Ok, ladies, listen up. We’ve been hearing about how so many women struggle to find the right hair care products, not only because the exceptionally vast hair care market now provides more choice than ever before, but also because it can be confusing to figure out which formulas are actually capable of catering to the unique needs of your hair.
The good news? All of that confusion is about to come to an end. Read on as Nubi talks through the top hair care products that every woman needs in her routine, along with how to ensure that each product you pick is going to be suitable for your locks.
A Shampoo and Conditioner
It goes without saying that every woman needs a shampoo and conditioner she can rely on! However, pick the wrong formulas and you won’t be doing your mane any favors.
Always prioritize your hair type when picking these essential products. If your hair is fine or thin, you would be best off looking for a volumizing shampoo, along with a lightweight conditioner that won’t weigh your strands down. Meanwhile, wavy and curly hair would benefit from a moisturizing shampoo, as well as a richer conditioner. The thicker and curlier your hair is, the thicker your conditioner should be.
Of course, there are other factors to consider too. If you have color-treated hair, you’ll need a gentle shampoo that won’t strip that dye off. Meanwhile, if your scalp is sensitive, you’ll need a super gentle, fragrance-free duo that will wash and condition your strands without causing any irritation.
A Clarifying Shampoo
While many would agree that a clarifying shampoo is one of the top hair care products to have around, not everyone shares this opinion. Why? Because, unlike a regular shampoo, this isn’t a product that everybody needs, yet for some, it can be a huge game-changer.
Clarifying shampoos offer a more intense cleanse than a regular shampoo. They’re great for removing product buildup, making them useful if you often use styling products, like sprays, mousses, or gels.
They can remove buildup from other things too, like chlorine after swimming or the mineral deposits that come from washing hair in hard water. While clarifying shampoos are best avoided if your hair is particularly dry or damaged, they can do a world of good for other hair types when used occasionally.
A Scalp Scrub
Chances are that you regularly exfoliate your face and body, but what about your scalp? Just like your face/body, your scalp is covered with skin, meaning that it can really benefit from being regularly exfoliated.
Thankfully, scalp care has been trending lately. More and more people are now aware of how scalp scrubs are one of the top hair care products around. After all, your hair grows from your scalp, so keeping your scalp healthy will do the same for your strands.
In addition to considering your hair type when choosing a scalp scrub, your scalp type should also be factored in. The thicker your hair, the more robust your exfoliator can be, but go with one that contains plenty of moisturizing ingredients if your scalp is dry or sensitive. Meanwhile, those with an oily scalp would benefit from a scrub that contains clarifying ingredients, like tea tree oil or clay.
A Hair Mask
Do you really need a hair mask if you’re already conditioning your hair each time you shampoo it? While it’s not absolutely essential, hair masks are more intense than regular conditioners. This can make them extremely useful for dealing with certain hair issues, like frizz, dryness, and damage.
Again, a hair mask is another product that’s better suited to some hair types than others. Wavy and curly locks tend to experience dryness more than fine/thin hair, making hair masks most beneficial for those hair types. With that said, if you have thin or oily hair, you could still use a hair mask occasionally too – simply pick one that’s not too heavy and don’t use it too often!
A Heat Protectant
It goes without saying that if you heat style your hair, you’ll be subjecting your hair to potential heat damage. Yes, some heated styling tools, like the Nubi Soft N’ Straight 1.25” Ceramic Purple Styler, are designed to keep the appearance of heat damage to a minimum. However, even then, heat should never be applied to your hair without first using a heat protectant.
A heat protectant is a product that coats your strands with a protective layer. When heat is later applied, that protective layer takes the majority of the damage, saving your strands from sizzling and burning.
Heat protectants are available in many forms. Sprays are the best option for thin or fine hair due to how light they are. On the other hand, if you have thick or dry hair, a cream or a serum would be a better choice as they’ll also provide an additional boost of moisture.
A High-Quality Hair Dryer
While some people may consider a hair dryer to be a styling product, rather than a hair care product, we’re adamant that a good hair dryer is one of the top hair care products to have in your arsenal. Yes, using a hair dryer means applying heat to your hair, but studies have found that blow-drying your locks once they’re about 80% dry is much safer for your strands than allowing them to fully air dry. In the end, the longer your hair remains wet for, the more damage it undergoes. Blow drying your hair shortens that ‘wet’ time, resulting in a mane that feels much healthier.
How do you pick a high-quality hair dryer? This time, rather than considering your hair type, take a look at the various features on offer. The best hair dryers will come with a powerful motor, a choice of heat levels, and a couple of concentrator attachments. Nubi’s own Blow Me Away hair dryer has all of that and more, which is why this is a model that even professional stylists rave about.
A Hair Oil
If you’ve always avoided hair oils because your hair is already oily enough, you might be wondering why we’ve included a hair oil on our list of top hair care products. Well, many may be surprised to realize that a hair oil can benefit all hair types. The moisture that they provide, along with the environmental protection and boost in shine, is something that’s usually appreciated by everyone!
The key is to pick the right hair oil for your hair type. If your hair is fine or oily, use a lightweight, non-greasy oil, like jojoba or argan. Save your hair oil for the ends of your hair since this is the only part that really needs the extra moisture. If your hair is quite dry, thick, or frizzy, go with a richer oil, like coconut or avocado. Experiment with applying the oil to your mid-lengths as well as your ends, since your hair will likely be drier.
A Detangling Brush
In an ideal world, tangles wouldn’t exist! Unfortunately, for many, this isn’t the case, making a detangling brush one of the top hair care products to have.
Why can’t you just use a regular hairbrush to detangle? You could, but you’re likely to end up with more breakages. The bristles on a detangling brush are designed to be more flexible. This means that they won’t catch on your hair when you run your brush through a knot. Instead, they’ll release your hair before any snapping occurs, making it much easier to work through those tangles.
A Dry Shampoo
A dry shampoo can be a godsend on busy days, especially if your hair is naturally quite greasy. While a dry shampoo isn’t a full replacement for a regular shampoo, this product will buy you some time in between wash days.
Dry shampoos work by absorbing excess oil from the hair. This prevents that oil from weighing strands down and leaving the hair looking dull and limp. By applying a dry shampoo, you’ll be able to give your roots a lift while de-greasing the look of your hair.
Silk Hair Ties
If you have long hair, then you probably have a vast collection of different hair accessories, including a selection of hair ties. More often than not, the elastic that makes up a hair tie is covered with cotton or another similar material. While this gives the hair tie a good grip, it also causes friction against your strands. The more you use a tight cotton-coated elastic hair tie, the more you’ll experience breakages and frizz.
What’s the alternative? Silk, or even satin. You’ve probably heard hair pros recommending silk for a pillowcase material – the same applies for your choice of hair ties too. Silk reduces friction and is much gentler on the hair. It will also help to maintain your hair’s hydration levels and won’t leave your locks looking bent or kinked once you release your hair from your hair tie.
A Hairspray
Last but not least, let’s talk about hairsprays. While many would argue that these are styling products and not hair care products, some hairsprays go above and beyond, and these are the formulas that you need in your hair care stash.
When choosing a hairspray, don’t focus solely on hold. Instead, take a look at the other beneficial ingredients that a hairspray offers. Some will help with hydration, others provide nutrients, and a few even offer heat protection. Find a multi-purpose formula that cares for your hair while it locks your style in place, and you’ll be onto a winner!
The Top Hair Care Products to Add to Your Routine
While you won’t need all of the hair care products we’ve featured above, have a good look through that list to determine which of those products your hair would most benefit from. Revamping your hair care routine every once in a while to ensure that it meets the ever-changing needs of your locks will go a long way in keeping your strands looking and feeling their best.
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