Hair is (most of the time) your most prized possession. Between washing, styling and using any product you can get your hands on, it seems like hours of your life are devoted to hair care. One of the worst problems is the dry and frizzy hair you’re left with after excessive blowdrying and styling. And it feels like no matter what beauty products you use, your hair has a mind of its own. Let’s be honest, no matter how cute your braid may be, nothing detracts from it more than the look of frizzy baby hairs sticking out all over the place.
We know how much you long for that beautiful, silky, Pocahontas-like hair. Even after the whole “Colors of the Wind” spiel, her hair looked flawless. The question is HOW? If you want keep your hair flawless after your musical number in the wind, here’s the secret: hair serums.
What are hair serums?
Hair serums, or oils, are products that create extra shine and gloss to your hair without the use of harmful heat techniques. They are mostly used as an extra addition to your normal hair routine to create that beautiful shine. Much like a setting spray for make up, it’s often used as one of the “final touches” to tame any stray hairs.
Salon owner and professional hair stylist Angelo David explains that “hair serums are based on silicone. They smooth your hair and give your hair a wonderful sheen—so in the end your hair looks healthier and shiny.” In addition to a regularly healthy hair routine, hair serums add an extra boost that allows your hair to hold that shine you’ve always dreamed of! Hair serums protect the exterior of your hair, coating them in moisture to prevent unwanted particles from harming it.
Why should you use them?
We know what you’re thinking: why should you go the extra mile and purchase yet another thing for your hair? Although hair serums are great for adding shine, they also add a significant amount of longevity to your hair. Most hair serums or oils contain an ingredient called keratin. Keratin is the protein that our hair is made of and protects hair from damage. Because most hair serums contain this vital protein, it not only saves damaged hair but it also prevents further damage.
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How can you achieve the best results from your hair serum?
Unfortunately, hair serums alone are not enough to transform your hair into that beautiful Pocahontas hair. As much as we wish it could be that easy, hair oils are not magical (even though it may seem like it sometimes). The use of hair serums is most effective when paired with healthy hair habits.
The following are some tips and tricks from David if you want happy and healthy hair:
- Hair serums are not going to fix split ends. To get rid of them, cut them off and then keep your hair healthy.
- Hair serums will give your hair a smooth finish.
- When shampooing long hair, leave your hair down. Work up the lather at the scalp then carefully work through to ends of hair.
- Don’t brush your hair when it’s wet.
- Pat shampooed hair dry to avoid friction.
Many people seem to think that piling on a bunch of products will magically save their hair. Sorry, folks, it’s not always that cut and dry (pun intended). Like most things in life, you’ll have to work for it. But using hair serums will put you in the right direction.
Are all hair serums the same?
The answer is simple: no. Much like most products today, there is an endless range of products that are curated just for you and your hair type.
Riccardo Maggiore, an NYC hair stylist, stresses the importance of hair serums to battle specific types of hair. “There’s not just one hair serum for everyone,” says Maggiore. “The best serum for you depends what you hope to achieve with the serum.”
In today’s society, hair serums are available in all shapes and sizes. While other serums target things such as heat protective qualities by containing ingredients such as keratin that help protect the hair from the sun’s harmful rays.
Products for different hair types:
Okay, so now that we’ve stressed the importance of knowing what you’re looking for, let’s get to the real deal. The question remains: which one should YOU look out for? First, it’s important to recognize what kind of hair you have and what kind of hair you want.
With all these different types, it may seem hard to find the perfect one for you. If you’re anything like us, you’re no hair expert, but Maggiore gave us his top picks for hair serums based on five hair categories:
Damaged hair:
Plarmia Hairserum Treament M ($8.99)
Anti-aging:
Kerastase Resistance Fibre Architecte Renovating Dual Serum ($26.50)
Shine and anti-frizz
Riccardo Maggiore Luminoso ($20)
Heat protectant
Goldwell Kerasilk Rich Keratin Care Daily Mask ($13.49)
Scalp nourishment
Kerastase Initialiste ($29.98)
Biosilk Silk Therapy ($27)
It’s important to remember that no two hair types are the same. Everyone has different goals when it comes to their hair care, but with the help of a hair serum you can be one step closer to the locks of your dreams!