You thought the pace of skincare development was impressive? Haircare and styling products with clever new attributes are landing on shelves with equal pace and serve to meet the specific demands of a wider number of hair types and lifestyles than previously. So whether you are a high maintenance heat-styling devotee or a wash-and-wear type, there are solutions to suit.
There’s an equal split between formulation and technology upgrades for familiar favorites like shampoo and conditioner, and completely new products that provide new solutions to long-held texture and styling challenges. A particular focus are products that keep your hair healthy and holding its shape and style, for longer, so there’s less effort required in the meantime.
MODERN CLEANSING – JVN Embody Daily Volumizing Shampoo
Sugarcane derived Hemisqualane is the hero of Jonathan Van Ness’ new haircare line, the lightweight slip-giving molecule features in each product to improve texture, shine and strength instantly and over time, without weighing the hair down. There are three shampoo and conditioner duos designed for volumising, hydrating or strengthening hair as a mask
BOND REPAIRING SERUM – Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum
Olaplex is well known for its salon treatments that are said to repair the hair’s bonds, broken thanks to damage and colouring processes. Now there’s a leave-in serum for daily home use that furthers that aim. Applied through lengths of towel-dried hair, it protects against further damage from heat tools and simple daily stresses like brushing, as well as defining curls, adding shine and minimising flyaways and static.
SOOTHE YOUR SCALP – Kevin Murphy Scalp Spa Serum
Itchy, dry scalp patches can be an infuriating irritation, so a soothing leave-on serum is a good place to start addressing the issue, along with regular shampoo and giving your scalp a good massage or scrub. The included Celery Seed Extract soothes and hydrates an itchy scalp and is intended to help regulate oil production in the area while rose flower and lavender oils provide further calming and nourishing benefits.
RED ALERT – Joico Colour Infuse RED Shampoo
Blondes grab the lion’s share of colour-correcting and depositing shampoos but if you’ve ever dyed your hair red, you’ll know it’s one of the trickiest hues to keep looking vibrant. Enter this shampoo and its matching conditioner, that instantly refresh red tones and enhances red highlights. The result means that salon-fresh look lasts longer and the health of your hair is protected so ends won’t dry out and look faded prematurely.
BLONDE SAVIOUR – Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Conditioner
With such a technical chemical process in lightening hair – and often resulting damage – experts spend a considerable amount of time on products to preserve its hue and health. While purple shampoos are common to counteract yellowing known as brassiness in blonde and grey hair, this conditioner goes one better, extending the colour balancing process while also nourishing and detangling.
BRILLIANT SHINE – Kérastase Chroma Absolu Soin Acide Chroma Gloss
Taking cues from the trend for salon treatments you can do at home, here’s an easy fluid to cream product that brings back beautifully glossy shine, in coloured and even in lightened hair. The new rinse-out treatment for colour-damaged hair softens, strengthens and seals the hair surface using lactic acid to dramatically enhance shine, preserve colour and reduce frizz.
QUICK REFRESH – KMS Conscious Style Cleansing Mist
Where common forms of spray-in dry shampoo often leave unwanted white residue, volume and texture, this new take on the idea has a ‘wet’ formula that cleanses the hair and scalp and adds essential hydration with an invisible finish. It leaves hair feeling soft and clean and it’s great to spritz in and give a little blast with a dryer for a refreshed look without having to do a full wash and condition.
STYLING VOLUME – Color Wow Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer
Hand in hand with the return of ‘supermodel’ blow dries, comes the return of mousse and foam volumisers. This company has gained a lot of attention as one of it’s key stylists, Chris Appleton, does Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian’s hair, both stars known for their covetable ‘dos. This product is a great starting point for a beautifully bouncy style before you blow dry, particularly if you have thin or fine hair. It also avoids salt or alcohol that can be drying in similar products.
THICKENING WONDER – De Lorenzo Elements Densify Thickening Gel Liquid
A lightweight styling spritz that gives medium hold and matte texture, it’s designed to use on damp hair before blow drying to help create the appearance of thicker hair, which is a win for those of use with sparse fine locks. Organic Basil Leaf Extract is included for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help promote healthy hair growth as well as lime oil that is beneficial for scalp health.
REVIVE COLOUR – Aveda Color Renewal Color & Shine Treatment
Instantly boost your colour and shine at home with this treatment that has shea butter and plant oils for deep conditioning. It tweaks your existing colour whether it’s been dyed or not, leaving it vibrant and expensive looking with a desirable dimensional hue. Choose from one of the four shades and apply to towel-dried hair. Wait 2-5 minutes, depending on desired intensity and rinse out for refreshed and shiny strands.
