Beauty Report: An end to bad hair days

I have a conflicted relationship with my hair. For seven years, I kept it pixie short mostly because I found it so wayward and irritating that I didn’t know what to do with it. Now that it has grown out, I have to find ways to control it.

The spectrum of ways in which our hair can be wildly annoying seems to be endless – it won’t hold colour, the roots are oily but the ends are dry, you want to use ethical haircare but it is frequently terrible and far too expensive, it’s frizzy or your sensitive scalp reacts to everything.

On and on and on. I’ve rounded up the best problem-solving haircare to solve the most common hair issues we all have. It will also help to force recalcitrant hair to do what you tell it to. With the right products and styling, it will submit.

Aveda Healthy Hair Service (Free)

The healthy hair service is available free from Aveda Brown Thomas. They’ll use a nifty gadget to take detailed (and fascinatingly hideous) images of your scalp and hair, and tell you your hair’s strengths and weaknesses.

I was recommended their Invati range for product buildup on my scalp, though there’s no obligation to buy. You can go back after a couple of months and try the service again to measure progress.

Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Nourishing Oil-in-Cream (€40)

This leave-in treatment cream is expensive, but if you can afford it, the rich texture and divine fragrance of camellia soften the hair and make it smell incredible for days after washing.

Bioderma Nodé Fluide Non-Detergent Shampoo (€10.50)

This ultra-gentle shampoo cleanses cantankerous scalps without distressing them, and is gentle enough to use on the most reactive skin.

Joico Colour Balance Blue (€16.95)

At last, a range that targets brown, highlighted hair prone to brassiness.

If you want to keep cool tones in the hair, these blue-hued wonders will tone out warmth and leave highlights ashy.

It’s also great for keeping grey hair looking silver.

Redken Pillow Proof Blowdry Express Treatment Primer (€23)

The idea of hair primer seems silly, but those with thick hair will love it. It genuinely shortens the time you’ll take to blow dry your hair.

You can spend the extra time you save feeling smug flicking your hair about showily.

Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo & Conditioner (€17.55 & €21.75)

Pureology is a salon range of products, is completely vegan and designed for very damaged hair.

A little goes very far, it lathers dreamily and leaves hair baby-soft and scented like honey. If damage is a real concern for you, these are worth investing in.

L’Oréal Elvive Extraordinary Clay Mask (€5.49)

I’m constantly trying to combat oily root without drying my battered ends. Think of a clay face mask, but for the scalp. This absorbs oil before you shampoo your hair, then rinses easily leaving the scalp feeling really refreshed and the hair shining.

Laura’s Product of the Week

Lancome Juicy Shaker (€22)

The Juicy Tubes of our youth are now an elegant but fun lip colour. Rich and moisturising, one thin layer gives a whisper of glossy colour.