Staff Picks: Marie France Asia’s favourite haircare products

Short or long, straight or curly, our hair is essentially our shining crown of glory. To achieve luscious locks all-day though is a mean feat especially in Singapore’s relentless temperature and soaring humidity index. So this week as the sun continues to ferociously shine down on us, we reveal some of our cherished haircare products – from shampoos to hair oils and leave-in creams.

Rana – Editor-in-Chief

“For someone with hair like mine, choosing the right hair products is essential in preventing a disaster and ending up with something resembling a broom on the head instead of bouncy and healthy-looking curls.

My winning formula consists of a two products which have never failed me:

Redken Curvaceous Cream Shampoo, approx. USD32

Normal clear shampoo tends to dry my hair but the extremely creamy texture of this one is just perfect to keep my locks moisturised. I don’t even need to use conditioner after it. It is also sulphate and paraben-free and smells heavenly.

Kerastase Oleo-curl Leave-in Cream, approx. USD42

Another indispensable hair product for me is this lightweight leave-in cream which hydrates my curls, defrizzes them and keeps them bouncy while protecting them from the hairdryer’s heat.”

Tarandip – Fashion & Beauty Writer

Elvive Extraodinary Oil, approx. USD19

“Hair oils are my guilty pleasure. I mean who doesn’t love the after-application feeling of running your fingers through soft, lustrous locks? I do. So essentially, after washing my hair, I always reach out to this product and apply a pump or two onto semi-damp hair. Although, it can applied on dry hair as well but I find that it works better on damp hair. Essentially, this will my hair all shiny and smooth to the touch, which I absolutely love.”

Shannon – Editorial Assistant & Writer

Josie Maran 100 percent Pure Argan Oil, approx. USD48

“Even though I have to spend hours in the shower combing through my curly locks, I would never give up my hard-to-manage hair. In the last couple of years I managed to get my frizz under control with certain miracle products and Josie Maran’s 100 percent pure argan oil is one of them. This lightweight oil, enriched with vitamin E and essential fatty acids treats split ends and accentuates beautiful curls for a nourished, revitalized look. Apart from daily use, once a week I use it as an intense leave-in hair treatment at night and wash it off in the morning – works wonders!”

Annabelle – Fashion & Beauty Writer

Redken Smooth Lock Heat Glide, approx. USD18

“As a victim of terribly frizzy hair regardless of whatever brand of conditioner I use, this hair product works like a charm in taming the rebellious mane of mine. Laced with the luxurious fragrance of almond oil, this product is simply a delight to apply after every wash. Just use a tiny amount about the size of a 20cent coin and you’ll be surprised at how far it goes.”

Diya-Maya – Food, Health & Travel Writer

Kérastase Densifique Bain Densité shampoo, approx. USD39

“I’ve tried all sorts of hair products – from oils and serums to masks – but I have to say the one product that seems to have completely changed and enhanced the texture of my hair has to be the Kérastase Densifique Bain Densité shampoo. True to its claim of being volumising without weighing the hair down, it makes my hair smooth and supple after just one wash. It is also so much easier for me to style my hair and after blow-drying and brushing, it becomes naturally voluminous and bouncy. I swear by it and it’s the one haircare product I’m willing to splurge on, because I know its effects are lasting.”

Lindsay – Fashion Tech & Lifestyle Writer/ Translator 

“Rather than a product, my favourite is a homemade nourishing masque that I apply once a week on my hair. I mix 1 tablespoon of olive oil with 2 tablespoons of honey and add a drop of lavender essential oil just for the scent. Typically, I spread it on my hair and leave it on for about 1 hour before shampooing. It’s not expensive at all, and, for what it’s worth, I strongly believe that it’s as good as a Kerastase product! ” 

Laetitia – Regional Account Manager

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Shampoo, USD57

“I wash my hair everyday with the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Shampoo. It’s  paraben and silicone-free and yet foams up nicely to throughly cleanse my hair and scalp. Ever since I’ve used it I feel that my hair has become less oily to result in more soft and hydrated locks. Most importantly of all, I love the smell of the shampoo.”

Aline – Audience Product Manager

Monoi Tiki Tahiti, approx. USD7

“I use this oil to make a homemade mask that I apply once a week. After applying the mask, I’ll put up hair in a braid and wash it the next morning. This way my hair is strengthened and at the same time has a lingering coconut scent.”