If you bleach or highlight your hair, you'll be more than familiar with that 'halo' effect, where newly blonded streaks feel like straw, sit away from 'healthier' hair in a fluffy mess when wet, and tangle at a moment's notice. We all know that bleach damages the hair and stops it looking as shiny as it would naturally...but it's so hard to say bye to blonde.
The solution is to hunt down products that will add as much moisture back into the hair as possible. Hair oils and serums will work wonders on how your hair looks and feels, but nothing beats the power of a good intensive conditioner or treatment.
My current favourite is Schwarzkopf Professional ESSENSITY Intense Repair Mask (£12).
ESSENSITY is Swarzkopf's attempt at a more natural-based professional haircare range; it's not completely free of chemicals but there are no artificial fragrances, silicones, paraffi / mineral oils or parabens in the range. This means the glossy, healthy feeling you get is not the result of silicone shine-enhancers that sit on top of the hair, but more likely to come from ingredients that actually penetrate to improve condition.
This is not a miracle worker, but when I slather it on the ends and mid-lengths of my over-processed, highlighted hair, it definitely helps me to detangle and get a shiny finish when I blow-dry. On the uncoloured sections of my hair, the results are even more noticeable - I don't think the underneath lengths have ever felt so soft and strong.
The key ingredients are Goji Berry (for its high amounts of amino acids, minerals and vitamins) and Soya Protein (a high-protein nutrient). The product itself is a cream-gel, so it doesn't feel quite as heavy as some thick intensive conditioners, but the moment you put it on you can feel how rich it is. The scent is slightly fruity (no doubt from the berries) and fresh but not overpowering.
Use this once a week on bleached or highlighted hair and I promise you'll feel a difference!
