We like the sound of "cotton-infused shampoo" - it evokes images of soft, full tresses lightly mussed by a gentle breeze. Leave it to the folks at Fresh to harness the power of the fluffy stuff with Fresh Cotton Shampoo ($26), which its works magic on both normal and color-treated hair. Cotton powder lends texture, while cotton-seed extract conditions and smoothes; other ingredients - including sunflower-seed, carrot-root, and linden-bud extracts - add shine, protection, and strength. Pick it up at Fresh (121 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.421.1212).
Four products, a flat iron, and a brush that costs more than our cut-color-and-blowdry later, our hair is perfect. Our hands, however, are a sticky mess. But not so after using the revolutionary Hands2Hair ($16.50) from DuWop, a cream that's equal parts hair goo and hand lotion. Active ingredient squalane smoothes skin while leaving locks shiny and lightly texturized. Simply work a decent-sized dollop into damp hair and massage the remaining sweetly-scented film into hands. Stock up on this two-in-one treasure at Sephora (Prudential Center, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, 617.262.4200).
When our hair needs serious treatment, we turn to a cult favorite: Philip Kingsley Elasticizer ($42), available at www.philipkingsley.com. Work the slippery paste into wet hair for about a minute, then shampoo and condition as you normally would. The formula makes a beeline straight to your hair's cuticles, delivering intense moisture for strong, silky tresses with plenty of movement. And Kingsley's Elasticizer won't weigh hair down. You'll notice a difference immediately, and results improve with regular use.
We're all about low-maintenance hair, but shiny locks are an absolute necessity. For that, we rely on Oscar Blandi's Luce ($25), a rinse-out gloss that conditions, brightens, and restores shine to hair with grape-seed extracts and other vitamins. It also protects hair from damaging environmental elements. Evenly apply the gloss to towel-dried hair, relax for three to five minutes, and rinse with warm, then cool, water. Find Oscar Blandi at Sephora.
Forgive the fact that the name is a bit wordy. Depth Charge Seednoir Prewash Hair-Therapy ($40) by Molton Brown, available at Neiman Marcus (5 Copley Place, Boston, 617.536.3660), is formulated with a blend of essential oils perfect for sprucing up dry, damaged 'dos with shine, silkiness, and plenty of body. In fact, seednoir (a/k/a black-seed oil) is traditionally used in India for its hair-conditioning properties. Once a week, comb the oil through dry hair, give it 20 minutes or so to marinate, then shampoo and condition according to your normal regimen. Added bonus: it's good for scalps, too.
We've been hearing stylists rave about the Davines brand for so long, we had to investigate firsthand. Our pick? The line's Alchemic Shampoos ($20) and Conditioners ($24), which embellish fading hair color (natural or colorist-applied) while adding shine, moisture, and sun protection. Formulated with milk proteins, vitamins, and olive-oil derivatives, the products are available in shades like red, copper, golden, chocolate, and tobacco. Take your pick at
I Soci Salon (8 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.867.9484). @
