Thick, thin, curly, straight, damaged – the labyrinth of hair products on the market can make even the most beauty-savvy person wince.
‘Should I use an oil? Do I need a treatment? Will this weigh my hair down? Is it worth the price?’ – who knew a trip to Boots could be so difficult?!
Along the same lines as my Skin Care Saviours post, I wanted to share with you the hair care products that I’ve tried and tested, and that have found themselves a firm place in my hair care routine. We all know what it’s like to get sucked into a ‘3for2’ deal and end up with six, yes six, hair care products that sit under the sink after you realised they made your hair greasy or look lifeless.
So, with New Years resolutions aplenty, I’m going to try to use up all of my lost and forgotten products that didn’t quite make the mark first time round, and spread the word about the products that have been through thick and thin with my hair (literally, thanks to extensions) and have never let me down.
1. Aussie Take the Heat 3 Minute Miracle Deep Treatment
This treatment has been a favourite of mine since I started using curlers and straighteners six years ago. It has stuck with me so long because it’s affordable and it works – plus Aussie products are nearly always part of Boots’ ‘3for2’. It does exactly what it says on the tin, it repairs and protects heat damaged hair. One of the greatest things about this product is in the name, it only takes three minutes to work. I often use it as a conditioner instead of a treatment, and use it twice a week while in the shower. It has a thick, creamy consistency, which I feel really nourishes and replenishes my dried-out hair. Curling and straightening my hair has never been so guilt-free!
Buy here
2. Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque
Continuing with hair treatments, Macadamia’s Deep Repair Masque has been hyped up a lot in the beauty world – and for a very good reason! It is my favourite hair masque I’ve tried, after one use my hair is transformed. My hair is quite thin and breaks pretty easily, but after using this treatment it looks and feels moisturised and stronger. One big scoop of this stuff once a week and you are on your way to healthier hair. While it doesn’t actually remove split ends (can I get a treatment that does that please?!), it prevents further damage and replenishes the hair. It is really worth a try for anyone who has damaged hair and is quite fond of heated styling tools – you won’t look back!
Buy here
3. Kérastase Nutritive shampoo for dry, sensitised hair
Kérastase do the best high-end hair care products, in my opinion. As they’re more expensive than drugstore brands, I usually ration whatever Kérastase products I have so they last more than a few washes. Once again struggling with damaged hair (sorry to those of you reading this with strong, healthy hair, I’m very jealous!), this shampoo works better than any other shampoo I’ve tried to treat and moisturise my hair in one wash. I use this shampoo on special occasions or when I feel my hair really needs it – I told you I ration it! It doesn’t weigh the hair down, and you don’t need more than a fifty-cent sized piece to get the full effects. While there are plenty of drugstore dupes available, I always return to Kérastase.
Buy here
4. TRESemmé Heat Defence Styling Spray
TRESemmé, to me, have taken on the role of the drugstore version of Kérastase. Affordable and effective, they do the job for a fraction of the price. Heat protectors are an essential in my hair care routine, I’d never imagine using a hair-dryer or other heated tool without first protecting my hair. One of the things that I love most about this product is the nozzle, it sprays just the right amount over your hair and doesn’t leave a sticky residue. I’ve used other heat protectors in the past, some sprays and some creams, but this TRESemmé one has always found its way back into my hair care routine.
Buy here
5. Batiste Dry Shampoo
The day dry shampoo came onto the market, my life changed. Ok, slight exaggeration, but this product has really made a difference to my hair. Slept in and no time to wash my hair? No problem, one spritz of dry shampoo and I’m ready to go. Going out after a long day, and my hair is flat and lifeless? Dry shampoo to the rescue. Batiste do a range of dry shampoos for different hair colours, so no fear of grey streaks being left through your hair – unless that’s what you want, of course. Plus, they work pretty well as a quick top-up for your roots when you haven’t made it to the hairdressers.
Buy here
6. L’Oréal Professional Mythic Oil
As you can see, this Mythic Oil is much loved, with only a small portion of the product left. The best thing is, I’ve had this oil for a year and a half, and I use it every time I wash my hair. That’s every second day. Now that’s value for money if I’ve ever seen it. After washing my hair, I rub one pump from the mid-length to the end of my hair. It makes my hair soft and feel nourished, and doesn’t leave my hair greasy at all. Hair oils have dominated the market since their launch, and while there are plenty of other options available, this one does the trick perfectly.
Buy here
7. Tangle Teezer
What hair care post would be complete without a mention of the infamous Tangle Teezer? Admittedly, I only jumped on the Tangle Teezer bandwagon when I saw the compact styler version on sale for 25% off in a flight catalogue, as I always thought €15 was too much to pay for just a hairbrush. Boy, was I wrong. As the hair is most susceptible to damage when it’s wet, it’s important that you use a good brush after you wash your hair that won’t cause it to break. The Tangle Teezer detangles your hair without causing damage or breakage, due to its clever design. You can use as many treatments and masques as you like, but there’s no point if you are just going to reverse the damage by using the wrong brush.
Buy here
There you have it – my seven Hair Care Heroes! It was surprisingly hard to break down all of my hair care products into just a few favourites, but this bunch made it to the top. Maybe you’ll discover a product that will become one of your Hair Care Heroes 😉
What are your favourite hair care products? Have you tried any of these products before?
*Think too much, and you will create a problem that wasn’t there in the first place*