It’s Time to Strength Train Your Hair
Ready to level up your hair game? Stronger, healthier and glass-like hair starts with the right routine
I’ve spent more than half my life as a double-processed girly—translation: platinum blonde, baby! And let me tell you, it’s not just a hair colour, it’s a whole lifestyle. It’s a standing eight-week appointment with my colourist, dodging brassiness like it’s a full-contact sport and treating my strands with the same dedication most people reserve for skincare routines.
In short, living the bleach life isn’t all high-gloss editorials and icy bombshell vibes. The trade-offs? We’re talking breakage, bone-dry ends, a texture that can turn from sleek to straw if you so much as skip a mask—and don’t even get me started on trying to fake natural dimension. As for the elusive “glass hair” finish? Nearly impossible. But I’ve never been one to back down from a beauty challenge.
Whenever I’m in the presence (or chair) of greatness [read: hair pros] I always ask them: what’s the secret to stronger, healthier and glossier hair? Consider this your hair-strengthening starter pack. Let’s get into it.
Bonding Moment
Until recently, ultra-reparative hair treatments—known as bond builders—were a luxury reserved for salon visits. But thanks to a category boom (which was sparked with the creation of Olaplex a decade ago), these high-performance formulas are now an at-home essential for folks with processed and damaged tresses. Think of them as a “protein shake” for your hair, packed with amino acids to reinforce strength from within.
“My secret weapon for repairing damaged hair is Kerasilk Bond Builder,” says celebrity stylist Harry Josh, whose A-list clientele includes Dakota Johnson, Kate Bosworth and Cindy Crawford. “It improves manageability, boosts elasticity and makes hair 20 times stronger with daily use.” Smooth it onto clean, damp hair post-shower and let it work its magic.
Another pro-favourite? K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask, a go-to for colourist to the stars, Matt Rez. “When clients start using this before a colour service it makes hair stronger and healthier, so we get a more successful transformation,” he says of this Sephora bestseller which uses peptides—chains of amino acids—to restore hair from the inside out, while Olaplex rebuilds broken bonds for stronger, more resilient strands. Whether your goal is damage control or long-term strength, these powerhouse formulas have you covered.
Shine On
Coveting light-catching strands à la Paige Desorbo or Kim Kardashian? Glossy strands are the ultimate marker of healthy hair–especially with the glass hair trend still going strong. But if years of colouring, bleaching or heat styling have left your tresses looking dull, achieving that mirror-like finish takes more than just a quick pass with a flat iron.
“People are becoming more invested in the health of their hair,” says Harry. His advice? Look for products formulated with proteins to repair damage and hydration-boosting ingredients to restore softness and shine.
A foolproof formula for megawatt gloss: Start in the shower with a moisturizing mask or an at-home gloss treatment, then follow up with styling products designed to smooth, polish, and—most importantly—protect. “If you’re using any kind of heat, always use a heat-protection spray or lotion,” Harry adds. “It’s crucial for your hair’s health, but it will also help lock in that shine.”
Oil Change
“Damage is the number one culprit behind dull hair,” says Harry. When strands are compromised, they lose their ability to reflect light, leaving hair looking lacklustre. The secret to serious shine? A smooth, sealed cuticle.
Well-hydrated hair naturally catches the light, and few things work faster to restore moisture and repair damage than a oil treatment. “Oils help close the cuticle, which instantly boosts shine,” Harry explains. His go-to? Kerasilk Multi-Benefit Oil. “I love it because it’s incredibly lightweight – it’s nothing like those heavy, grease-inducing defrizzing oils from the ’90s.”
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