ONE of the things I promised myself in the new year was that I’d take better care of my hair. Because of hair color and bleaching, aging and other factors, my hair is somewhat of a mess—and don’t even get me started on my scalp.
Part of my promise was to not bleach my hair this year, and to use better products to nurse my scalp and hair back to health.
To shampoo and condition, I’ve been using the Cynos Morocco Argan Oil Moisture Vitality Shampoo and Conditioner. The star ingredient of these two products is argan oil from Morocco. This oil is often called liquid gold because it has many aesthetic and health benefits for skin and hair. Argan oil has a substantial percentage of essential fatty acids, one of which is linoleic acid (omega 6) to fight hair and skin dryness.
This shampoo and the accompanying conditioner are really moisturizing. I happen to like the conditioner more than the shampoo (which is very thick) but I think they work well together. The formula of both products is similar—thick and rich. They lather well but are easy to rinse. They also leave a pleasant scent on the hair.
My scalp doesn’t react badly to these at all, as it sometimes does to products I’ve previously liked and enjoyed.
I didn’t really start using leave-on conditioners until recently. I always thought they were oily and my hair is already limp.
However, the Aveda Nutriplenish Leave-in Conditioner Changed my mind. I’ve always loved Aveda products and this one is no exception. The Nutriplenish line features plant-powered ingredients from superfoods. These include pomegranate oil, mango butter, organic coconut oil and active carbohydrates from algae and oat extract.
The texture of this product is watery and milky at the same time. It comes in a spray bottle and I find that it’s more economical to use that way. The scent is spicy and floral with cocoa, ginger and cardamom. I apply the leave-in conditioner at least once a day, especially after I’ve washed my hair.
After applying this, I apply two drops of Cynos Morocco Argan Oil. This has essential fatty acids, including omega 6, which help reduce hair dryness. This is an oil that has a silicone feel and it smoothens the hair and gets rid of tangles.
I have also recently started using a scalp serum. The Kérastase Spécifique Potentalisté Serum is a
daily defense and fortifying serum fit for all hair types that protects, strengthens and balances the scalp and hair.
Kérastase Spécifique Potentalisté was created for unbalanced scalps that tend to be dry, sensitive or oily, What it does is to basically relieve your scalp of the discomfort that comes with these conditions.
Microbiome science is what’s behind this serum. The serum’s proprietary microbiome research has enabled the development of a flawless, fast-absorbing gel-texture serum with two key ingredients: Bifidus Prebiotics Fractions, which nourish and care for the scalp’s good bacteria to maintain a strong barrier, and vitamin C that neutralizes the effect of daily aggressors, such as UV rays and air pollution which can lead to an imbalance in the scalp.
I apply Kérastase Spécifique Potentalisté Serum once a day, usually at night, whether I have washed my hair or not. The serum is tacky at first and cooling on the scalp. The tacky feeling disappears after about two minutes and you really feel the comfort it imparts. I have suffered from having a sensitive scalp for most of my life and this serum has really made a huge difference. My scalp is so much better now. I saw an improvement within days of using it so, yes, I would repurchase this.