I've been obsessed with haircare ever since I saw those Herbal Essences ads on TV. I knew then and there that I wanted each and every shampoo so I could choose a different one daily, depending on how I was feeling. I was ten years old. (I'm pretty sure I still have a scrapbooking page about this lying around somewhere.)
I'm a bit older than ten now, and I'd like to think I've matured. For one, I now stick to a single shampoo line. I've also come to realise that haircare goes beyond choosing different shampoos.
So, I thought I'd put together a little haircare to-do list: things I already swear by, alongside a few discoveries I'm excited to try. For every day, every week and every month, to give your locks the love they deserve.
Every Day
While I was racking my brain trying to decide what to include (because, let's be real, I don't know how to choose only three things), I decided to focus on tools rather than products for this section.
My thinking is a little backwards. Instead of recommending products that promise to repair damaged hair, I want to look at things that help prevent damage in the first place. After all, the less damage we cause, the less we have to worry about fixing.
Silk Pillowcase: Beauty Benefits While You Sleep
This is a new one for me, too. I've always found silk pillowcases quite pricey, which is why I haven't taken the plunge yet. But today is the day! In fact, looking for an affordable silk pillowcase is what set this entire post in motion.
The idea behind sleeping on silk is pretty simple. Its smooth surface can reduce friction against your hair as you move around in your sleep. In theory, this means less tangling, frizz and breakage, especially for hair that's already fragile or prone to damage. Think of it as a helpful preventative measure rather than a miracle solution.
What should you look for when buying a silk pillowcase?
Make sure you're buying actual silk. Satin isn't a fibre, but a type of weave. A pillowcase advertised as satin could still be made from polyester.
Look for 100% mulberry silk. This silk is produced by silkworms that feed on mulberry leaves. The resulting fibres are particularly fine and uniform, creating a smoother fabric, which is exactly what we're after in the first place.
Pay attention to momme. I kept running into this word while researching silk pillowcases. Momme measures the weight of silk fabric. Generally, the higher the number, the heavier and thicker the material. For a pillowcase, 19 momme is a perfectly fine choice. Higher momme weights may offer better durability, but I couldn't find convincing evidence that they provide better beauty benefits.
More expensive doesn't necessarily mean better. A higher price might get you better durability, but it doesn't automatically mean it's better for beauty purposes.
There's a silk pillowcase that I'm very excited about, which is this one on Amazon! I'll let you guys know how I like it after use.
Boar Bristle Hairbrush: Small Change, Lasting Impact
I wish I could go back in time and tell my younger self about this one. Investing in a good hairbrush has done so much for my hair. For me, switching to a boar bristle hairbrush was a real game changer.
Natural boar bristles help distribute your scalp's oils throughout your hair, making it feel smoother and look shinier. As someone with long, thick hair who previously used a Tangle Teezer, I've noticed a real difference in how soft and manageable my hair feels.
Another feature I love is a flexible brush head. When my brush encounters a tangle, it bends slightly instead of pulling rigidly against my hair. It makes brushing feel much gentler.
If you're looking for a new hairbrush, I'd recommend looking for natural boar bristles and a flexible back. The combination can help reduce unnecessary pulling and potentially prevent hair breakage.
The Nomad by Olivia Garden Club is an example of this kind of brush!
Hair Dryer: Is a Dyson Worth It?
I feel super spoiled saying this, but yes, I use a Dyson hair dryer. It's so lovely, and since switching, I've noticed my hair feels significantly less dry.
Before my Dyson, I had a €20 hair dryer. Both had adjustable heat settings, and I used them exactly the same way. Yet the difference in how my hair feels afterwards is enormous.
It turns out that how a hair dryer controls heat and airflow matters just as much as the temperature settings themselves. Dyson's intelligent heat control continuously monitors and regulates the air temperature, while its powerful airflow helps dry hair quickly without relying on extreme heat.
And that's important because excessive heat can damage the hair cuticle, leaving hair feeling dry and more prone to breakage.
What should you look for in a good hair dryer?
Active temperature regulation: Look for a dryer that monitors and adjusts its heat output, rather than simply offering different heat settings.
Efficient airflow: Powerful, controlled airflow can help dry your hair without relying entirely on high temperatures.
Now, you absolutely don't need a Dyson to get a good hair dryer (see: Laifen Air). But I definitely am over the moon with mine. It’s made me realize that a good hairdryer can absolutely help manage the damage on your hair.
Every Week
Now that we've covered preventing damage, let's give our hair a little extra attention! For the weekly items, I went the product route:
Clarifying Shampoo: Getting Rid of Product Buildup
Even with a good haircare routine, styling products, oils and dry shampoo can leave residue behind. Over time, this buildup can make your hair feel heavy, greasy or dull.
A clarifying shampoo provides a deeper cleanse to help remove that buildup and give your hair a fresh start.
I personally reach for Head & Shoulders rather than a dedicated clarifying shampoo. It's primarily an anti-dandruff shampoo, but it also contains cleansing ingredients that help remove oils and product residue.
Now, I know there are shampoos specifically marketed for clarifying, but buying the highest-quality version of everything gets expensive. A thorough cleanse is important to me, but it's not something that needs to break the bank.
Also, you don't necessarily need to clarify every week. It depends on how many products you use and how your hair responds. But since it leans more weekly than monthly, I decided to put it here.
LUSH H'Suan Wen Hua Hair Mask: A Little Extra Love
My personal favourite is LUSH H'Suan Wen Hua, a pre-shampoo hair mask packed with ingredients such as fresh banana, avocado, olive oil and cupuaçu butter.
A good hair mask helps condition and smooth the hair, reducing friction and making it easier to manage. It won't permanently repair split ends, but it can make dry or damaged hair feel noticeably softer.
What makes H'Suan Wen Hua a little different is that you apply it to dry hair before shampooing. Leave it on for 20 minutes, then wash your hair as usual.
I love this because sitting in the bathroom for 20 minutes with nothing else to do just isn't my style. Instead, I put it on while prepping the bathroom, setting out my products, lighting candles and applying a face mask.
I love how soft and conditioned it leaves my hair, and the wonderfully warm, comforting fragrance is a bonus.
I'm actually trying to find a combination of hair products that, together, create an overall warm and cosy scent. H'Suan Wen Hua is definitely part of that vision.
I've used this product since my teens, and although it hasn't always been easy to get my hands on (no store nearby, and it's quite pricey), I'm reminded of how much I love it every time I have it.
Every Month
Okay, guys, we've covered our bases: clarification, hydration and quality of life. So now, let's bring a little dazzle in. This is something I'd love to add to my monthly haircare routine.
Clear Hair Gloss: Wella Shinefinity 00/00 Crystal Glaze
As I've said before with the silk pillowcase, I don't actually do this yet. But I want to!
Unlike a hair mask, a hair gloss is more similar to hair dye. However, with the clear shade Wella Shinefinity 00/00 Crystal Glaze, there's no colour deposit or lifting involved. The demi-permanent gloss smooths the hair's surface for a glass-like finish, leaving it looking incredibly shiny and feeling silky soft.
Wella advertises results lasting up to six weeks, but since I haven't tried this myself, I'll have to get back to you on that!
Wella markets Shinefinity as a zero-damage treatment, with a 2% developer. I'm not particularly worried about damaging my hair, although I'd be more cautious if it were already seriously compromised.
I actually had no idea this existed until I started writing this article and tried to think of a monthly haircare treatment other than the obvious haircut. I can’t wait to try it!
