Written by Clémence Rubiella | Published on 07 August 2023 | Hair care
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Dear readers,
My quest to find the right hair products for my thin greasy roots and dry-end hair has been a long one. I have tried so many treatments and after-shampoo, from the drug stores to the luxury brands and nothing really worked for me to rescue my dull hair. So once I moved to South Korea and noticed that both men and women had beautiful lustrous hair, I started investigating what was the source of their "more than" healthy hair. We will skip the part involving taking many vitamin supplements or red ginseng, and go right to the products that can transform your hair from lifeless to voluminous soft light-weight hair.
Let's rinse into it!
My recommendations:
Best Repair Treatment: Mise en Scene Damage Care Treatment ($9) Runner-up: Shiseido Tsubaki Premium Ex Repair Hair Mask ($14)
Best No-Wash Treatment: Mise en Scene Perfect No-Wash Treatment Cream Pack ($22)
Best Keratin Treatment: Floland Premium Keratin Change Ampoule ($10)
Best Spray Treatment: Shiseido Tsubaki Premium Repair Hair Water ($10)
1. Best Repair Treatment: Mise en Scene Damage Care Treatment
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Highlights:
Smooth finish
Non-scented
Wash-off easily
Apply easily
Nice creamy texture
What we don’t like:
The plastic cap can break easily
Mise en Scene is a big name in South Korea. It is a brand that specifically makes hair products; from shampoos to hair serums. And what is great about this brand is that its products are being sold in supermarkets. So really, it is truly accessible, affordable and used by Koreans. This is actually how I first discovered Mise en scene, strolling through my local supermarket. I have bought this Damage Care Treatment countless times during my long stay in Korea, and I will keep on purchasing it. I literally use it every time I wash my hair after shampooing and let it sits for about 2-3 minutes. It contains argan oil and royal jelly extract for deep hair nourishment, so you really feel your hair hydrated as soon as you rinse it off, so much more than an after-shampoo (which I find useless and drying). The only downside of this product would be the packaging. Please be aware that plastic cap may not fully seal the product.
Best Repair Treatment Runner-up: Shiseido Tsubaki Premium Ex Repair Hair Mask
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Awards: Glowpick 2023, PowderRoom 2023
Highlights:
Leaves the hair incredibly smooth
Camelia smell
Wash-off easily
Apply easily
Nice creamy texture
What we don’t like:
Pot not handy
Shiseido does not need much introduction other than it is one if not the most famous Japanese skincare, makeup and fragrance company, that hasn't stopped making amazing products for the past 150 years. Shiseido is also very present on the Korean hair care market and their Tsubaki line has everything your hair needs. I used this Tsubaki Premium Ex Repair Hair Mask for a long time and was never disappointed with the hydration it brought my hair. It gives that smooth and shiny finish to your hair, leaving them light as a feather within just a few minutes. It actually repairs the ripped cuticles and penetrates your damaged hair. There is no need to leave the product on for a long time, it works very quickly, which is great because you do not have to wait around 15 minutes with a towel wrapped around your head. It smells super nice like camelia flowers. The pot quantity will last you a long time but it is not handy when you are in the shower and water gets into it.
2. Best No-Wash Treatment: Mise en Scene Perfect No-Wash Treatment Cream Pack
Rating: 5 / 5
Highlights:
Smooth finish
Non-scented
Apply easily
Liquidy texture
What we don’t like:
Nothing
This Perfect No-Wash Treatment Cream Pack is a product that has been released by Mise en Scene quite recently and it is absolutely perfect. The one drawback of my hair treatments is the long wait between the moment you apply the product to your hair and the moment you will wash it off. Sometimes you just do not have the time, or like in my case, the patience to do so, even though your hair is damaged and would love some deep moisturization. This is when this Perfect No-Wash Treatment Cream Pack comes in handy because you simply do not need to wash it off! It is an amazing product that applies to wet hair and leaves it on to dry along with your hair. It is not as hydrating as a wash-off alternative but still really great for an everyday solution.
3. Best Essence: Mise En Scene Perfect Serum
Rating: 5 / 5
Awards: Glowpick 2023, PowderRoom 2022, OliveYoung 2021/2022
Highlights:
Easily carried around
Lasts a long time
Smells nice
Non-sticky
Right amount of hydration
Treats split ends
What we don’t like:
Nothing
Mise en Scene got famous for one product, and this is that one product. The Perfect Serum is the staple of the brand. It is a miracle cocktail formulated with seven different oils including argan, camellia, coconut, apricot, marula, jojoba, and olive oil. This serum is great for treating split ends, dry, tangled, and rough hair texture and also improving the hair's strength, shine, and elasticity. It is perfect for anytime during the day and the convenient packaging makes it ideal for carrying it in your purse. The texture is non-sticky, non-heavy and fast-absorbed. Honestly, a great repair hair serum.
4. Best Curling Essence: Mise en Scene Curling Essence
Rating: 5 / 5
Highlights:
Restores curls elasticity
No greasing effect
Heat protection
Floral scent
Shiny hair
Adds volume and bounce to the curls
What we don’t like:
Not travel friendly
This one of the curly hair people out there. I have straight hair but my sister has curly hair and during her vacations in South Korea, she tried this Mise en Scene Curling Essence. Well, let me tell you I have never ever seen her curls so defined, bouncy, glamorously voluminous and lustrous. This essence restores the elasticity of flattening curls while providing nourishment to your hair. Preventing your hair from tangling, the cream-type formula applies so easily and effortlessly to the hair without greasing your curls. It also acts as a heat protection that has a long-lasting fruity floral scent that makes you feel so refreshed before heading out for your day or night out. The Curling Essence is enriched with argan, cedarwood oil and apricot kernel oil for a soft and shiny finish. It really makes your curls look fuller and softer.
5. Best Root Treatment: Aromatica Rosemary Root Enhancer
Rating: 5 / 5
Highlights:
Nice herbal scent
Clarifying scalp
Intense roots nutrition
Adds volume to the roots
Promotes hair growth
Silicon free formula
What we don’t like:
Nothing
Perfect hair scalp strengthening and clarifying tonic, after a few times using the Aromatica Rosemary Root Enhancer, you will see your hair having more volume at the root without feeling or looking greasy. A cooling sensation is felt when you apply it. It uses rosemary's antioxidant benefit to nourish and revitalise your roots, strengthening circulation. Biotin, another key ingredient, helps improve thinning hair and promotes hair growth. And let's not forget the best part of it all, it is silicon free, a staple of the brand Aromatica.
6. Best Keratin Treatment: Floland Premium Keratin Change Ampoule
Rating: 5 / 5
Highlights:
Smooth cuticle layer
Highly concentrated nutrition care
Glossier hair
Less fizzy hair
Hair texture improves
Pre or post-hair treatment
What we don’t like:
Rinsing off the product can be annoying
The Floland Premium Keratin Change Ampoule is the best hair keratin treatment I have ever tried. It is exactly like doing a hair clinic for severely damaged hair at home. No more no less. It does hydrate and gives a boost to the hair shine and texture, which turns out to be lightweight, elasticity restored and soft like clouds. The ampoule formula is highly concentrated with ceramide and 17 amino acids. Each pack comes in with 10 bottles of 13 ml of products that need to be activated by mixing it with water at a ratio of 1:1. Once activated, the liquid ampoule turns into a creamy type treatment that you apply to the hair, excluding the roots. Interesting fact, you can use it as a pre or post-hair treatment. You cannot find this product in stores, even in South Korea, you have to order the Floland Premium Keratin Change Ampoule online, for some reason but it is totally worth it!
7. Best Spray Treatment: Shiseido Tsubaki Premium Repair Hair Water
Rating: 5 / 5
Highlights:
Convenient
Soft hydration
Adds shine
Floral scent
What we don’t like:
Shake before use
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