9 IMAGE staffers on their hero haircare products | IMAGE.ie

Emily O’Neill, Marketing Account Executive

Once upon a time, I had gorgeous natural curls, but from a lack of care throughout my college years they rapidly disappeared. I was extremely fond of blowdrying my hair straight and then using a curler on top of it! I did this at least two to three times a week! Looking back now, I completely regret it. 

Now I am really invested in looking after my hair… curls or no curls. My favourite product, which I have mentioned before, is the Moisture Melt Mask from Sea + Solu. One thing I love about this brand and product is that there are different ‘boosters’ available to tailor the mask to your hair needs. At the moment I am all about the Moisture Booster. It leaves my hair feeling so hydrated and silky! 

I think I have tried every shampoo and conditioner under the sun, but I always find myself going back to the Alfaparf Semi Di Lino Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner. My hair is quite dry and frizzy so this duo is the perfect combination. Every couple of weeks I will also treat my hair with the Alfaparf Semi Di Lino Moisture Nutritive Essential Oils. They are absolutely incredible for hydrating your hair and are again an essential in my haircare routine. Sticking with Alfaparf, one product that comes with me everywhere is their Semi di Lino Cristalli Liquidi. It is the most lightweight hair oil I have ever used! It leaves a beautiful shine on the hair without causing a build up of excess oil. It is definitely a product for your handbag this summer! 

And last but certainly not least is The Smooth Company. I have multiple Smooth Stick Hair Taming Wands on the go. I can’t actually keep track of them! I have one in my work bag, my everyday bag, and even in the bathroom beside my toothbrush! It is the best product for keeping flyaways and baby hairs at bay. I also just ordered the new Smooth Dream 11 in 1 Hair Styling Cream and Smoothing Travel Brush ahead of a trip this week. I cannot wait to try them both.

Sarah Finnan, Deputy Digital Editor

I’ve been on a real hair journey this year so I’ve been paying way more attention to the products I use. I started taking JS Health vitamins back in January to help with growth and have definitely seen a difference. I’ve also been trying to use less heat and embrace my natural texture –  Angie in Zeba Hairdressers, South William Street recommended the Kérastase Curl Manifesto Cream to me and it’s become a firm favourite. Trying to establish a Curly Girl method that works is no joke though so all tips welcome!

Sarah Gill, Staff Writer

A couple of months back—after being recommended it by everyone and their mother—I started taking the Revive Active Beauty Complex each morning, and I genuinely have noticed a difference. Not just in the strength and condition of my hair, but my nails are healthier and my overall complexion is that little bit brighter. Yes, I am essentially saying I’m radiant now, get over it. But you should know that I also try to incorporate the Mastermind Complex in where I can, because apparently brains are just as important as beauty.

I’ve also been trialling out a new shampoo and conditioner lately from Josh Wood Colour, and I was pretty gobsmacked at how quickly I started to notice results. I tend towards the more dry and damaged end of the hair spectrum, so the Miracle Care Set has been making locks look glossy and vibrant, and is helping smooth down my flyaways, of which there are many.

Honourable mention to the Kevin Murphy ‘Shimmer Me Blonde’ spray — I don’t know how it works, but any time I spritz it through the lengths of my hair it solicits many, many compliments and interrogatory remarks like ‘when did you get your hair done?’ and ‘dear lord, how *did* you get so gorgeous?’ It’s honestly really tiring.

Amber O’Shea, Social Media Manager

I’ve been on my curly hair journey for the last three years, working to bring back my thick, coarse curls. My holy grail product is this Moroccan Defining Curl Cream—it’s the only one that hydrates my curls, gives them bounce, and smells amazing (which is something I always look out for). I also love using the Bed Head Curls Rock Amplifier to eliminate frizzy flyaways, plus the fun packaging is a bonus! Another essential in my routine is the Curly Co Gel. I apply it to my wet hair first in the shower for extra hydration. This one is a vital step in my haircare routine because it allows my curl creams to work even better.

Doireann Murray, Chief Revenue Officer

My go-to for this time of the year is the Platinum Rejuvenation Mask. It’s a dream treatment for the hair in general, but especially if it’s a little dry from the sun! The smell is divine and it leaves my hair silky soft when I am away or if I can’t pop into the salon for a much needed blowdry!

Sophie Power, Marketing and Memberships Director

I absolutely love Eleven’s Miracle Hair Mask which I use as a conditioner every second day. My long and coloured hair instantly becomes a knotty, dreadlocked mess as soon as water touches it so washing my hair involves a quick shampoo (generally whatever I have going) then a generous dollop of the miracle mask, followed by a few minutes of vigorous brushing in the shower with the Tangle Teezer Ultimate Detangler Brush before washing it out and brushing again.

I have tried multiple conditioning treatments but always come back to this one as it really works as a detangling and conditioning treatment! I also love a bit of Moroccan Hair Oil on wet hair, I find the smell utterly addictive. Each morning, I give my hair a quick brush with the Aveda Large Paddle Brush to tame the knots. I’m completely useless (aka lazy) at styling my hair, so I never blowdry, straighten or curl my hair myself although I do love a trip to a salon if there is a wedding or event coming up.

Lauren Heskin, IMAGE Magazine Editor

Curly gal here and while I’m still struggling to hit on the right combination of everything – if brands would stop discontinuing my favourite products or changing the formula, that would be great – but there are three products I do love and use every week.

SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter silicone & sulphate free Deep Hair Treatment Mask: I only use this once a week or once a fortnight, depending on how my hair feels but it makes my wet hair feel like seaweed afterwards and gives it a lovely bounce and shine. If I have time, I’ll leave it in for 45 minutes or so to let it really soak up.

Umberto Giannini Curl Whip Curl Activating Mousse: After they discontinued my beloved Pantene curl mousse, I spent ages searching for something to live up to it. This mousse has come closest. Immediately after my shower I scrunch it into soaking wet hair.

Boucleme Curl Defining Gel: This goes in right after the mousse and I do not hold back with this stuff, it’s amazing for giving curl definition and shine. Designed to lock in moisture, a hairdresser once told me that if my hair is dripping water after using it, then I haven’t used enough of it. Can’t count how many times I’ve rebought this one.

If any curly girls out there can recommend a decent shampoo and conditioner, I would greatly appreciate it – I still haven’t been able to replace the now-discontinued Tres Semme Botanics range.

Holly O’Neill, Editor of IMAGE.ie and Beauty Editor

I’m sorry to tell you because it’s so bloody expensive, but everything you’ve heard about K18 Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask, €69, is true – the results of hair growth for me have been pretty dramatic. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s the breakthrough hair godsend that – bear with me here – reconnects the interchains and intrachains that make up the structure of the hair. In short, it repairs your hair – in just four minutes – and the worse the damage to your hair, the better the results.

Make sure you follow the instructions; you only need a couple of pumps, rub it into your hands until it becomes the texture of Sudocream and only use for 4-6 washes in a row then every 3-4 washes. It’s a great lazy hack because you skip your conditioner and leave it in on damp hair – it dries with no residue, leaves hair instantly softer and shinier and heals hair from the inside out. Once you see the effects kick in, you’ll become addicted. Sorry!

Hannah Stapleton, Marketing Intern

I have always struggled with my hair. Having dry, frizzy and incredibly thick hair, it often seemed as though no products ever worked. For many years in my early teens, nothing would tame my frizz. I have tried many leave-in treatments and hair masks, and for dry hair, I swear by the Eleven Australia Miracle Treatment.

For the last number of months, my skin and hair have suffered what I can only describe as a meltdown. I was always able to manage the dryness, with some life-saving products, up until now. What began with dry patches on my face, soon was also on my scalp. I experienced such dry skin, my scalp would be sore and the skin would often break. Being front-facing at events, I would be so conscious of dry patches being visible to everyone. After many trips to the GP, and monthly trials of different products, I have learnt that less well and truly is more, and I have (touch wood) perfected my haircare routine!

My hairdresser recommended this Alfaparf Semi Di Lino Scalp Rebalance Scrub, and I usually use this before my weekly hair wash. This is the perfect product to clarify my scalp, and is gentle enough on any parts that may be sore or sensitive.

I accidentally stumbled on the next product — the Head and Shoulders Derma X Pro range — whilst on a shopping trip, and I am so grateful to have bought this. Providing a cooling effect to the scalp, which you can really feel, this has become a game changer in my hair wash routine.

Lastly, I am never without my Alfaparf Semi Di Lino Crystalli Liquidi. I even keep one in my bag at all times! This product has been a cult favourite in my house for years, and it transformed my hair when it was at its driest — I owe it my life! Also containing a heat protectant, it is a no-brainer in my opinion!

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