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Subscribe The Best Hair Care Products to Transform Your Locks
Got (hair) damage? These are the best hair products that have been tried and tested, and will nurse your locks back to health.
In recent years, haircare has taken centre stage in the beauty industry. Gone are the days when a simple shampoo and conditioner — or dare we recall, the all-in-one — were enough to tend to our locks. More people are realising that since we invest time in multi-step skincare routines, it only makes sense to apply the same care to our hair.
Certified trichologist Chelcey Salinger tells Sitchu that scalp care is vital, highlighting its crucial role in maintaining healthy hair growth.
“The scalp is where our hair follicles reside, and it controls the health of our hair as it grows,” says Chelcey. But how do you know which haircare products actually work — and which are a waste of money? And how many steps should your routine include?
Chelcey advises simplicity, especially for frequent hair washers, cautioning against overcomplicating things. “If you’ve found something that suits your hair and scalp needs, there’s no need to switch!” She suggests finding products tailored to your individual needs and sticking with them for the best results.
Much like makeup and skincare, the haircare market is saturated with thousands of products promising a lot. Deciphering the options can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Our own haircare journeys have taken us through a jaw-droppingly long list of brands, tips, and tricks. Our team has tested dozens of products and spoken with experts to discover what truly works — and, importantly, which ones to skip.
Here’s our roundup of the best haircare products that will actually improve your hair health, rather than making you want to tear your hair out in frustration.
Best Hair Care Products: Pre-wash
Scalp Massager
Everyone loves a good scalp massage — it’s often the best part of a trip to the hairdresser. But what if I told you that indulging in a scalp massage isn’t just a luxurious treat? It also promotes hair thickness and can encourage potential growth. Research suggests that scalp massages stretch the cells of hair follicles, potentially leading to thicker hair. They also stimulate blood flow, which may further support hair growth.
While you can use your fingertips, a scalp brush makes the experience even sweeter. Spend five minutes thoroughly massaging your roots all over your head before stepping into the shower. My personal favourite is the Ceremonia Scalp Massager ($28.00), which gets in there without feeling too harsh.
L’Oreal Professionnel Metal Detox Pre-Shampoo Treatment, $70
Meet your hair’s new superhero: L’Oréal Professionnel’s Metal Detox Pre-Shampoo Treatment. Designed to zap pesky metal buildup that dulls and weakens, this little wonder strengthens strands from root to tip with its clever Glicofiller tech. It hydrates, smooths, and detangles — all without rinsing away. Perfect for colour-treated or hard water-weary hair, it’s a quick, no-fuss ritual that keeps your locks looking lush and resilient.
Mielle Rosemary & Mint Strengthening Hair Oil, $22.60
If weak, thin, or brittle hair is a concern, Mielle Hair Oil as a pre-shampoo mask might be just what you need. Enriched with rosemary oil — celebrated for its hair-strengthening benefits — this treatment helps stimulate hair growth, boost circulation, and reduce hair loss. With regular use, you’ll notice fewer strands falling in the shower, and your locks will feel softer, shinier, and stronger.
Apply it to your scalp (use a separate hydrating oil on ends if you like) and leave it on for anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours before shampooing.
Best Hair Care Products: Shampoo
If there’s one step you should never slack on in your haircare routine, it’s shampooing. According to Chelcey, it’s the most important part — and using the right shampoo is key.
“Look for one with a pH around 5.5, which matches the natural pH of both your scalp and hair,” she explains. “This helps close the hair cuticle, resulting in smoother, shinier hair that’s less prone to tangles.”
Regular shampooing also removes dirt, debris, and excess sebum buildup. Chelcey notes, “Sebum is a natural oil produced by the scalp, but when it accumulates, it creates a breeding ground for unwanted yeast.” That yeast can lead to dandruff, a frustrating problem for many.
Here are some of the best shampoos to suit different hair concerns and needs.
People Haircare Volume Shampoo, $16
If you’re chasing more bounce and body without the fuss, People Haircare’s Volume Shampoo is a total winner. It’s Australian-made, vegan-friendly, and packed with plant-based goodness like papaya and ginseng that nourish fine hair while giving it a boost. Plus, it’s gentle enough for everyday use and comes in recycled packaging — win-win. We’ve noticed our hair feels lighter and more alive.
Oribe Supershine Hydrating Shampoo, $78
If your hair’s craving a serious glow-up, Oribe Supershine Hydrating Shampoo is a luxe treat worth splurging on. It gently cleanses without stripping, leaving locks hydrated, soft, and dazzlingly shiny. Infused with pro-vitamin B5, cranberry extract, and Oribe’s signature botanical blend, it protects and nourishes every strand. Perfect for dry or colour-treated hair, this shampoo turns dull into dazzling — your hair’s new best friend for effortless shine and silky smoothness.
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo, $59
If your hair’s feeling a little parched and lacklustre, Pureology’s Hydrate Shampoo is the tall glass of water it’s been begging for. Packed with jojoba, green tea and sage, it cleanses without stripping, while the minty tingle makes your scalp feel like it’s just had a spa day. Colour-treated hair? It’s safe here. Hydration, shine and softness — all in one dreamy, sulfate-free lather. We also love its scent!
Horace Gentle Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, $28
If flakes keep gate-crashing your good hair days, meet Horace’s Gentle Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. It’s the scalp-soothing sidekick you never knew you needed—piroctone olamine tackles the root cause, cotton extract keeps things soft, and the coconut-based cleanser leaves you squeaky clean without the squeak. Vegan, silicone-free and sulphate-free, it’s proof you can treat your scalp kindly and still get that just-washed confidence.
Bondi Boost Curl Boss Shampoo, $45
Curly girls, this one’s for you. Curly hair craves extra hydration — it’s naturally on the drier side — so an ultra-hydrating shampoo that won’t strip away natural oils is essential. Curl Boss by Bondi Boost is a low-lather formula that gently cleanses while nourishing with a lush blend of coconut oil, argan oil, rosemary oil and aloe vera. The result? Soft, bouncy curls that feel as good as they look.
Best Hair Care Products: Masks & Treatments
The sweet spot for a hair mask or treatment? Right after shampooing and before conditioning. That’s when your hair cuticles are open and ready to drink in all the goodness. If your strands are feeling parched or in need of some serious TLC, this is your moment — let your treatment work its magic while your hair is most receptive.
K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask, $109.95
When it comes to bond builders, the K18 hair treatment sits firmly at the top. This powerhouse mask repairs damaged hair like nothing else — and with this one, less is definitely more (go overboard and you risk straw-like strands). Applied correctly, it’s transformative. Within just three washes, my hair was softer, healthier, and far more manageable. The technology behind this viral formula is genuinely groundbreaking — and worth every cent.
Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hair Mask, $38
The Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hair Mask is a radiant favourite in our team’s beauty arsenal. Infused with honey harvested from six generations of beekeeping, plus ceramides and hyaluronic acid, it drapes hair in deep hydration and glossy strength without the slightest weight. After just one use, locks feel softer, silkier, and visibly revived — a luxe ritual that feels as indulgent as it performs. Truly, a glow-up you’ll crave.
Virtue Flourish Mask, $105
Thin hair girlies, where you at? The Virtue Flourish Mask for Thinning Hair is the quiet hero your beauty toolkit has been waiting for. Powered by Alpha Keratin 60ku® — the very protein your hair is made of — it breathes new life into fragile strands with weightless hydration and strength. Fine hair feels fuller, softer, and more resilient without a hint of heaviness. For a subtle, luxurious boost, this mask delivers a gentle yet unmistakable flourish.
Hey Bud Protein Repairing Hair Mask, $45
This one-kind suits all repair mask is a real-life miracle worker. Lather your locks with Hey Bud’s Protein Repairing Hair Mask and you won’t just smell delicious, lime and coconut to be precise, but you’ll also be delivering rice proteins, castor oil, hyaluronic acid and hemp seed oil to your desperate hair. These key ingredients work together to hydrate, soften, thicken and strengthen.
Ouai Fine To Medium Hair Treatment Masque, $69
Elevate your hair game from dry to dazzling with this luxe treatment crafted for fine to medium strands. This restorative mask drenches hair in deep hydration, tames frizz effortlessly, and rebuilds strength with a rich blend of shea butter, panthenol, and hydrolysed keratin. The result? Soft, silky locks that shine with health and bounce—your go-to rescue for hair that truly flies.
Coco & Eve Super Nourishing Coconut and Fig Hair Mask, $57.90
Remember when your hair was irresistibly soft and healthy in its virgin state, before bleach wreaked havoc? This mask is the closest we’ve found to bringing back that silky, just-untouched feel, and it’s been our ride-or-die for delivering a surge of hydration to revive parched locks. The Coco & Eve Like a Virgin Hair Mask deeply moisturises, repairs and restores — leaving your hair as good as new.
Sitchu Tip: For an extra boost, leave the mask on for 30 minutes before hopping back in the shower to rinse and condition.
Vegamour HYDR-8 Deep Moisture Repair Mask, $85
The Vegamour HYDR-8 Deep Moisture Repair Mask is a nourishing mask that works to restore moisture in dry, brittle and dull hair. With ingredients including hydrating oils, amino acids, Karmatin™, this mask has been clinically proven to improve hydration and reduce frizz for 72 hours.
Sitchu Tip: Although it’s designed to replace your conditioner, follow up with their conditioner anyway for an extra hit of hydration.
Best Hair Care Products: Conditioner
Shampoo dives deep to cleanse hair follicles of dirt and buildup, while conditioner gently seals them back up, locking in moisture and shielding strands from breakage. The result? Hair that feels soft, nourished, and beautifully protected.
Evo Ritual Salvation Repairing Conditioner
Evo Ritual Salvation Repairing Conditioner is the ultimate rescue for colour-treated, brittle hair craving a second chance. This protein-packed powerhouse smooths frizz, boosts shine, and untangles stubborn strands with ease. Infused with hydrolysed quinoa and panthenol, it rebuilds strength from within, reducing breakage while locking in colour vibrancy. Apply, leave for 2 minutes, rinse — and say hello to softer, stronger, show-stopping hair every time.
Davines ESSENTIALS NOUNOU Nourishing Conditioner, $49.95
When our hair feels lacklustre and thirsty for a serious pick-me-up, the Davines Essentials Nounou Conditioner is the go-to in our kit. Packed with rich tomato extract from Italy’s Serrano di Carovigno region, it drenches dry, brittle strands in moisture, smoothing and detangling without weighing them down. The result? Soft, shiny hair that bounces back with effortless body and that just-right silky finish we all crave.
Nécessaire The Conditioner
When our hair or scalp feels out of sync, LA’s Nécessaire The Conditioner is the calm in the storm. Packed with seven molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, panthenol and avocado oil, it deeply hydrates, soothes, and softens — all while strengthening strands with plant-based ceramides. Fragrance-free and gentle enough for every hair type, it’s the everyday essential that keeps our locks nourished, balanced, and happily healthy.
Ouai Conditioner Range
Ouai’s range of conditioners is tailored to every hair type, making sure your strands get exactly what they need. Fine Hair Conditioner delivers lightweight volume and strength with keratin, biotin, and chia seed oil—no heaviness, just bounce. Medium Hair Conditioner hydrates and adds shine with babassu, coconut oils, and kumquat extract, while Thick Hair Conditioner nourishes deeply with marshmallow root, shea butter, and avocado oil to tame frizz and soften dense locks. Precision care for your best hair day, every day.
STRAAND Crown Boost Conditioning Treatment, $24
Part conditioner, part hair treatment, STRAAND’s prebiotic scalp care is a game-changer for damaged, dehydrated, and dandruff-prone hair. Its thoughtfully crafted formula goes beyond quick fixes, deeply absorbing into hair and scalp to nourish, restore, and improve health over time. The result is stronger, more resilient strands and a balanced scalp that feels refreshed and revitalised — lasting benefits that turn every day into a good hair day.
Best Hair Care Products: Post Wash
Goldwell Kerasilk Control Rich Protective Oil, $50
Goldwell Kerasilk Control Rich Protective Oil is our go-to for instant frizz taming and silk-like shine. Packed with keratin and silk proteins, it smooths unruly strands while shielding hair from heat and humidity. Lightweight yet deeply nourishing, it leaves locks glossy without the grease. For anyone battling flyaways or dullness, this oil transforms tired, stubborn hair into sleek, touchable perfection — every single time.
Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Frizz Reduction & Heat Protection Hair Oil, $54
Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil is an absolute icon in our haircare lineup. This weightless wonder tames frizz, amps shine, and protects from heat up to 232°C — all while strengthening strands and reducing breakage. It’s suitable for every hair type, and transforms tired, dull locks into sleek, radiant perfection with just a few drops. The ultimate multitasker your hair can’t live without.
GHD Bodyguard Heat Protectant, $46
After washing, if you’re reaching for heat tools, a trusty heat protectant is non-negotiable. GHD knows exactly how to shield your strands — its Heat Protect Spray blends protective polymers and conditioning agents to keep hair soft, lightweight, and healthy, no matter the heat.
Sitchu Tip: For a quirky test, spray some protectant on a slice of bread, pop it in the toaster, and watch how much it browns — proof of just how well your heat shield works.
Dyson Supersonic Nural™ Hair Dryer, $749.00
A hair dryer that doesn’t damage your hair? It sounds too good to be true — but it’s not. The Dyson Supersonic Nural™ Hair Dryer automatically adapts its temperature to protect your scalp using groundbreaking technology. Equipped with a network of Nural™ sensors, it reduces heat as airflow approaches your head, minimising heat damage.
“[It] has been designed to never exceed 55℃ at the scalp when in ‘Scalp Protect Mode,’ meaning you can dry and style your hair without compromising its health,” Chelcey explains. This helps limit heat damage, promoting a healthier scalp overall.
Looking for more hair and beauty advice? Why not try out one of these amazing hair masks or take a look at the best clean beauty brands out on the market right now.
Our Sitchu editors work hard to deliver you the best products, events and venues that we hope you will love and each one is selected independently. Sitchu may receive an affiliate commission when you follow some links.
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