The Vici Vault: My 2026 Behind-the-Chair Favorites
Welcome to the very first edition of The Vici Edit—a little corner of the internet where I’ll be sharing my favorite products, tools, techniques, and current obsessions from behind the chair.
As a hairstylist, I’m admittedly a bit of a hair-product junkie. 😉 But as a career-driven salon professional, I’m also extremely intentional about what I use. My clients trust me with their hair, so I believe in choosing high-quality, luxury products that deliver noticeable results.
Let’s get into my 2026 professional favorites!
K18 Professional Molecular Repair Hair Mist
First off the bat: If you provide blonding services, you need to get on the K18888888 train!
I don’t even offer the K18 Professional Molecular Repair Hair Mist as an optional add-on. For me, it’s a must-have anytime I’m using lightener, so I include it in the price of the service.
For my clients receiving lightening services, the K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask is also a take-home must. Please—just trust me and thank me later!
When you begin achieving brighter results without your client’s hair breaking off everywhere, you’ll understand. And the best part? You won’t be the only one who notices the difference—your clients will, too!
Schwarzkopf BLONDME Lightener
When it comes to lightener, I am currently all about Schwarzkopf BLONDME.
I’m finally achieving the lift I want on my blondes, and its bond-enforcing technology helps support the hair’s strength throughout the lightening process. Better lift with added protection? Yes, please! I also love how creamy I can make the consistnacy while still getting the lift I want.
Redken Shades ALK
Can we please talk about Redkens New Shades ALK?
I have been loving my results when using it for root shadows and root taps. It’s also a great option for clients who want softer gray blending instead of complete gray coverage. This is also really great for client who have a few sparkles. Just a little root tap and they are blended.
And what makes it even better? It only needs to process for 20 minutes.
Time is money, baby!
Now, let’s talk about using Shades ALK as a base breaker. Say what?!
ALK Clear + 10P + 10-volume developer = you’re welcome.
It creates a beautiful, soft lift without the burning sensation that can sometimes come with traditional base-breaking formulas.
Professional fun fact: Shades ALK is designed to be used with 10-volume developer—even when you’re using it for gray coverage. ⭐
My Back-Bar Brightening Favorite
A great purple shampoo should neutralize brassiness without leaving the hair looking dull or over-toned. I also love a formula that helps remove the buildup of metals and minerals while blocking them from reattaching to the hair. Great 2 in 1!
This is especially helpful behind the chair, but it can also be a great take-home recommendation for clients who want to maintain a brighter, more neutral blonde between appointments while also eliminating the brass.
Pureology Shampoo and Conditioner
For those who don’t already know this about me: I am a complete Pureology snob when it comes to shampoo and conditioner.
It has been my go-to for 14 years, and I genuinely believe it’s the best. You can’t beat the luxurious lather, the price point, or the noticeable improvement in how healthy the hair looks and feels. You cant go wrong with any of them! You really can’t.
My Favorite Styling Cocktail
When I’m creating my signature luxury styles, Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave-In Spray is always my base. From there, I layer my products depending on the client’s hair and the finished look we want to achieve.
My favorite volumizer is pureologys weightless mousse. I love that it can truly feel weightless for softer styles—or you can build it up when you want extra body and hold. 😉
My Favorite Frizz Fighters
For fighting frizz, my current go-to products are:
Color Wow Dream Coat
Pureology Smooth gloss silkmorphose spray
The Pureology smooth gloss spray may have the longest name ever, but I think I might like it just a tiny bit more—and the smell is amazing btw. 😉
Oil Your Ends, Please!
Oil, oil, oil!
Please, everyone: Oil your ends, especially if you’re blonde or wear extensions. Morniing and night!!
One of my recent favorites is Pureology Strength Cure Dream Healer Serum. It helps create a shield against heat, adds beautiful shine, and smells exactly like Barbie perfume.
If you’re a ’90s kid, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s pure nostalgia! Honestly, they should bring it back in little Barbie boxes. If you know- you know!
For Sexy, Textured Hair
Do you want sexy, textured hair?
Yes, please—always! Who doesn’t love sexy hair?
In that case, Kevin Murphy BEDROOM.HAIR is about to become your new texture go-to. It smells like a sexy, musky man, and I absolutely love it.
If my niece ever smells it on you, she’ll probably say, “You smell like Aunt Lexi.” 😊
The Finishing Touch
To finish a style, I have loved pureologys soft-finish hairspray for years. It’s perfect for smoothing flyaways and can also be used before curling or straightening.
It provides heat protection and helps the style hold while keeping the hair soft, touchable, and brushable—because no one wants stiff, crunchy hair! We want our hair to move. No helmet hair around here girl.
Those are my current behind-the-chair favorites, but if you know me, you know I’m always testing something new. My next tester is k18s futureIQ Hair Longevity Serum. Supposably this helps slow down the appearance of grey and keeps your original hair color vibrant. It also supposed to make your hair look thicker. We will see. Fingers crossed for all you premature greyers out their! I feel & see you!
Check back quarterly for updates on the products I’m loving, what has earned a permanent place at my station, and all the new favorites making their way into The Vici Vault. Stylist-tested, client-loved, and Aunt Lexi approved.
That’s this edit—now go oil your ends!
Lexi 🤍