I wash and blow-dry my hair every day. I heat style. I colour. I do every single thing that one shouldn’t do, if one wants to avoid dry and damaged hair. I even live in a cold, dry, windy city that wreaks havoc on even the healthiest of tresses.
Sigh.
But if I’ve learned anything about life, it’s that for every problem there is a solution, if you look hard enough. I have personally tried many different products and treatments for my straw-like hair, and I have found a number that have worked very well, at every price point, even in this season of discontent that we know as winter.
The DIY Treatment
If wintry weather has you housebound, you can still get great hair by using items you probably already have in your pantry! Try warming together – either in the microwave or on the stove – 1 tablespoon each of coconut oil and honey. Make sure it’s just warm, not hot! Massage the mixture into wet or dry hair and let it sit for at least 20 minutes. Shampoo and condition as you normally would, rinsing well.
The Drugstore Treatment
The Pantene 3-Minute Miracle has been around for a long time, and for good reason – it really works. It smells great, it works well even on the most damaged hair (read: mine), and it is available in drugstores at a low cost. It can even be used daily, which is a bonus during this season of static and easily-broken tresses.
The High-Quality Low-Priced Mask
I was persuaded to purchase Garnier’s Whole Blend Treatment Mask exclusively based on Dan Thompson’s review and I am so glad I did. I have become a convert! The percentage of natural ingredients and antioxidants in their products is similar to that of much more expensive formulations. I love getting salon-product results from a drugstore product, and I especially love the scent of the Coconut Water and Vanilla Milk Hydrating Mask.
The Pricey Product
Some products are more of an investment than others, and Don’t Despair, Repair! is an investment in time and money. Don’t expect amazing results after one use, but do expect incredible things when used over the course of six weeks. This is one of those situations where persistence pays off; use 1-2 times per week, bi-weekly, and you will see a huge difference in hair breakage, hydration, and manageability.
The Salon Treatment
My hair therapist (yes, that’s what I call her) turned me on to the wonder that is Olaplex, and I have never gone back. It’s a more expensive treatment, but a little goes a long way, and it is well worth the cost to have soft, healthy, manageable hair. The formulation also helps prevent colour fade – so it’s also great for the summer months when sunshine takes its toll on hair colour. The trick is in the application: Olaplex must be applied to damp, towel-dried hair, so it isn’t something that can be used while showering. It starts working after the first application, making that extra step worthwhile.
Printer-friendly version