Our picks here range from basic shampoos (come on, don’t be a snob) to high-tech scalp and leave-on treatments. What they have in common? They feel luxurious, work faster, and offer more obvious results than others to protect hair against damage and keep it looking fly.
Our picks here range from basic shampoos (come on, don’t be a snob) to high-tech scalp and leave-on treatments. What they have in common? They feel luxurious, work faster, and offer more obvious results than others to protect hair against damage and keep it looking fly.
Styling & Protective Sprays
1. Shiseido Professional Stage Works Powder Shake, $31
Unlike traditional hairsprays, this unique product gives volume and hold without affecting hair’s natural texture. How? It’s oil-free with ultra-fine powders that adhere to strands, keeping them in place, while still allowing movement and flow.
2. Joico K-Pak Color Therapy Dry Oil Spray, $36
An ultra-fine mist, it not only helps to control frizz, protect colour for dyed hair, and boost shine by about 63 percent – it also reportedly strengthens strands and repairs damaged cuticles to prevent breakage.
Shampoo
3. Dove Volume & Nourishment Shampoo, $8.50
Meant for fine, limp hair, this has moisture-binding molecules that supposedly swell in water, giving locks a full-bodied appearance and extra bounce. Oxygen-infused technology coats strands with a protective layer
4. PHS Hairscience ADV Nutrition Scalp Cleanser, $39
Especially suitable for sensitive skin, its nourishing, antioxidant-rich formula is said to strengthen the scalp’s protective barrier, while soothing irritation. It also has Chinese cucumber root and rice callus stem cell that reportedly fight inflammation and bacteria.
5. Shu Uemura Art of Hair Cleansing Oil Shampoo, $65
With volcanic ferment to gently purify, this froths into a rich foam that cleanses thoroughly without stripping the scalp of its natural oils. Plus, the oil-based formula makes it hydrating enough for you to use it twice daily.
Leave-on Care
6. Aveda Dry Remedy Daily Moisturizing Oil, $50
This lightweight oil doesn’t clump locks, weigh them down or leave a greasy residue. What it does: leave hair soft, smooth and shiny with just three drops (it gets absorbed almost immediately). Buriti fruit oil also treats brittleness.
7. L’Oreal Paris Elseve Extraordinary Oil Mist, $26.90
This oil-in-cream treatment has a blend of six flower oils that promises to nourish and soften strands. It penetrates quickly and can be used three ways: as a pre-shampoo mask (to supposedly repair), pre-blow-dry (as a heat protector), or as a leave-on treatment (for a glossy shine).
8. Kerastase Resistance Serum Therapiste, $50
This leave-in double serum has an oil-based formula to hydrate fibres, as well as a dense, cream-textured top coat to seal in the serum’s benefi ts. Great for dehydrated and over-processed hair, it supposedly repairs, strengthens and smooths, while acting as a heat protector.
9. L’Oreal Paris Elseve Extraordinary Oil La Creme, $26.90
This micro-diffusion oil spray is so lightweight that you don’t need to comb or massage it in. The blend of six flower oils – lotus, tiare, rose, flax, camomile and sunflower – is meant to nourish, soften and smooth dry locks on the go.
10. Kerastase Elixir Ultime Huile Originale, $62
This cult leave-in treatment oil remains one of our favourites. Its combination of maize, pracaxi, camellia and argan oils supposedly boosts shine, nourishes fibres, and strengthens hair against external aggressors conditions. Oh, and it works for all hair types and lengths.
Scalp Treatment
11. Shiseido Professional Adenovital The Hair Care Adevovital Scalp Essence V, $108
Our go-to essence for any scalp discomfort, this promises to treat everything from dandruff to itching and dryness. It not only soothes irritation, but reportedly repairs UV damage too, leaving your mane looking healthier and more voluminous.
12. Phyto Phytoapaisant Instant Soothing Spray, $68
Many people experience scalp irritation, itchiness and redness due to stress, hormones and the environment. With oat extract, mint and eucalyptus essential oils that are rich in amino acids, this calmsand hydrates, while leaving a refreshing cooling sensation.
13. PHS Hairscience ADV Pre-Treatment Scalp Elixir, $99
This watery serum gently exfoliates dead skin cells, while supposedly stimulating hair follicles. It has lotus stem cell and japonica fruit extracts that reportedly detoxify, boost circulation and intensely purify, to help your scalp better absorb the benefits of the haircare that follows.
14. L’Oreal Professionnel Serioxyl Denser Hair, $78
Formulated with the brand’s exclusive Stemoxydine and Neohesperidin molecules, this treatment is said to protect the scalp from oxidative stress, while encouraging healthy growth. Hair reportedly looks fuller and feels stronger after just three months of daily use.
Wash-off Treatment
15. Aesop Rose Hair & Scalp Moisturising Masque, $47
Intensely hydrating, this rich rinse-off mask from the all-natural Australian brand leaves tresses with a soothing floral-woody aroma. Efficacy and a home spa experience? We’re sold.
16. Moroccanoil Smoothing Mask, $72
Rich in argan butter, argan oil and coconut extracts, this has a thick texture that melts into hair, leaving it immediately softer and smoother. It helps tame frizz and unruliness with little fuss – a beauty lifesaver in our humidity.
17. Yves Rocher Rinsing Vinegar, $18
Based on the traditional French practice of applying vinegar for smoothness and shine, this rinse-off hair treatment is made of raspberry vinegar (read: no nasty smell). It supposedly helps repair and seal hair cuticles and, because it’s silicone-free, treats the scalp without clogging follicles.
Conditioner
18. Aveda Smooth Infusion Conditioner, $46
This saturates even the driest of hair with moisture – and zilch heaviness (a necessity in the local weather). A blend of aloe, maize and guar bean extracts smooths damaged and uneven cuticles, and reduces brittleness.
19. Tsubaki Extra Moist Conditioner, $16.90
Despite its light texture, it provides dry locks with intense hydration. A cocktail of camellia seed oil, koji extracts and hyaluronic acid softens and moisturises hair and scalp for up to eight hours. The result? A glossy, more manageable finish.
20. Fresh Seaberry Revitalizing Conditioner, $43
Infused with seaberry (a plant that thrives in Siberia’s harsh conditions) oil, it’s also rich in omegas 3, 6, 7 and 9. Locks are volumised and more manageable. It also promises to protect hair against city pollution.
