While I’m the first person to admit I dread hair wash day, there are some haircare products that make the experience a little better. I’ve always wished I was one of those people who take genuine joy in a hot shower. Both J and my sister claim the shower is where they do their best thinking. For me, I need all of the distractions to make time go faster: podcasts, nice smelling products and making a mental to-do list for the second I’m free to the world outside our shower stall.
One thing I am truly passionate about? Hair health. A forever fan of everything beauty related, I have gone through many hair products, styles and colours in my life (don’t even ask about the short, home-dyed-black bob I went for after a particularly bad breakup in university). When it comes to hair colours, I’ve tried them all (just ask my long-time hair stylist Kelly). I was once very spontaneous in my hair decisions. One day in Chicago J was at work and I decided I was going brunette – from a beautiful lived-in blonde – that day. Guys, I had spent over a year getting back to my goal blonde, only to change my mind and be back at square one in a few short hours (it took two weeks before I was on the long journey back to blonde).
Moving to a new city two years ago, I spent a lot of time hopping salons in London, feeling more and more hopeless that I was bound to have brassy hair for life. Last July after another failed attempt at creamy, cool blonde, I vowed to take one year off hair services (colour, cuts, toning – everything). It comes as a surprise to no one that my experience was prolonged due to lockdown in the UK as a result of the pandemic. When I went back to the salon, I opted for a cut alone because guess what? I didn’t hate my lived-in blonde.
Fast forward one month and I’m in no rush to get colour in my hair. But when I do, I’ll be going back to my roots: my natural colour as my base with partial highlights. All this said, I do think hair is healthier with regular maintenance (trims!) and preventative care. Also, as every blonde knows: purple shampoo is crucial in keeping brassy tones at bay.
When it comes to the rest of the products in my arsenal, these are my tried-and-true products that promise strong, glossy strands:
Scalp Massager Shampoo Hair Brush
This may go down as my favourite Amazon purchase of the year. After listening to J complain about his dry scalp, we bought this shower brush that massages your scalp, acting as a gentle exfoliator, removing product build up and fighting against dandruff. The gentle silicone bristles gently massage your scalp, encouraging blood circulation and promotes growth to the area. If nothing else, it just feels like a proper treat. The Amazon reviews couldn’t rave enough about the efficacy of this brush, and now, I’m officially adding myself to the fan club.
Fanola No Yellow Shampoo
Anyone who has ever had blonde hair knows how crucial purple shampoo is. This Fanola No Yellow Shampoo is in my top three favourite Amazon finds of all time. While I’m not sure of the ingredients in this shampoo, I attribute my brass-free blonde to this product. In fact, when I was at the height of brassy hair, this purple shampoo really helped me clean up my strands. After a couple of washes, my blonde was beautifully creamy without a hint of orange. When it comes to my hair products, I try to stick to really high quality brands but this is the one shampoo where I just don’t ask questions. I make up for the drying nature of purple shampoo with a lineup of restorative and hydrating products.
Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Olaplex is probably the most-googled haircare product on the market. I remember when colourists first started using Olaplex in salons, I had so many questions about the mysterious hair tonic that promised to repair damage and strengthen hair. A sort of miracle product, I was ecstatic when the brand released at-home care. While this shampoo is relatively new to me, I always have an Olaplex product in my rotation whether it’s the shampoo, treatment or conditioner. I use the Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo every second wash and notice my hair feels stronger, smoother and less prone to frizz afterwards. I like to think of it as a perfectly-mixed cocktail of hair enhancers.
Briogeo Scalp Revival Micro-exfoliating Shampoo
Ok, I know three shampoos is a little excessive, but I really only use this one once a month to give my scalp a good breather. Initially purchased for J, I couldn’t help but try it after his rave review – and I’ve written about it on the blog before. Claiming there was a noticeable difference to the texture of his scalp after using the Briogeo Scalp Revival Micro-exfoliating Shampoo, I just had to try it for myself. The clever use of charcoal removes toxins and build-up from the scalp, making a noticeable difference in hair patterns and styling, and the vegetable-derived micro-exfoliators also feel so good when massaged into the scalp. Another great ingredient? The peppermint oil! Which leaves a slight tingling sensation after rinsing. I honestly feel like my scalp is properly cleansed, fresh and light. An added bonus? It literally smells like mint chocolate girl guide cookies.
Living Proof Restore Repair Mask
I’ll be honest, I don’t use this as much as I should, but it’s no fault of the product. For someone who hates washing her hair, adding another step to the routine can often seem daunting and this product needs to be applied to wet, clean hair, meaning it requires additional time to work its magic before it can be rinsed out. Often if I use this product, I’ll bypass my conditioner. I will say, however, that this mask has restored my hair multiples times on my journey back to blonde after multiple spontaneous brunette dye jobs. This mask is so good it feels rehabilitative for my hair. Ultra intensive, once you wash this out of your hair, you’ll notice it’s much softer and smooth thanks to an ‘invisble protective veil’ that coats each strand. It sounds strange, but I 100 per cent believe in it.
Kérastase Blond Absolu Cicaflash Conditioner
As you’ll see Kérastase is a recurring brand in my routine. All of their products are so effective and dreamy smelling. A luxurious and lightweight formula, this conditioner is perfect for blondes due to its purple hue and deep nourishing properties akin to a mask. With an ingredients list that includes hyaluronic acid and edelweiss flower, this conditioner replenishes bleached and brittle hair to be easier to style and effortlessly smooth. I think I will always have this product in my haircare rotation it’s that good. Of all my haircare products, I think this one takes top spot in terms of scent and hard working. It’s usually after this step that I gently wrap my hair in a microfiber towel to absorb as much water as possible.
Bumble & Bumble Save the Day Protective Fluid
I didn’t know post-shower products are meant to help detangle hair. For years I’d brush my hair out before applying these products, but I’ve recently discovered brushing is much easier once the products have had time to absorb. I have been using this Bumble & Bumble Save the Day Protective Fluid since I first started blogging, after my Chicago hair stylist encouraged me to try it. With camellia oil and UV filters this fluid not only restores hair but also protects it against heat damage and environmental aggressors. Something I never realised was necessary but makes total sense. Next, I’d like to try the Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Protective Primer to see how it stacks up against my OG favourite.
Moroccan Oil Treatment Light
Another product inspired by J’s haircare line up, I bought this treatment for him because he claims the Moroccan Oil Treatment literally changes his hair texture and workability. I’ve been addicted to argan oil since my family visited Morocco in 2016. We did a walking tour of the grand souk and a women’s cooperative that made argan oil. Around for centuries thanks to its healing properties, argan oil has been used to manage psoriasis and rosacea among other skin conditions. With anti-inflammatory properties, this oil is also incredibly restorative thanks to fatty acids – which restore damaged strands. I apply a small amount of this oil to the ends of my hair (and sometimes use it on dry hair to give a bit of texture!).
Kérastase Resistance Ciment Thermique
The final step in my haircare routine is a cult favourite heat protectant: Kérastase Resistance Ciment Thermique. Besides smelling like a literal dream, this protectant fluid is activated by applied heat, meaning it protects and repairs as a reaction to heat stylers. While I don’t usually blow dry my hair (I’m a huge proponent of air drying), I do use a straightener or curling iron 1-2 times a week so this product is a crucial step in maintaining hair health. The milk-like texture melts into your hair, repairing your strands from the inside out, rebuilding your hair and leaving a protective top-coat against heat stylers.
I wait to brush my hair until after these products have absorbed and I can see my hair beginning to dry at the ends. For the longest time I complained about the amount of hair I was losing during and post-shower, but I was really to blame. After much trial and error, I found this routine seemed to be the least damaging way of brushing my hair: once my hair begins to dry (supposedly this is when the weakest bonds are re-establishing themselves), I brush out my my strands, starting near the ends of my hair, working my way up to the roots. I make sure to be extra gentle because your hair is at its weakest when it’s wet.
While I’m always changing up my beauty routines, this hair routine has remained relatively the same for several months and I attribute my (mostly) healthy locks to it. How many products are in your haircare routine? What is your absolute desert-island product?
Krista Thurrott 