What product has made the biggest difference to your hair?

I’m curious to hear your hair saviors — I can’t pinpoint one that I feel like is just above and beyond. Dry shampoo… as a product type?

— Christine

20 Comments

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Mariella Avatar

Besides my CHI flat iron, you mean???? Hmmm – it’s a toss up between AG Firewall flat iron spray (the only flat iron/heat protectant spray I’ve tried that is any good) and one of the various hair oils or serums I rely on for smoothing my hair, making it soft and silky.

estrychalski Avatar

Lush jasmine and henna hair mask and Wawaza funori, a seaweed shampoo conditioner. First I use a clarifying shampoo, then I put funori on and leave for 5 min. I use my normal leave ins- silicone free. That night I sleep in the lush mask with a shower cap and a towel on my pillow. The next morning shampoo and condition as normal as you have amazing hair for a week!

Stephanie Avatar

My hair is fine, but I have a lot of it, so it tends to get really dry really fast. Not to mention I color treat my hair and have for the last 25 years. Overall using a leave-in cream has done a lot to help maintain the health of my hair. I usually go for some knock-off version of It’s a 10 (Sally Beauty’s Generics line has a good dupe.) Even when I am not bleaching my hair I do an Olaplex session every couple of months as my hair LOVES that stuff.

Lately, though, one big game changer is hair oil. For about the past 10 months I will put hair oil on, focusing on my ends, before I pull my hair back loosely and go to bed. I use either Olaplex oil (infrequently) or Shu Uemura Camilla oil, the latter being my fave because of the light scent. When I wake up my hair is not greasy at all, and I can just zap my roots with some dry shampoo and be good to go. Shu also has a mink oil that might be richer, but right now I am happy with the one I use. 10/10 recommend.

Lily Kelley Avatar

I have fine, color treated hair that gets a bit dry at times and Sebastian Drench shampoo and the conditioner has kept my hair look and feel healthy. I also take daily hair vitamins.

Grace Avatar

When I was pregnant my hair got super greasy, and IGK First Class dry shampoo changed my life. It’s still my favorite dry shampoo, it’s great for adding texture and volume to my stringy greasy strands.

Seraphine Avatar

I’ve been using Pravana Intense Therapy Leave-In Treatment for many years, and just started using It’s a 10 Potion 10 Miracle Styling Potion several months ago at the advice of my hairdresser. I like both products, but I don’t think they make a “huge” difference. But the one thing that really did make a big difference in my hair was when I stopped blow-drying it. Now I let it dry naturally, then use the flat iron sparingly. My hair looks a lot healthier now. I have Olaplex 3 at home, but I’m too lazy to use it.

liz Avatar

Switching to a modified curly girl method SAVED my wavy hair texture. Going silicone-free really allowed me to get more moisture into my hair, and using mousses and gels keeps my waves intact for way longer. My current fav is the Cantu Wave Whip Curling Mousse. so lightweight but great hold.

Ana Maria Avatar

I definitely have the most boring hair care routine… but since I switched to unscented basic formulas like Paula’s Choice shampoo and conditioner, I never had hair issue.
In the past I would have said that my doctor prescribed shampoo saved me from itchy scalp and dandruff… but I don’t experience that anymore.

The most memorable big difference for my hair was discovering dry hair oils, the ones that don’t.ake my hair extra greasy. I love Verb Ghost Oil and the light version of Moroccanoil. Helps me a lot with my thin frizzy hair.

I’ve found good dry shampoos, but for me it’s something I try to avoid. And I wish to say that I discovered a miracle keratin treatment or Olaplex changed my hair… but they didn’t do anything for me.

Nancy T Avatar

The shampoo and conditioner combo I use has VASTLY improved my issues with scalp eczema: Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Oil and Lavender formula. Added plus? It smells awesome!
And now that I’m making yet another attempt to go “curly girl” because my hair texture changed dramatically after a major surgery for Crohn’s 13 years ago due to my losing much of my hair afterwards, it went from somewhat wavy, humidity could make it frizz, but NOT curly to growing back quite curly, I’ve been on a discovery trail for products that keep my curls nice. A few that I at least like, are: Shea Moisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration Leave-in Treatment w/Coconut Milk and Acacia Senegal, Beyond The Zone Noodle Head Kick Up Your Curls Curling Cream, and Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Boosting Mousse.

Genevieve Avatar

I have short, generally straight hair now coloured to my original hair shade. I still tend to get an oily scalp with dry ends. A couple of things have made a difference to my hair overall.
Firstly, when I get it coloured I have a sensitive mask added in to the mixture that stops my scalp getting itchy. I also use Sukin’s Sensitive Scalp Mask (for at least the first four washes and thereafter every second wash) to nourish my scalp and I find that that helps with the oiliness situation too.
Secondly, I only buy really good shampoos and conditioners and I vary them. Currently I am using Acure’s – a silicone free shampoo and conditioner, plus L’Oreal’s Professional Series Vitamino and Seryoxyl shampoo and conditioner as well.
I don’t use dry shampoos and very rarely use a hairdryer, as I prefer to dry my hair naturally.

Bibi Avatar

Olaplex!
Mostly the No. 3 Hair Perfecter that I use as a leave in conditioner twice weekly – but the entire line is fabulous! I am naturally a brunette but lighten my hair to platinum blonde. Prior to Olaplex all the harsh blonding chemicals would inevitably cause my hair to break or look fried. With Olaplex my hair doesn’t look damaged or snap off, I actually have healthy hair down to my shoulders.

Stephanie Avatar

Evolvh Instavolume Volumizing Mousse. One pump for my shoulder length bob is all that’s needed for outstanding body and volume in my fine, flat 2c curly hair. It actually makes it curlier!

Carrie Avatar

Everything I have ever tried from Virtue has been a total game changer for my dry, bleached, lifeless hair. When I tell you I have tried everything, I mean everything. I wish it weren’t so expensive but it’s more than worth it.

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