I’ve posted previously on the skin care products and fragrances I adore, as well as my makeup essentials, so today I thought I’d share a few of my favourite hair products:
1. Redken All Soft Treatment
This little gem is a mainstay in my hair care arsenal. Believe me when I say, over the years I have tried more hair treatments than you can poke a curling wand at and out of them all, I have to say this is the one that works best for me. I wash my hair every second day and I use this in place of a conditioner (I only leave it in for about 2 minutes) because I’m hooked on how soft it leaves my hair. When I say soft, I mean light (not weighed down, which is a must for me as I have a lot of hair) and really hydrated. If I remember, once every few weeks I pop a big dollop in, wrap a towel around my head and let it work it’s magic for at least half an hour. Perfect for dry, tired locks! (Not sure why hair would be tired, but that’s what the ‘pro’s’ say on the ads, so I’m rolling with it).
Redken have a substantial range that tackle a plethora of hair woes, and you can take this as my wholehearted recommendation – give them a go! I recently thought I’d mix things up and went back to one of my old faves, Kerastase’s Resistance Age Recharge, but honestly, I prefer the Redken. And it’s half the price (the All Soft treatment comes in at $35) which means more cold hard cash for other important things like our wedding fund lip gloss.
2. Goldwell Kerasilk Shampoo
I’m not fussed on shampoo and will normally use brands like Dove, Sunsilk, Loreal or occasionally the Redken All Soft shampoo. I recently picked up the Goldwell Kerasilk and it appears to be doing what it’s supposed to.. which, I’m guessing is cleaning my hair? Ha! What else can I tell you? To me, shampoo leaves your hair feeling so-so unless you team it with a conditioner or treatment (would you say so too?) so it’s hard to judge it on it’s own, although this one does leave my hair feeling silky. The only people I’ve come across who love using shampoo without conditioner are aliens men. Apparently it makes their hair too “fluffy.” Righto. Where was I again? Moving right along…
3. Moroccan Oil (soon to be replaced with Pure Argan Oil)
I started using Moroccan Oil when my ends were really blonde (balayage) and although they’re not as light anymore, I still have highlights through the majority of my hair and the oil keeps it feeling silky smoooooth. I’ve recently read a bit about Moroccan Oil being full of silicone, and I know the other products I’m using are probably much the same, but if I can minimise the toxins from somewhere, this seems like a good place to start. Apparently health food stores sell Pure Argan Oil (which is much cheaper too – bonus!) so once my bottle of Moroccan Oil runs out I planning on switching to the pure stuff.
For use: I rub a five cent piece-sized amount in my hands and kind of pat it through the mid-lengths (and down to the ends) of my hair while it’s wet. Then I run my fingers through all my hair to spread it evenly. Great for smoothing frizziness and I find I get a much nicer blow dry when I use it. Looking forward to trying out the pure stuff!
4. Kerastase Oleo-Relax Serum
Much the same as Moroccan Oil, Kerastase’s Oleo-Relax Serum is a oil that smoothes frizzies and leaves my hair nice and shiny. I’ve had my bottle for ages as a little bit goes a long way, and I because I’m using Moroccan Oil in wet hair, I just use a teensy bit of this to smooth any fly-aways after a blow-dry. Lovely product if you want to splurge, but for a serum that won’t break the bank and will do essentially the same thing, I recommend Schwarzkopf’s Zero Frizz serum (can’t find a picture anywhere, but it’s about $9.95 from the supermarket).
5. Batiste Dry Shampoo
If you haven’t heard of dry shampoo, I’m about to change your life. Brace yourself. Yes ladies, some genius has come up with a product that will fix that greasy, desperately-in-need-of-a-wash hair you find yourself freaking out over when you realise that in 3 minutes time you should be racing out the door to get to work/ meet your date/ party the night away with the girls. Batiste is my favourite. I don’t spray it straight on my part – I either spray on my fingers and rub through or kind of lift up pieces of hair and spritz underneath, then mess it all through.
Dry shampoo is also perfect for nixing that “sweat halo” you get after a strenuous gym work out (who can be bothered waiting for the hairdryer at peak hour in the mornings at the gym?) I use the original version but I see they have a brunette version now too so I’ll switch to that next time. Have you ever used dry shampoo, and if so, what do you think of it?
+ I love, love, love product recommendations so tell us in the comments what you’re using! What are your must-have, can’t-live-without hair products?
Are few products that are always under my bathroom sink are:
Goldwell rich repair 30 sec treatment – this is the best treatment ive ever used, and i use it much the same as u Rach, instead of conditioner! My hair feels amazing and a bonus is the amazing vanilla sandalwood scent – u just want to eat it! Yum
Another fave product which ive recently added to my collection is Pure oil of Marrakesh by juice. This oil leaves my hair feeling soo soft & silky, I just love it – Devine product!!
I’ve had this serum for donkeys years cause it just lasts & lasts FOREVER! Matthew James glossing serum, perfect for taming the fuzzier after blowdrying and straightening!!
I use Redken too (the Extreme Conditioner) and it really leaves my hair all soft and shiny. It’s deifnatley my favorite.
Other than that I have the Franck Provost series. They’re also really good & combine really well wih the Redken Conditioner. Plus you don’t spend as much money on it.
Sara: Thanks so much for those recommendations, they sound great, will have to check them out next time round! Ahh, love new products to test!
Theresa: How good is Redken! The best! Thanks for your comment too xx
I love the oldies when it comes to hair products.
I still use the VO5 hotoil treatments at least once a month, fab hair through all seasons!
Herbal Essence is my shampoo of choice, just like the adverts lots of oooohhhhing and ahhhhhing in the shower!
For a hair revamp I love Castings by L’Oreal. So many shades & they don’t break the bank. No ammonia and the little conditioner that comes with it leaves your hair so soft. LOVE!
I’m a huge fan of Soap and Glory. They’ve recently added new products to their line. I ordered a travel pack so I could try out all the new bits without adding extra clutter to my already bursting vaniety closet (yes it’s a full closet, no judgement please) Love the new shower gel and body scrub (Scrub of your Life) But I’m not loving the hair mask. Smells divine but my hair felt very heavy after I blowdried & I had to rewash. Not good when your rushing!
Oh V05! I used to use them ALL THE TIME. The memories! And the smell of Herbal Essences products is second to none… you can always tell when someone has washed their hair with it (in the best way)…. So nice! xx
I really like these types of posts, I think I will have to do one. OH MY GOSH dry shampoo changed my life. I used to put baby powder in my hair for the same effect until I discovered dry shampoo. you sound like you have the same hair type as me, oily roots dry ends. I love the Moroccan oil….and wow I did know about the silicon, which is funny cause I just got a hair cut today and the hairdresser was giving me grief about using pantene and all the silicone in it…then she proceeded to smother my hair in Moroccan oil. You can get afgan oil at hairhouse warehouse too not sure if thats the pure one you mean but its heaps cheaper than moroccan oil.
That’s hilarious about your hairdresser Liss! And yep, dry shampoo is amazing, best invention! xx
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