Brand Spotlight: Playa Hair Care

A friend of mine moved to Hawaii, to the island of Oahu, where she stayed for several years, and during all that time — years — whenever she went to the beach, she never went in the water, which just blows my mind!

Then again, I’m a water baby. I could happily paddle around on a surfboard all day long (assuming it’s in warm water, though, because I don’t do freezing surf!).

One thing I’ve always loved about the beach is the tousled beach hair, and new Playa, a new SoCal hair care line, has five products to give you Cali beach waves without any heat styling. So, basically, beach hair without the blow dryer. Or curling iron.

They use coconut water and sugar beet extract in their products, which range from $26-32, so around Bumble & Bumble/Ouai and R+Co prices.

Most of their ingredients — they say between 96-99% — are naturally derived, too. The Dry Shampoo is the only one that doesn’t mention the percentage.

I tested their five-piece system, which includes their Every Day Shampoo ($32), Super Natural Conditioner ($34), Ritual Hair Oil ($38), Endless Summer Spray ($28) and Pure Dry Shampoo ($26), on and off for a month and got some pretty great hair days, with my naturally wavy mop looking casually messy and cool. It’s a good way to get a loose waves look.

It should be noted that the few times I went accidentally ham on the Endless Summer Spray, the outer layers felt crunchier than I’m used to, but you know how weird I am about my hair feeling soft. I NEED SOFT HAIR.

I blame it all those bottles of extra hold Depp Gel I went through back in the day…

Speaking of teenage flashbacks…I love how these products make my hair smell. It’s like that fresh, bouquet-stem scent from Paul Mitchell’s Awapuhi line, which I lived for in middle school.

My favorites in the line are the Ritual Hair Oil and Super Natural Conditioner, both of which feel light but pack a hydrating punch.

Couple things that have been helping me in the mornings…

These might sound basic (they are), but they’ve been helping me, so maybe they can help you too. First, I prep the coffee in the coffee maker before I go to sleep. I put in the filter, the coffee grounds, and fill the machine with water, so that when I come down in the morning, all I have to do is press the “On” button (which is just about the most complicated thing I can muster).

I think my machine might even have an automatic timer feature, but I usually keep the coffee maker unplugged most of the time (don’t ask), then plug it in in the morning.

Second, right when I get up — like, literally as my foot touches the floor — I make my bed, because I saw on somebody’s Facebook feed (can’t remember whose), but they posted a speech of this guy who was talking about how when you make your bed first thing in the morning, it gives you something you can cross off your list right away and get your day started on the right foot.

Just two little accomplishments to propel you through your day. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Here are some other recent posts about up-and-coming beauty brands, if you’re so inclined.

• Brand Spotlight: Natura Brasil, Made From Brazil’s Rainforests‎
• Brand Spotlight: IGK
  Brand Spotlight: Kosas Cosmetics
• Brand Spotlight: YUNI Beauty
• Brand Spotlight: Axiology Beauty
• Brand Spotlight: Rituel de Fille, Spellbinding Natural Color
• Brand Spotlight: Studio 78 Paris
• Brand Spotlight: Lily Lolo
• Brand Spotlight: Kjær Weis