It’s that time of year again–time to celebrate the best and brightest stars in all things hair. At Mane Addicts HQ, we try and discuss everything from the latest hair accessory trend (hello, pearls!) to unique product launches, new indie brands, crazy hair color trends and get cut and styled by the best and buzziest in the business.
Trust, we don’t take this for granted–which is why we are honored to salute our top picks of the year in our third annual Mane Addicts Awards. Ahead, we’ve rounded out the stylists, products, brands and tools that dominated in our Mane Addicts Awards 2019.
Mane Addicts Awards 2019
Most Influential Hairstylist 2019: Jesus Guerrero
It's official, it was the year of styling by @JesusHair! Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Jessica Alba, Chrissy Teigen, and Shay Mitchell are just a few of the megastars Jesus has styled up on repeat this year, churning out enviable looks ranging from classic waves and booty grazing braids to look-at-me wigs (helloooo Kylie as Ariel, deceased) and kicked out bobs. There's no style this Master can't ace, and his 'gram continues to set trends worldwide which is why he gets our vote as the most influential hairstylist of 2019.
Most Influential Colorist 2019: Tauni Dawson at 901 Salon
Tauni Dawson has risen the ranks and become one of the go-to in salon colorists for influencers and celebrities alike. She started out as Riawna Capri's assistant–who co-owns 901 Salon–where she learned valuable techniques for both coloring and styling. This powerhouse is now responsible for some of your most pinned hair colors and styles on Miley Cyrus, Sophia Richie, Desi Perkins and Marianna Hewitt.
She is certified in Great Lengths Extensions and also colors, cuts and styles–there's nothing she can't do!
Best Stylist-Owned Hair Brand: Kevin Murphy
Kevin Murphy is an Australian-born hairdresser and founder of his eponymous line KEVIN.MURPHY hair care. Kevin and his incredible line have been around for years, but what really set him apart this year in particular is his sustainability initiatives. As part of Green Circle Salons, Kevin Murphy educates salons and stylists about sustainable waste management and teaches them how to send everyday waste, such as hair clippings and aluminum foils, for reuse and recycling. He also does his part to conserve water and uses Ocean Waste Plastic to create packaging for his line. We love his good-for-us and good-for-the-world take on haircare and hope to see more brands following Kevin's lead in the new year.
Best Texturizing Spray: Gisou Propolis Infused Texturizing Wave Spray
Founded by Netherlands-born super blogger Negin Mirsalehi, Gisou continues to be a top go-to, namely their Texturizing Spray infused with the brand's signature Propolis honey. This is one of our top texturizing sprays–just take one look at Negin's enviable waves and you'll see why.
Best Natural Texture Hair Brand: Ouidad
All curly girls agree–Ouidad is hands down one of the best brands for natural texture gals who want to hydrate, strengthen and restore their strands. Ouidad has a formula for just about every curly hair concern, and has effective formulas that allow even the curliest of curls to wash-and-go.
Best Clean Beauty Brand: Act + Acre
Clean haircare that works. That's Act + Acre's slogan and we couldn't agree more. While skincare and makeup have made major strides in the clean space, we've had a hard time finding effective clean formulas that compare to our tried-and-true staples. That is, until Act + Acre which is vegan and cruelty-free as well as free of silicones, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and gluten.
Best Scalp Scrub: Goop Himalayan Salt Scalp Scrub
The scalp market really took off in 2019, but there's one product that really set the bar high–Goop's G.Tox Himalayan Salt Scalp Scrub. This unique whipped shampoo is made of exfoliating mineral-rich Himalayan pink salt that feels fresh and tingly upon application, as well as nourishing cold-pressed moringa oil, and pure unfiltered rose hip oil to purify + detoxify. The scrub cleanses the hair and scalp of product buildup, dirt, and oil, leaving it both clean and refreshed. You can't resist the scent either– a blend of intoxicating rosemary, geranium, orange, and peppermint leaves you with the sweetest smelling strands.
Best Hair Spray: L'Oréal Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray
This has to be the most popular hair spray amongst hairstylists. We have yet to see one celebrity stylists' hair kit that doesn't have a bottle (or three) of L'Oreal's Elnett Satin. The incredible formula holds hair in place without getting sticky.
Best Hair Mask: Apivita Express Beauty Hair Mask
For gals on the go who still needs hydration, Apvita's Express Hair Masks are about to be your new BFF. A favorite of our Editorial team, Apvita has three Express Beauty single use masks that are perfect for travel and will leave you with the silkiest strands, promise.
Best Drugstore Dry Shampoo: Pssst Dry Shampoo
Pssssssst, this is the best drugstore dry shampoo, hands down. This formula has been around for decades for good reason–this weightless formula is full of natural ingredients including ultra-fine rice starch and absorbs oil without any build-up. Plus, you can't beat the price at just under $7.
Best Drugstore Brand: Not Your Mother's
We never have less than three dry shampoos in rotation at any given point, and there's one that always seems to be in the mix–Not Your Mother's Plump For Joy Dry Shampoo. Not only does this product soak up an oily hair line in a pinch, you can shop it for less than $10 at just about every convenience store in the country or even overnight it on Amazon.
Best Hair Oil: Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Hair Oil
Shu Uemura's Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Hair Oil is a best seller for good reason, it re-balances the hair's moisture level, floods hair with intense nutrition and provides UV protection. Not to forget it's super light so it won't weigh down even the finest of strands. We love this hair oil on both damp and dry hair, it's that good!
Best Dry Shampoo: Ouai Super Dry Shampoo
Hands down the most absorbent dry shampoo on the market for those days when your greasy scalp needs a super. We've all been there, and now there's a dry shampoo finally coming to the rescue. Formulated with volcanic minerals, rice starch, and rhodiola rosea extract it leaves your hair grease free and smelling like Melrose Place.
Best CBD Hair Brand: Emera
2019 was basically the year of the CBD boom. No industry was left untouched from body products and ingestibles to smoothies, creams and obviously hair. Emera was a real standout in the CBD hair category–it's ability to calm stressed out strands and scalp. You'll notice smoother, healthier hair in just one wash, promise.
Best Leave-in Conditioner: Interssense Sweet Spirit Leave In Conditioner
Best Leave-in Conditioner: Intersense Sweet Spirit Leave In Conditioner
Another clean beauty brand FTW! Intersense Sweet SPirit Leave-in Conditioner is a lightweight spray that hydrates and soothes hair before styling. We love the brand's clean ingredients approach and after a few spritzes, hair is noticeably softer and smoother.
Breakout Brand: Briogeo
It wasn't you–Briogeo really was everywhere this year. Their hair collections cover almost every hair type, from super curl girls to dry, color-treated ends. Briogeo also doesn't use sulfates, silicones or parabens in their formulas which is a major plus.
Best Shampoo: Virtue Recovery Shampoo
If there is one shampoo that our Mane Addicts editors unanimously love, it's Virtue's Recovery Shampoo. Created by Adir Abergel, this incredible hydrating shampoo has impressive restorative capabilities and can nurse even the most brittle ends back to health.
Best Conditioner: Inphenom
Even the driest manes will fall in love with Inphenom's Superior Treatment, it's that good! The Inphenom conditioner treatment is a godsend for super dry, damaged or color-treated strands an is a favorite of celeb colorists, stylists and everyday users alike. Incorporate once or twice a week to nurse your hair back to the optimum health!
Best Extensionist: Melissa Brown
Known as the master for seamless, natural-looking extensions, Melissa Brown–who works out of Meche Salon in Los Angeles–is a regular on set at E! News and The Daily Pop. A staple on the red carpet, Melissa is known for creating gorgeous length and volume on Morgan Stewart, Giuliana Rancic and more!
Best BFF Hair and Makeup Duo: Andrew Fitzsimons and Hrush Achemyan
When it comes to the world of A-list glam, it's inevitable that hair and makeup teams become friends. Naturally, these dynamic duos are forming and tag-teaming glam on the world's top celebrities. Our vote for best glam besties this year? Andrew Fitzsimons and Hrush Achemyan travel the globe tending to the likes of Kylie Jenner and Khloe Kardashian, to name a few. We can't think of a more unstoppable squad.
Most Underrated Hair Product: Justine Marjan x Kitsch Creaseless Clips
You never knew you needed creaseless clips–until you use them and then try living without them! A go-to for on-set hairstylists, Justine Marjan created these bejeweled creaseless clips for everyone that are perfect for using while you glam and look super cute on the 'gram too.
Best Hair Dryer: T3 Micro Cura Luxe Hair Dryer
Best Hair Dryer: T3 Micro Cura Luxe Hair Dryer
Once you get past the undeniably chic white and rose gold T3 Micro hair dryer, you'll quickly realize how brilliantly it dries hair in a pinch, calms frizz, and gives you soft, shiny locks. Our editors continue to go back to this hair dryer as a favorite for both creating their go-to styles and capturing the perfect Instagram shot.
Best Brush: Conair Knot Dr Brush
Even the tangliest of hair is not match for the Conair knot Dr Brush! It has optimum flexalite bristle count for painless detangling–a major plus–a heat resistant design, and extra large bristles to gently massage the scalp.
Best Curling Iron: Hot Tools Marcel Curling 1" Iron
This forever favorite can be spotted in the kits of celebrity stylists far and wide, for good reason. The Hot Tools 1" Marcel iron is sure to leave behind the curl of your dreams and minimizes friction + damage to hair.
Best Flat Iron: GHD Hot Glide Brush
Smooth strands are just a stroke away with the GHD Hot Glide Brush! The perfect combination of smoothing and straightening, this baby glides through hair with ease leaving behind a silky soft mane.
Best Hair Supplement: Nutrafol Core For Women Plus
If you're looking for long luscious locks and a multi-vitamin all in one, then look no further than this editor favorite, Nutrafol Core for Women Plus for your healthiest mane yet.
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