You’re likely already familiar with the rudimentaries of hair care, like the importance of conditioning your hair regularly, using a heat protectant before styling or blowing drying, and using dry shampoo to stretch out your days between washes. But with the further Covid-19 measures in place, and hair salons being affected by the circuit breaker, it might be time to familiarise yourself with some easy-to-replicate hair spa treatments you can do in the comfort of your bathroom.
We broke down two essential treatments and kept it strictly to the most important steps.
From scalp care to deep conditioning, here’s an easy guide to creating your own hair spa at home.
Start with a scalp treatment, there’s a reason why this is an essential step in korean haircare. Most scalp treatment products will have exfoliating beads in them, this is to give the extra boost to keep your scalp clean and healthy. Just as you should be exfoliating your face to remove build up from dead skin cells and debris, extend that consideration to your scalp–the same rules apply.
Scrub thoroughly and if you have the time to spare, give yourself a quick scalp massage. Regular practice of this will stimulate hair growth and increase hair thickness. But if you’re short on time, wash it out and follow up with a shampoo as per usual. Here are five scalp scrubs and cleansers to try.
Attached with a nozzle for easy dispensing, Aveda’s Purifying Scalp Cleanser is 98 per cent naturally derived and formulated with cleansing agents that gently cleanses and purifies your scalp.
Formulated with 100 per cent plant active ingredients, this scalp scrub multitasks and works double time. It cleanses, purifies, hydrates, and detoxifies the scalp to stimulate blood circulation and remove impurities. If your hair is dyed or bleached, you can also use this as a post-colour treatment to eliminate chemical residues and soothe your scalp.
Infused with Binchotan charcoal, a high quality charcoal, this deep cleansing shampoo removes impurities from the scalp to provide a healthy foundation for your hair. The micro-exfoliators help draw out product build-up and eliminate dead skin cells, while the amalgamation of peppermint, tea tree, and spearmint oils refresh and reduce itchiness. Topped with panthenol, a super vitamin, this shampoo contains the nutrients needed to strengthen your hair from the roots.
Formulated with piroctone olamine and climbazole, this scalp treatment focuses on scalp problems that lead to dandruff. The addition of rosemary oil and ginger extract balance the moisture levels and soothe any signs of irritation. Use this in place of your shampoo or add it into your routine if you have the extra time.
This scrub is suited for both your scalp and body, as it exfoliates, cleanses, and lathers to soothe. Powered by exfoliating sugar crystals and probiotics, this scrub gently but efficiently cleanses you from top to toe.
Once you’ve cleansed your scalp and hair, opt for a deep conditioner or hair mask. You can substitute this step in place of your daily conditioner routine to save on time, but try to leave it in for 15 minutes before rinsing out. For a multi-tasking hack, you can always wrap your hair up in the meantime and go about your daily routine before the timer rings.
Wing Choong, the Educational Director at L’Oreal suggests, “Leave on hair masks for longer periods of time to ensure deeper penetration of ingredients into the hair shaft. You can also briefly squeeze dry your hair with a towel before applying deep conditioners and hair masks or apply light heat using the hair dryer to boost absorption.”
Regular conditioners provide a surface level protection by shielding the outer layer of the hair, but deep conditioners, as their name suggests, penetrate deeper into the follicles for a boost of restorative benefits from the inside out. Deep conditioners are formulated with a powerful concentration of hydrating and strengthening ingredients. For something that requires minimal effort and takes 15 minutes, this process is far greater than the sum of its parts. Here are nine of the best hair masks and deep conditioners to try.
A must for K-Beauty enthusiasts, the Mise En Scene Perfect Serum 3 Min Salon Mask Pack intensely repairs and hydrates damaged tresses within 3 minutes. Using naturally-derived ingredients like argan oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and marula oil, the Perfect Serum promises to nourish and bring lustre to rough and weak hair.
Enhanced with rose petal extraction and botanical actives, this masque promises to hydrate and bring shine back to your hair. Leave it on for half an hour while you’re working from home to get the maximum effect and restore vitality and gloss. Suitable for all hair types, especially dry, coloured or treated hair.
If you’re looking for intensive care without a long waiting time, consider the Tsubaki Premium Hair Mask. Its innovative permeation technology uses both camellia oil and royal jelly to deliver a boost of nutrients and hydration.
Developed with advanced GinsenEXTM technology, this treatment targets hair loss with its ginseng extracts. If you’re prone to an oily scalp, take a look at this treatment for its hair loss defensive properties.
If your hair’s been through rounds of colouring and treatment and has come out on the brittle end of the spectrum, you would need a more indulgent hydrating mask. Luxuriously rich and refreshing, the blend of macadamia oil and narcissus flower wax nourishes and strengthens while softening the hair. Suitable for all hair types.
Formulated with Living Proof’s signature Healthy Hair Molecule technology, this treatment acts as a shield over every hair strand. Polishing and protecting, while smoothing and repelling dirt. Leave it in overnight and wake up to your ultimate smooth and frizz-free hair.
This is an intensive hair masque treatment designed specifically to treat brittle and breaking hair. It purifies the scalp while revitalising each hair fibre.
With three variants to choose from, the Fall Resist option contains Arginine that strengthens fragile hair, the Extraordinary Oil option is formulated with precious floral oils to moisturise hair and the Total Repair option has micro-ceramide that helps to mend and repair split ends. This is a deep conditioner that instantly repairs with no leave-in time needed.
