We’ll have whatever she’s having, please. Image: Pantene
Odds are you would have read any number of beauty pieces extolling the “fatty” skincare fad of pouring oil onto everything. As it turns out, when it comes to hair oils, you may want to consider proceeding with caution.
Take it from an expert: “I would never recommend putting natural oil directly on hair,” says Rod Anker, celeb stylist and brand ambassador for Schwarzkopf India. “It blocks the follicles and reduces the pH level, and hair loss is directly linked to the pH level of your scalp.” Oh dear, bummer.
When quizzed for his take, my personal hairdresser concedes the point, saying that heavy-duty oils can indeed clog the “pores” of the hair follicle, hindering hydration to the fragile root. The result? Brittle strands susceptible to breakage and thinning.
All is not lost. Again, we need only look to skincare for an analogous situation: If hair oil coats our cuticles so much so that it prevents absorption of moisture, then it follows that you should apply oils as the very last step in your regime. Or, in other words, apply your water-based hair treatments (read “serums”) before topping up with a styling oil (your equivalent of a night cream). Genius, right?
Right now, I’m panting for Pantene’s intriguingly monickered Total Damage Care 10 BB Crème for Hair which, like its skincare counterpart, is a snazzy styling product with bountiful beauty benefits.
To use, simply run a dollop through the ends of damp or dry hair; this will give a generous shot of shine courtesy of a conditioning coconut and fatty acid blend. For added peace of mind, layer a an enriching essence like the Hair Fall Control Hair Strength Tonic under your BB Crème.
What else? I’m also gaga over Goldwell’s new Kerasilk Deep Smoothing Mask, which is great for a midweek boost of moisture. Chock-full of cuticle-comforting silk proteins, this pampering rinse-off treat promises to do exactly what its name suggests: It deeply smoothes every strand, prepping it for a final spritz of hair oil; for the latter, try the delightfully lush Kerasilk Ultra Rich Keratin Care Oil from the same range.
Once you’ve applied your “base” products, feel free to rake a hair oil through the ends of your tresses for a photoshoot-ready sheen; think Beyonce’s sexy “wob” in the by-now iconic Drunk in Love video. Oils are also perfect for taming pesky flyaways; for this purpose, opt for argan oil blends, which are awesome for lending a really reflective mirror-like mirage. Dispense one drop between your palms and lightly skim it across the surface for high-wattage shine without the extra weight.
So no, hair oils are not “bad” for you, per se. Like heavier-textured face creams, the trick is to layer them judiciously, at the end of your regime. I hope this gets you out of future hairy situations. Good luck!
Goldwell Kerasilk Deep Smoothing Mask, $80, and Kerasilk Ultra Rich Keratin Care Oil, $56, is available from all Goldwell-affiliated salons. For list of stockists, please call Goldwell at 6681 4749.
Pantene Total Damage Care 10 BB Crème for Hair, $9.90, and Pro-V Hair Fall Control Hair Strength Tonic, $7.95, are available at all leading supermarkets and pharmacies. For more information, visit www.everydayme.com.sg/tag/pantene and follow Pantene Singapore on Facebook.
