Screen-Ready Shine: Hair Secrets from Leading Ladies of Great American Family

Advertisement

Whether they are sipping cocoa in a snowy small town or walking a red carpet, the stars of Great American Family always seem to have a “good hair day.” Achieving that polished, effortless look requires more than just a great stylist—it takes the right products and a dedicated routine.

From the secret to volume that lasts all day to the must-have tools for healthy strands, here are the hair care tips and product secrets from Candace Cameron Bure, Merritt Patterson, and Lori Loughlin.

Candace Cameron Bure: The “Salon in a Bottle” Routine

Candace recently gave us an inside look at how she achieves her signature bouncy curls and maintains the health of her fine hair. Her routine is built on the Peter Lamas line, which she calls a “salon visit in a bottle.” If you’d like to learn more about the products mentioned below, you can click the product name. That will safely take you to Amazon, where you can see photos, read reviews from other customers, and check pricing. There is never any pressure to buy — it simply allows you to look and decide if it might be something you’d enjoy.

• The Volumizing Powerhouse: For incredible volume and bounce, Candace uses Stylist in a Bottle. After washing and conditioning, she sprays it on damp hair and combs it through. The magic happens with heat; the warmth from your hair dryer or curling iron “locks in” the style so it holds all day. Unlike traditional mousse, it leaves the hair feeling soft and full, never sticky or crunchy.
• The Finishing Touch: To keep her style in place without losing movement, Candace relies on a classic: L’Oréal Elnett Hairspray. It provides a legendary hold that is still brushable, allowing her hair to stay perfectly styled while remaining soft to the touch
• Mastering the Curl: To get those perfect loops, Candace uses the T3 SinglePass Curl X Extra-Long Barrel Curling Iron. With nine heat settings and an extra-long barrel, it’s designed to style quickly while protecting the hair.
• Customized Care:
  • Daily Strengthening: For everyday growth and strength, she uses the Peter Lamas Hair Solutions for Thicker or Fuller Hair shampoo and conditioner (she loves that it contains avocado!).
  • The Serum Trick: She skips the serum on “fresh wash” days to keep it light. On the second or third day, she applies the Peter Llamas Serum down her hairline and the front sections to refresh the look.

Merritt Patterson: High-Shine & Professional Finishes

Known for her romantic-comedy-ready locks, Merritt’s hair is the result of expert styling and a focus on hydration. If you’d like to learn more about the products mentioned below, you can click the product name. That will safely take you to Amazon, where you can see photos, read reviews from other customers, and check pricing. There is never any pressure to buy — it simply allows you to look and decide if it might be something you’d enjoy.

• Professional Tools: Merritt’s stylist, Katie Cartwright (from the famous 901 Salon), is a fan of T3 Pro Tools, the same high-end brand used by Candace.
• The Detangling Essential: A staple in Merritt’s routine is the Unite 7Seconds Detangler. It provides the perfect base for styling while protecting the strands.
• The “Roots” of Her Style: Merritt has experimented with various lengths, including shorter cuts, but often returns to her signature rich, multi-dimensional tones that have become a staple of her Great American Family roles.

The “At-Home” Gloss: Salon Shine Without the Visit

Merritt Patterson’s team recommends a professional gloss to hydrate and smooth porous strands, but you don’t always need an appointment to get that finish. If you want to reduce frizz and improve softness at home, try these top-rated options:

1. Paul Mitchell HydraSoft Glossing Treatment: Best for Instant Softening. This is a lightweight, rinse-out treatment that transforms the hair’s texture in seconds, making it feel silky without weighing it down.
2. Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone: Best for Maintaining Color. This treatment restores vibrancy and adds incredible shine while neutralizing unwanted tones—perfect for keeping those Great American Family-inspired highlights fresh.
3. L’Oreal Paris Le Gloss: Best for High Shine on a Budget. A quick 15-minute in-shower option that boosts shine and refreshes your tone effortlessly.
4. dpHUE Gloss+: (One of our favorites)
   Advertisement

   
   Best for Deep Conditioning. This acts as a semi-permanent color and deep conditioner in one, ideal for those who need extra hydration along with their shine.

Lori Loughlin: The Signature Polished Lob

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Starwatchbyline 🌟 (@starwatchbyline)

Lori’s look is all about the “Classic Hollywood” finish—rich color and voluminous waves that never look out of place. If you’d like to learn more about the products mentioned below, you can click the product name. That will safely take you to Amazon, where you can see photos, read reviews from other customers, and check pricing. There is never any pressure to buy — it simply allows you to look and decide if it might be something you’d enjoy.

Advertisement

• The Team & The Tools: Lori’s stylist, Paul Norton, often uses a combination of Unite Hair products equipment to achieve her signature polished look.
• Signature Style: Lori typically maintains a shoulder-length bob or “lob” (long bob). Her color is usually a deep, rich brown enhanced with subtle, warm, or caramel-toned highlights to add dimension.

Shopping Guide: The “Great American Family” Hair Routine

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a commission. Thank you for supporting the site!

You May Also Like

What’s in Candace Cameron Bure’s Bag while Traveling?

Over 20 Beauty Secrets From Great American Family’s Leading Ladies

8 Beauty & Health Essentials Candace Cameron Bure is Using Lately