If you’re like me (and most people I know), then you’ve probably spent at least some part of the pandemic lockdown experimenting with at-home hair styling. Whether this means box dyes, bleaching, or extra heat styling, chances are good that your hair probably needs a little damage control by now.
3 Holy Grail Hair Repair Products That You Should Try
Since most salons are open again, you can always book an appointment with a professional. However, if you’re just looking for a few at-home fixes for stressed hair, then these three holy grail hair repair products might be just what you need.
1. Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector, $30
This has been considered a “holy grail” for hair repair for years (and with good reason!). The Olaplex system got famous in salons for its ability to transform brittle, frizzy, dull hair into a healthy, shiny, Pantene-commercial mane.
Olaplex No. 3 is strengthening and repairing the treatment mask. It contains a special molecule that works to not only make your hair feel stronger but protect it from the inside out.
I love Olaplex No. 3 because it gives immediate results (and who doesn’t love instant gratification?), but it also works over the long term to make my hair look and feel healthier overall.
It’s perfect for repairing damage from coloring, bleaching, UV rays, relaxers, and heat tools.
2. Lamellar Water
L’Oreal Paris Elvive 8 Second Wonder Water Lamellar, $9
Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Glass Hair Water 10 Second Liquid Rinse Out $8
When I first discovered lamellar water, I thought it was too good to be true. Most say that you only need to apply, massage, and immediately rinse to get silky, shiny, stronger hair.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that they really do work! The science behind them is interesting, but the short version is that it acts as a sort of protective top coat for your hair. Like how nail polish top coats can lend a little extra health and strength to brittle nails.
Lamellar water doesn’t offer a long-term solution to damage (it needs to be reapplied with every wash), but it’s a great way to get a quick boost of healthy shine. It’s also a good addition to any hair repair regimen because it helps to basically “fill in the gaps” of a damaged hair cuticle. This kind of protection helps your hair recover faster.
My favorite is the L’oreal Elvive 8 Second Wonder Water (According to my Amazon purchase history, I’ve gone through 20 bottles?!), but other brands like Garnier and Redken make similar products!
3. K18 Molecular Repair Leave-in Hair Mask, $75
K18 is another product that I was certain couldn’t possibly work as advertised, but again, I was happily wrong!
The product is a patented formula of peptides that actually reconnect broken keratin chains in your hair. This makes the hair smoother, stronger, softer, and bouncier. The best part is that the results don’t wash away the next time you shampoo, so it makes a lasting difference in the health of your hair.
Trust the process! They recommend not using conditioner and only using a very small amount of product, which probably sounds as scary to you as it did to me.
No conditioner on dry, damaged hair? I couldn’t imagine it. But, if you follow the directions and stay consistent, your hair will look and feel so much healthier that you won’t even mind not adding any conditioner to your wash days!
You may be interested: Summer 2022 Beauty Trends
Skip the DIY Hair Repair and Go For Professional Products
I’m not a fan of the DIY avocado-honey-yogurt-coconut oil concoctions that usually accompany at-home hair repair. They’re messy, unpredictable, and rarely deliver consistent results. Instead, I prefer to invest in these holy grail hair repair products to keep my hair looking and feeling healthy.
Do you have a favorite I didn’t mention? Tell me about it in the comments below!
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