The Splurge & The Save: My Hair Care Edit

I love experimenting with my hair—whether it’s new colors or different cuts. Changing it up every year feels like therapy for me. Sure, it can get a little pricey, but it’s always worth it if you go to a good colorist who really knows what they’re doing. Recently, I went for golden tones, and I’m absolutely loving the look!

I enjoy taking care of myself—hair care, skin care, makeup, you name it. I like investing in products that make me feel good. For example, I have four different shampoos and pick one depending on the scent or how I want my hair to feel that day. I also keep three hair masks and several serums because splurging on these things makes me happy. Honestly, as women, we need that extra aftercare—especially after bleaching or coloring our hair.

Shampoos:

Kérastase Chroma Absolu Bain Riche Chroma Respect

This one feels super luxurious. It’s creamy, nourishing, and really helps keep my color looking fresh and shiny. Plus, it smells like a high-end salon—soft and a little floral.

L’Oréal Serie Expert Vitamino Color

Lightweight but does the job so well! It protects the color and gives my hair that glossy look. The scent is fruity and fresh, the scent instantly brightens my mood.

L’Oréal Serie Expert Metal Detox

A total game-changer after coloring. It gets rid of all the build-up from metals in water that can make hair dull. My hair feels cleaner and stronger with this one. The scent is clean, a bit citrusy, and refreshing.

OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo

This one is all about smoothing and shine. It leaves my hair soft and glossy, and the scent is warm, nutty, and a little tropical—honestly so addictive. Since it has sulfates, though, it can feel a bit more drying compared to the others, so I usually follow up with a good conditioner or mask.

Hair Masks

K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask

This one’s more of a treatment than a mask—it works on a deeper level to repair damage from coloring or heat. My hair always feels stronger and healthier after using it. The scent is clean and minimal, nothing heavy, which I like since it doesn’t clash with other products. Definitely one of my top favorites—it never fails me. I feel hair lengths get healthier and my grows so well whenever I use this mask.

Shiseido Fino Hair Mask

Such an affordable gem! It makes my hair super soft, smooth, and easy to manage. The scent is sweet and floral, very “Japanese beauty aisle.” I usually leave it on for a good amount of time, and the results are even better—my hair feels silky and light.

Kérastase Résistance Masque

My go-to when my hair feels fragile or over-processed. It nourishes deeply, strengthens strands, and smells just like a high-end salon—fresh, slightly floral, and elegant. I also leave this one on longer than suggested, and it makes a huge difference in how healthy my hair feels.

Hair Serum

Label.m Age-Defying Hair Serum

A lightweight serum that targets signs of aging in hair, like thinning or dullness. It makes strands feel smoother, adds shine, and gives that “healthy bounce” back. The scent is light and fresh, and just grabs attention of anyone who blowdries my hair.

Kérastase Thermique (likely Ciment Thermique or Nutritive Thermique)

This is a heat protectant + leave-in treatment in one. I love it before blow-drying or styling because it protects while making my hair soft and frizz-free. It has that signature Kérastase salon scent—clean, slightly floral, and very luxe. I usually use this over my lable.m serum and after my k18 treatment for an extra layer of protection against heat damage.

Shiseido Fino Hair Serum

Affordable but really effective. It smooths down frizz and adds a silky finish without weighing hair down. The scent is subtle, a soft sweet-floral, which pairs well with the Fino mask. I usually use this when I don’t really have to style my hair and just air dry them.

K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil

This is more than just a shine oil—it actually helps repair damage on a deeper level, just like the K18 mask. Super lightweight, non-greasy, and perfect for both styling and long-term strengthening. The scent is clean and understated. I prefer using this in nighttime hair care routine, add in a few drops on my stands before brushing them.

The Hair Care Basic

I also like to keep it simple sometimes with a good oil massage. I use Munawar Haq Coconut Hair Oil, which is lightweight, transparent, and doesn’t have that strong smell some coconut oils do. The best part is that it doesn’t affect my hair color, so I can still enjoy the benefits of oiling without worrying about fading. It leaves my hair soft, nourished, and just overall healthier. I would add 10-15 drops of rosemary essential hair oil to 5-6 tablespoons of my coconut oil.

Final Thoughts 🌸

Taking care of my hair is honestly one of my favorite forms of self-care. I don’t mind splurging because every product feels like an experience—whether it’s the scent, the texture, or just the way my hair looks afterward. Out of everything I’ve tried, my absolute top favorites are the K18 molecular repair hair mask and the Kérastase Résistance Masque for repair, and the Kérastase Chroma absolu shampoo.

I have been using kerastase products since over 10 years now. And people back then didn’t even know this brand existed and only one salon in my city had signed up with kerastase for their treatments and selling their products. It’s become more common now, still I stock up some products which are not available here from Dubai or US.

Disclaimer: There are a lot of pages in Pakistan selling fake k18 products at a lesser price (AVOID THEM AT ALL COSTS). Safer option is always getting it yourself or asking someone you buy it from US preferably. US and UK prices have a huge difference when it comes to K18 market. Thank me later.

*When it comes to my cut and color, I’m super particular. There are only three people in my city I trust to cut and color my hair, and about five who can style it exactly the way I like. I always go back to them—I just can’t let someone new touch my hair. Very few people truly understand what I like and how I want my hair to look, so once I find the right ones, I stick with them. It’s that final touch that ties everything together and makes me feel completely myself*

❤️

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