Got a hair SOS? Need to find the best hair care products out there? Trust me, I know what you need!
Not so long ago a hairstylist overbleached my hair to the point my face frame snapped clean off. I was pretty gutted, especially as I had spent three years postpartum getting my hair back to a good place, not to mention I was getting married in a few months and really needed my hair to be at its best. I ended up dying my hair brown and trying to lay off the heat as much as possible.
Six months on and my hair has tried its best to co-operate, but we are still nowhere near optimum hair health. So I decided it was time to get serious, shake my hair routine up a bit and see what some new hair care products could do to superspeed the process.
Over the last two months (and nearly 30 hair wash days!) I’ve tried something new every time I’ve got in and out of the shower, whether it’s a pre-wash treatment, a scalp oil or a serum, and like a true perfectionist I have vigorously tested each product on both curly and straight days – and even in hot and humid climates.
The results? My hair feels incredibly soft, it’s the shiniest it’s ever been and my face frame is finally past my eyebrows! I’ve found my new hair care holy grail’s for sure, and now I’m here to help you find yours. Whatever healthy hair products you’re looking for, you can find the best of the best, tested by yours truly, all here in our round up.
Curly Hair Products
As a natural 3a/3b curly girl there are days where I have to lay off the heat and go au natural or risk some serious breakage. These tend to be my messy bun, working from home days because I’m just never quite sure how my curls are going to go. I could use the exact same products and routine as I’ve used for the last six months and my hair will decide to go in the opposite direction and do something it’s never done before! So I’m always on the hunt for the latest holy grail curly hair product in the hopes this one will be the magical answer to my curly hair niggles.
Clean Curls is the new kid on the curly block. The brainchild behind the brand is TV and radio icon – and most importantly, a fellow curly- Sarah-Jane Crawford, who knows only too well the struggles of finding non-toxic, affordable hair care products that actually work. The Clean Curls range was designed to cover a wide variety of curly hair solutions to take you from one hair wash day to the next with a few pick me up’s in between, and I think it’s really managed to achieve that in just six products.
The Super Softening Shampoo is infused with coconut oil and creates an amazing lather which can be hard to find with sulphate free shampoo’s, whilst the Super Slip Detangling Conditioner does exactly what the name suggests. The slip is is created through argan, coconut and grapeseed oil and you can really feel the creaminess of it sinking into your hair. After using both products my hair felt super nourished and smooth when I got out of the shower; I just know my hair was thanking me for giving it a break from all the chemicals and heat!
After towel drying (with a micro-fibre towel of course!) and finger detangling, I used the Super Shine & Define Curl Custard to create some hold in my curls. It has a really fresh yet comforting smell, a bit like green tea which I love, and it has a nice creaminess to it but without the heaviness that you can sometimes get with curl creams. After diffusing and fluffing it up a bit the curls came out super shiny and soft! I loved the end results and found that the next day they looked even better which isn’t usually the case with my hair.
I used a little bit of the Detangling Water & Curl Refresher and some of their Multi-Use Oil to give my hair an extra boost over the next couple of days which only created more shine and added a lovely coconut smell to the mix! On the days when I want a bit more of a beachy look I tend to reach for the 2 in 1 Leave In & Curl Cream as the hold is slightly less than the custard but it still gives my hair that nourished feel due to the Vitamin E, coconut and almond oil.
Overall I’ve been loving all the products in the Clean Curls range with my favourites being the shampoo, conditioner and custard. Something about the creamy texture just feels like you’re giving your curls a little spa day and I cannot get enough of the coconut smell!
This leave in spray from HASK’s Curl Care range is something I’ve been reaching for a lot lately when I just want my fluffy natural curl pattern with no crunch. It’s made from coconut, argan, and vitamin E oil to protect curly hair from frizz and breakage and to encourage shine, elasticity and hydration. It smells really girly and summery, almost like perfume! A little bit of this on curly days instantly gives your hair softness and shine; I don’t feel like I need to add any oils at the end of my routine when I’ve sprayed this at the beginning. I also like to put a little bit on my hands mixed with some water and run it through second day curls to give my hair a bit more hold and to keep the frizz at bay.
Holiday Hair Care
Picking which hair products to take with you on holiday and which to leave behind puts a lot of pressure on the ways that make the cut! They need to be able to do the job of many whilst also not taking up too much space in your luggage. It’s a difficult task and only a few are up to it! These are our carefully tried and tested picks for your summer getaway this year…
If Amika’s sunny yellow packaging doesn’t say summertime to you then its humidity fighting hair formula’s and insanely delicious scent will. As someone with naturally fine and frizzy tight curls I do tend to dread having to keep my hair smooth when abroad in hot climates; it’s time consuming and ultimately impossible for me! My usual deep conditioners and serums never seem to stop the humidity getting under my hair and curling it from the inside out, so on a recent girls trip to Marbella I decided to give Amika’s three step hair routine a go and hope for the best.
Step one is the ‘Velveteen Dream Smoothing shampoo and conditioner‘ which are infused with sea buckthorn, barbadensis leaf juice and provitamin B5 to deliver time-released humidity protection. Step two is to add the ‘Smooth Over Frizz Fighting Treatment‘ whilst in the shower and then wash off after just one minute. This adds a protective barrier against humidity thanks to glycolic acid, water lily extract and their trusty sea buckthorn. Just these products on their own made a massive difference when I blow dried and straightened my hair; it felt much smoother and straightener than usual and it actually stayed kink free throughout travel day, a night out and the following beach day!
Step three is Amika’s ‘Velveteen Dream Smoothing Balm‘ which actually protects your hair from UV rays and heat damage up to 232°C (love a multi-use product when travelling!). It’s created from cherry bark extract to keep your hair shiny and a conditioning polymer which has anti-static properties. I saved this for a beach club day and applied it in the morning when my hair was wet, then added ‘The Shield Anti-Humidity Spray’ before I blowdried and curled it. The sun was hotttt that day but my hair stayed frizz free and protected from the start of the day to the very messy end!
This is one of those products you don’t know you need until you’re a few days into your holiday and you realise your freshly bleached and toned highlights are starting to look a bit dull, and dare I say, green! This pre-swim water resistant hair mask protects your hair from UV, chlorine and saltwater and was originally developed for the US Olympic Synchronised Swimming Team! I apply it on damp hair after my morning shower and then put it in a bun with a loose scrunchie and let it work its magic through the day. The best bit is when you wash it out at the end of the day you’re left with lovely soft, shiny hair for your night out!
Provoke Brighten and Protect Purple Leave-In Conditioner
Provoke was the first purple shampoo I ever bought and I remember they were on the purple hype long before anyone else came along! With the shampoo having never failed me I had high hopes this leave-in conditioner. You spray it on damp hair when you get out of the shower, comb it through and then blow dry and style as normal. It worked for me from the very first go, getting rid of the never ending brassiness I’ve been plagued with recently, but not dulling the brighter blonde bits that I love.
It’s enriched with castor oil so keeps your hair nice and smooth whilst also protecting your strands from up to 230°C so is perfect for holidays too. I’ve been using it every second wash to keep brassiness at bay and it’s now a staple in my hair care routine.
Hair Serums and Oils
The finishing touch which can make or break your look! Too much oil and you’ve got to start over. Too little and the time you’ve spent straightening and smoothing goes out the window. We’ve tested all of the serums and oils below to ensure they deliver silky, smooth hair every time, but dispensing the perfect amount is in your hands!
Bondi Boost Rapid Repair Serum
Bondi Boost is an Australian brand that’s fast becoming a favourite of mine due to its commitment to using natural, vegan friendly ingredients and because all their products smell absolutely delicious. Their rapid repair serum in particular smells like expensive pomegranates! It uses Australian Aloe Vera, Australian Quandong Extract, Australian Lilly Pilly Extract (what a name!) and Coconut Oil to deeply repair snapped and strapped strands. It’s actually clinically proven to improve split ends by 86% after just one use and I can definitely attest to that. My ends have never looked thicker and fatter!
I’ve used this oil since the beginning of time and it’s never let me down when it comes to creating an incredible shine and softness. I always used to pick up the tiny version at the tills in Primark which would last me a good few months so I was very happy to see there’s now a 59ml version which will probably last me all year. You only need a tiny bit and you can use it on wet or dry hair. It’s so lightweight but gives some much needed smoothness to my frizzy hair whether I’m wearing it curly or straight. It’s one of the best hair care products out there and smells like chocolate oranges in my opinion!
If you love the smell of honey then this is the perfect hair finisher for you. It’s actually made with real honey as well as coconut extract, soy bean and vitamin E and has an amazing caramel, honey and jasmine smell that stays all day long. You can use it on damp hair as a primer and protector or on dry hair to keep your finished look nice and smooth and lock in that moisture and shine we all crave.
Shampoos, Conditioners and Deep Conditioners
The bread and butter of every hair care routine. Whether you’ve got dry and damaged hair or fine and oily, a good hair day has to start at the very beginning. So make sure you’re using the best hair care products to start with and build your base from there.
SBC Hydra-Collagen Super Boost Shampoo
Now that I’m in my thirties my ears seem to prick up at every mention of ‘collagen’ and ‘anti-ageing’ so I was very keen to try this body-boosting shampoo from SBC. It’s sulphate and silicone free which is always a nice to have and is enriched with marine collagen and keratin and infused with marula, passion flower seed and kukui nut oils. It’s also specifically created to address any signs of ageing, dryness and thinning which can cause fine hair like mine to look a bit dull, flat and lifeless. I didn’t feel like it stripped anything out of my hair and when paired with their creamy ‘Propolis Nourishing Conditioner’ my hair felt really balanced and not weighed down by silicones. The conditioner is also created from a super nurturing trio of ingredients; honey, propolis and royal jelly, and made right here in the UK!
HASK Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner
As big fans of HASK’s deep conditioning masks (these are mini miracle workers if you’ve never tried them before!) I was eager to try one of their shampoo’s and conditioner’s too. Firstly, the smell is insane! It’s like expensive perfume and summer nights (officially it’s coconut, vanilla and sugar though!). Secondly, these products are packed full of revitalising and hydrating natural ingredients such as linseed oil, argan oil, coconut oil, olive oil and shea butter. And finally, they’re free of sulphates, parabens, alcohol, gluten or artificial colours and are cruelty free. This shampoo and conditioner really packs a punch; you can feel the creaminess of the conditioner working and it had so much slip my hair detangled easily and was soft, smooth and easy to blowdry. Excellent work HASK!
This magical shampoo and conditioner set are aloe-based and infused with a special Split Therapy Technology, Queensland nut oil and organic coconut oil. They’re also clinically proven to instantly repair split ends by up to 86% and seal the cuticle to prevent any further damage. After giving these a go I can confirm my hair felt immediately nourished and healthy after rinsing them off. I can actually tell the difference when I’ve not used these so am having to limit to a couple of times a week so I don’t use them up too fast! If you’ve got an SOS hair situation happening I would 100% invest in this duo to bring your tresses back to life.
Scalp Care
Not to be overlooked! If you want your products to penetrate you need to give them a head start and a clean scalp is the best way to begin.
Maria Nila Head and Hair Heal Soothing Serum
To be honest I’ve never given my scalp much thought beyond the usual wintery dryness you sometimes get at the front after too much central heating. I’ve also never used a leave-in oil treatment before because I thought surely my roots will look wet? So I was intrigued to see what difference spending time and effort on my scalp would actually make. In short, this hair oil makes my scalp look bright, clean and healthy which in turn makes my hair look bright, clean and healthy. There was no stickiness even when I used it on dry curls (one little drop on your scalp only, not hair) and it gives a lovely soothing feel, especially when you’ve been out in the sun and burnt your parting! The relief I felt massaging this into my scalp when I got back from Marbella was immense! It’s packed with active ingredients including Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe Vera and it’s 100% vegan and cruelty free – that gets a big ‘yes’ from us!
I’ve started pairing this with another of Maria Nila’s scalp treatments in preparation for the cold weather which is when irritation typically start to appear for me, to get a bit of a scalp care routine going. Their Purifying Cleanse Exfoliating Serum is a scalp treatment which you let sit on your head for ten minutes before showering to reduce build-up and greasiness and give your scalp a good detox ready for the leave-in oil. Winter I’m ready for you!
I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this little bottle as my hair is quite fine even though I have a lot of it, but I’ve been really impressed! I’ve been using this hair oil every week and leaving it on for an hour or so before I wash it out, or sometimes I’ll leave it in overnight to work its magic. It’s made from tea tee, rosemary and nettle and is 100% natural which I love. It’s really refreshing on your scalp and definitely makes my hair feel so much softer and cleaner afterwards. I’ll definitely be adding this to my weekly hair care routine as a deep conditioning treatment because the effects of the essential oils are immediately obvious to me. I’ve been lavishing it on so much over the last month or so (and my husband has sneakily been using it as a beard oil too!) so try to use it sparingly on your scalp and ends only to make it last as long as possible! This is one I’m not mad about having to re-stock though and is truly one of the best hair care products I’ve found.
Heat Protection and Hot Tools
We put our hair through a lot so it’s imperative we pick the best quality hot tools out there and the most effective heat protection to work alongside them. We’ve put these to the test over and over again in the last month and they’ve come out top every time…
Bristows Sol Fiesta Heat Protection Spray
There are no words to describe how amazing this heat protection smells! It’s pistachio and salted caramel and honestly if I could wear it as a perfume I absolutely would. This spray protects your hair from heat up to 200°C so perfect if you’re more of a quick blowdry and go girlie. It’s created with Pro Vitamin B5 and Keratin-like ingredients to minimise breakage and split ends and it definitely gave my hair some nice shine with none of the stickiness you can sometimes get with heat protection sprays.
This lightweight hairdryer has singlehandedly changed wash days for me for the better. It used to take a good half an hour to properly dry every layer of my hair with my old, heavy hairdryer. I’d be sweating by the end of it and wincing every time I caught the heat on my neck and ears. The Sonic Dryer gets my hair dry within 10 minutes and I don’t even have to have it on the hottest or fastest setting. It also has a smart memory so if I turn it off to section the next bit of hair it remembers what my previous settings were, and it’s much quieter than my old hairdryer so I can actually have a conversation whilst blowdrying. The best bit is it seems to give my hair more body and volume but without sacrificing any smoothness or straightness.
I’ve been making sure to use their Heat Protect Spray every time I blowdry and I think that’s really helped to maintain my hair health and add some shine as it protects up to 230°C. It’s proven to improve any split ends by up to 86% and I do always find my ends always come out really thick when I use it. Plus it smells of beaches and coconut!
Hair Capsules
If you want to give your hair a boost from root to tip you’ll need to work from the inside out. Vitamins and capsules are the best way to ensure you’re giving your tresses all the nutrients it needs to be at its best year after year.
I can’t rave about these capsules enough! Two capsules a day gives you enough added support for collagen production and hair growth. I’ve been taking them for nearly two months now and am already seeing big improvements in my hair and nails. Considering my hair has been heavily bleached over the last year, I’ve had very little breakage at the ends and I’m not losing as much hair on wash days. Even the front section of my hair which had been unwilling to grow back after it was overly bleached a year ago, has finally started to grow past my eyebrows again. I’ve also stopped wearing gel nails and gone back to nail polish as my nails aren’t flaking anymore. A win all round!
So, did you find your new best hair product?
The best way to find out if a product works for your hair type is to get a mini version or try Vinted for unopened products at a smidge of the usual price. Everyone’s hair is so different, and our hair type switches itself up several times over the course of our lives so it’s near impossible to find a one size fits all holy grail. But I’ve definitely done my share of hair care research over the years and feel pretty confident about my latest hair product line up. What do you think? Is there anything on our list you’ve wanted to give a go? Or something you think we have to try? Let us know!
Claire is a Cheshire girl, mum to one and wife to one. She’s also creator of the blog KoKo & Cub which houses tried and tested how to’s (and some how not to’s) as well as general thoughts and musings on everything from OOTD’s to planning a last minute wedding.
