just me, living here

I am low-maintenance. I don’t get my nails done, I don’t book massages, I don’t spray tan, and there’s definitely no Botox or facials happening over here. But my hair? My hair is where I draw the line. I take care of it, religiously.

I’ve been in the salon chair every 5–8 weeks since I was about 25 (maybe even earlier). I have no idea what color the back of my head is anymore, but the front is fully gray hence, the never-ending color appointments. Add in some hair loss after having my girl and dealing with high blood pressure meds (spoiler: the hair does not grow back), and it’s safe to say my strands are holding on for dear life.

Here are a few of my hairstyles and variety of colors over the years. I am not including the red and gray years on purpose :) I “think” the center photo is my natural hair color ???? Also, who else takes a selfie every single time after a salon visit and shares with their sister?

On top of that, I’ve got curly, frizzy hair that I’ve spent a lifetime straightening, curling, bleaching, and dyeing every shade under the sun. Basically, I’ve been at war with my own head for years.

To make matters worse, my scalp is ridiculously sensitive, I suffer from seborrhea plus a long list of things that make it itch, flake, or burn. Fragrance and ingredients matter… at least to my scalp.

So yes, when it comes to shampoo and conditioner, I care. A lot.

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The Nose Knows Factor

I literally have tried almost every haircare line out there. And… if you’re anything like me, you’ve tried them all too -drugstore, salon, luxury, clean, whatever TikTok tells us to try. And honestly, the fragrance is usually what hooks me first.

If you’re over 40, you’ll know exactly what I mean when I say: Pert. I still love the smell of Pert. Remember Salon Selectives with the strongest apple scent you have ever smelled. Suave Strawberry (had a serious hold on me in college). Paul Mitchell’s Tea Tree Shampoo that made me feel like I just walked out of a real salon. And then came Aveda… oh, Aveda. I wanted so badly to love it, but it absolutely shredded my scalp. I still used it because the smell was so good. Rosemary mint? I’m still a sucker for that scent today.

That’s why I still lean salon over drugstore, I want my shampoo to smell like an experience.

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What I Look For Now

1. Fragrance: It has to smell amazing but not send my scalp into meltdown.
2. Ingredients: Clean, natural, and gentle enough that my seborrhea doesn’t flare up. If the EU won’t approve it? Hard pass.
3. Sustainability: Bonus points for refills, less plastic, or certifications that mean something (like EWG Verified®, vegan, cruelty-free).
4. Price: I don’t mind spending money if it actually works. What I can’t stand is shelling out $30+ for shampoo that leaves my hair limp and itchy.

Once I find a winner, I stick with it. No more playing shampoo roulette.

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My Tried and True Favorites

After years of trial and error, here’s what has earned a permanent place in my shower:

Arkive Headcare: Scalp Savior + Sensory Escape

Arkive changed my life or at least my scalp. After years of itchiness, oiliness, and limp strands even Davines couldn’t fix it, Arkive’s headcare line felt like a reset.  It’s lightweight, effective, and the fragrance? Chef’s kiss. Think the best high-end salon fragrance bottled up.

Their All Day Everyday Shampoo & Conditioner with baobab protein gave my fine, frizzy hair a little bounce while keeping my scalp calm. It’s truly a daily treat.

Downside? It’s not easy to get in the U.S. I first found it at Bloomingdale’s and QVC, but now tariffs make it a little tricky, and I’m not sure if they are going to continue to sell it to the US. When I could order it, it was about $18. Worth it. You can order online through their website, but I noticed the prices are higher- not available to ship right now- once again probably because of tariffs.

Here is where you can buy it (maybe?): Arkive Headcare All Day Everyday Shampoo

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Davines: Clean Credentials, Global Conscience

Davines is one of those brands I want to love forever. They’ve nailed sustainable beauty with biodegradable ingredients and eco-conscious everything. Their OI Milk and OI Shampoo smell incredible think warm vanilla and herbs that are borderline addictive.

But… my scalp doesn’t love it. I get some itchiness from it, which is heartbreaking because it’s basically shampoo perfume perfection. I use the shampoo sparingly because it makes my hair look shiny and great.

I will forever keep their hairspray around as I use it often and they are hands down the best I’ve ever used. THE BEST! After spraying a little magic on me noggin, one of my friends once told me I smelled like “cupcakes, marshmallows, and hope.” Accurate.

You can purchase the whole Davines line of products in person at my favorite salon Poppy & Rod Hair Parlour: https://www.poppyandrod.com/

Here is an Amazon link to purchase: Davines OI Nourishing Shampoo

Here is an Amazon link to purchase: Davines This Is an Invisible Spray, Humidity-Resistant Hairspray:

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ATTITUDE: Clean, Affordable, Eco-Everything

And then there’s ATTITUDE, my newest find. This Canadian brand is basically the opposite of luxury salon as it is affordable, however it is super clean, and eco-conscious without being boring. Their Super Leaves™ line has formulas for every hair type, all EWG Verified®, vegan, cruelty-free, and made with naturally sourced ingredients.

Right now, I’m using their Volume & Shine Shampoo and it smells like chamomile and marshmallows floating on a cloud. It’s gentle, scalp-friendly, and $12. Twelve bucks! They also offer refill pouches and shampoo bars, which makes my eco-heart happy. This is my everyday shampoo choice and it delivers.

Here is an Amazon link to purchase: Attitude Hair Shampoo for Sensitive Dry Scalp/ Volume & Shine, Chamomile 16 oz

Here is an Amazon link to purchase: ATTITUDE Hair Conditioner for Sensitive Dry Scalp, For Thin Hair, Soothing Oat, Naturally Derived Ingredients, Dermatologically Tested, Vegan Detangler, Volume and Shine, 8 Fl Oz

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Final Thoughts

• Arkive: If you can get your hands on it, it’s scalp heaven.
• Davines: For fragrance alone, it’s worth trying. (And don’t sleep on their hairspray, it’s iconic.)
• ATTITUDE: The best everyday clean haircare that won’t wreck your scalp or your budget.

So whether you mix and match like me, or settle on one, trust that I’ve put in the time (and money) testing these so you don’t have to. These three are it, the best of the best.

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