"Does hair care actually work?"
How to piss off a room full of haircare experts in five simple words....
Last week I did some consultancy for a haircare brand. After introductions, and some chit chat about new launches, packaging and the inventive new ways these scientists were trying to fix our hair woes, they asked this question: “What hair care product do you really rate?”
I was genuinely stumped, so I replied with a question for them: “Does hair care actually work?” Then followed this up with “I can only think of like five hair care products that actually deliver what they promise.” The room fell silent. Awks AF.
Perhaps calling BS on the hair care industry in a room of, um, the hair care industry people wasn’t my best move. It was also incorrect; there are more than five, it’s probably more like, y’know nine.
Either way, on the bus ride home I started to mentally craft that list of the hair care products that I think genuinely work. And here they are…
1.Living Proof Detox Clarifying Detox Shampoo
Once a week I use a detox shampoo, which is a deep cleansing shampoo. Since doing this I’ve noticed a difference with my scalp in terms of it feeling cleaner (ergo, giving the follicles room to work properly by removing grime and build up), it being less greasy, and less itchy too. Living Proof Detox Clarifying Detox Shampoo is the best I’ve used because it doesn’t strip hair colour, or make your hair knotty like many detox shampoos do, it’s Keratin treatment safe and it doesn't contain salicylic acid either, so if you’re an extension wearer like me, it won't dissolve your bonds - which has happened EVERY time i’ve used a detox shampoo.
2.Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Oil
Pretty much every hair oil I’ve used has made my very fine hair greasy, apart from Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Oil. A bottle lasts me a year as you just need a tiny bit, and it makes your hair softer, and easier to brush too. It’s the best - that’s all I have to say.
3. Sam McKnight Happy Endings
I don’t want to overcomplicate your hair care routine, but if you have dry or damaged hair then this is a must-have. Leave-in conditioner flattens my fine hair and makes it greasy, so this kind of ‘hair moisturiser’ that is way lighter and much easier to use on the ends that can get a bit dry and crispy. The mini is great to pop in a handbag and it also acts as a bit of a styling cream too. It’s great on all hair types….