Disclaimer: The author has not been sponsored for this article. Please do not take these recommendations as medical advice. If you have any medical concerns please consult your GP. This article is based on the author’s personal experiences, own personal purchases and use for several years. It does not reflect her medical practice or represent the views of the medical profession.

There are so many different hair care products out there and it’s difficult to know what works well and what doesn’t. Everyone wants a quick fix. I have put together my top five hair care to hopefully save you time, won’t break the bank and give you good results.

Moroccanoil treatment

If there was one product you had to choose to take on a desert island, it would be this. A few years ago argan oil was all the rage and the Morocconoil company latched on to the hype with their range of products containing this key ingredient. Argan oil is rich in antioxidants, vitamin E and linseed extract which hydrate and nourish the hair, helping to improve its health. Product claims include detangling, speeding up drying time and boosting shine.

I apply two pumps of oil onto damp hair after washing and have been doing so for around five years. This hair oil has raised my hair game. It leaves hair smooth, tamed and shiny. It does not leave an oily residue in the hair.

It is on the slightly pricey side at around £30-32 for 100ml (depending on which retailer you purchase from) and over the years I have dabbled in cheaper versions, including more ‘pure’ argan oil, but I always come back to this.

The closest dupe I have found is Hask argan oil which gave me similar results, but I found it slightly heavy and greasy in my hair.

The Body Shop Rainforest Radiance Detangling Spray*

This is a leave-in conditioner spray made for colour-treated hair, claiming to add shine and softness. It contains linseed oils, UV filter and no silicones or parabens. It can be used on both dry and damp hair.

I actually picked this up without realising it was for coloured hair. I don’t think this adds any extra softness or shine to what my Morocconoil treatment doesn’t already do. So why have I included this product in my top five? Because of the scent.

I use this product as a hair perfume and I love it. I spray it on dry hair whenever I need a pick-me-up. It’s a fresh, fruity, flowery scent – the type of smell you get while shampooing hair. It’s not sickly sweet or overpowering. If they extend this range to a perfume I will most certainly be investing! Mind you, the smell does not last very long so you might have to top-up during the day.

*On submission of this piece I found that The Body Shop have discontinued this online but it is still available from other sellers and may be available in some stores.

EQLEF green sandalwood comb

I used to rave about my tangle teezer. I would think: finally a product that provided a quick fix to my tangles. But I would find that despite gentle use, I would lose quite a bit of hair and my hair was prone to breakage, not to mention all the frizz it would cause.

After some research I found that a wooden comb is thought to be beneficial for hair health. With the use of a wide toothed comb scalp blood circulation is boosted (due to the rounded teeth) which in turn promotes growth, this also reduces hair loss over time and breakage. It is also claimed to prevent hair static and distributes sebum evenly which means added shine and a natural bounce. But be warned, lots of combs are advertised as wooden, but are in fact plastic

I found this beautifully packaged sandalwood comb on Amazon. It arrived in a box with a cute hair tie and would make a really nice gift. The comb itself is brilliant. It is both sturdy and strong, I get barely any hair loss let alone breakage, and the result is beautifully smooth combed hair. I’ve also noticed that my hair is straighter from repeated use.

Darbur Amla hair oil

I remember this dark glass bottle with a picture on the front of a woman with beautiful long hair. My mum would comb this into both me and my sister’s hair on a weekly basis, and we hated this regime. Little did I know I would continue using this in adulthood.

Dabur recommends using this oil three times a week and to leave it in for an hour before washing. I oil my hair weekly and like to alternate with different oils, but this is my favourite. It’s a thick green liquid which I rub in my hands to warm up and then massage into my roots right through to my ends. I then sleep in it and wash it out the following morning. Some people like to wrap their hair in a scarf or towel so that the heat can allow better penetration of the oil into the hair shaft.

This oil consists of amla fruit and a blend of fruit and mineral oils which claim to promote healthy long hair and regular use can help reduce hair loss, greys and split-ends. With frequent use this oil gave me soft, thick hair and over time darkened my hair. The smell is an acquired taste – some like it and some don’t. I find it can linger unless I shampoo and rinse my hair twice after use.

PS…Coconut Oil hair mask  

Sometimes you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get desired results and this Primark hair mask is a good example. Coconut oil is very popular and there was plenty of hype surrounding its multiple health and beauty uses. Indeed, it has multiple benefits for the hair including shine, growth and the elimination of dandruff.

This mask is a conditioning treatment. You apply it directly onto wet hair and leave it in for ten minutes before rinsing. Depending on the length of your hair, I find that each packet has a generous amount of product. I get roughly one use (my hair is mid-back length) which given the price (£0.60p) is pretty good. It is claimed to hydrate and nourish hair and has a lovely scent which leaves my hair feeling soft, extremely shiny and very silky (I left it on for a few hours). It’s definitely worth using before a special occasion. I’ve stocked up.