this stuff. For someone with very fine hair, it gives me the perfect boost of volume and hold… it’s kind of like a mix of dry shampoo and hairspray, without making my hair feel crunchy or stiff. It somehow lasts for days too. I spray it (not too much!) on the length of my hair right before curling it, and the curls hold so well. This one also has UV protection as an added bonus.

Transparency note: I worked with Navy Haircare for sponsored content on Instagram last month.

Hair Dance dry shampoo: I spent months searching for a clean dry shampoo that actually worked and found this $10 product on Amazon from a reader recommendation. It’s made with 5 clean ingredients, smells like lavender, and a tiny bit goes a long way so the small bottle lasts forever.

10% of their proceeds are donated to Mercy Ships in their mission to provide free lifesaving surgeries to those in need.

Prose hair mask: When I first ordered Prose, I bought the hair mask to test it out. Now it’s a staple in my hair care routine. Based on my hair quiz, they customized a hair mask filled with nourishing ingredients like argon and jojoba oils, silk proteins, and plant collagen. I use it every 10 days or so before washing and conditioning.

T3 1inch curling wand: I’ve been using this “loose waves” curling wand for so long that I don’t even remember how to use a curling iron. It takes a few tries to master but once you do, it’s so quick and easy. Now that my hair is growing out, I wrap the top part of one-inch sections around the barrel and leave the bottom straight or a loose beach-wave vibe.

Check out more summer beauty products I’m loving here. What summer hair care products are you loving?