Have dry hair no more! Here is a step-by-step guide to nourished strands! This is an update to my 2023 post linked below as I have been using this routine for 2 years now and have soft shiny hair. Most of the products are the same, but I've refined the routine down. I have 3c hair texture that is super dry and while I have a lot of hair the texture is thin/fine. Having the right products is super important but if you don't know how to use them, you won't get the best results. Consistency is key! Say goodbye to dry hair with these hair care tips!
I wash my hair once a week on Mondays, I switched from Sundays a year ago as I thought why am I doing this on my day off from work that is supposed to be a rest day? The whole process takes me two hours so I was spending all day Sunday dreading having to do this. The reason it takes 2 hours is because I have a 10 minute pre-treatment. Then I wash in the next pre-retreatment and wait 10 minutes. Next I hop in the shower and do my normal shampoo/conditioner. Afterwards I sit on the couch with a heatcap to steam my hair for 20 minutes so the conditioner can really sink in. Then I wash it out and do a post treatment and wait 10 minutes. Finally I blow dry and flatiron which takes 1 hour. I save long tiktoks during the week to watch during wash day. I'll share the latest bond repair products to hit the market which are my pre-treatments. All the products on this list I've bought on sale, some 50% off at Ulta.
My holy grail products from this list are the two Shu Uemura products on the bottom left of the picture above. They are incredible as a nightly treatment to moisturize and seal my ends. They are pricey but completely worth it! Virtue used to be my favorite hair line, but now it's Shu Uemura. Virtue's website is 25% off right now. It is a Japanese brand that is making luxurious cutting edge products with unique formulas & ingredients.
I follow two hair experts one a hairdresser and the other a hair trichologist (scalp expert) and their holy grail products that have gone viral on social media are the OGX coconut oil and the Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave-In Conditioner.
I ran out of space for all my beauty products under the sink in my bathroom so I got this over the door shelf for a closet.
Pre-wash Treatment
Not sure why their picture says new? I bought it two years ago and still using the same kit. It's a breakthrough hair treatment that delivers deep, lasting bond repair in an easy-to-use spray that actively repairs broken bonds to restore hair's structure. It was created by the original inventors of Olaplex. Spray product onto dry, unwashed hair until fully saturated. Leave on at least 10 minutes (Yes, you can sleep in it!). Then follow up with your normal shampoo routine. Do this before adding oil to your hair.
OGX Coconut Miracle Penetrating Oil
This is not pure coconut oil straight from the jar which would build up in your hair and would be more difficult to remove in the shower. This affordable product is made of silicones mixed with coconut oil so the silicone adds slip to assist with detangling the hair before shampooing. This is an essential step in my hair wash routine in the prevention of damage. It gives me amazing results! Coconut Oil penetrates directly into your hair shalt to help with protein loss and preventing an increase in porosity which is the quality of hair that absorbs and loses moisture quickly. Its been proven that coconut oil protects your hair by preventing damage and breakage, other types oils don't have all the same benefits of coconut oil.
To apply I rub oil between hands, then gently run my fingers through my hair. I only apply on my ends of my hair because that area of your hair is the weakest and needs the most protection. I evenly coat my hair with that oil. This leaves my hair silky and full of shine and has changed my hair for the better.
This pre-shampoo treatment helps to minimize breakage when I’m detangling my hair and helps to protect my fragile ends. You can also use it on vacation to protect your hair from swimming related damage. To sleep I wrap my hair up in a satin scarf so the oil in my hair doesn't ruin my satin pillowcase.
If this oil is too thick for your hair texture, OGX also has a serum and a mist that are lighter weight than this oil.
Fable & Mane Amla Soothing Serum
I've gone through three bottles of this! Amla oil is a natural remedy prepared from the fruit of the Indian gooseberry tree! I've seen Indian women use Amla oil on their scalp as it's a potent ayurvedic fruit rich in vitamin C to soothe itchy scalps. It also tames flyaways and keeps my scalp so nice and hydrated! I have hard water shower and this it really helps. My hair is always so shiny and manageable after using this.
I have been thinking about trying this next as it's a more affordable version of Amla oil.
Wash Day Routine
First I rinse out all the products in my hair and fully saturate my hair with water.
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Pre-Shampoo Treatment for Damaged Hair
This is a pre-shampoo treatment you apply to wet hair, lather, leave-in 5-10 minutes and rinse. It quickly repairs damaged hair and transforms dry damaged hair into shiny healthy hair. It helps strengthen even the most damaged hair.
Shampoo
Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo
Conditioner / Hair Mask
shu uemura Urban Moisture Deep Hydration Treatment Mask for Dry Hair
A deeply hydrating hair mask infused with Japanese-sourced moringa oil and red algae for intense nourishment and hydration, detangling, adding shine, and protecting against future dryness.
Virtue Restorative, Hydrating Treatment Hair Mask with Keratin
A nourishing, three-minute mask to instantly and intensely hydrate and repair hair back to health.
After Wash Treatment
Living Proof Triple Bond Complex Leave-in Hair Treatment
I've gone through four bottles of this! Since it's such a small container and I have a lot of hair. I only use it on the front third of my hair since that's the only section that I color. For my color treated hair it gives my hair more structure and shine. It's a leave in treatment that helps to strengthen your hair.
A weekly leave-in, repair treatment clinically proven to rebuild the structure of hair. This patent-pending technology makes hair 8x stronger, smoother and shinier after one use. The patent is still pending on the technology on this product so they don’t disclose how the bond builder is working. To use you shampoo and condition as usual, squeeze out the excess water, start with 2-5 pumps and leave in. Start from the ends up so its focused on the areas of your hair that need it most. For best results wait 10 minutes before applying any other products to allow this product to penetrate the hair’s cortex. As I’ve continued to use this, I have noticed a significant improvement in my hair. It is also a heat protectant for up to 450F.
I can’t say if this is better than K18 but it’s more affordable at $45 for 1.5 oz while K18 is $75 for the same size. I've rebought Living Proof 4x! Ulta always has it in it's 21 days of beauty for 50% off. This is similar to Olaplex No. 3 and K18 but their applications methods were just not convenient for me.
Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Frizz Reduction & Heat Protectant Hair Oil
I put this on my ends and all the rest of my hair that I didn't put the Living Proof on. A weightless styling oil for maximum shine, softness, and color vibrancy. Protects against damage, frizz, and heat for sleek, healthy-looking styles. Their patented technology is proven to repair damage by relinking broken disulfide bonds.
Heat Protectant
Protecting your hair from the damage of the heat from a blow-dryer or flat iron are an absolute. You only need a pea size amount of product, rub it together in your hands so you don't get one big clump going on your hair, this way you get evenly spread coverage. Start at your ends and work your way up. Then use a wet brush to spread the product throughout your hair. A lot of products say they have heat protectant, but when a product does many things, it can't be the best at heat protectant. Hence your heat protectant should specifically say it protects up to 450 degrees if you’re using a flat iron.
Redken Frizz Dismiss Rebel Tame Heat Protectant Leave In-Cream protects from heat up to 450 degrees. Specifically formulated for flat irons. This is a thick creamy formula.
TRESemmé, Keratin Smooth Heat Protect Spray
This is a spray that also protects from heat up to 450 degrees. It's made with argan oil.
Styling
Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave-In Conditioner A multitasking, leave-in treatment that primes hair for heat, detangles, protects from damage, and adds shine from root to tip. I don't use this for heat protectant but mainly for detangling after washing and to seal in moisture from my conditioner. If you buy one product from this list, you should buy this product. It has so many incredible ingredients such as olive oil and camelina oil, but the second ingredient is coconut oil which helps to add shine and softness and help to prevent protein loss. If you have hair that is really dry and tangled, this is a dream as it locks in moisture. This should only be used on wet hair and spray a lot, like 15 times, mostly on the ends of my hair and mid-section. Super important to apply this product in sections that will ensure that hair is evenly coated as possible so I’m able to detangle without breakage.
Leave in Conditioner
shu uemura Essence Absolue Nourishing Overnight Hair Serum
A nourishing overnight serum remastered with Japanese red camellia oil that hydrates hair. I got it as a sample in a sephora and order and now I love this product! It has a really nice floral scent. This is going to give you bounce and luxurious hair and help with split ends. This serum is really making a difference in terms of replenishing my hair's moisture content.
Virtue Strengthening Split End Hair Repair Serum Treatment
A creme-serum with rich hydrating ingredients that protect from heat styling.
If you want a more affordable option, I went through two bottles of this in the past. And I also bought this but it was a little too light for me.
Hair Oil
Moroccanoil Original Treatment
I only use this once a week to seal my ends after I dry my hair. It's a nice hair polisher. It smooths frizz, detangles, conditions, protects against thermal damage, and increases shine. The ingredients are just argan oil and some silicones.
shu uemura Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Hair Oil
A lightweight multi-benefit hair oil, infused with Japanese-sourced red camellia oil, that nourishes, enhances shine, reduces frizz, and protect against heat up to 450°F. The ingredients are just red camellia oil and some silicones. I love this product!
Virtue Hydrating Healing Hair Oil
A lightweight fast-absorbing hair oil that smooths and protects dry, damaged hair, giving hair its healthiest shine. This has Coconut Oil, Tahitian Gardenia Flower Extract, and Kalahari Melon Seed Oil from South Africa.
Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil
A luxuriously light, multiuse oil that absorbs quickly, adding shine, hydration, and silkiness to hair without weighing it down. Made with Argan and Jasmine Oils, Sandalwood Extract, Shea Butter, fruit extracts, Murumuru Seed Butter, and Olive Oil.
Post Gym
OUIDAD No Sweat Post- Workout Mist
Invisible no-rinse formula infused with apple cider vinegar and volcanic ash to eliminate sweat and salt buildup. Refreshes curls, eliminates odors, and balances the scalp.
I spray this on my face before I workout. It's made with Hypochlorous Acid which prevents acne from sweat buildup. One bottle has lasted me two years as I don't remember to use it daily. When I'm done with this I want to try out this version.
Gloss (optional)
An at-home glossing service with Glycolic acid, delivers 8x smoother hair and up to five days of intense glass shine for shinier hair. This is a rinse out hair mask
Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Hair Cream
A high-gloss, leave-in conditioner designed for medium to thick hair that moisturizes and tames frizz.
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My Favorite Products for Dry or Damaged Hair
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