Over the past 15 months, my hair has been the last thing on my mind. But with the world starting to open up again, I’m feeling the need to give my locks some love before they see the light of day. Luckily, I’ve found some new products to help repair, nourish, and style my unkept mane: hair, meet your new squad.
{Meet Your Hair’s New Squad}
Disclaimer: Products mentioned in this post were provided to me at no cost for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own.
While I’ve never been one to style my hair daily, the pandemic has forced haircare even further down on my to-do list. My unwashed, uncut hair has been shoved into some snarled variation of a messy bun for basically a year now, resulting in major damage and dullness. But products from these three brands have brought my hair back to life and have me feeling ready to let my hair down. Talk about #squadgoals!
My new hair squad consists of:
- AOB products
- Amika’s Repair collection
- Coco & Eve’s Scalp Scrub
AOB Products
AOB is the latest venture from acclaimed Toronto stylist Aaron O’Bryan. All AOB products are paraben-free, sulfate-free, silicone-free, cruelty-free, pH-balanced and made in Canada. The AOB range contains two shampoo/conditioner duos as well as an anti-yellow treatment for blonde or grey hair, a volume spray and a detangler/heat protector. Products are between $32 – $34 each.
Each AOB product is formulated to address common haircare problems. The Hydrate & Repair shampoo and conditioner contains ingredients like biotin, keratin, and coconut oil to strengthen hair bonds and lock in major shine. The Volume duo has volume boosters as well as ingredients like avocado oil, ginseng root extract, and argan oil to revive dull, flat hair and create body. Thanks to its intensely concentrated violet pigment, Bye Bye Brassy Anti-Yellow Treatment works so well my jaw actually dropped during the demo, transforming a yellow-gold extension into cool silver in mere seconds. And the Volume Spray and Miracle Spray are basically fountains of youth for your hair. The fragrance is the same across all products in the range, so you can mix and match based on your hair’s needs without any clashing scents.
Another reason AOB products earn a spot in my hair squad? Accessibility. The squeeze pouch packaging with flip cap make dispensing the products incredibly easy and comfortable (even with soapy hands). Plus, the convenient hole in the corner and suction cup hook means you can hang the pouches on the wall of your shower and save yourself some serious tub space.
Hero product: The Miracle Spray ($34). This multitasker is a must-have for anyone whose hair has been feeling brittle. It detangles, protects up to 420 F, moisturizes, tames frizz, and can even increase hair strength! I spray this in my hair before combing and blow-drying, and I cannot overstate how much healthier my hair feels – and looks – after using it.
Amika Repair Collection
Like AOB, Amika was founded by stylists. The brand features 10 different lines, each based on a specific haircare need, so there’s definitely something for everyone. (There’s even a quiz to help you narrow down which products might be right for you!) The Repair collection – consisting of a shampoo, conditioner, repair treatment, repair cream, and intense repair mask – is all about healing your hair, and has been my saving grace lately. The products are clinically proven to reduce breakage and prevent future damage, and retail for between $24-$50 each.
Amika products are cruelty-free, vegan, and free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, and petrolatum. The lines are also genderless and made for all hair types and textures.
Hero product: The Kure Multi-Task Repair Treatment ($37). This powerhouse can deliver major results in just 60 seconds, and – with regular use – can legit transform your hair. Within a few uses, my waves were bouncier, smoother, and shinier. Consider me a Kure convert!
Coco & Eve Like a Virgin Deep Clean Scalp Scrub
It’s easy to forget sometimes that your scalp is skin, too! After the past year of neglect, however, my scalp has been acting out and clamoring for my attention. Itchy, flaky, hot, and also somehow oily? It’s been rough! Thankfully, Coco & Eve’s Like a Virgin Deep Clean Scalp Scrub ($44.90 USD) has put an end to my scalp’s misery. This invigorating scrub is packed full of Balinese goodness like coconut shell powder, volcano ash, peppermint oil, and caffeine to absorb excess oil while it exfoliates, cools and soothes irritated skin. Plus the convenient silicone brush makes application a breeze, and the amazing minty tingle is the perfect wake-up for my stressed-out roots. New scalp, who dis?
Coco & Eve’s products are cruelty-free, vegan, and are free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and other toxins.
Haircare #Squadgoals
With Coco & Eve’s Scalp Scrub, Amika’s Repair treatment, and AOB’s Miracle Spray, my hair is feeling healthier than ever. Like any good squad, these haircare products help me feel my best by repairing damage, strengthening, and giving me a much-needed confidence boost. They each have different strengths, but work together beautifully. My hair has definitely found its BFFs.