I tested three hydrating masks to help dry summer hair and one is my new favourite find
THE quickest way to remedy dry, summer hair without weighing it down or causing an oily scalp is by using a hydrating mask regularly.
This week, I put three to the test.
Budget
GARNIER Ultimate Blends rice water infusion and starch hair remedy mask, £6.99 for 340ml, superdrug.com.
If you were on TikTok during the pandemic, the chances are you came across the “boomerang” rice water hair trend.
First people loved it for helping hair growth, then they loathed it for making their hair brittle after overuse.
The good news is, this has the perfect dose of the nourishing protein-packed ingredient, with a hydrating formula.
My hair felt smoother and shinier instantly. The results last one wash, but the tub is so big you could use it multiple times a week.
It’s my new favourite hair find.
Mid-range
OUAI Hair Gloss, £30 for 177ml, boots.com.
I’m a huge fan of Ouai. Founded by celebrity hair stylist Jen Atkins, the brand combines hard-working formulas with high-end fragrances for a truly luxe experience.
This gloss mask is no different. The scent lasts between washes, and the formula works in just five minutes and can actually be used in place of a conditioner.
While it definitely made my hair shinier, it is easy to use too much and can be hard to wash out, so you can end up with a residue on lengths and greasy roots.
Plus, this product is heat-activated, so you will only get the best benefits if you heat style.
Luxury
PHILIP Kingsley Elasticizer Therapies Sicilian lemon and bergamot, £39 for 150ml, cultbeauty.co.uk.
I would put good money on the fact that any hair stylist would recommend the original Elasticizer as one of the best treatments.
It is a cult classic for a reason, and has been one of the most enduring hair masks for more than a decade.
You can rely on it to do exactly what it says, which is strengthen hair long-term from the inside out, and nourish immediately for smoother, more manageable lengths.
The new limited-edition is perfect for summer, and worth the cash.
Pick of the week
MY most frequently used beauty product – by a country mile – is lip balm.
There are few I’ve not tried in my pursuit of non-chapped lips, but the best to cross my desk this year has to be The Inkey List Tripeptide Plumping lip balm, £11.
This week it is launching in three shades. As well as nourishing dry lips, it is clinically proven to plump up to 40 per cent in four weeks and smooth lines in two weeks. See theinkeylist.com.