1. Tsubaki Premium Hair Mask
An affordable hair mask from Japan that is relative popular and viral at this point (though not as much as the next item on this list). This product contains camellia oil and royal jelly combined with a permeation technology that penetrates the layers of hair to deeply hydrate and nourish. I generally lather my hair with a hair mask after a toning shampoo as my hair does need that extra bit of moisture after a blue shampoo treatment. You could also use it 1-2 times a week for more TLC and deeper conditioning and love for your hair. My hair definitely feels softer after washing it off and that would be sufficient for some. However, with my bleached hair, I do still go in with additional leave in treatments after. It also has a pleasant fragrance that smells like apples that lingers in my hair until my next hair wash. If you are going to Japan, make sure to stock up on this as this is less than 1000 yen (~US 6.60) especially after tax refund at Matsumoto Kiyoshi and Don Quijote.
Available on Shopee and Amazon.
2. Fino Premium Touch Hair Mask Rinse Off Treatment
If you consume haircare content on social media, you probably have heard of this at this point. This contains a variety of ingredients that help with hydration, addressing tangles in hair and to provide shine/glossy look to hair. Personally, I prefer the Tsubaki as I find it more hydrating and I like the fragrance it leaves behind. However, this is also a great alternative. The texture is more like a coagulated cream compared to Tsubaki and I usually lather it onto my hair and leave it on for about 15 mins before washing off. I do feel some hydration infused into my hair and on days when I am not toning my bleached hair, the hydration this gives is sufficient before a leave in conditioner. However, most times I still find myself reaching for Tsubaki over this. Hence, you may prefer Tsubaki if you have dryer or dyed/bleached hair. However, if you scalp leans oilier, you may prefer Fino instead. Also available at Matsumoto Kiyoshi and Don Quijote if you are in Japan.
Available on Shopee and Amazon.
3. Unove Deep Damage Treatment EX
I have yet to try much of Korean haircare products. I picked this up when I was in Korea last year as I saw it having the number 1 ranking on Olive Young which peaked my interest. This is a super rich cream that you can coat the lower half of your hair with. It is packed with many types of protein that helps to tackle damaged or weak hair while deeply nourishing and rejuvenating it. You only need to leave it on for 1-3 minutes before washing off and you would feel a noticeable silkiness and hydration to your hair upon wash off. I still apply a leave in conditioner afterwards but that may not be necessary if you have less dry hair. I am curious to try other products from this brand and will compile a review if I do so.
Available on Olive Young Global, Shopee and Amazon
xoxo, ash.
