Your AB Staffer-Approved Guide to The Best Products for Your Hair Goals
Jas is the former Senior Content Specialist at Adore Beauty. A beauty admirer turned certified addict, she brings a sharp editorial eye and pop-culture pulse to everything she creates. Her words have appeared in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, and Broadsheet. When she’s not producing viral content or podcasting about skincare, you’ll find her thrifting for vintage treasures or binging Bravo (strictly for research, of course).
Ever walk by someone and think, “Damn, hair goals.”?
I do, every Wednesday around 8am when my colleagues start piling into Adore Beauty HQ.
It’s both a blessing and a curse, you see.
Working alongside a team of beauty lovers and experts mere desks away, but also being surrounded by really, really, really, ridiculously good-looking people. The comparison trap is real.
Luckily, however, behind their glowy faces and glossy hair are some really lovely humans who always have some sage advice to offer.
On this occasion, for Adore’s annual Hair Week (which starts tomorrow May 2nd until May 8th 2024), I wanted to know what products and ranges they’re currently loving for their tresses. Specifically, how they’re helping them achieve their goals.
As I’d expected, they had words of wisdom to share on what they were using to achieve their enviably sleek, shiny, soft strands.
From hydrating heroes to volumising essentials, bond-building beauties and repair ranges, I’ve covered everything below.
So if your ‘do is looking a little dull or simply isn’t doing it for you, this is a good place to start.
Goal: Hydration.
Frizz, flyaways, split ends and tangles (oh my), there’s nothing worse than a dry ‘do.
A variety of factors can cause hair dryness from excessive washing, age, genetics, damage from heat or frequent processing and more.
Even if you don’t typically have dry hair, a change in season may prompt limp and lifeless locks.
Without going full Web MD, here’s a little explainer: our hair consists of three layers. When it’s healthy, natural oils in the outer layer help protect the inner layers. They also reflect light, which is why our strands can appear super shiny.
So when our hair is dry, the outer layer breaks down, which can cause it to appear dull and unhealthy.
Make sense? OK, great.
With that out of the way, let’s talk about some standout hydrating haircare.
Kérastase Nutritive.
"Discovering the Kerastase Nutritive range was truly revolutionary for me.
I remember eagerly urging my husband to feel my hair countless times after my first wash, though he couldn't quite grasp the excitement – still loyal to his trusty body wash-as-shampoo routine (sorry, Sam).
If I had to play favourites – which I hate to do because they're all brilliant – it would have to be the shampoo.
The lather you get is on another level. It leaves my locks feeling so fresh and clean.
As a bleached hair girlie for the last 10 years, I didn't think it was possible for my hair to feel so hydrated and silky.
Suffice to say, I've kissed goodbye to drugstore haircare for good." - Ally, Social Media Specialist.
Pureology Hydrate.
"I adore the Pureology Hydrate range - it's the perfect range for anyone wanting to have gorgeous, hydrated, lush hair.
My hair is also on the finer side, and I found that this range worked perfectly without weighing my hair down.
The scent is also super fresh which I love!" - Maddy, Retail Media Specialist.
ELEVEN Hydrate My Hair.
For hydrating haircare that won’t break the bank, there’s ELEVEN Hydrate My Hair.
Ideal for dry, brittle or damaged hair, the collection consists of five products that make up a complete hair care routine with prices ranging from $26.95 to $30.95.
Here are some customer reviews:
“I really like this shampoo, it feels like hydrated my fine curls whilst cleaning the scalp. Also smells lovely and a little goes a long way so feel it lasts a while. I’d buy it again!” - Anna.
“I love eleven products, they’re affordable and great quality. This is super nourishing.” - Phoebe.
If it's a hair mask you're after, here are a few nourishing options we'd recommend.
Goal: Bond Building.
If you’ve ever coloured and bleached your hair within an inch of its life, you’ll be all too familiar with the effects of broken hair bonds.
Excessive breakage, straw-like strands, impossible to manage, never-ending knots, the list goes on.
But the salon isn’t solely to blame.
Swimming in chlorinated/salt water can also contribute to drying out the hair and breaking bonds. So can excessive brushing, tight hairstyles, over-washing and lots of UV and heat-styling exposure.
Thankfully, these days there are a whole host of bond-building hair care products readily accessible to help bring your locks back to life.
Olaplex (Notably, No. 9).
“I have colour-treated hair that needs a lot of TLC and HATES holding a style.
I absolutely love using Olaplex No. 4 and 5 when my hair needs some extra nourishment, but my current Olaplex fave has got to be the Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Heat Protection & Frizz Reduction Nourishing Hair Serum .
This is a multitasking hero that feels super lightweight.
I apply this to damp hair and then style as usual, knowing that my hair is protected for up to 230 degrees Celsius.
My hair always feels shinier and it detangles sooo much easier. I don't think I will ever part with my No.9!” - Megan, Content Manager.
For more on Olaplex, check out this explainer video.
Kérastase Première.
"After showing off my hair on IG stories I literally had 17 people message me asking for the details, at this point I had to keep my lips sealed because the range wasn't yet released.
The only word that comes to mind when it comes to the Kerastase Premiere range is 'phenomenal.'
It leaves my hair so soft, the shine is out of this world and the fragrance that lingers in your hair is like the cherry on top.
There are quite a few steps in this routine which makes every hair wash day feel like a spa day, I'm in love with this layering technique and had no idea how much calcium buildup could impact the hair." - Chloe, Content Coordinator.
P.S. We recently reviewed the new Kérastase Première range - find our thoughts and all the details here.
Goal: Repair.
Here are six signs your hair needs some TLC: it’s dry, brittle, lacks shine, is increasingly frizzy, ends are thinned out and/or your curls lack definition.
If you’re nodding your head right now, you’re in the right place.
Not to brag, but we’re kind of connoisseurs of hair repair.
Part and parcel of working, living and breathing beauty is a tendency to overdo it from time to time, be it an unhealthy obsession with a hot tool, a road test gone wrong or, sometimes, both (eep!).
I didn’t even have to stray far from my desk for product recommendations – my content girlies dished in spades.
L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Absolut Repair.
“I have had YEARS of bleaching my hair, so when I started using the L'Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Absolute Repair Molecular Shampoo, Serum and Mask, I knew I was onto something special.
I’ve used other bonding products that have an odd smell and texture, but this trio leaves my hair feeling and smelling amazing.
My hair feels thicker and healthier after every wash, would definitely recommend!” - Cass, Podcast Producer.
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate (ABC) Range.
Beauty creator Alisha Bhojwani previously reviewed Redken ABC for Beauty IQ - here's a snippet of what she said:
"Now usually my hair routine takes me anywhere from 1.5-2 hours, which includes washing, drying and styling, but since I’ve been taking my hair through this Redken refresh, it’s cut the time down significantly. Which only happens when my hair is healthy and happy.
So, if you’re a self-sufficient high-maintenance queen like me, who may have a little bit of hair damage, then you need to add the Redken range to your cart ASAP.
With over 60 years in the industry, their R&D team know a thing or two about high-performance haircare." - Alisha Bhojwani.
Wella Ultimate Repair.
Our Senior Beauty Editor Sadaf previously road-tested the Wella Ultimate Repair range on her mum's hair for a Beauty IQ here. Here’s a little preview of how it went:
“[I] couldn’t believe how much the vibrancy of [mum's] colour was restored after one wash and secondly how incredibly soft her hair felt.
This is the first thing she gave me feedback on too. I styled her hair for her and usually when I run my fingers through her hair, it feels rough, brittle, straw-like; not this time.
My mum’s over-processed hair has never felt so soft or looked so shiny."
Goal: Volume.
My fine-haired friends will resonate with the endless battle for volume (RIP our sanity).
Limp, lifeless and lacking definition are all indicators your hair may need a hand in the va-va-voom department.
You may also find that your hair struggles to hold shape when styling – staying put for all of five minutes before inevitably falling into that awkward grey area between curly and straight that’ll have you screaming “Pick a lane!” at the mirror.
If it wasn’t already obvious, I fall into this category.
Bad for me but great for you guys because I’ve got a few trusty products up my sleeve.
VIRTUE Flourish Range.
"I've been using the VIRTUE Flourish range for the past year or so and have noticed a significant improvement in the density and length of my tresses.
Before using it, my hair was pretty thin as a result of two years of scalp bleaches and barely grew past my shoulders.
Now, it's past my collarbones and looking thicker and healthier than ever. So much so I've finally traded in my signature "bitchy-bob" for (semi) long locks - who is she?!" - Jas, Beauty Editor.
Kérastase Genesis.
"Fine-haired friends, listen up! Kerastase Genesis Shampoo is super lightweight and excellent at leaving hair fresh and floaty, so if your hair is flat and oily, give it a go. (Plus it might help with hair fall too!)" - Maddy, Videographer.
Maddy previously took us through her entire volumising haircare routine over on Youtube. Tune in below.
Goal: Curly.
It feels a little redundant to break down the characteristics of curly hair. Especially as a straight-haired girlie.
It’s one of those if-you-know-you-know kinda situations. You know?
That said, we’re all built differently and there are several types of curly hair so some products will work better on your strands than others.
Signs your current curly hair care routine isn’t cutting it? Your locks are dry, frizzy, lack definition, struggle to hold shape and/or tangle and knot easily.
Sound familiar? Don't worry, we've got chu.
Here’s what our team recommends.
Kérastase Curl Manifesto.
Beauty creator and fellow 'curlfriend' Valerie has previously reviewed the Kérastase Curl Manifesto range for Beauty IQ. Here’s a little preview:
“Sometimes with products for curly hair, they either work really well but look a bit naff, or they look chic and fun, but don't deliver what you need.
I wanted an uncomplicated curly hair routine with products that do what they say (but also look nice and feel luxe), and Curl Manifesto ticks all of those boxes, and then some.
Every step of this hair wash routine felt more like a ritual where I was showing love and care to my curly hair, rather than getting it over and done with.”
Aveda Be Curly.
"The Aveda Curl Enhancer is great for reducing frizz and defining my natural curls. It makes my hair feel very hydrated as well! It's super easy to use, I just smooth it onto wet hair after a shower." - Maisha, Paid Performance Specialist.
Davines ESSENTIALS Love Curl.
A newer brand to Adore, Davines Love Curl is specifically formulated to hydrate and define curly hair types.
Here's a Davines customer review:
“I have type 3b curls and this shampoo is exactly what I’ve been looking for. The smell is subtle, but inviting and fresh. It suds up really nicely and gives my scalp a thorough clean without feeling too abrasive. My hair feels soft and new with a beautiful sheen to it. I would recommend this again and again!” - Raquel.
For more on haircare, check out these recent Beauty IQ articles:
