From salty sea swims to sun damage, by the time autumn rolls around, our poor gruaig is in serious need of some TLC, preferably the DIY kind.
In any case, those darker evenings are perfect for a little at-home pampering so now is the time to gather the goodies you need to create your own little hair spa in the shower.
Here are five hair-related innovations to stock up on this weekend:
1. A metal detox for stressed-out strands
In a major breakthrough for scientists, L’Oréal Professionnel has created a molecule (seven years in the making) that targets the metal found in our hair, deposited there from the copper in our water pipes.
“Even the cleanest, purest water that comes through a tap contains metal because of pipe erosion. However, wash after wash, copper can build up and accumulate inside the hair fibre which can make it more vulnerable to breakage during colour, balayage and lightening,” explains Charlotte Feltin.Head of L’Oréal Haircare Laboratories.
“When the excess copper meets the oxidant (the hydrogen peroxide that activates the dyes), there is an increase the risk of breakage.”
The brand’s new in-salon L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Pre-Treatment contains glicoamine, a small active chelating agent that is able to target copper particles.
Two at-home products, L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Shampoo and Detox Masque continue protecting the hair during washes.
Buy it: L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Shampoo and Detox Masque are
2. A weird and wonderful new detangler
It might look a bit odd, but the Manta Brush is the secret tool on the dressing tables and in the gym bags of glossy-haired folk the world over.
The brush was created by professional hairdresser Tim Binnington for his wife who, after a life-threatening illness, had lost her hair. As it grew back she wanted to treat it as gently as possible to minimise breakage.
The patented FLEXGUARD technology means each bristle on the Manta Brish has complete 360 motion to gently free knots. This means your hair never reaches the stress point where it breaks, meaning minimum damage and maximum shine.
It’s suitable for all hair types including fine, fragile, thick, curls, coils, children, men, and hair extension wearers.
Buy it: The Manta Brush is €28, available here.
3. That’s a wrap
Wrapping your hair instead of towel drying after washing is one of the best things you can do to prevent breakage.
Made in microfibre suede for friction-free drying with no dragging, the Seoulista Beauty Silky Locks Hair Wrap is super absorbent, lightweight,
100% recycled and fully recyclable… and it looks cute too.
Thanks to the rapid-dry material, each square inch holds close to 200,000 fibres to reduce drying time and preserve hair’s natural health, leaving it stronger and more manageable, with a beautiful silky feel.
It’s simple to use; simply wrap your wet hair, secure with the button at the back and get on with your routine. You can also use it with the brand’s excellent Glossy Locks™ Hair Mask, a drip-free concentrated fusion of antioxidant pomegranate, blueberry and rice bran leaves, nourishing camellia oil, argan oil and hydrolysed keratin and hydrating hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture.
Buy it: The Seoulista Beauty Silky Locks Hair Wrap (€19.80) and Glossy Locks Hair Mask (€15.14) are available from seoulistabeauty.com.
4. Something special for your neglected scalp
Gorgeous hair begins with a healthy scalp and Kevin Murphy’s SCALP.SPA WASH is a beauty boost everyone should have on their shower shelf.
A specially formulated shampoo that’s safe for all hair types, the formula is a blend of Celery Seed Extract to soothes and hydrate an irritated scalp, Micellar Water, which gently attracts and dissolves impurities without stripping the skin, and Rose Water to calm and condition.
Simply apply to wet hair, lather gently from root to tip, and rinse.
Buy it: Kevin Murphy SCALP.SPA WASH is €28 from kevinmurphystore.ie.
5. Fuzz off, facial hair
From hair care to hair removal… and a new Irish brand dedicated to keeping shaggy shins at bay, even when you’re too busy to hit the salon. HEIRE, (pronounced ‘hair’) is an at-home waxing solution from Ellen Kavanagh and Trish O’Brien, founders of the award-winning professional waxing brand, Waxperts.
For a limited time, you can get their debut three-step Hot Wax Kit for €18.99.
The kit can be used on the face (eyebrows, upper lip, facial hair) underarm, and bikini and includes salon-quality hot wax pellets you melt in your microwave. They also do a Strip Wax Kit for flexible, easy removal and it works on short hairs (1.5mm-3mm) with soothing oils from oats, coconut and rice.
Buy it: You can order now from heirewax.com.
