Sloans Hair Cheat Sheet

Here at the best salons Sydney, the Sloans of Lane Cove hairstylist team are all about education and empowering our clients to look and feel their best. We aren’t just talking your standard shampoo, conditioner and hairspray these days, there is a veritable minefield of options that can be confusing for even the most savvy beauty lover! We’ve come a very long way over the last few years and here the teams break down some of the trickiest products and ingredients in our Sloans Hair Cheat Sheet.

This handy tip sheet will help select the best products to banish your bad hair day battles next time you are in the salon or the store.

Caffeine: Not just for your morning coffee, caffeine can also be used in products to increase the activity of the hair root and is said to help promote hair growth.

Collagen: Increasingly finding favour as a daily supplement for skin health, collagen is naturally occurring but depletes over time. Used in products it coats hair with a very fine protective film.

Hyaluronic Acid:  The moisture-binding property of hyaluronic acid is beneficial to all hair types and textures by helping retain the proper balance of lipids, humectants, and proteins required for healthy hair. It reduces frizziness, plumps the hair and hydrates the scalp.

Serums: Think of serums as the power boosting first step in any hair care routine. Created to act as the first treatment to penetrate the hair, it adds an extra layer of efficiency for any treatment products used after them. They are light and watery for easy absorption into the follicle.

Oils: Oils today aren’t like they used to be! While it might seem problematic to add oil to hair, after all who isn’t terrified by the thought of oily hair, the new generation of oils, used in the right amounts, can make a huge difference without leaving hair greasy or weighed down. Today’s oils are, more often than not, created from beautiful natural sources and are light and silky so are perfect for softening all hair types. Focus on the ends to ensure they are not overused.

Silicone: Once a must have ingredient for glossy hair, silicones are increasingly being shunned for a focus on building hair health and strength. They work by coating the hair shaft to give the illusion of shine, however they also stop treatments from penetrating, attract dirt and pollutants and can be hard to remove. Thankfully the next generation of hair care provides much more hair friendly options.

Keratin: This is a protein which is the main building block of our hair. Any damage toe the cuticle can have an impact on keratin and lead to increased breakage and damage. Products with keratin can help build keratin back up and fill in the gaps.

Primer: Just as with your make-up, hair primers are lightweight creams that are applied to damp hair to help smooth the hair cuticle and protect hair from the elements as well as provide an added layer of protection before heat styling

Whether you are thinking about creating your best cut, best balayage, best waves, best colour or best balayage, you will likely come across more than a few of these in your hair journey and the Sloans teams are always here to guide you!

Image credit: @paulaschoiceau