No matter how many masks you wear, your lengths remain rough, especially after a hot day or a blow-dry that’s a little too hot. And given the multitude of oils, serums and sprays, it’s difficult to know which product really deserves its place on the edge of the bathtub.
For some time now, an idea has come up often: rely on a unique leave-in treatment, to be applied at the end of the routine, to obtain softer hair without adding ten steps. 10-in-1 oils, hair oil mists, protective sprays… can this minimalist gesture really be enough to make the fiber more supple and smoother on a daily basis?
Softer hair: what a leave-in treatment changes
Between the heatwave, repeated coloring, frequent blow-drying and the use of heating appliances, the hair fiber gradually weakens. It loses its suppleness, becomes more difficult to detangle and frizz appears at the slightest change in humidity, even when the hairstyle has been carefully worked.
Treatments that are rinsed off, like shampoo or mask, clean and nourish, but their action stops when the water washes away the formula. A leave-in treatment remains on the fiber to form a protective veil. This is the principle of L’Oréal Professionnel’s Absolut Repair Oil 10-in-1 or Amika’s The Shield spray: prolong the effects of washing, while protecting the hair throughout the day.
10-in-1 oil and oil mists: an ultra-simple soft hair routine
L’Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Oil 10-in-1 has been designed for normal to sensitized hair, weakened by coloring, blow-drying or heating appliances. Sold for $28 for 90 ml, it combines ten actions in a single bottle: nutrition, resurfacing effect, light touch, suppleness, detangling, conditioning effect, better hold of the hairstyle, shine, protection of the fiber and sensation of softness.
Its flagship ingredient, wheat germ oil, is known for its nourishing properties that help soften hair and preserve its suppleness. After shampooing, simply wring out the lengths, then place a few drops in your hands before applying them to the lengths and ends, without rinsing. Used in the recommended quantities, the texture remains light, without a greasy effect, and the hair appears softer and easier to manage.
How to choose and apply your leave-in treatment for softer hair
If you fear the heavy effect of classic oils, the new generation of hair oil mist provides an alternative. These formulas come in a very fine spray, like a facial mist, to deposit a veil of shine and hydration without overloading the fiber. Some, like the bi-phase serum + oil, combine humectants, light oils and sometimes UV protection in a single gesture.
The Shield spray – Amika Anti-Humidity Spray, sold for $32 for a 221 ml format, is suitable for all textures, from straight hair to frizzy hair. It protects the fiber from heat up to 230°C and helps preserve the hairstyle from humidity for 24 hours, limiting the appearance of frizz. Simply shake the bottle well then spray lightly on damp or dry hair before blow-drying, straightening or curling. By combining thermal protection, anti-humidity barrier and light touch, this type of spray also helps to keep hair smoother, supple and soft on a daily basis.
Is a leave-in treatment enough to have softer hair?
These products do not replace shampoo and mask, but they complement the routine. Applied as a final gesture, they provide a nourishing and protective film which prolongs the feeling of softness, suppleness and shine between two washes.
Oil or oil mist: what to choose for fine hair?
Oil mists are designed to diffuse in an ultra-fine veil. They provide shine and hydration without being heavy, which makes them an interesting option for fine hair or for those who fear the greasy effect of more traditional oils.
When to apply Absolut Repair Oil 10-in-1?
This oil is used after shampooing, on washed and towel-dried hair. Place a few drops in the hands, then distribute them only on the lengths and ends, without rinsing, at the end of the hair routine.
Sources
- Beauty Test
“Because of the heatwave my hair became dry, this 10 in 1 professional oil with multiple benefits made it silky”
- Beauty Test
“Thanks to this product available at Sephora my hair no longer swells because of the heat and what’s more it smells really good”
