Products you buy through our links may earn us a commission. Oh, and if something's out of stock, oops, it was there (and all prices were accurate) at time of publication.
As I’ve gotten deeper into my twenties, my hair-care routine has become more and more low-maintenance, with less of a focus on heat styling. My mid-length 1b texture airdries as a wave, but as the week goes on, it either maintains a loose bend or becomes straight. Because of this, I’ve been on the hunt for products that not only nourish my fine yet dense hair, but also support its air-drying process. Almost a year ago, a new product showed up on my feed from celebrity hairstylist Mara Roszak — she’s responsible for Emma Stone’s stunning award-season hair. I was immediately intrigued so I bought ROZ Hair’s Milk Serum shortly thereafter. Here’s why I’ve been committed to it every week for the last nine months…
ROZ Hair’s Milk Serum
Yes, I can attest that this serum actually is a do-it-all product, with the name perfectly describing the texture. It’s milky and slippery with a jellylike texture that softly hydrates my ends. You can use it as a leave-in conditioner to air-dry, as a blow-dry cream, or as a detangler. I also use it as needed throughout the week on dry hair. If my ends are feeling dehydrated or I need to smooth any fly-aways, I apply half a pump to one pump, as needed.
To apply post-wash, I towel dry my hair with a microfiber towel and use a wet brush to detangle (more on these tools later). Then, I apply two to three pumps to my mid-lengths and ends. The result: soft, touchable, shiny waves every single time with little effort. Not only do customers (myself included) rave about its clean, laundry-esque scent, but ROZ Hair’s genius blend of ingredients is also worth highlighting. This product contains hyaluronic acid, a popular hydrating skincare ingredient, along with red algae to “provide a smooth slip” and protect against damage, and panthenol for seamless brushing. TLDR, it’s the one hair-care product I officially cannot live without.
Why I swear by this…
Hair health. My hair feels so healthy using this product. My ends look and feel soft, hydrated, touchable, and shiny with minimal split ends. I do get a cut every four to six months and try to steer clear of heat, but I do end up touching a straightener a couple times a week.
Functionality. Because of my busy routine, I love that this product serves multiple purposes so I don’t have to load my hair up with a bunch of different products. It detangles effectively and provides a solid foundation for air-dry and heat-styling. And if you’re a beginner at doing your hair at home, this is a great product to start with.
Lasting power. I’ve had my 100 milliliter bottle for nine months and I’m still nowhere near done with it. This product definitely lasts even though it’s more of a splurge.
Scent. I’m obsessed with this scent. It’s hard to describe, but if you love clean scents or the smell of warm laundry, these products are for you.
Sidenotes…
Price. $52 is steep for a leave-in-conditioner. But I justify it because I’ve had my original bottle for almost a year, using about four pumps a week, with lots of product to spare. If you’re unsure about spending that much on the full size, the brand has a variety of discovery sets to choose from, along with a $29 travel size.
Use it with…
ROZ Hair’s Foundation Shampoo…
This shampoo is a new favorite for me because it provides a deep clean without stripping my hair. It has coconut-based surfactants to remove build-up, but in a way that’s gentle. I like to do a double cleanse with this shampoo and again, it’s in ROZ Hair’s classic clean scent. It’s cruelty-, silicone-, paraben-, gluten-, triclosan-, and SLS-free. ($39, ROZ Hair)
Amika’s cult-favorite Soulfood mask…
This mask is a tried-and-true favorite for me. Every time I use it, my hair has extra shine and hydration that it usually doesn’t have on its own. Plus, I love that this one works on all hair types and textures. At times, I like to use it instead of my conditioner. ($19+, Sephora)
Crown Affair’s viral hair towel…
This viral hair towel is loved by everyone (Doja Cat even wore it on the way to the Met Gala). It’s a microfiber towel that has an elastic loop built-in at the nape of the neck so you can easily tie your hair up. I notice that after keeping it on for five minutes, most excess water is removed and my hair has less frizz. I also love that it’s gentle on hair. ($45, Sephora)
The best wet brush from LolaVie…
I recently tried this for our Good for You Awards, and while it didn’t win a team-wide award, it is a new staple in my routine. This brush gently detangles stubborn knots and provides a clean part. I also love that the handle is coated in rubber for a secure grip. ($15, Ulta)
ROZ Hair’s Root Lift Spray…
This is a new product from the brand that I love for any at-home blowouts. It’s a lightweight spray you can add into your roots for volume. Whenever I use it, I never feel a sticky residue left behind. ($42, ROZ Hair)
ROZ Hair’s Santa Lucia Styling Oil…
This oil smells exactly like the Milk Serum and I love to add it to my hair on days where it’s extra-dry or I want some added heat protection. This comes in a mini size, too. ($45, ROZ Hair)
Live Smarter
Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes.