These are the hair care products our editor is using during lockdown

When it comes to hair care during lockdown, there seems to be one thing on everyone’s mind – hydration! That, coupled with the need for a haircut and in-salon treatment, of course. Our editor’s hair is taking major strain during this time, and out of pure desperation she raided her beauty cupboards to find some new hair care products to try. Here is what she has been using:

Lush Big Sea Salt Shampoo (R245.00)
I don’t know what I was expecting when I saw this product for the first time, but somehow I wasn’t expecting the tub to contain actual sea salt; the type you see in coarse salt grinders. This was a completely new experience for me as all my previous shampoos (barring the solid shampoos I love) have been smooth, runny liquids. This shampoo has a thick consistency with crystal-like pieces of sea salt suspended in it. The scent is incredible, and even after your hair is washed and dried, it lingers for a day or two. It contains sea salt, seaweed, lemon and lime. The sea salt promises to have a volumising effect (it lifts the hair and adds body) and also softens the hair, which I can attest to, as my long hair felt amazingly soft after every use. The lemon and lime are responsible for giving the hair lots of shine. I thought I would go through the tub quickly, but it lasted a surprisingly long time, as you need very little to lather your entire scalp and the lengths of your hair. I was so sad to see the bottom of the tub, and will definitely repurchase.

John Frieda Miracle Drops Damage Repairing Hair Mask (R40.00)
I meant to have a haircut and professional treatment for an entire month before the lockdown was announced but never got round to it, and shortly after the restrictions were imposed I began to seriously regret it. I went into lockdown with hair that was a tad too long for my liking, with dry ends and lacklustre colour. I applied this mask a few days in and was really surprised by the difference it made. It contains vitamin E oil, which is known to deeply moisturise and nourish. My hair hadn’t been that soft in a very long time. Even the dry ends had softened and looked much healthier. I got two uses out of this mask, but bear in mind my hair is long (halfway down my back), and with shorter hair you could probably get three uses. I love that it’s affordable – really great value considering how effective it is.

Naturally Africa Hair & Scalp Oil (R159.95)
I was really excited to try this hair oil from new brand Naturally Africa. Not only is this a “clean beauty” product, but it’s vegan, 99.9% naturally derived and made in South Africa. I have an oily scalp so I avoid bringing oils close to it, but I love running some oil through the lengths of my hair and especially my ends, which have been extra dry and prone to splitting. I’ve been applying a few drops after every wash. I usually let my hair dry naturally for about 15 – 20 minutes and then gently massage this into the driest bits. The oil is lightweight and non-greasy and has a fresh, tea-tree like scent. The first time I used it I forgot that I’d applied it, and the next morning I noticed that the lengths of my hair were a lot softer than usual, and my split ends were less noticeable. The oil does a great job in softening even very dry hair and is filled with plenty of goodness – vitamin E, tea tree oil, castor oil, grape seed oil, coconut oil and sweet almond oil.

Tangle Teezer Blow-Styling Round Tool (R390.00)
A blow-drying brush may not seem like the most essential tool during lockdown, but truth is, this has been a real lifesaver. I can’t be bothered to style my hair if I’m not going out, but with regular Zoom meetings I’ve had to find a quick way of making it look presentable, and this tool does just the trick. The idea is to gently pull the brush through your hair (starting at the roots) while holding the blow-dryer a few centimetres away, following the direction in which you pull the brush. Super simple right? The teeth of the brush have a unique configuration which delivers free-flow tension. This allows hair to dry very quickly and with a natural movement and volume. Your hair goes from wet to dry with a natural wave in minutes. It’s a really nifty tool for when you want styled hair but just don’t have the time to use a flat iron or curling iron. I used the large size because my hair is long, but there’s also a smaller size available for short to medium hair.

Joico JoiFull Volumizing Shampoo, Conditioner and Styler (R335.00 / R345.00 / R380.00)
I’m a big fan of Joico hair care and fell in love with their Defy Damage range last year, when my hair was weak from too much colouring. The JoiFull Volumizing range is a new favourite! I have thick hair that often lacks bounce, but while using these products I found it much easier to create and maintain volume. Volumizing products have a tendency to leave a sticky or heavy residue on the hair but there is absolutely none of this in sight with this trio. The products left my hair feeling soft, looking shiny, bouncy and – best of all – maintained my style the entire day. The shampoo and conditioner have a lovely rich texture and lather beautifully. The Volumizing Styler protects the hair from heat damage and has a medium moulding and shaping power that doesn’t weigh the hair down or leave it feeling crunchy. The hairstyles I’ve created while using this range have been quite basic considering I’ve been at home, but I’m planning on putting it to the test on a full head of curls next.