Photo illustration: The Strategist, Photo: Joe McKendry, Retailer
Welcome to How I Pick My Picks, a periodic newsletter series where Strategist staffers share what they use on a daily basis, the products they test for stories, and the things they constantly hear about from friends and family. We want to get inside the minds of Strategist writers. Today we're speaking with Rachael Griffiths, a beauty and grooming writer.
To put it simply, my hair has been abused. It's been smeared over and over with e-girl stripes, Future Nostalgia half-and-half bleach, all sorts of crazy colors, and now my vibrant cherry red. All of this experimentation took its toll, and when I first started working as a beauty writer, my hair was literally snapping. For me, my quest to find the best haircare products is as personal as it is professional.
Also, not on purpose, but my hair is the kind that needs hair products. It's color-treated, thin, and dry (I know, pick your struggles). I also struggle with a center part on my bangs every day. My goal is simple: I want products that will help me extend the time between washes, styling, and expensive salon visits. For now, my solution is a good, moisturizing leave-in conditioner. When I came back from a dusty festival earlier this summer, my usual masks and oils left my ends feeling like straw after just one wash. The secret to getting my hair back to life is a generous slathering of moisturizing leave-in conditioner on Monday. It's my favorite thing I've tried so far, and (best of all) I got it for under $10. Finding bargains at the drugstore will continue to be my favorite part of the job.
Surprisingly, shaving is what inspired me to write about men's grooming. While my female friends are always asking me about new products and the best alternatives (you can read more about them in The Strategist Beauty Brief), it seemed like some of the men around me just didn't know where to start. For example, my roommate had just accepted that he would get an itchy rash every time he shaved his neck. I was like, “Do you know there are creams and trimmers that can prevent that?” Since then, he's become one of my go-to testers when it comes to grooming for sensitive skin. And that rash? Nowhere to be found.
I used to be very cautious about sulfates, which is crazy considering my hair is dry and I color it. Sulfates aren't bad at all. If you have oily hair, sulfates can solve a lot of problems, but for hair like mine, they're simply too strong. When I try products with sulfates, I notice the difference right away. Luckily, I've tried a lot of great sulfate-free (and lather great) products, so I can recommend the right ones if you're thinking of quitting.
There's no limit! I use that $10 bottle on the shelf just as often as a product that costs four times as much. But I'm not saying to throw away your Olaplex. Many drugstore products are full of stuff your hair doesn't need and lack the luxury ingredients that make your hair stronger (glycerin, vitamins, protein, oats). That being said, there are always options around $10 that I recommend for those on a budget. If you know where to look (luckily, I do), you can reliably build an effective hair routine for around $50.
I'm on a big frizz-fighting spree at the moment, and ever since ColorWow hit the Tiktok shop, I've been trying to figure out if their Dream Coat is really the best product for making hair shiny and completely static-free. There are a few other options I want to try, but for now the answer is yes.
K18 Dry Shampoo. In many ways, I still have the mindset of a broke college kid, so I can't believe I spent nearly $50 on dry shampoo. But it works! I work out a lot, and now I've found a dry shampoo that doesn't build up when I use it after a run, so I can wash my hair less, maybe once or twice a week. Great news for keeping my red hair red. Great news for keeping my bouncy blow-dries fresh. And great news for someone who can get a little lazy.
Unfortunately, for me, the Dyson AirWrap is just not worth the money. I bought it with my first paycheck as an adult. I was still living with my parents so rent wasn't an issue and I didn't look into it as much as most people do. But I absolutely love it. I know some people get annoyed when it doesn't work the way they want it to out of the box. I know you're thinking, “I already paid $600 for it, why should I have to spend more on products?” But it's just a tool and finding the right products is the key to getting the best out of any hair tool. My secret is to apply Sachajuan Hair Mousse to second or third day hair (while it's drying) before using the AirWrap barrel to make curls last longer. I never travel without it. If you have bangs like mine, it's a must-have.
Add a Dyson hair straightener to your collection and you're looking at a substantial amount. Then I invest in Olaplex 3, 4, and 5, which are always my first line of defense when my hair is in a rut. Then I add some top of the line products for me like Malin + Gotz Moisturizing Shampoo, Barb Ghost Conditioner, and Ouai Leave-In Conditioner. I also add Drybar products, all of which I've tried and rated highly, so I also add their Liquid Glass Blowout Cream, Hot Toddy Heat Protector, and a detangler to keep my bangs in place.
From a grooming perspective, I would definitely choose the Philips Norelco beard trimmer and the Wahl Peanut clippers, which have received rave reviews from everyone I've had to try, from my housemate who uses them to shave his beard, to my friend who finally gave up on his Hector Bellerin mullet and shaved his head (yes, these are the only two hairstyles that are acceptable to the modern man).
I'm British, and Filter by Love Island favourite Molly-Mae is one of the biggest fake tan brands in the country. All my friends who buy from the brand love it, and it helped a make-up artist friend avoid a spray tan before Glastonbury Festival. I have so many to try, this is next on my list. I've also been obsessed with mermaid waves this summer, and am wondering whether to try the Drybar Mixologist styler. (To be honest, my only concern is whether wavy hair will become a pain once the novelty wears off.)
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