Have you ever wondered what exactly hair serum is and how it works? How about what the difference is between serum and hair oil? The best way to use your shampoo and conditioner to keep your ‘do fresh?

Your hair products are the first and most important step to achieving a desired look or hairstyle. Without the correct hair care products, you can kiss that beachy boho look or sleek chignon goodbye!

In this blog post, we’re going back to basics to give you the run down on everyday hair products every girl should have and know how to use to its fullest potential, to ensure lovely locks and healthy hair.

1. Shampoo – are you using the right one?

We all know what shampoo is – simply put, it cleanses the hair. But here’s where it gets tricky: there are tons of different types of shampoos out there. From clarifying shampoo to volumizing shampoo, straightening and smoothing, sulfate-free, and shampoos for color treated hair, it’s important to choose the type of shampoo that is best suited for your hair.

CLARIFYING SHAMPOO

Clarifying shampoo roughens up the hair cuticle and gets the roots extra squeaky clean. This can be used when you feel that there is too much product buildup in your hair or before getting a chemical treatment done like coloring or perming.

VOLUMIZING SHAMPOO

This kind of shampoo is designed to open up the hair cuticle and make it thicker, however, in order to get your hair nice and fluffy, try to pick a shampoo with a lightweight conditioning ingredient that rinses off well and doesn’t weigh the hair down.

SMOOTHING SHAMPOO

Shampoos that straighten and smooth the hair usually have silicone or oil in them to coat the hair strands. When the hair is styled with a straightener, the result is magical!

SHAMPOO FOR COLORED HAIR

If your hair is colored, we recommend to go for a shampoo specifically designed for color treated hair. Check the product’s pH level and ensure that it is between 4.5-5.5 to prevent color from fading. Great hair products for dyed hair will also include ingredients like oils, sea kelp or algae, in order to lock in color.

SULFATE-FREE SHAMPOO

Alcohol and sulfate-free shampoos are our favorite! Sulfates are detergents with long names that we can’t even pronounce. While sulfate-based shampoos are great for cleaning oil and dirt from your hair, they can seriously dry out your hair and cause damage like split ends. We prefer things au natural. Organic and sulfate-free hair products can lock in moisture and natural (good) oils, retain hair dye, and reduce scalp irritation.

Whichever shampoo you choose, be sure that it’s right for the texture of your hair. If you choose a shampoo that’s too clarifying, you could strip the hair of its natural oils, and lead to additional oil being produced. If you choose a shampoo that’s too moisturizing, you could end up with product buildup at the scalp. If you’re not sure what type of hair you have, you can always consult your hair stylist for a recommendation.

Also, be sure to choose two “go-to” shampoos that both have different ingredients and benefits to rotate between, to maintain balance in your hair. Switch your shampoo every 4 to 5 washes to remove product buildup and restore cleanliness to your hair shafts.

2. Conditioner

Hair conditioner is designed to smoothen, restore moisture, and help you say goodbye to frizzy hair. There are three main types of conditioners you can use to reach Rapunzel level #hairgoals.

RINSE-OUT CONDITIONER

Rinse-out conditioners are the most common type of conditioner, worked through the ends of your hair, left in for a few minutes, and rinsed out. Avoid applying conditioner to the roots of your hair, as this could result in extra buildup and weigh the hair down.

LEAVE IN CONDITIONER

Leave in conditioners are great for smoothening and de-tangling. These conditioners are light-weight, and can be used as a styling product to get your tresses silky and glossy.

Hair masks or deep conditioners are perfect for repairing dry and damaged hair. Hair masks contain ingredients like waxes, oils and emulsifiers to get down to the root and repair the hair from its source. Most masks should be applied from root to tip and left in for at least 30 minutes before rinsing out thoroughly. Here are some DIY hair mask ideas.

Be sure to avoid the common mistake of only rinsing out half of the conditioner! We all love that glorious, silky, smooth feeling conditioners leave, however, this means you haven’t rinsed out all the product from your hair and you’re actually weighing your hair down!

3. Hair oils and serums

Hair oils are generally made from natural products that nourish the hair deeply. These have been long used, especially in South Asia, for healthy, shiny, strong, and long hair. – Different types of oil can be used to nourish your hair and lock in moisture. You can mix your own oils or purchase pre-mixed oil products from a beauty store or salon. Oils can be used before or after blow drying your hair for a sleek finish or as a pre-shampoo or overnight treatment. Use oil on dry or long hair.

The ingredients found in hair oils can penetrate the strands, nourishing and hydrating them from the inside. Moreover, hair oils can improve hair damage, including dryness, breakage, frizzing, split ends, and fraying. Choose hair oils if you want to treat your hair from the inside.

Serum has multiple uses. It is primarily used to give your hair a radiant shine and to prevent your hair from tangling and knotting. Serum is also used to prevent frizzing and to keep your hair smooth after a blow out. It is great for dry and damaged hair for shine and strength. This product should be used sparingly, as it easily builds up. It can only be removed by shampooing it out. A hair serum covers the outer surface of the hair and protects, provides shine, and smoothens the hair. It also hydrates the hair and prevents it from tangling and frizziness.

Depending on the formulation, a hair serum can also repair damage and provide protection from environmental pollutants.

4. Hair wax / Pomade

Hair wax, or pomade, is amazing for providing texture, smooth flyaways, and giving the hair extra hold for intricate hairstyles.  You can also mix a drop of hair oil with hair wax and work through your hair after styling to give extra gloss and hold.

5. Hair mousse

Do you love VOLUME in your hair? If you answered yes, this one’s for you! Hair mousse is amazing for providing extra lift and pizzazz to your hair. Work the mousse through towel dried hair with your fingers before blow drying, and watch your hair come to life! Hair mousse is available in different levels of hold, from volumizing mousse to styling mousse to give your hair the perfect finish. If you have curly hair, mousse can help you get more defined curls. Check out a video tutorial on how to style curly hair with mousse here:

6. Heat protectant spray

If you ever style your hair with hot tools (don’t we all though), heat protectant spray is an absolute must-have in order to protect your precious locks from the damage of direct heat being applied with a curling iron or hair straightener. Simply spray your hair from the middle to the ends before heat styling. Once styled, the product doesn’t leave any reside on your hair.

7. Sea Salt Scrub

We’re always talking about protecting your hair with a thermal protectant when using hot tools, rehydrating your hair with a hair mask & using products such as Argan oil to protect & seal those ends.
But what about our scalps? That’s where our hair grows from right?

We need to feed our scalps & nourish those roots, with just a once a week use of the SEA SALT SCRUB you’ll enjoy the benefits of SALT  as it’s a natural exfoliate removing dead skin & sebum build up. Too much sebum may result in undernourished roots as hair follicles are drowned in the oil they produce, this weakens the scalp & hair & can cause hair loss. Salt scrub cleanse stimulates circulation for a healthy scalp to promote hair growth. Restores hydration to the scalp, cleansing for the scalp & hair, giving your scalp that extra care.

9. Hairspray

“What gives a girl power and punch?” Hairspray! The uses are endless for this versatile product. It provides hold, sets style, tames flyaways, achieves volume, adds texture, and more. If you usually shy away from using hairspray because you feel that it roughens up or tangles your hair, you’re either using too much or holding it too close to your hair! Hold the spray above your head (about 8-10 inches) and let the product fall to your hair, rather than spraying it directly on. To smooth flyaways, spray some product on your hands, and then lightly smooth down any problematic hairs.

And there you go! With these products, you’ll never have a bad hair day again. What are you favorite go-to hair products?