Knowing your hair type is as important as choosing your diet regimen. Just like skin, hair type dictates what the hair needs.

The first step in identifying the right daily hair regimen for you is to classify your hair type. Though many professionals have different classification of hair types, the commonly known ones are normal to greasy, dull to dry, colored and damaged.

The next thing to do is choose the best product for you. This one is crucial. With the number of products today, all claiming to be “the best” and “number 1” in the market, buying has become such a strenuous chore. But when you know which “best” suits your type, everything else falls into place.

- Matrix Biolage Normalizing Shampoo
- Kerastase Specifique Bain Clarifiant, 1000ml/34oz
- Kerastase Specifique Bain Gommage (Oily Hair), 1000ml/34oz
- Phyto Phytocedrat Sebo-Regulating Shampoo Oily Scalp, 200ml/6.7oz
- Kerastase Specifique Bain Divalent, 1000ml/34oz

People with greasy hair can have dandruff problems too. According to the official web site of Schwarzkopf, sebum (oil) is released “through the hair follicle canal that forms a natural protective film on the hair.” Greasy hair is a result of excessive release of oil from the sebaceous glands that the hair shaft cannot absorb anymore. People with such condition are advised to wash the hair whenever necessary and to avoid excess use of hair care products.

Colorants disturb the natural structure of the hair. Intensive hair repair program is required to maintain the elasticity and balance of a color-treated hair. Protect the hair from sunlight to prevent fading of its color.

Damaged hair is brittle, difficult to comb after wash, and has developed split ends. Excessive use of chemical products for the hair, over-exposure of hair to heat or sunlight, and lack of nutrients contribute to hair damage.

Haute Look

It’s all about innovative beauty here this week: Blinc cosmetics creates waterproof ‘tubes’ around your eyelashes, Evis uses red and blue LED technology to smooth wrinkles, and Kroia skincare is based on color therapy.

BeautyTicket

Yves Saint Laurent’s limited-edition Bow Collection eye shadow palette is selling here for $16.99 instead of $60 this week. Plus: everything by Pop Beauty
is 50 percent off.

The Skinny

Sales of MLab anti-aging skincare, Borghese cosmetics, and Whish body products are all coming up on The Skinny.

Editor’s Closet

Bath and body products
by Provence Santé open here on March 4.

The Fairest

The former beauty sample sale site has transformed into a blog, currently confusing the community due to the sudden lack of discount boutiques. However, the writers behind The Fairest say there will be weekly giveaways to make up for it, and the first one by Sue Devitt has already attracted more than 700 submissions.

Hair accessrories stole the spolight backstage at Chanel, where London-based hairstlist Sam McKinght adorned updoes with bows and features. Adding Paul Mitchell and elnett’s stain hairspray will keep upods in check all day long.

Here are just a few:

•For fine hair easily weighed down by moisturizing shampoos, try Phyto Phytonectar Ultra Nourishing Shampoo Ultra Dry Hair

•For hair that is difficult to smooth and straighten, try Redken Smooth Down Shampoo

or, Kerastase Nutritive Bain Oleo-Relax Shampoo

•For dull hair, try Kerastase Reflection Bain Miroir Shampoo

Whatever your hair problem or type, there is a shampoo out there formulated just for you. What are your hits and misses? Have a shampoo issue you need help with? Post a comment and we’ll do our best to select the appropriate product for you.

This model allows these curious women to feel her hair after it was styled using Moroccanoil. Photos: Marcus Gonzales
Cherisse Moe

Want strong, healthy, shiny, manageable hair that can withstand even the most extreme weather? What woman doesn’t? Well, there’s a product that has taken the world by storm that claims to do it all. It’s name? Moroccanoil. Maureen Malka, brand manager at Canadian-based company, Moroccanoil, says the revolutionary line of styling, finishing and conditioning products, which they call “the best hair-care products in the world” is a must-have.

Said to control frizz, add shine and prevent hair breakage, the oil, sold in countries the world over, including Australia, Canada, England, Chile, Italy, Germany and the US, is now available in Trinidad—the first Caribbean island to launch the product-line. Said to be a big hit with Hollywood’s finest, such as actress Salma Hayek and country singing sensation Taylor Swift, Moroccanoil is also being dubbed the fastest growing brand in the hair-care industry by renowned stylists and their clients.

Secret ingredient
Speaking to scores of local hair-stylists and invited guests during the product’s launch at Aura Restaurant, Port-of-Spain, on Monday afternoon, Malka said its secret ingredient is Argan oil, an indigenous oil of Southwest Morocco. “The Argan oil in Moroccan oil products is a powerful anti-oxidant and is for every hair type. It’s light-weight and has more vitamins A and E than all other oils in the world. It also provides UV protection and penetrates the hair, increasing its elasticity.” Describing the product as a “luxury” salon-exclusive line, Malka says it will be retailed by Inter Caribbean Marketing, to be sold in selected salons across the country. “The longevity makes it 100 per cent worth the price,” she assured.

Trinidad — the perfect market
Canadian hairstylist and make-up artist, Steven Turpin agrees. He says Trinidad was chosen to launch the product since it was the perfect market as it represented “about four to five different hair types.” Turpin, who’s been in the hair industry for the past seven years, noted that for women of colour, the most important rule of thumb is using good quality products. “I realise that a lot of women’s hair is chemically processed. It’s very important to use proper products that will moisturise and add shine to damaged hair. This oil treatment is perfect to restore over-processed hair,” he says. “What’s also great about this product is that you don’t have to use it every day to get beautiful results.”

Turpin says four other product lines, including the Intense Curl Cream and the Hydrating Styling Cream, are now also available in Trinidad. The hairstylist also worked his magic on four models, each with different hair textures, using the Moroccan oil. Walking around the room, the models then gave curious onlookers the opportunity to feel their hair and ask questions about their before and after looks.

Just because a company purports to be green and eco-friendly, it does not necessarily mean their products are free from “bad” ingredients which can potentially be toxic, a columnist for the And My Kitchen Sink blog pointed out.

Consequently, she highlighted Weleda’s natural skin care range as being among her favourite moisturising products which are kind to the skin and free from chemicals.

She had particular praise for Skin Food, which she said is perfect for treating dry feet.

“It sinks in fast, makes your feet baby soft and it has a really soft, refreshing smell,” she added.

Earlier this week, the New Zealand Herald’s life and style correspondent Janetta Mackay said that Weleda’s Birch Body Scrub and Cellulite Oil are both great for clearing up imperfections on the skin.