Growing up in the early 2000s, I often admired Gabriella Montez’s perfectly curly brown hair and her impressive math skills that I always missed — as well as, of course, her basketball star boyfriend, Troy Bolton. Little did I know that for the actress behind it all, Vanessa Hudgens, embracing her natural hair was no easy feat.
“I feel like the number of hours I spent using irons on my hair should be a sin,” she tells me over the phone. “Especially as a teenager, I put heat on my hair every day.” With all that heat styling, Hudgens adds, “I would always be very unhappy with my hair because it was extremely unhealthy, very dry and damaged. »
So, before joining the Disney universe, Hudgens started getting extensions at just 15 years old. “I feel like no one knows, but High school musical I had extensions,” she reveals. “Learning to embrace my current texture and take care of my hair properly was something I really grew into as a woman.”
In addition to limiting the amount of heat used on her hair, Hudgens turned to a line of Virtue products to help heal her hair from the inside out. “They literally smell like walking into a spa,” she says. “Healing Oil is my favorite, but all of their products contain this protein that is literally found in your hair.” The protein she’s referring to is Alpha Keratin, which is clinically proven to add strength and shine to every strand. The result? Hair as healthy as it looks.
The expectant mother of two started using the brand after experiencing postpartum hair loss, which was “so devastating”, she says. “All Virtue products are really effective and really work, which I think is very important if you want to take the time to do it in the first place. And after all the breakages I’ve had, I needed it more than ever.”
These days, as a mom, Hudgens says her hair is most often slicked back into a bun. “I can’t even count how many times a week I do it, because it’s just the easiest,” she explains. “When you’re on the go, running around all day, chasing kids around, sometimes it’s hard to think about your hair or even see yourself in the mirror. But if I straighten my hair first thing in the morning, I know I’m ready to go and polish all day.”
When asked if she still wears extensions, Hudgens responds, “Oh my God, no. Luckily, she applied enough hair masks and leave-in products to repair the damage done during her “Breaking Free” days. Plus, “Once you start going natural, it feels weird to have something on your mind,” she says.
While the actress was busy taking care of her hair and little ones, I had to let her know that her days of extensions (and glitter-covered fedoras) are no longer over. completely behind her. Hudgens’ 2008 single “Sneakernight” became a hit on social media, and her look from the music video even became a common Halloween costume for Gen Z.
“Stop,” she said in disbelief. “I feel so old because I have no idea what’s going on in the world of TikTok, so thank you for telling me. I love it, and I’m honored, and I think it’s just adorable. It’s kind of magical.”
Almost as magical as her hair care routine, which you can check out below.
Discover Vanessa Hudgens’ hair routine
Virtue Recovery Shampoo and Conditioner Set
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“I use the shampoo and conditioner every day. They smell amazing.”
“There’s like a 6-in-1 styler that I use all the time for literally everything. I’ll even put it in my hair before I start scrunching my curls.”
Virtue Damage Reverse Serum
“The Damage Reverse Serum is amazing. It’s a leave-in treatment that repairs your hair, but also fights breakage and future damage. I use it first after washing my hair.”
Vertu Repairing Care Mask
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“I try to put masks in my hair. I use this virtuous mask. Sometimes I throw it out right after my shower and leave it in for the day if I put my straightened hair back.”
