Ever thought a good hair day, every day, wasn’t possible? Think again! All it takes is having the right products in your arsenal to ensure that your locks (yes, even second—or third—day hair!) come out looking flawless. With these ten must-have products below, you’ll be hitting campus looking like you came straight from the salon.
Dry Shampoo
Hit the snooze button too many times? Dry shampoo. Hair lacking volume? Dry shampoo. A little oily? Dry shampoo. All it takes is a quick spray, a little tousle of the roots and one glamorous hair flip.
Philip B Russian Amber Imperial Dry Shampoo, $40, philipb.com
Hair Spray
A reliable medium hold, soft touch hairspray is hard to replace. From securing a cowlick to creating that braided up-do for your next mixer, always keep your hairspray on hand. Bonus tip? Spraying a liberal amount of hairspray on a toothbrush is a great way to tackle those pesky baby hairs surrounding your face.
Sexy Hair Healthy Hair Soy Touchable Weightless Hairspray, $17.95, ulta.com
Hair Serum/Oil
It seems counter intuitive to be putting oil into your hair (especially if you just put in dry shampoo), but most formulas leave your hair silky smooth and boosts lackluster locks within seconds. If you’re fighting frizz, do not even think about skipping hair serum or oil. Just be sure not to put it on your roots!
Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil, $38, sephora.com
Salt Spray
If your go-to look is the ‘tousled bed-head’, it’s just not possible to execute without a good salt spray. It adds the perfect amount of texture for that relaxed yet chic look. Towel or blow dry your hair until it’s just slightly damp, spritz salt spray all over, and throw your hair in a bun while you do your makeup and get dressed. By the time you walk out your door, natural waves will have set in!
TONI&GUY Casual Sea Salt Texturising Spray, $15, birchbox.com
Leave-In Conditioner
Putting in leave-in conditioner after your shower is like putting moisturizer on after washing your face. It makes your hair soft and helps detangle nasty knots. Also, it acts as a great primer for any other styling products you plan on using later.
It’s A 10 Miracle Leave-in Product, $18, ulta.com
Shampoo & Conditioner
Basic, right? Most people just pick the best smelling shampoo & conditioner set, but next time you’re in the hair aisle, you might want to spend a few minutes browsing the selection because nowadays, there’s a cure for everything. Colored hair, dry scalp, moisturizing, volumizing—you name it.
Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner Strong Lengths, $5.99 each, drugstore.com (shampoo & conditioner)
Boar Bristle Paddle Brush
Those stories of posh ladies having their hair brushed 100 strokes a day were not all lies. A good brush is key to invigorating the scalp and spreading natural oils down your long strands. Boar bristle is gentle enough to use to create a sleek ponytail or brush out tight curls for va-va-voom waves.
Sephora Collection Gloss: Dual Boar Paddle Brush, $22, sephora.com
Curling Iron
A good quality curing iron will last you years, so look for one with temperature control and a 1” to 1 1/2” barrel for the most versatility. Skip the clamp to avoid that dreaded kink, and invest in a heat resistant glove to protect your fingers.
Hot Tools Gold Curling Iron 1″ Inch, $29.99, ulta.com
Flat Iron
Sometimes, a straight, sleek look feels and looks the best. You’ll want a ceramic-plated one with temperature control—because you definitely don’t want your hair to burn.
Ultra chi RED 1-1/2 Inch Flat Iron, $89.95, ulta.com
Blowdryer
A salon quality blowdryer makes all the difference in your hair game. A good blowdryer can cut your drying time in half and make it look like you just went to a blowout bar instead of the communal bathroom on your floor. Remember to direct the air down your hair shaft by angling your nozzle down and finishing with a cool blast of air for extra shine!
Drybar Buttercup Blow Dryer, $190, sephora.com
Collegiettes, what hair product or tool can you not live without? Sound off below!