Shine on

If your hair isn’t behaving as it should, maybe it’s time to check in with your shampoo and conditioning routine

We’re a little too quick to blame our styling products and tools when our hair stops behaving as we’d like it to. Falling flat? Must be the mousse. Too frizzy? It must be the hairdryer. Consider for a second that it might actually be the way you’re washing and conditioning your locks that’s to blame. “Just like skincare, it’s important to pick hair products that address your specific needs,” says Diana Goh, co-founder of Blow+Bar. “Using a shampoo and conditioner suitable for your hair and scalp type is the basis for fabulous looking tresses.” Here, we’ve got the solutions to some common hair woes with a few simple tweaks.

YOU HAVE: Short, fine hair

This type of hair can flatten fast. You want to thicken it up, right from the start. Volumising is like a layering process – begin with shampoo and conditioner and work from there, incorporating your finishing products throughout the process. You can skip conditioner if your hair is short enough – it will help give height. One shampoo is enough – the old “rinse, lather, repeat” routine is a myth – no matter what type of hair you have.

Tsubaki Volume Touch Conditioner, $16.90 (500 ml), gives fine and limp locks more body and bounce with scalp care, sebum control and volumising ingredients.

Macadamia Weightless Moisture Shampoo, $37 (300 ml), nourishes baby fine hair with macadamia, argan, avocado and walnut oils without weighing it down.

YOU HAVE: Dry, damaged hair

ou really want to replace the lost oils in the hair and strengthen the strands to prevent further damage. Choose a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, but avoid one that is too heavy. The idea is to leave your hair clean, shiny and not weighed down. Only shampoo hair once, and ensure you gently towel dry prior to conditioning to allow maximum product absorption. Leave your conditioner on for as long as time allows. Never wrap your wet hair in a turban – it can stretch the already weakened strands and cause them to snap where the towel twists.

PHS Hairscience Adv Argan Oil Conditioner, $39 (200 ml), is enriched with argan oil, honey and royal jelly extract to nourish damaged hair and lock moisture in.

THEFACESHOP Daily Nourishing Hair Cleanser, $15.90 (400 ml), gently purifies and smoothens damaged hair, and lifts off fre

YOU HAVE: Long, thick, unruly hair

In this situation, you need to smooth your hair. Smoothing the cuticle will deflate the hair a bit so it isn’t as big and is much easier to manage. Seek out products that will infuse plenty of shine. When conditioning, only apply it from the mid-lengths to the ends, unless your colour is taken all the way to the roots, in which case you’ll require moisture in that area. Always use a very wide-toothed comb to detangle and spread the conditioner through your hair.

Shiseido Professional The Hair Care Future Sublime Shampoo, $44 (250 ml), infuses shine and moisture with rosehip oil and S-hyaluronic acid for more manageable tresses.

Moist Diane Extra Vitalizing Treatment, $16.90 (400 ml), restores smoothness, softness and moisture to unruly locks with argan oil, sakura essence, pomegranate and ginseng.

YOU HAVE: Dandruff

Dandruff is a big issue for many women. Shampoo less often, but rinse hair every single day. Using a harsh shampoo can exacerbate the problem. When you do shampoo, choose a light formula with anti-bacterial ingredients, which will combat the bacteria, as well as soothe and nurture the scalp.

Phytosquam Anti-dandruff Moisturizing Shampoo, $68 (200 ml), reduces dandruff and boosts hair shine with black pepper, Guyana wood and sophora japonica.

Isoi Dr Roots Scalp Shampoo, $80 (200 ml), restores scalp health with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial herbs such as Bishop’s weed and Shiso leaf.

YOU HAVE: Oily roots & dry ends

Avoid shampoo and opt for a cleansing conditioner instead. Often, the scalp and the roots become oily, as the sebaceous glands are overactive from shampooing too much, and that same shampoo that strips the oil can leave your ends dry. Leave hair as long as possible between each cleanse; it can actually slow down the oil production. When you do cleanse, be sure to massage gently, not roughly, as this can also trigger oil flow.

Shu Uemura Art of Hair Essence Absolue, $48 (250 ml), is a milky cleansing mask that lifts off impurities and hydrates dry hair and scalp in five minutes flat.

Percy & Reed Perfectly Perfecting Wonder Cleanse & Nourish, $44 (250 ml), replaces sulphates and detergent with aloe vera and essential oils that won’t strip your hair of moisture.

YOU HAVE: A dry, sensitive scalp

Your scalp is tight and dry, and it might flake, but don’t get this mixed up with dandruff as it’s a completely different issue. The skin on your scalp is dry, and requires a hydrating but lightweight formula. Use a shampoo that will heal and treat your scalp, and massage very gently. Look for specific scalp therapy products.

Kinactif Calm Shampoo, $38 (250 ml), is infused with papaya extract for free radical defence, as well as an amino acid that boosts scalp immunity against UV rays and styling stress.

Ryo Jinsaengbo Total Anti-Aging Shampoo for Normal & Dry Scalp, $16.70 (400 ml), replenishes scalp and strengthens hair root with herbs such as ginseng and figwort.