When it comes to having great hair, it isn’t the number of products you need to use, but the quality. That’s why my recommendations for the best hair products you need for great hair are a few high-quality products that you should consistently use. Since starting my early beauty career days in the hair industry, I always stand by higher-end products because they have better ingredients and better research and development done. Then moving on to skincare and makeup with the many in-person trainings I had back in for brands like Dior, Chanel, Guerlain, Shiseido, and more, I’ve come to really understand why prices are higher for these products – and it’s not only because of their prestige names. The same goes for salon-grade or professional haircare products. And although it may have a higher price tag, you’re paying for better quality, cleaner ingredients, and efficacy – it’s also an investment in self-care.
If you don’t currently have a haircare routine you follow, the below hair products might be good to have to get you started on the path to great hair.
1 – Professional Salon-Grade Shampoo and Conditioner
To keep your hair strong, healthy, and hydrated, always use shampoo and conditioner! You can also use a detox or clarifying shampoo such as the Ouai Detox Shampoo once a week to clear out any residue in your hair when you use dry shampoo, hair spray, and other haircare products. Although drugstore and professional, salon-grade shampoos and conditioners are both designed to wash your hair and scalp, may have similar ingredients, and technically do the same thing, the results can be quite different. I used to use drugstore brands like Fructis, Herbal Essences, and Pantene Pro-V, but ever since using professional haircare products, I found that my hair is much healthier, shinier, smoother, and softer. Plus, they helped repair my hair greatly especially when I colored my hair or had a lot of breakages. You don’t have to take my word for it, but I would recommend trying them for yourself to see how much of a difference and improvement you can get from using better quality products. If you’re just getting started and want to get healthier hair, these are The Best Olaplex Products For Beautiful Healthy Hair.
2 – A Good Hairbrush
After you shampoo and condition your hair, you’ll want to make sure your hair is soft and smooth and free of tangles. My hair gets tangled up so much that I end up accidentally pulling out a bunch when I try to detangle it. Since I switched over to using the Wet Brush years ago, it’s made a world of a difference in easily detangling my hair and prepping my hair for the next step. They also have one that you can use in the shower if you like to brush right after you conditioner your hair – I do sometimes and it helps a lot! Trust me, getting a really good hair brush is definitely one of the hair products you need for great hair and I’ve gifted a few of these and everyone has ended up loving it. If you’re looking for other types of hairbrushes, it’s good to choose one with ceramic and/or tourmaline to better help smooth and dry your hair faster.
3 – Leave-In Treatment
To keep my hair extra healthy, smooth, and frizz-free, I like to either use a leave-in conditioner, hair mask, or bond smoother once every couple of days alternately, depending on what my hair needs are. Choose the right product for you but these are all products that can really help with beautiful hair. My favorite choices are the K18 Leave-In Molecular Hair Mask, Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother, or the Ouai Leave-In Conditioner.
4 – Flatiron
A flatiron is not only great for styling straight, wavy, or curly hair, but it’s great for fixing any last-minute imperfections. If you plan to have one hairstyling tool (besides a blowdryer), a flatiron is absolutely the best hair product you need for great hair since it’s such a versatile tool and you can create multiple hairstyles easily. I personally like the GHD, T3, Paul Mitchell or the CHI brands. Don’t forget, you’ll also want one with ceramic and tourmaline as I mentioned with the hairbrushes above as they help hold heat longer, is less damaging, reduces frizz, and even makes your hair shiny. You can also choose a titanium flatiron if you have thick, coarse hair plus it heats up faster.
5 – Dry Shampoo
If you don’t wash your hair every day, using dry shampoo is a good option to refresh your hair and keep it clean before your next wash. It helps absorb oil and dirt from the scalp and with lessening the number of shampoos in a week, you’ll also have less heat damage to your hair and less dryness. My favorite dry shampoo so far has been the IGK First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo and it absorbs any kind of oil extremely well and adds volume to the hair. This also comes in as a lifesaver especially when you don’t have a lot of time and can extend your hairstyle for another day or two. Just remember to use a detox or clarifying shampoo once in a while to clear any buildup from these products!
6 – Texture Spray
Another hair product I’d recommend for great hair is using a texture spray. Like dry shampoo, it refreshes your hairdo, adds volume and texture, as well as gives it life again. If you don’t want to use dry shampoo, a texture spray is a great and light option for a quick refresh. This is especially useful when you have styled hair that requires volume and you want to refresh it for its second or third day or to provide a little more shape and hold to your just-done hairdo. I like the Navy Haircare Pebble Beach Dry Texture Spray, Verb Volume Dry Texture Spray and the Shu Uemura Wata Wave Texturizing Spray.
7 – Silk Pillowcase
One item that will keep your hair beautiful, healthy, and looking great in the morning is using a silk pillowcase! I found that when I used a cotton pillowcase, my hair would be all bent out of shape in the morning especially if it was slightly damp the night before. Ever since using a silk pillowcase, my hair has stayed straight and smooth even when damp. Plus it’s much better for your skin and hair since it actually helps retain moisture, is cooling, and reduce friction that can cause breakage and even tangles. I got mine from China when my parents visited a silk factory, but a couple of popular ones are the Blissy Silk Pillowcase and the Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase.
If you’re not looking to do a lot to your hair, but want to maintain its health and beauty, don’t go without these 7 products you need for great hair.
For more on hair, read The Ultimate Guide To Getting Healthy Hair.