Thanks to Hilary Duff and her easygoing waves, I've just found my new favorite leave-in conditioner.

      As an enthusiastic Hilary Duff fan, I'm thrilled to see her back in the limelight. I've been supporting Duff since her Lizzie McGuire days and was eager to get my hands on her new album, Luck… or Something. (Spoiler: It's fantastic.) However, what I was most looking forward to was curling up to watch her recent Call Her Daddy interview with Alex Cooper because I knew it would be incredible. What I didn't anticipate was finding some new haircare gems, thanks to Duff's hairstylist, Barb Thompson. Thompson used a brand I hadn't tried before, called Surface Hair, to achieve Duff's effortless waves for the interview, and I'm so glad she shared that. I got the full scoop on Duff's look, which featured the brand’s All-In Leave In Conditioner ($36). I decided to try it since it didn't have any harmful ingredients for my hair (like silicones or coconut oil), and it did not disappoint. It makes my hair feel soft, hydrated, and tangle-free almost right away. For all the details on this amazing product and other items used to create Duff's cool-girl waves, keep reading.

      SURFACE

      All-In Leave In Conditioner

      To kick off Duff's style, Thompson spritzed this leave-in throughout her damp hair to create a solid foundation. "It's excellent for shine, heat protection, and detangling," she notes. "Once the hair was about three-fourths dry, I combined it with the Surface Hair Blowout Primer, a lightweight spray that boosts bounce and keeps styles intact. I then used a 2.5-inch round brush to shape a smooth, airy base that maintains movement. This blow-dry technique is also vital for preparing the hair for curling." Honestly, I usually avoid products that seem to favor straighter hair types since I have thick, low-porosity, 4a curls that are rather finicky. Kudos to Surface for excluding coconut oil from this product—most brands include it, and it can be very drying for low-porosity hair. My routine was lacking a lightweight yet hydrating solution that could help with detangling, but this leave-in truly fits the bill. My hair often gets very tangled, and it can be quite a challenge to detangle it after showering. This product simplifies that process. My hair becomes instantly smoother, more hydrated, and free of tangles without being weighed down or experiencing buildup. My entire haircare routine focuses on achieving a delicate balance. My curls require plenty of moisture, but it can't just be any moisture; it needs to be light enough for daily use without causing buildup. I've previously struggled to find the right leave-in product—many of them were very hydrating but led to excess buildup. This leave-in is the perfect compromise and a wonderful addition to my routine.

      SURFACE

      Blowout Hair Spray

      If you want to recreate Duff's waves, this is another essential product you'll need for the look. Thompson applied this for additional heat protection and shine before using two large-barreled curling irons. "First, I utilized a 1.25-inch curling iron at the back and worked my way up, finishing with a 1.5-inch iron at the top sections," she explains. "It's crucial to curl all sections away from the face and to avoid taking larger sections than the iron's size. Additionally, allowing each section to cool completely before messing with it helps the style last longer!"

      SURFACE

      Blowout Texture Spray

      The aim here was to achieve that effortless model-off-duty look we all adore. "I wanted a relaxed, cool-girl wave with soft curves and a fluid, bouncy bend," says Thompson. "To finish, I had Hilary flip her hair over and ran my fingers through the curls to create a smooth but airy result. To boost volume and break up the loose waves, I sprayed the Surface Hair Blowout Texture Spray from the roots to mid-shafts, having her flip back up afterward. I used Surface Hair’s Blowout Dry Shampoo Foam at the ends to add effortless, chic texture. Besides prolonging your style, a dry shampoo foam is also great for lightweight lift and volume. Once we were satisfied with everything, I secured the look with Surface Hair’s Awaken Finishing Spray to maintain the waves' shape and ensure a lasting hold, all while keeping the hair touchably soft."

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      Curls Moisturizing Shampoo

      I haven't yet tried the brand's curl-specific line, but it's definitely on my list. This sulfate-free shampoo offers a subtle (yet luxurious) lather that doesn't strip or dry out the hair. It also includes hydrating ingredients like cocoa butter and babassu seed oil, which are beneficial for my drier hair type.

      SURFACE

      Curls Moisturizing Conditioner

      I'm very particular about my conditioners, but everything about this curl-friendly formulation appeals to me. Alongside its superstar hyd