CHEMICALLY TREATED HAIR

So you finally tamed your frizz, or added waves to your flat tresses. Now, here’s how to get the most out of your rejuvenated locks.

Your genes determine your hair structure, which in turn affects how your mane reacts to heat, humidity and chemical processes. Similar to hair colouring, your hair cuticles first have to be lifted to introduce chemicals into the hair shaft, breaking and re-forming certain bonds in order to reshape the hair. This is why it’s vital to follow chemical processes with a repairing treatment to strengthen the hair’s cortex and smooth down hair cuticles. Look out for ingredients like amino acids, peptides or proteins as they are the building blocks of hair structure—and essential for stronger hair.

AT THE SALON

Best Retexturising Treatment

Resculpting Supreme, $375, Chez Vous Coax unmanageable hair into place with a fully customisable service—so you can either transform limp locks to natural waves or fight unruly tresses. It’s also infused with keratin and silk proteins to eliminate frizz and enhance shine. Visit chezvoushair.com

Best Korean Perm

Glamorous Gel Perm, from $329, Botanics Creation Hair Studio & Hair Spa If you’re after feminine waves, look no further. Following a trim, your stylist employs a unique perming technique that prevents the curls from setting and looking too tight. You'll emerge with soft, flowy and voluminous locks worthy of a K-drama leading lady. Visit botanicscreation.com

Best Waves

Permanent Blowout 2.0 with Hair Reset Treatment, from $160, Blow+Bar This service creates semi-permanent and natural-looking waves for #iwokeuplikethis curls. Customisable for all hair textures and lengths, you can choose from nine signature styles. It comes complete with a haircut and post-treatment— the whole package. Visit blowplusbar.com

“When you perm or colour your hair, some bonds (known as disulphide bonds) are broken inside the hair shaft. In healthy hair, these bonds act like your hair’s skeleton and ensure its integrity. Once they are broken, your hair loses its strength, resilience and elasticity, which is why it becomes prone to breakage.” Thomas Teo, Chief Salon Director of Chez Vous, explains what really happens when your hair undergoes chemical treatments.

THE TOOLS

Most Innovative Styling Product

Platinum Styler, $395, ghd Not only does this multi-styler deliver ultimate styling results in one stroke, it boosts hair shine and reduces hair breakage. Plus, it features a heat-resistant plate guard so you’ll never accidentally scald your ears or fingers in the process.

Best Curling Iron

GP201, $299, GlamPalm With 11 user-friendly settings and an ergonomic grip, you won’t have to worry about “frying” your hair ever again, thanks to its Healing Stone mineral coating, which minimises heat damage.

AT-HOME TREATS

Best Shampoo for Chemically Treated Hair

Pro Fiber Reconstruct Shampoo, $26 for 250ml, L’Oréal Professionnel Ideal for severely damaged locks, this uses a unique molecular complex to rebuild hair from within so your locks become stronger and smoother.

Best Instant Texture

Revita Texture Cream, $25.80 for 150ml, DS Laboratories Plant-based thickening ingredients create a fi rm yet malleable hold while its proprietary nanosome hair complex boosts hair health.

Best Volumising Styling Product

Pure Abundance Style-Prep, $50 for 100ml, Aveda A blend of corn-derived polymer, rice bran, acai oil and acacia gum coats fine and flat hair for weightless volume that lasts all day.

Best Hair Mask for Chemically Treated

Hair No. 3 Bond Sustainer, $38 for 100ml, Cureplex As its name suggests, it creates new bonds and strengthens existing ones, safeguarding the integrity of hair that’s been subjected to harsh chemicals and processes.

Best Volumising Shampoo

Luxurious Volume Touchably Full Shampoo, $15.90 for 250ml, John Frieda Volume-building technology meets gentle cleansing agents to build up fine and limp strands.

Best Sulphate-Free Shampoo for Chemically Treated Hair

Comforting Shampoo with Silk Proteins, $25.90 for 250ml, Camille Albane Ideal for distressed locks, this uses amino-acid micro-capsules and anti-breakage ester to fill the gaps in your hair structure and restore suppleness.

Best for Sexy, Tousled Hair

This Is A Sea Salt Spray, $41 for 250ml, Davines When used on wet hair before styling, this gives pin-straight tresses volume and adds definition to wavy hair while creating a lived-in effect.

Best Damage Reversing Leave-In

Résistance Thérapiste Serum, $50 for 30ml, Kérastase Formulated for fine and thick hair, this oil-and-cream duo restructures the core of damaged locks and seals cuticles for stronger, smoother hair.

Best Organic Hair Repair

Strengthening Hair Treatment, $65 for 100ml, Dr. Hauschka Free of artificial ingredients that might leave a residue or dry your hair, this quick-penetrating oil revitalises hair follicles while soothing the scalp.

Best Hair Repair

Bi-Phase Hydra Detangling, $58 for 200ml, Secret Professionel Its silk-like texture with cotton oil detangles, nourishes and replenishes with peptides.

Best Shampoo for Curls

Volume Curl Shampoo, $39.90 for 300ml, The Hair Mother Cellar This power-packed blend of ionic polymers and proteins helps restore bounce and volume for beautiful, springy waves.

Best Smoothing Conditioner

Horse Oil Conditioner, $24 for 600ml, Haruhada Packed with fatty acids and vitamins, this nourishing conditioner formulated with Hokkaido Horse Oil deeply moisturises for smoother, glossier tresses.

Best Damage Reversing Mask

Caviar RepairX Fill & Fix Treatment Masque, $60 for 151g, Alterna Rich in proteins and vitamins, caviar extract repairs hair strands at the core and smoothens cuticles so hair breakage is kept at bay.

Best Conditioner for Chemically Treated Hair

Flowdia Melty Down Conditioner, $50 for 240ml, Demi Formulated for over-processed locks, this uses a hydrolysis collagen component to repair, smooth and protect hair.

Best Frizz Control

Discipline Fluidissime, $46 for 150ml, Kérastase Using a polymer technology that forms a protective layer over hair fibres, this mist tames flyaways and reduces friction for improved softness and smoothness.

Best Volumising Conditioner

Rice Volumizing Conditioner, $25.90 for 220ml, Mt Sapola Enriched with hair-thickening and strengthening agents, its weightless texture boosts hair volume while keeping locks looking shiny and lustrous.