Every girl has been there... She's geared up for a major life change in the form of hair dye, purchased the best at-home bleach kit she could find, and even has a spare pair of gloves just in case. What she's never prepared for, though, is the outcome.
Dyeing hair at home can either be a great way to save some bucks and be completely creative or it can be a disaster. Most hair damage stems from bleaching and lightning, something hair is just not naturally apt to do. The process draws out significant moisture in order to strip hair follicles of their color, lending itself to split ends, dryness, and worst of all, breakage.
Fortunately, there are a limitless number of products that can tame unruly, damaged hair. But there's no denying that the process of finding one can be intimidating. Everyone has access to a different budget and different needs so because of those reasons, there's a need for this: a list of the top 25 moisturizing products for hair right now.
These range in price from five bucks and up and come from brands that are based worldwide, giving everyone plenty of options. Even without dry or damaged hair, some of these are a great source of precaution against future damage. Toss out the notion that hair can't come back from a bad bleach day and check out some of these miraculous beauty-saving products!
25 OUAI Treatment Masque
It's usually a good sign when a hair mask comes in a tiny foil package because that means it's affordable and lends itself to a couple of uses before it's used up.
The OUAI Treatment Masque is wonderfully balanced in order to deliver significant moisture to each individual strand of hair.
It's both hydrating and healing, and it's easy enough to run through your hair post-shower after a color change or touch-up. The package itself doesn't say much but with a reputation like this, all you need to know is that it works.
24 Marc Anthony Hydrating Coconut Oil And Shea Butter
Marc Anthony has a reputation that's nothing short of amazeballs when it comes to beauty products. While the line's makeup has been well-received overall, its hair products are second to none. This is a personal favorite of mine since I do keep my hair a solid blue on a regular basis, and I'm no stranger to bleach and hi-lifting.
This combination oil smooths down strands and almost instantaneously reverses damage that heat styling can inflict on previously dry strands...
Highly recommend as a long-term investment.
23 Hask Nourishing Hair Masks, Specifically Keratin Smoothing Oil
Keratin is unique in itself due to its healing properties when it comes to hair follicles. If bleach is your best friend then chances are that you've run into the issue of hair not holding color. In this case, a keratin treatment can be a fast at-home fix. By filling in holes that have been stripped of their protein, keratin helps hair temporarily by holding dye and preventing excess dryness and breakage. As far as I'm concerned, this is something that everyone should have on hand just in case... And it's incredibly affordable!
22 Chi 44 Iron Guard, To Prevent Further Damage
We're throwing it back quite a bit to the brand Chi, which has been around for quite some time. Chi is still used by professionals and in salon settings because it's known to work well and to work well for all hair types.
The Iron Guard line is an excellent product to have in the arsenal of those who heat-style their hair often since it protects to prevent significant damage.
There's no way to avoid hurting hair via heat but if there's any way to prevent any noticeable breakage, this is the way to do it.
21 The Olaplex Hair Care Line
Olaplex has been recently hailed as the holy grail of just about anyone who has dyed hair. The entire line is best for those who constantly bleach and switch up their hair color, but even replacing one or two products with an Olaplex formula will make a drastic difference. Not only does it replace essential moisture but it transforms hair from frizzy and unmanageable to smooth, soft, and voluminous. By solving the problem on a molecular level, the Olaplex formulas can likely save even the most dastardly of hair oopses.
20 Nexxus Therappe
Yet another well-known brand, Nexxus is well-known for being the go-to for hair that's on the verge of not passing "go.". Both the Therappe shampoo and the Humectress conditioner hold enough magic to smooth frizzy strands and are best used post-dye job in order to replenish moisture.
The proteins in the formula help to heal hair after heavy styling and since there's no silicone, you won't need to worry about hair being stripped of its color with each wash.
This duo is perfect for those who use demi- or semi-permanent hair dyes as well.
19 Matrix Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo For Dry Hair
This is a brand that I was using way back in high school to keep my once-trademark red locks healthy-looking and voluminous. The Biolage Shine Milk is an excellent product to spritz in hair pre-styling, while the hydrating shampoo is perfect for taking care of it hours later. Filled with all the essential nutrients that dry hair craves, this comes at a median price and can easily be worked into most budgets. A little goes quite a long way, especially if you're not 'pooing every single day.
18 DryBar Hot Toddy Heat & UV Protectant
A great rule to avoid heavy damage to hair, especially thin hair, is to cover it with a protective formula before doing the deed.
Heat styling doesn't need to be avoided if hair is prone to breaking and it can easily be prevented with the Hot Toddy Heat & UV Protectant formula.
Not only will this product protect hair from intentional heat styling but it's designed to protect against harmful UV rays as well. Often times, we make sure to slather sunscreen on our faces but neglect to realize that our hair is subject to the same invisible damage.
17 Organix Argan Oil Conditioner
Yet another personal holy grail, Organix is an extremely affordable brand that lends itself to keeping hair soft and silky. Anything with argan oil is designed to add and lock in moisture which is why it's so prevalent in most high-end shampoos and conditioners nowadays. This oil is able to penetrate deep within the strand to begin repairing damage at a level that not many other products can. With only a few uses of this due, you'll begin to notice that your hair feels softer, is easily detangled, and looks much better than the frizz city that it was previously.
16 Oribe Gold Lust Pre-Shampoo Intensive Treatment
For those looking for something a bit fancier and are in desperate need of serious moisture, look no further than Oribe. This Gold Lust pre-shampoo is designed to moisturize hair before you even begin your shower regime.
The leave-in formula will get to work early on repairing split strands and missing proteins in the time it takes to heat up the shower water.
If shampoo isn't paraben, sulfate, and silicone-free, it can have the tendency to strip hair even further. This not only moisturizes but protects hair against the harmful effects that routine washing can have on it, too.
15 LiveClean Argan Oil Shampoo And Conditioner
Here, we have another shampoo and conditioner duo that features that oil we're so in love with. You can't really go wrong with anything argan oil, but this shampoo comes in clutch due to it's "-free" benefits. It's free of phthalates and parabens which can do some serious damage to colored hair—especially hair that's not permanently colored or is a red shade, which tends to lean brassy when stripped. Additionally, the formula is almost completely plant-based, making it perfect for those who desire only environmentally-friendly products in their collection.
14 R+Crown Scalp Scrub
R+Co is relatively new on the scene but they specialize in all types of face and hair products. They're gaining a hefty reputation for being affordable and efficient, which is a great way to describe the Crown Scalp Scrub. Many times, damaged and dry hair will work its way to the roots rather than just remaining in the strands. In order to get to the root (ha ha) of the problem, treatments must be targeted at the scalp as well. A scrub such as this will restore much-needed moisture while exfoliating away all dandruff, similar to how a facial exfoliator works.
13 Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Treatment Masque
Another personal favorite is undoubtedly anything in the Shea Moisture line. This line is fairly new but comes with a unique story, and they carry any type of product one could possibly need for the hair and face.
This Jamaican Black Castor Oil treatment masque should be hailed as a superhero when it comes to preventing damaged hair.
It's designed to replenish moisture that has been stripped during heat-styling or dyeing but also encourages healthy growth... It's also outrageously affordable for any budget.
12 Shea Moisture Shampoo And Conditioner
It's entirely possible to outfit an entire hair care line with products from Shea Moisture. Their reputation for excellence precedes them and this Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless hair line not only smells incredible but it makes hair feel incredible, too. Formulated with Imbe oil and aloe, this trinity is unstoppable when it comes to restoring moisture and ensuring that hair is never left dry and stripped again. It's sulfate-free and great for colored hair, as well as all hair types, making it one of the top-runners for routine shampooing and conditioning.
11 Living Proof Restore Instant Repair
Sometimes, all you want is a quick fix for some excess frizziness due to hair damage. In that case, the Living Proof Restore Instant Repair serum is the perfect way to shed some moisture on parched strands.
This stuff is so efficient that it can be used on hair that's already extremely damaged and split, helping to prevent further breaking and begin the healing process.
It's easy to use in pump-form and a little goes quite a long way when it comes to this formula. Overall, it's a great investment if you know you'll be inflicting some serious damage.
10 Wella Fusionplex Mask
Wella has been around for quite some time and while they're known for hair dye, color remover, and bleach, the line is also known for products that can repair all of that. The Wella Fusion Mask is a leave-in treatment that works very similarly to how a face mask would work in the event of severely dry skin. Leave it on for a few hours or overnight and you'll begin noticing a difference in how moisturizing and healthy your hair looks. It's great for use post-dye and reinforces hair strength when used weekly.
9 L'Oreal Total Repair Extreme Emergency Recovery Hair Mask
As previously stated, there are definitely a number of products here that are extremely affordable. L'Oreal is known for all things beauty and they've stepped up their hair line quite a bit.
This Total Repair Extreme Emergency Recovery Mask is ideal for hair that has been severely damaged in one fell swoop.
Keeping this on-hand in the event that happens is never a bad idea, as it repairs at the molecular level and can be left in hair for an infinite amount of time. It helps to quickly repair and restore moisture to hair strands before breakage happens.
8 BeGentle Avocado + Quinoa Co-Wash
Occasionally, the key to preventing serious hair damage is by nipping it in the bud. By targeting hair prior to inflicting on it any type of heat or dye, we can help strengthen hair before the process starts. If this is your goal, then this Co-Wash is the perfect product. It's not designed to lather and cleanses hair without stripping it in any way since it's free of parabens, sulfates, and silicones. A wash such as this is perfect for those who have hair prone to damage to begin with. The combination of avocado and quinoa also help to provide beneficial nutrients that hair craves so much.
7 Sephora Coconut Hair Sleeping Mask
Any Sephora fans out there? If you're reading this, then it's likely that you are. While Sephora specializes in facial health and beauty, they also carry some highly beneficial hair products as well.
If you look hard enough, you can find the Coconut Hair Sleeping Mask and trust us, it's worth it.
Coconut milk is not only good for hydration for the body, but it lends itself to be hydrating to hair as well. This mask can be left on overnight so that you can wake up smelling amazing and feeling as though your hair never went through any difficult process in the first place.
6 A Microfiber Towel
No one said that this list would be strictly hair masks, shampoos, and conditioners, therefore, we bring you the microfiber towel. Another process that's harmful to hair is drying—and we don't just mean via a heat source. Terrycloth towels can damage hair due to the friction they cause when repeatedly rubbed against hair strands. This friction can actually cause unnecessary breakage and prevent hair from drying without frizz and tangles. A microfiber towel is designed to absorb moisture quickly, allowing hair to dry without all the rubbing.
5 Pantene Gold Series Repairing Mask
No hydrating hair product list is complete without the mention of Pantene. What was once one of the originals in hair care is still held in high regard, and the Gold Series lives up to that reputation.
The Repairing Mask, in particular, contains argan oil which we've already confirmed does help to repair and nourish hair.
Additionally, this leave-in formula helps to provide a significant blast of moisture anywhere it's applied (we suggest your whole head) and can be left in as long as need be. When finished, simply rinse and style to see healthy, shiny-looking hair.
4 Tresemme Split Remedy, For A Temporary Fix
Tresemme, nearly as old as Pantene, is yet another affordable brand that lends itself to some pretty efficient products. While mostly a fan of their hairsprays, gels, and dry shampoo, I always find myself pleasantly surprised when I try another product that works just as well as a high-end brand. This Split Remedy formula is designed to provide a temporary fix for somewhat damaged hair, from which split ends are often the bane of everyone's existence. By using this daily, you can eliminate the appearance of split ends and have nothing but silky, smooth strands that can be easily styled.
3 Tools That Won't Damage Hair Further, Such As These
Now, to get to the nitty gritty of it all. Heat-styling can damage hair, and we're here to help prevent that. As far as straighteners go, Remington, Bio Iconic, and the T3 are all great options to lessen the damage.
In the hair dryer category, Conair, Bio Iconic (again), and Dyson (not the vacuum) are all excellent brand choices.
Lastly, for the guys and girls with the curls, the Showliss STEAM-TECH, HRL Ceramic Negative Ion and xtava Satin wave 5 in 1 curling irons are all great for keeping hair from breaking further.
2 Try Some Essential Oils
That's right—something as simple as oil can drastically restore moisture that was lost during a bleaching or heat-styling process. While small, oils should never be underestimated in their benefits. The best thing to do is to for growth promotion is to apply them directly to the scalp and for damaged hair, they can be mixed in with your regular shampoo or conditioner. Some common oils used are lavender, tea tree, peppermint, rosemary, cedarwood, and lemongrass. Not only will they encourage hair growth and healing, but you'll smell great, too.
1 Unrefined Coconut Oil
Last but certainly not least, is unrefined coconut oil. This isn't the oil that you cook with and the best results will come from an organic, virgin oil.
This can easily be found in department stores as well as online and has been shown to be highly beneficial to locking in hair moisture.
This is one product that is a holy grail for when our hair is feeling a bit frizzy and potentially breakable, and it works wonders to smooth out split ends. If easy styling and softness are what you seek, look no further than the coconut.
Leave A Comment