FREE Heathy Hair Guide

Bad hair days are a bummer; that's a beauty truth. But they are no joke: 74% of women say a bad hair day makes them feel less confident. So, when your hair is in good shape, it undoubtedly looks better, and the chances of that happening are far less likely— or at least less frequent.

The challenge is your strands are constantly prone to hair damage: dullness, thinning, dryness, breakage, frizz, and more. With all these potential strand stresses, it's no surprise that having healthy hair requires effort to keep it looking lush. And while there isn't a secret shortcut to healthier hair, taking time to keep strands strong is worth the commitment. With small tweaks to your routine, maintaining great hair can be effortless.

Here is my 10 favorite tips to HEATHY HAPPY HAIR…

1. Brush your hair before you shower.

No matter what your hair texture is, taking 60 seconds to detangle strands will keep them strong. When your hair is wet it is more vulnerable to breakage so always brush knots out of your hair when it's dry. One added benefit: brushing dry hair distributes the natural oils from your scalp down to the ends of your hair. Another plus: post-shower it's already smooth and ready to style!

2. Oil treatments are a MUST.

Weekly oil treatments will transform your hair. My favorite vegan plant based oil is a blend of 13+ plant and essential oils that nurishes and balances scalp while hydrating your ends. Not all oil is created equal. It's important to make sure your scalp gets hydration as well. Leave it on overnight before washing it out. If you are a dry shampoo addict (no judgement!), this is especially important to prevent a dry scalp.

3. Take time for hair masks.

To keep strands hydrated and smooth, use a moisturizing hair mask or deep conditioner at least once a week, and more frequently if you use hot tools regularly. Her go-to: Hair Transformation Masque by Monat, which leaves hair feeling soft and shiny without weighing hair down.

4. Be mindful of key ingredients.

Staring down the haircare aisle can be overwhelming: with endless haircare options, how do you choose the one? As you pick out your products, narrow down your options by looking for strengthening ingredients, which will nourish your strands. Always incorporating coconut oil, Argan oil, aloe, or spirulina into your regimen.

5. Eat a balanced diet.

You already know that you are what you eat. Your hair is mostly made up of protein, so eating a balanced diet of protein rich food is important. Add these items to your grocery list:

• Fish

• Meat

• Eggs

• Beans

• Monat Collagen Key

Other good sources of hair food: berries, spinach, and avocados, along with anything else rich in vitamins C and E which will help boost collagen production, resulting in stronger strands.

6. Take a deep breath.

Repeat after us: breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. The little things make a big difference. Your hair is an outgrowth of your body; if you are stressed, your skin will be stressed and that includes your scalp. Now, keep calm and read on.

7. Turn down the temp of your shower.

As soothing as a steamy show may feel, taking a super hot shower on a daily basis can irritate you scalp and possibly weaken your hair as it grows out. Keep the temperature on the warm side and at the end of the shower, do a quick cold-water rinse to seal the cuticles shut, boost shine, and maintain healthy hair.

8. Shield strands from the sun.

UV rays don't only cause damage to your skin, and the same goes for pollution. When you style your hair, apply a leave-in styler to protect your strands, I recommend antioxidant-rich heat protectant spray, which guards against an array of environmental factors.

9. Don't skip your scalp.

Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. If you’re notice dryness, itching, or any scalp issues, your hair will be affected by this. To maintain a balanced scalp, I recommend my long-time go-to for clarifying the scalp: ACV purifying shampoo and the scalp scrub. The result? Voluminous, fresh hair.

10. Sleep on silk.

Make the most of your beauty sleep: swap out your cotton pillowcase for a silk alternative. It protects the cuticle of your hair by reducing the amount of friction between your hair and the fabric.

Another secret to reduce stress on strands: Sleep with your hair in a loose topknot—secured with a silk scrunchie— or try a low loose braid if you have thick or textured hair to give you more control of your strands during the night.

Beach Play Dates || Dana Point Family Photographer

Summer is here and for us, that means a lot of time at the beach. Meet us there and play for a bit, you’ll leave sandy and tired but with happy kids and it’s good for your soul. Teach your kids to surf, build sand castles, explore tide pools (and hopefully find an octopus) with us!

BEACH PLAY DATES:

June 7th - 11am @ TStreet (San Clemente)

June 17th - 9am @ Doheny (Dana Point)

June 22nd - 9am @ Doheny (Dana Point)

July 7th - 10am @ SC Pier (San Clemente)

July 19th - 9am @ Doheny (Dana Point)

August 3rd - 9am @ Strands (Dana Point)

August 18th - 9am @ Baby Beach (Dana Point)

Text me at 949.444.1200 or DM on insta and I’ll let you know where we sitting! I cannot wait to spend the summer with all of you!

Dana Point Motherhood Photographer || Motherhood sessions at the field

Oh my! Can you say D R E A M Y?? These sessions are seriously some of the most dreamy sessions I’ve ever taken. The light, the set, the mamas, just all so perfect! These sessions sold out within 24 hours as per usual with petite sessions. I don’t offer many petite sessions a year so if you see them come available, grab one quick. A huge thank you goes out to Wildflower Floral in San Clemente. They made the beautiful custom florals for the baskets and the flower crown for the little girls. Seriously everything they touch is just gorgeous!

Every single one of these mamas have a place in my heart, I prayed for them that night and every time I edit their photos or post them somewhere. What an incredible thing to be able to pray over someone who doesn't know you’re doing it. It feels so pure. These mamas hearts are pure and it’s a privilege to photograph them.

Orange County Baby Photography || Bodie 9 Months

This sweet little face is one of my besties babies and I am lucky enough to watch him grow over the last year. Sweet, snuggly and always smiling and look at those cheeks!!

Today he turned ONE and I couldn’t be happier to celebrate with him. This session was done at my studio on a bright, chilly morning. A sweet milestone session like this should only take 30 minutes or less, for Bodie we got all the shots in 15 minutes because he’s a little champ.

This week we’ll do Bodie’s one year session too and I can’t wait to share those with you too.

I'm obsessed with this and I think you will be too || Orange County Shampoo Dealer

Did you know I have a cosmetology license and I’m moderately obsessed with beauty products? I’ve used almost every brand on the market and from the first time I tried Monat, I knew it was different. I’m also always peeping at those labels so when I saw that Monat was clean ingredients, I was all in. They also have incredible skincare and wellness products too. This week on Insta I shared with you guys that I am so excited to start working with Monat. Monat is the leading haircare company in the world, specializing in anti-aging haircare, skincare and wellness. I’m creating beautiful lives and I would love for you to join me.

I know what you’re thinking. I got suckered in. Believe me, I would have never guessed in a million years that I would be a part of Monat but I couldn’t be happier to take the leap. People DM’d me asking why I would join Monat when I already have a thriving photography business and I homeschool full time so I wanted to take a second to answer that. Am I busy? Yes! But have you ever just needed more?

Honestly I’ve been feeling this pull for more connection and I think this is just the way to do that. Entrepreneurship is lonely, y’all. I just needed something for me. Monat is that. Our team is so incredible and I have already grown so much within myself and my business. The other reason I joined is because really this makes me uncomfortable and I want to be uncomfortable. Yes you read that right.

Pushing past the uncomfortable is when you really grow as a person.

For far too long, I’ve held fear of failure and other people’s opinions in a constant loop in my head. Part of me is doing this to push past those fears. Which is why I started a personal insta too. Follow me there too >> @thelaurelherzog Something as simple as allowing myself to do this has opened up a new side of me. It’s wild how that works. The other day in the car I heard Natasha Bedingfield Unwritten. Guys I’ve heard that song a million times but it hit me different that day and I’ll never forget it…. Read the lyrics.

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

The rest is still unwritten

I’m not sure why my brain stopped to listen that day but I’m so grateful. If you are in the same boat, paralyzed my fear of failure or stuck doing the same thing every day but wanting more. This is your sign! This is your sign to join me in creating beautiful lives. If you’re not sure yet, take this free hair or skincare quiz and I send you a goodie pack full of samples. I promise you, this WILL change your life!

xo- laurel

Healthy Macro-Friendly Cookie Dough Yogurt | Dana Point, Orange County

Here is a long back story to get you to the good stuff. In early 2020 I tore my ACL while skiing in Brianhead, UT. So I didn’t work out basically at all in 2020.

In 2021 I felt weak and frail and got down to business. I also found Madeline Moves which is a weight lifting app that I LOVE. Not going to lie, I hate most cardio. I hate running and the stair master and unless I’m in a fun spin class, I hate cycle. So MM is perfect for me and I also learned so much about body composition. I’ve always thought I had to do cardio to loose fat but oh how I was wrong.

Madeline Moves does this fun month long challenge, called Tighter Together, a couple times a year and it’s just the push I needed to get my booty in gear. So in April 2021 I did my first TT. I LOVED it and the outcome! Starting 2022 with another TT was right up my alley. A huge portion of TT (and my life in general now) is counting macros. I don’t count them all year but whenever I do, I’m shocked at how much my eating habits are different than what I imagine. I am mostly vegetarian so I almost always need to up my protein and lower my fats. This dessert definitely has fats so I can’t have it every night, but if my fats are in check then this is my go to!

This Healthy Macro-Friendly Cookie Dough Yogurt is my go to dessert when I’m counting macros. It’s also easy to make and we ALWAYS have the ingredients on hand.

• 3/4 cup 0% Fage Greek Yogurt Plain

• 1tsp agave

• 2tbsp natural peanut buter

• 2 tbsp chocolate chips

Cream together PB, agave and yogurt. Top with chocolate chips and enjoy!

See. It’s so easy, filling and delicious.

2022 Ramblings | Dana Point Newborn Photographer

New Year, New Me? No no no, same me and I am happy with it. The new year always makes me feel like I need to recreate myself. To find the flaws and try to fix them, making goals to fix problems I didn’t even know I had two months ago. Isn’t it funny how we have come to accept this strange tradition as an enlightening part of a fresh year? I’ve done it year after year and I’ll do it again I’m sure. If you do resolutions, go for it! It you don't, go for it too. Above all else, YOU DO YOU! Although for now, I’m completely content just being me.

All that said, I do have some goals but my mindset isn’t a fix, it’s a gentle encouragement. I would like to try to paint more, play more and cook more but no real resolutions. I’d like to get outside my comfort zone more and try some new things. 2021 was a year of calm so for 2022 I’m ready for some fire. I want to ignite my passions. Working out, painting, making sourdough, yoga, gardening, etc

I’m really excited to see how this year goes. I’m excited to see where we travel, what my kids get into, how our homeschool journey goes, what exciting things happen with Poppy Lea Photography. Only time will tell and I’m here for it!

Xo- Laurel

Orange County Children's Photography || Mindy's 9 Month Milestone

This adorable little angel is a Collective member so I’ve seen her every 3 months since birth and oh my goodness does it make me happy! I just adore her sweet little demeanor and two loving older brothers. This family is always such a joy to photograph in my Orange County Photography Studio in San Juan Capistrano.