Overwhelmed by an abundance of haircare options? Learn how to pick hair products that really work for your hair’s unique needs
This article is sponsored by OGX, TRESemmé & Bleach London
We all know (and love) that post-salon feeling: bouncy, healthy-looking hair that positively shines and puts a spring in your step all day long. But when daily salon trips aren’t on the cards, how can we recreate that fresh, glossy look at home?
Well, it all starts with choosing the right hair care routine to suit your individual hair type. When you really stop to think about it, we put so much effort into selecting the optimum skincare products to get our routines just right. So, why shouldn’t we give our haircare the same level of love?
Enter: the era of haircare ‘skin-ification’, or taking as much time, care and attention to tend to our locks as we do our complexions. With so much recent innovation and effective new ingredients in the world of hair, there’s never been a better time to discover new must-have products you’ll reach for again and again.
Let’s begin by taking a look at the different hair types and why choosing the right ingredients is so important.
What are the different hair types, and how can I tell which hair type I have?
There are four main hair types, each with their own unique qualities and needs. To work out your hair type, let your hair air dry after washing, without applying products or styling it. Take a close look at each strand – is it straight, wavy, curly or coily? Can you see visible damage, perhaps from colour treatments or overusing heat tools? Does it feel dry, oily, or somewhere in between? Finally, it’s time to get up close and personal with our scalps and check for oiliness, dryness, flakiness or sensitivity
Type One: Straight Hair
If you have naturally straight hair, with very little curl or wave, it’s categorised into Type One. This hair type is generally the easiest to style and manage, although it may not hold some styles as well, such as curls created with heat tools. On average, straight hair tends to be oilier than other hair types, as sebum can more easily move from the roots down towards the tips.
Type Two: Wavy Hair
If your hair has a natural S-shaped curl pattern that falls somewhere in between straight and curly, it falls under Type Two. Wavy hair may be oily, dry, or a combination of both, with more oil at the roots and dryer ends.
Type Three: Curly Hair
If your hair has a more defined curl pattern, it comes under Type Three. Curly hair includes a range of curl shapes, from looser curls to tighter, springier patterns. This hair type is often dryer, as sebum stays closer to the scalp and doesn’t move as easily down the hair shaft.
Type Four: Coily Hair
If your hair has a zig-zag curl pattern that’s tightly coiled or kinky, it falls under Type Four. Coily hair tends to be the most dry and prone to breakage of all the hair types, so it needs plenty of moisture and TLC to keep it in tip-top condition.
Why is it important to pick ingredients suited to my hair type?
When it comes to haircare, one size definitely doesn’t fit all. Put simply, you’ll get the very best results possible when you choose a haircare product that suits your hair’s unique needs. For example, oily hair may feel overloaded and weighed down when using super hydrating products, but they could be miracle workers for dry hair that’s crying out for moisture.
How to build a routine based around your hair type
Tailoring your haircare routine is easier than you might think. Once you’ve identified your hair type and pinpointed any particular concerns, look for products containing active ingredients to help address them.
All good haircare routines start with a shampoo and conditioner, as well as treatments and masks to meet your hair’s needs. Next, it’s time consider styling products, including heat protection, serums and oils.
As a quick guide, if you have an oiler hair type, you might want to try products including:
• Salicylic acid (great for exfoliating and cleansing the scalp)
• AHAs (for exfoliation and breaking down product-build up around the scalp)
For dull or dry hair, try:
• Hyaluronic acid (to lock in moisture to the scalp and strands)
• Niacinamide (for soothing and boosting moisture)
• Vitamin C (for a glossy shine)
Damaged hair:
• Caffeine (to stimulate blood flow to the scalp to promote new growth and stronger feeling hair)
• Ceramides (to help repair broken strands)
• Peptides (to help improve the appearance of hair thickness)
Still after some more inspiration to kickstart your hair routine journey? Meet Maria. She’s shared three products that work well for her hair type, and how she fits them into her regular routine.
1. TRESemmé Lamellar Shine Leave-in Cream Serum
• Size: 200ml
What is it?
This clever cream-serum hybrid is the secret to achieving all your hair gloss goals. Infused with amino acids and ceramides, it uses Lamellar Technology to correct and align hair fibres for a silky-smooth finish. The result? A glass-like shine that’s sure to turn heads.
How do I use it?
You can add this shine booster to your routine in a few different ways.
1. Use as a leave-in treatment before styling. Simply smooth 2-4 pumps of product evenly through damp hair, focusing on the lengths and ends. To add even more sleekness, follow with TRESemmé Lamellar Shine Finishing hair oil once hair is styled.
2. Use as a pre- or post-shampoo treatment to really ramp up the shine. Simply apply before shampoo or conditioner, then continue your hair wash as usual.
Why we love it:
I like to use this as a pre-shampoo treatment, although you can use this as a leave-in treatment too. The Lamellar technology helps correct, smooth and align my hair. I leave it in for few minutes – giving me the perfect amount of time to take off my makeup before I jump in the shower.
2. Bleach London Purple Reincarnation Shampoo
• Size: 300ml
• Suitable for all hair types
What is it?
Strong foundations are the key to any ingredient-led haircare routine, and that starts with selecting a shampoo that suits your hair’s needs. Enter this blonde-brightening pick, formulated with bond restoring technology to help strengthen hair, while the soft violet pigments neutralise brassy tones. With bond-building creatine and nourishing amino acids, it keeps blonde hair looking its best, without colour build-up.
How do I use it?
This shampoo is suitable for every wash, as it’s bleach-free and won’t dull hair with colour build-up. Massage into wet hair in the shower or bath, and rinse thoroughly.
Why we love it:
The shampoo and conditioner duo repair bonds and prevent damage caused by pollution, styling and daily stresses, leaving me with stronger, hydrated and more nourished hair. I like to pair them with the Reincarnation Purple Mask, too. I leave this on for 20 minutes and it is the perfect addition to a self-care evening. This is the perfect opportunity to sit down, make a cup of tea and watch some television while the mask works its magic. The I rinse that off and I have salon quality results at home!
3. OGX Rescue Fusions Overnight Treatment
• Size: 125ml
• Suitable for all hair types
What is it?
This dreamy treatment gives a new lease of life to hair overnight, and a whole new meaning to the term ‘beauty sleep’! Think of it as a nightly skincare step, but for your hair. It’s a lightweight, lavender-scented serum that absorbs easily overnight, with no mess or residue left on your pillow. Thanks to star ingredients keratin, wheat proteins, pro-vitamin B5, arginine and panthenol, you can wake up to hair that’s three times stronger, with up to 70% less breakage.*
How do I use it?
Use once or twice a week for shiny, healthy-looking hair. Simply apply a small amount to wet or dry hair, go to bed as usual, then follow your normal morning styling routine without the need to wash or rinse.
Why we love it:
This is like a night-time skincare step for your hair! There's no need to rinse this off in the morning and you wake up with with hair that has a glossy shine and feels stronger. What’s not to like?
