All The Reasons You Should Be Using A Hair Elixir
Yads Cauchi is a Dermal Clinician, Nutritionist (BHSc, MSc) and Beauty Journalist. She's also a mum of four. Evidence based skin health and nutrition are her thing and she works from her own skin clinic based in Canberra - you can find her there, or on Instagram and TikTok @yadscauchiskin.
Is your hair stressed out? Because mine totally is. In fact, it’s probably the most stressed out part of my body and honestly deserves much more self-care time than it receives.
Stressed hair can easily fly under the radar - unlike skin which will usually show signs of fatigue, or possibly a breakout in order to alert you to its current state - your hair might take a little longer to show signs of distress, like breakage, dryness or dullness.
I don't mean for this to sound like a total first world problem - stressed hair is totally a thing. So, what can you do about it? Enter: hair elixirs.
What Is A Hair Elixir?
Hair elixir’s sound boujee and a little over the top but they’re just a fun take on a hair treatment and something we can all experiment with. Especially if your hair faces the brunt of a lot of heat styling and you’re in dire need of protecting it. Or you live anywhere with unpredictable weather conditions – which, let’s be honest, is the majority of the world right now.
Hair expert and R +Co ambassador, Barney Martin tells me that the best hair elixirs on the market “should contain a powerful dose of vitamins and antioxidants to deeply nourish and give hair a shiny, glossy finish.”
So essentially, hair elixirs are like a serum or oil for your strands. And while yes, they’re in no way changing your locks on a biological front the way skincare might, they will improve the condition of your hair to promote hair health and in turn help it grow.
You see, using an elixir for hair growth is a thing, and has been for a number of years. Elixirs are used to treat the surface of the hair; sealing it and pumping it full of hydration to ensure it stays healthy and smooth – which will also minimise breakage.
Which Hair Types Can Use A Hair Elixir?
Hair elixirs can come in many different forms such as in a hair elixir spray, a straight up oil serum, spray or even as a cream. So essentially every hair type could benefit from one.
Barney Martin explains “super frizzy and parched hair can even use a hair elixir as an overnight super moisturising treatment. Although the majority of them can be used when finishing and styling the hair and they also help to detangle and hydrate.”
So while dull/dry/frizzy hair might benefit most from using a hair elixir as an overnight treatment or pre-heat styling. Coloured, or curly hair would also benefit from using a hair elixir as a deeper conditioner. And if you have normal hair a hair elixir will help keep your strands hydrated and strong for the long term.
What Ingredients Should You Look For In A Hair Elixir?
Not all oil based products are created equal so remember to look for nourishing ingredients in a hair elixir such as: sea buckthorn oil which is rich in unsaturated fats, as well as vitamin E and A to provide antioxidant protection, avocado oils that will help smooth, and argan oils which have been an age old beauty secret to hydrate and soften hair for years!
To make things easier below, I’ve included the best hair elixir products to shop below:
R+Co CENTERPIECE All In One Hair Elixir
The perfect all in one hair elixir that can do a multitude of things. It’s a styling spray, but one that’s also packed with rich oils to help hydrate, fight frizz and detangle your strands all at the same time. You can layer it with your favourite styling balms or use it alone – especially if you have fine hair. And if dry shampoo isn’t your thing you can even use this product to lift your hair and refresh it the day following a blow dry.
A longlasting leave in conditioning treatment that is really well priced. Tames frizz without weighing hair down and is perfect for using post blow dry to create super smooth hair. It features argan oil to nourish your strands and give you touchable softness. Ps. I promise it’ll make thick, unmanageable hair way easier to handle!
Balmain Paris Argan Moisturizing Elixir 100ml
If you’re into hair, then isn’t it sometimes worth treating yourself to a luxe product to make the whole hair washing process a little more bearable? (Because we all know hair washing can feel like an arduous task). Made with the same signature scent that the rest of the Balmain Paris Styling Line is made with, not only is this a product that can be used pre-heat styling to smooth and nourish the hair, but a little goes a long way post blowdry - to tame frizz and set your style in place. Argan oil is also an ingredient that’s been proven to help repair damaged, dry and weak hair.
