My Current Hair Favorites: October 2024
Maintaining healthy, luscious hair is all about finding the right combination of products. Whether you want to add volume, restore moisture, or protect against daily damage, these products have become essentials in my haircare routine. Here's a breakdown of my current lineup, their key ingredients, and a little reminder about how often you should wash your hair to keep it in its best condition since this is a common question I get with my patients.
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1. Mise en Scène Perfect Hair Serum
This serum is a gem from the Korean brand Mise en Scène, known for its innovative approach to hair care. The brand has gained popularity for creating products focusing on repair and protection, especially for damaged hair. Their Perfect Hair Serum is enriched with argan oil, royal jelly, and rose water to nourish and restore hair deeply. It smooths out frizz while providing a silky finish, making it ideal for everyday use and styling. Special shoutout to Boris at Maeve in June Salon in the LES for this product recommendation- see him for a beautiful haircut!
How I use it: I apply 2-3 pumps to towel-dried hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. The serum detangles, adds shine, and smooths out frizz without leaving any greasy residue. I use it whenever I wash my hair or as a finishing touch when styling.
2. Kérastase Genesis Shampoo
The Genesis Shampoo is perfect for anyone dealing with weakened hair prone to falling due to breakage. Its key ingredients include ginger root extract and edelweiss native cells. Ginger root strengthens the hair fibers while promoting scalp health, and edelweiss extract protects hair from damage. This combo helps reduce hair fall while adding resilience to the strands. Caution: this is pricy!
How I use it: I use this shampoo 2-3 times a week, depending on how oily my scalp feels or if I’ve used many styling products. It has a gentle lather that cleanses natural oils without stripping, which prevents over-drying and smells great!
3. K18 Damage Shield Molecular Repair Conditioner
This conditioner works wonders by protecting and repairing hair at a molecular level. It contains the K18Peptide™, which repairs broken keratin chains in the hair to strengthen and smooth each strand. Unlike traditional conditioners that coat the hair's surface, the K18 Damage Shield penetrates deeply to reinforce hair health from the inside out. You know how I feel about K18— see my post about the infamous K18 Mask— this stuff works!
How I use it: I apply the K18 Damage Shield Conditioner after every wash, concentrating on the mid-lengths and ends. It’s lightweight, so it doesn't weigh down my hair, but it still provides that deep conditioning effect. I leave it on for about 2-3 minutes before rinsing, and my hair always feels smooth and strong after.
4. Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother (Leave-In)
Olaplex is well-known for its bond-repair technology, and No. 6 is a leave-in cream that hydrates, repairs and protects. It contains bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, a molecule that rebuilds broken hair bonds- I think you’re starting to see the theme here in terms of what I look for in hair care :) It also includes coconut oil and vitamin E to add extra moisture.
How I use it: I alternate between this and leave- ins in my rotation. After shampooing and conditioning, I apply a pea-sized amount to damp hair. It helps control frizz and makes my hair more manageable when blow-drying or air-drying.
5. L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray
This is an oldie, but a goodie. It felt wrong not to mention it because I use it so often. A true classic, L'Oreal Elnett provides a strong hold without making hair stiff or crunchy. It contains fine polymers that give long-lasting hold while allowing for brushable flexibility. I love its lightweight feel and how I can restyle my hair without flakiness or residue.
How I use it: I use this hairspray for finishing styles or updos. A light mist over my styled hair ensures everything stays in place. It’s versatile enough for both light hold and strong control, depending on how much you apply.
How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?
Washing frequency depends on your hair type and lifestyle. For fine or oily hair, washing every 1-2 days might be necessary to prevent buildup. Those with thicker or curly hair can wash 2-3 times weekly to maintain moisture balance. I wash my hair 2-3 times a week to allow my natural oils to nourish my strands without my scalp getting too oily.
If you use many styling products or exercise frequently, you may need to wash more often to keep your scalp clean and hair fresh. Pay attention to how your hair feels—if it’s greasy, weighed down, or itchy, it’s time for a wash. Gentle shampoos like Genesis can prevent over-drying, even if you wash more frequently. I am still working through a few dry shampoos before I recommend any- stay tuned!