Salon-approved favourites for hydrated hair

Dry and damaged hair? These are our favourite products for hydrating hair, below.

Having a haircut is good for your health, according to research

Having a haircut is good for your health according to research.

That’s right, sitting in the salon chair doesn’t just give you a new look, it lifts your mood and helps you feel better about life in general.

A study by Tamika Roper and Dr. John Barry asked men and women about what they loved about going to the hairdresser. They found that a trip to the hairdressers could boost wellbeing in the same way as talking with friends or watching your favourite TV show.

It’s a really lovely bond between trusted hairstylist and customer, which adds to a feeling of being safe, as well as seen and heard, that boosts wellbeing.

Then there’s the added bonus of feeling good about our new look - we leave feeling like a different person, lighter, happier and healthier in mind.

Hydration hair heroes: our favourite moisture boosters

You don’t have to just accept dry and damaged hair as the norm. You can add moisture and hydrate your hair with our favourite products, below.

Fix dry hair with these stylist-approved products

If you’re never used hair oils, they are a really inexpensive way to add moisture and shine while strengthening the follicles to encourage growth.

They can also help repair dry, damaged hair, split ends and even dandruff. Here’s the main benefits of using hair oils:

Moisturising: Hair oils work by penetraing the hair shaft, giving a deep hit of hydrating and helping to repair dry and damaged hair. They also help to keep the mositure in, keeping your hair feeling extra soft.

Strengthening: Hair oils also strengthen the hair shaft, and this helps to make it less likely to suffer from breakage and split ends. Amazingly, they can even help reduce hair loss, promoting healthier looking, thicker hair. You’re basically giving your hair a good old drink with hair oils, and this can reduce friction when styling so hair appears smooth and glossy.

Promotes shine: Hair oils add shine and life to lacklustre, dry hair. They can make your hair texture feel softer, too.

Protection: Hair oils provide a protective barrier around the hair shaft, helping it stay protected from environmental damage like pollution, central heating and UV rays, as well as styling tools.

Budget-friendly products to revive dry and damaged hair

Having dry and damaged hair doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune on products to fix it.

In fact we’ve found some of the best brands that really work - all for under £20. Scroll through the gallery to see our recommendations.

FIx sun damaged hair with these four hair tricks

INVEST IN SOME LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER

Comb a restorative leave-in conditioner L'Oréal Paris Ever Strong Break Proof lotion in wet hair, then throw it up into a bun to create a barrier from UV rays and keep hair hydrated. Buy it here.

PROTECT WITH A HYDRATING HAIR MASK

The sun’s rays are harsher in the summer, so even if you aren’t outside every day, your hair can still get damaged when you are. Use a hair mask like Lóreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil Very Dry Hair Masque once a week to maintain moisture. Buy it here.

CUT BACK ON WASHING YOUR HAIR

The oil your hair naturally produces protects it from the sun, so you don’t want to over-wash during the warmer months. Instead of lathering up daily, use a dry shampoo like Batiste a couple times a week to give your hair a break. Buy it here.

SPRAY ON THE MOISTURE

Some styling products can give you those effortless beach hair waves. L'Oréal Paris Stylista The Beach Wave Mist Salt Spray creates texture while adding moisture back into the cuticle so your hair is less susceptible to the sun’s heat damage. Buy it here.

Fix swimming hair with these simple steps

Hot weather, chlorinated swimming pools and salty sea water can all wreak havoc with your hair, resulting in dry lengths, damaged ends and dull, faded colour.

So, how do you keep your hair looking full, shiny and healthy during the warmest months of the year? A few small tweaks to you everyday routine can make all the difference.

Don’t forget the SPF for your hair

UV rays can damage your hair as well as your skin. Investing in a hair protector that has UV filters has the same effect as sun cream, shielding the strands from harmful rays (which can break down the structure of your hair as well as fade any colour). 

Fight humidity with serum

Rising temperatures can leave any hair type frizzy and fluffy, and a good hair serum is the fastest way to restore order. The best hair serums will work to smooth frizz while also adding shine, making your hair look as healthy as can be. What’s more, today’s best options come with a whole host of added benefits, from colour-protecting ingredients to nourishing actives and deep-hydrating extracts.

Hydrate with a hair mask

Just like hydrating yourself with a glass of water (or a cool G&T), using a hair mask puts moisture back into the hair giving it a new lease of life. It also helps weakened hair follicles to regain strength and elasticity, helping to avoid further sun damage.

Give your scalp some TLC

Just like the skin on your face, your scalp can become dry and sensitive when it is exposed to the sun. You may even find your parting becomes pink and burnt if you leave it unprotected. Like your skin, you should treat your scalp to some extra TLC in the summer, using products that specifically address your issues. For instance, applying a weekly soothing scalp mask in the summer is a great way to calm and moisturise your scalp. Daily hydrating scalp toners can also be very beneficial – a healthy scalp is key to hair growth.

These are the best non-sticky hair mousse products we LOVE

Think hair mousse is for the 90s? Think again…

Remember when hair mousse used to try rock-hard in your hair and it would take loads of washes to get it out?!

Not any more, my friend! The latest formulas will leave curly hair sexy, not sticky. And they smell divine, too!

Here’s our pick of the best to try out yourself. Which is your favourite?

These are our favourite sea salt sprays for beautiful beach waves

If you love the way your hair looks on holiday then you need to invest in some sea salt spray for those effortless beachy waves. We’ve tracked down the ones that we think REALLY work…

These are our favourite hair products that really work

Fed up with expensive hair products that over-promise and under-deliver? We’ve tracked down the ones that we think REALLY work, from frizz busters and heat protectors to hydration boosters and thickening lotions.