If you’ve chopped and changed the hair products you use way too many times because you’re not really sure what you’re looking for, same.
Sometimes, the sheer thought of streamlining a haircare routine for my thick, long, coarse hair induces slight panic.
So to finesse this process, the first thing you (and I’m also looking at myself) need to decipher is, what are your hair goals?
Is it more hydration? Are you looking to add volume or are you on the hunt for the best curly hair products to support and style your dry or dull coils?
With the ‘Skinification’ of hair becoming a popular concept, setting your hair goals based on your hair’s specific needs is the best way to start a haircare routine that works in your favour.
Just like you would choose a targeted skincare product or ingredient to align with your specific skin needs, the same goes for your hair.
For example, one time I worked a hydrating product through my oily hair because I heard so many people rave about it and it completely weighed down my hair.
There wasn't anything wrong with the actual product per se, it just wasn't for me.
I’ve also started looking after my scalp health a lot more, and it’s definitely paid off.
As someone who gets a flaky scalp and often works a lot of oils and styling products through it, incorporating scalp products into my haircare routine has given the skin under my mane the care and healthy environment it deserves.
If you want help kick-starting your haircare routine, we’ve given you some simple hair care steps you can follow below.
Along with some product recommendations that will help you work smarter, not harder.
1. Cleanse and Condition.
The first step in your routine is of course washing with a shampoo suited to your specific hair concerns to rid your hair of dirt, oil and grit.
If like me, you like to do a double shampoo to help with removing any excess build up and helping with scalp health, then it’s also worth incorporating a scalp scrub or scalp serum into your routine, too.
Don't know where to start?
Here are some of our shampoo and conditioner recommendations for different hair goals...
For hydration try:
VIRTUE Recovery Shampoo 240ml:
Smells like caramel, will leave your hair feeling softer than a feather and also give it added shine (like it did mine as you can see in the picture above).
For volume try:
Pureology Pure Volume Shampoo:
We think AB customer Ally’s review says it all on this one:
“I have bought this shampoo in the 1L twice now, and love it. Having fine long hair, I always find it difficult to get body and volume - this shampoo gives it in spades and it smells amazing."
For curly hair try:
NAK Hair ORI Lab Curl Cleanse Shampoo 300ml:
A hydrating shampoo for curly hair.
Combining hyaluronic acid, rice proteins, and plant extracts, this shampoo has been specially formulated to cleanse curly hair without stripping it as well as supporting the natural bounce, movement and curl patterns of your hair. Is also silicone-free.
For scalp care try:
Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub:
Having already reached cult status (for very good reason) this scalp scrub detoxifies, purifies and restores balance to sensitive scalps. It also smells uh-mazing.
For a hydrating conditioner try:
Carries the same caramel scent as its shampoo counterpart and is designed to be used alongside your Viture Recovery shampoo.
For a conditioner for curly hair try:
R+Co RAINLESS Dry Cleansing Conditioner 147 mL:
A hair mist that smooths and gives waves and curls a hydrated refresh.
2. Prep and Protect.
This is where your treatments and masks that are designed to target concerns like dryness, density and frizz come in.
There’s truly no better way to elevate a healthy hair routine than incorporating a specific treatment, hair oil or hydrating hair mask to restore vibrancy to dull, lacklustre hair.
Personally, I’ve started using masks in place of a conditioner for my thick, coarse and sometimes dry hair.
I’ll usually apply my hair mask every few days or once a week (depending on how much love I feel like my hair needs that week).
Bring your hair back to life with one of these hair masks and treatments...
For hair hydration try:
NAK Hair Replends Moisture Mask 150ml:
A hydrating hair mask that softens and can be used in place of a conditioner. Also adds shine and smooths the hair.
Has over 17 five star reviews on our site including this glowing one from AB customer Chelsea, “I have bleached blonde hair and I swim in the pool regularly, this mask has saved my hair! Use it monthly and always love the feeling of my hair after and it stays hydrated for weeks. Good value for money.”
Prefer a hair oil?
Try the Alfaparf Milano Semi di Lino Sublime Cristalli Liquidi Oil 50 ml which combines vitamin E and flaxseed oil to deliver shine, nourishment and helps smooth frizz and flyaways.
For volume try:
KEVIN.MURPHY Body.Mass:
A thickening, densifying leave- in treatment containing eyelash thickening technology as well as tripeptides, plant extracts and oleanolic acid to promote fuller hair.
For curly hair try:
Aveda Be Curly Curl Enhancing Lotion 200ml:
One of the best products for curly hair, this lotion intensifies curls, tames frizz and boosts shine.
For scalp care try:
STRAAND The Crown Fix Prebiotic Serum:
A scalp-stress serum that helps improve the scalp’s microbiome and also aids with dryness and itchiness.
If your scalp is stressed from heat styling, braiding, chemical bleaching or permanent colour treatment - give this a go.
3. Style and Finish.
If you want to polish off your customised hair routine with a styling tool and product, opting for ones that also align with your specific hair goals is key.
For hydration try:
ghd Duet 2-In-1 Hot Air Styler In Black:
Is a great hot tool for achieving a smooth finish when styling.
Pair with theKérastase Elixir Ultime Beautifying Hair Oil (a personal fave) and can also be used as a hair hydration treatment both pre and post-styling.
Hair is left softer, sleeker and oh-so-shiny (I can 100% vouch for this).
For volume try:
The Dyson Airwrap - Those with thinner or limp hair, the Dyson Airwrap will dry and style your hair for more volume from the root.
If you want to see the power of the Dyson Airwrap check out Megan's review (and voluminous hair) here.
You may also want to consider adding a hair supplement to support your hair volume journey.
For curly hair try:
The best hair care routine for curly hair always includes a diffuser (not talking about the makeshift colander version you’ve been seeing on TikTok).
Try the Muk Blow Diffuser with the Muk Blow 3900IR Dryer Rose Goldfor defining your curls.
Style with the Color WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray Curly - This popular and award-winning humidity-proofer also comes in a version specifically designed for curls.
And stay tuned friends, because we’ll be covering more elaborate and follow up hair health stories on Beauty IQ in future…
