Hair Heroes

Since getting my hair stripped of years worth of jet black hair dye at the hairdresser's a few months ago, it's been in pretty grim condition.

Enter my line-up of hair heroes; the products that have helped nurse my hair back to better health...

1. Cherry-scented Batiste Dry Shampoo - While this hasn't exactly done wonders for my hair in general, it has helped when I've wanted to go a day without washing it. At the moment, I'm concentrating on getting back some of the oil my hair has lost since the big 'strip job', but there'll always be a day here and there where I feel like 'slobbing it' and going without a full wash and blow dry. This has been a lifesaver.

2. Soap and Glory's Glad Hair Day shampoo - What do I love so much about this, then? It's paraben-free for one. But the key thing for me is that it's suitable for everyday washing, due to its 'no build up formula'. Plus, it smells good enough to eat. A bit pricey at £5.50 a bottle, but a little really does go a long way.

3. Mark Hill Heat Protection Spray - After getting something of a telling off from my hairdresser for not protecting my hair before straightening it, I was chuffed to spy this Mark Hill product for just 50p in Boots. It's since been repackaged but this has done wonders for my hair; I just spritz it through the length of it when I've jumped out of the shower. While before my barnet would feel dry after straightening, it now feels light without being sticky.

4. Johnson's Baby Shampoo - Yep, we all use this to clean our make up brushes, but have you tried this on your hair yet? It's pretty impressive stuff, keeping my hair soft and weightless. It doesn't over dry the ends and lathers up nicely.

5. Aussie Dual Personality Hi Hold and Hi Shine Hairspray* - Okay, so I know it's not good to ply your hair with too many products. But on the days I fancy something doing something a little different with my do, I spray a little of this through. It smells gorgeous and holds my hair in place for hours. Great for backcombing when creating a voluminous beehive.


6. Nanogen Hair Growth Factor shampoo sachets* - Eventually I'd like to cut off the section of my hair which has been stripped of its dye. For now, it's much too short for me to do so and in the meantime I'm doing my utmost to aid its growth, skipping 6-weekly hair appointments and taking hair supplements. Worth a try, eh? I've been using these hair growth sachets and while I haven't noticed a remarkable difference in the length of my hair, they seem to do a great job maintaining its condition and keeping it looking soft.


7. L'Oreal Elvive Damage Care Treatment Mask - I'm aware that as I've now stripped my hair of its natural colour, as well as years of built of dye, I need to try to replace the oils it's lost. My hairdresser tells me a treatment mask (used once a week) will ensure my colour holds longer, as well as keep my hair in tip top condition. This treatment by L'Oreal is a real winner in my book; cheap and effective enough to warrant me repurchasing.

L'Oreal Elvive Damage Care treatment mask

8. Macademia Healing Oil Treatment* - I seem to have had this for yonks and it's still going strong. I've been slathering this onto the ends of my hair and leaving in for 5 to 10 minutes, along with my usual conditioner. It's really done the trick of restoring my dry ends, so it's a big thumbs up from me.

Let me in on your hair heroes...Which hair care product can you not be without?

*FTC Disclaimer: Products marked with an asterisk are press samples. I was not obliged to write about any of them and my reviews are 100% honest and my own, as always.