It used to be that sussing out a great shampoo meant surreptitiously removing the cap in the store and giving it a little sniff. Today, an amazing fragrance, great texture—these are simply table stakes. Consumers expect more from their products; they read the labels and want to know which ingredients really work, says L.A.-based stylist David Lopez. As a result, he adds, “we’re seeing more brands based in the science of hair care. It’s not just about looking pretty.”
These new tech-forward products are also responding to the desire to protect healthy hair that was restored by gentler pandemic regimens (read: fewer products and less heat). “So many of my clients adopted low-maintenance routines or grew out their hair,” Lopez says. Now that wash cycles and heat styling have returned, it’s about protecting the hair at every stage, from your in-shower procedure to your styling tools. Here, we’ve highlighted the best products that embrace innovative hair technology to get the job done.
The past two pandemic years have given us time to rethink our routines. One area that took the spotlight: scalp care. “Healthy hair starts from the top,” says L.A.-based stylist Felicia Leatherwood. Using a scalp treatment promotes a clearer path for hair growth and can soothe irritated skin and even boost volume. (Debris and buildup—especially from dry shampoo—can make hair look limp in the long run.) “Take a minute to massage in the product to release any dead skin cells and boost circulation before or after cleansing,” says Lopez. Follow up with a mask or, for an even deeper treatment, a bond builder. “These products penetrate the hair shaft and fill in the little gaps and breakages that are caused by heat styling and brushing,” says Lopez.
Redken All Soft Shampoo and Conditioner contain an argan-oil complex to add serious moisture and shine.
Kerastase Curl Manifesto Bain Hydratation Douceur Shampoo and Fondant Hydratation Essentielle Conditioner
The Curl Manifesto Bain Hydratation Douceur Shampoo and Fondant Hydratation Essentielle Conditioner are miracles for curly hair. Used together, they help gently cleanse curls while reducing frizz and boosting moisture.
Pantene Generation Beauty Full & Vibrant Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioner
This sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner cleanse and condition without weighing hair down. The blend of hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and pro-vitamin B5 boost moisture and shine and are safe for color-treated hair, too.
Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner
Dry hair is no match for Moroccanoil's hydrating shampoo and conditioner combo. The argan oil-rich formula helps smooth frizz with just one use, plus we love the way the signature scent lingers.
Jennifer Aniston’s new Lolavie Perfecting Leave-in uses natural alternatives to silicones that provide serious glide.
Shu Uemura Urban Moisture Deep Hydration Treatment Mask for Dry Hair
Shu Uemura Art of Hair Urban Moisture Hair Mask uses moringa oil to revive dull strands. The hero ingredient is packed with nutrients and antioxidants that leave hair conditioned and shiny without weighing it down.
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-in Molecular Repair Mask
Chemical processes and even daily brushing can break the disulfide bonds in hair. K18 Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask takes only four minutes to work. Its unique formula mimics natural keratin to rebuild damaged strands.
Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Clear Gloss
Everyone looks better after using Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Sheer Clear, on hair that’s colored or not. It leaves hair glossier after just five minutes.
Sisley Soothing Rebalancing Cure with Intense Rebalancing Complex
Hair Rituel by Sisley Soothing Rebalancing Cure contains potent antioxidants like celery-seed extract and oils specifically chosen to help relieve a dry, tight, itchy scalp. After your shower, apply all over your scalp, massage in, and style as usual.
JVN Complete Nourishing Hair Oil Shine Drops
Hemisqualane, a lightweight yet hydrating emollient, stars in JVN Complete Nourishing Shine Drops, leaving hair smooth and protected from damage or color fade.
Better Not Younger Superpower Hair and Scalp Liquid Serum & Comb Set
The brush in the Better Not Younger Hair & Scalp Duo Kit removes buildup and feels like a little scalp massage, all while applying the brand’s superpower serum, which uses ingredients like niacinamide and caffeine, which help promote thickness and density over time.
Thousands of Sephora shoppers agree: this scalp scrub rocks. It exfoliates away product build-up and gunk while cleansing, leaving your hair squeaky clean and ready for the rest of your routine.
To get the best results from your products, remember that less is more. “Start small and go slow by applying a pea-size amount of product, and let it fully absorb,” says L.A.-based stylist Gregory Russell. “The thicker and more porous your hair, the more product you may need. Just add a pea-size dollop at a time.” For even distribution, put a tiny bit of cream, serum, or whatever you’re using on your palms, rub them together, and then place a section of hair between your hands. “Use praying hands to slide down the hair from the roots to the ends,” says Leatherwood. If you’re using a spray like a detangler, mist the product onto your brush beforehand. This guarantees even application from root to tip.
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PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross Styling Cream
Pattern styling cream gives soft definition and hold to coils, twist-outs, bantu knots, and more.
Curls need heavy hydration, as they’re naturally dry. Holy Curls Cream, from the London-based brand, is formulated with baobab oil, coconut oil, and shea butter to keep all curl types feeling soft and quenched.
Living Proof Perfect hair Day (PhD) Dry Shampoo
While you typically have to work dry shampoo into your hair to see results, Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo absorbs excess oil upon the first spray. Plus, it has a time- released fragrance, so hair smells fresh all day.
The secret to limiting damage from hot tools? A nutrient-rich protectant like Mizani Thermastrength heat protecting serum, which contains shea butter and ceramides to ward off damage and nourish, no matter your hair type. Hot tip: “make sure the protectant has completely dried in your hair before using an iron,” says L.A.-based stylist Bobby Eliot.
Oribe Airbrush Root Touch-Up spray not only covers up grays, it also absorbs dirt and oil and prevents color fading from UV rays. Spray one of the six shades onto your roots and hairline between dye jobs
This color-boosting gloss deeply conditions while it boosts shine and color on both natural and dyed hair, so you can leave your shower looking like you just left the salon.
This leave-in goes beyond just smoothing and detangling thanks to ceramides and nourishing ingredients that help your hair look glossy from the inside-out. Mist it through damp hair before styling.
This beloved hairspray is the only one we trust to hold our curls and waves in place for hours.
Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray Anti-Frizz Treatment
This celeb-favorite treatment fights frizz for hours while leaving hair with an Instagram-worthy shine.
When stress increases, so does hair loss, due to a spike in cortisol. But if you have significant hair loss (more than 150 strands a day or it’s accompanied by redness, scaling, or a tender scalp), consider looking into an over-the-counter treatment or consult a doctor, says Ava Shamban, an L.A.-based dermatologist.
Viviscal hair growth supplements nourish hair follicles with collagen, biotin, and other vitamins and minerals to thicken hair and reduce shedding.
Augustinus Bader The Scalp Treatment
As it turns out, the technology that made beauty gurus lose their collective minds over Augustinus Bader's face creams also works for your hair, too. Drop this on your scalp two or three times a week to help reduce shedding, invigorate your hair follicles, and support healthy growth right from the source.
Virtue Flourish Nightly Intensive Hair Growth Treatment
Virtue's minoxidil-based treatment helps address serious hair shedding and loss, as does the blend of hair-strengthening keratin protein and peptides to encourage a healthy scalp. Stick with this system for a few months and you'll see serious results.
Heat zaps hair of color and moisture, making it look duller and dryer faster. However, you don’t need to swear off hot tools; you just have to adapt the way you use them. “Turn down the temperature,” advises Lopez. “You don’t need the highest setting to achieve a great result.” For thinner hair, start low and work your way up to around 375 degrees if needed. Thicker hair can go up to around 425 degrees, but never higher. To limit the amount of heat, choose multitasking and high-speed tools. And unless you’re using the Dyson Airwrap, let your hair air-dry about 70 percent before hitting it with heat. For a sleek look, blow-dry brushes are a great option. “They are not only convenient but also save time,” says Leatherwood.
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With two interchangeable attachment heads (a round brush for a bouncy blowout and a flat one for sleek styling), the T3 Airebrush Duo evenly distributes heat (causing less damage) and has bristles that prevent snagging. “It creates a smoother finish,” Lopez explains.
Though it's been out for a few years, the Dyson Airwrap has never been more popular. You can thank TikTok for that, where viral videos show how the nifty gadget delivers a bouncy blowout without heat damage. It's currently sold-out, but should come back in stock soon.
GHD Helios 1875W Advanced Professional Hair Dryer
You don’t need to blast the heat to get a good blow-dry. Experts agree: rough-dry on a low-heat setting, then use high heat in areas like the hairline. GHD Helios 1875w Advanced Professional Hair Dryer is an editor favorite for its ionic technology, which reduces frizz and increases efficiency (meaning your hair is spending less time under the heat).
For years, experts have touted boar-bristle brushes as being the best for creating a polished finish. Briogeo’s vegan version feels so much nicer to use on every level. Expert tip: when brushing, start at the bottom and work your way up to avoid knots and breakage.
Slip Silk Skinnie Scrunchies
Slip’s silk scrunchies are perfect for preserving a bouncy blowout or curls. The silk material won’t dent, tangle, or break strands.
Invest in this flat iron if you’re ready to take your hair’s health seriously. The cordless design and flexing copper plates get even the curliest hair straighter, faster.
Editors, hairstylists, and viral hair influencers all agree on one thing: if you're going to buy one comb, it should be this one from Crown Affair. It helps gently detangle wet or dry hair, is great for travel, and doubles as a scalp massager.
PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross Edge Tool
Hairstylists love this edge brush because it offers unparalleled control for combing, brushing, and swirling. Plus, the pointed end doubles as a tool to create pristine parts.
This genius attachment for the Dyson dryer helps flatten stubborn flyaways—all without hairspray.
