Looking to level up your haircare regime? The hair world can be as confusing as the skincare sector, with countless products and treatments all claiming to do amazing things for weak strands caused by over processing, over styling and environmental factors.

According to Cosmetify, luxury haircare brands akin to those you might find at the hair salon, have surged in popularity. But while it’s worth investing as much as you can in your haircare regime, you don’t neccessarily need to bust the budget, as high street brands can deliver great results, especially if you keep an eye out for specific ingredients.

If increasing your hair’s strength and length is a priority, Cosmetify recommends tracking down products containing ingredients such as coconut oil, argan oil, biotin and rosemary oil; we also suggest caffeine, vitamin B5, keratin and protein.

The salon solution 

Along with the above ingredient hacks, you can also check the condition with a hair strength analysis—available in leading salons nationwide, Schwarzkopf Professional SalonLab Smart Analyzer features new infrared technology that can ’see’ inside the hair to analyse the level of breakage, giving you a score and a bespoke haircare plan.

The scanner can help you and your stylist to track your hair’s progress at each appointment, to see what effect home haircare is having to improve the structure. Not only that, it also reveals the hair’s depth and tonal direction without having to rely purely on the outer appearance, which doesn’t give the whole picture.

I checked into award-winning London salon Haug London Haus, and my stylist Dan got straight down to business, sectioning off my medium textured, coloured hair before analysing the top, middle and bottom. I also answered a few ‘consultation’ questions on my hair on an iPad. It’s a quick and painless process but very revealing, helping you to understand exactly what your hair needs to be its very best.

Within minutes, a score revealing my inner hair strength was generated—in my case it was 68 per cent with oxidative damage detected, presumably due to the highlights I get twice a year, and free radical damage caused by living in a big city. I don’t know what I was expecting, but this was still a bit of a wake up call.

The answers I gave combined with the score—which Dan assured me wasn’t bad—enabled the algorithm to generate my personal treatment recommendation, including the most appropriate products to cleanse and treat my scalp, and treat and boost my hair.

Following a thorough cleanse, treatment and trim, my few-months-old highlights looked fresh and bright, and the condition felt healthier, stronger and more supple. With the scanners’ intel, I now know that I need to keep up with the right products to combat any damage and give my hair the nourishment and environmental protection it needs.  

At-home hair strengtheners

Schwarzkopf Professional BC Bonacure Root Activating Shampoo

Superfood ingredients and skincare actives power this gentle shampoo, formulated for weak and thinning hair lacking strength and density. It contains two key ingredients: antioxidant guarana, which contains twice the amount of caffeine as a coffee bean to stimulate the follicles and promote growth; and biotin, a water-based vitamin that contributes to keratin production, helping to improve hair strength by up to 40 per cent.

Megi Wellness Growth Stimulating Shampoo (johnbellcroyden.co.uk)

Suitable for sensitive scalps and colour treated hair, this hardworking shampoo has a gentle formula containing caffeine, biotin, vitamins B5 and E, nicacinamide and proteins. As well as promoting stronger, healthier hair, it detoxifies the scalp and provides deep fibre restoration, split end repair and anti-breakage benefits.

Goldwell Dualsenses Bond Pro 

Developed for weak, fragile locks prone to breakage, this technologically advanced range protects hair through supporting the bond-protein network, offering lasting strength and up to 10x more resilient hair. Suitable for all hair types, it features Inter-Amino-Bond-Builder technology that forms new ionic and hydrogen bonds, fortifying hair from the inside out.

Josh Wood Miracle Conditioner

Designed for fine, fragile and damaged hair, this professionally formulated sulphate-free conditioner deeply nourishes – it’s packed with natural active ingredients and a signature Colour Shine Complex of quinoa extract, green walnut and UV filters to protect hair colour.

Kerasilk Strengthening Mask

Made with fine, limp, and weak hair in mind and formulated with mineral-rich biomimetic silk and konjac root powder, this nourishing hair mask provides hydration that lasts up to five washes to reinforce and plump the hair from the inside out. In addition, it works to lessen breakage for hair that is 18 times stronger.

Scandinavian Biolabs Bio-Plixin Serum (johnbellcroyden.co.uk)

This serum has been developed by experts to help reduce hair thinning and support hair growth. Key ingredients include multiple plant growth factors that have been developed through innovative stem cell technology, to help nurture hair follicles and encourage growth. Results can be seen in just 45 days.