Hair care has a long history. Going as far back as Ancient Egypt, women used creams made of animal and plant fats, like castor and almond oil, to keep themselves moisturised during the hot weather. Ancient Greeks used olive oil as a form of hair conditioner, to improve the quality and texture of their lovely locks. The Aboriginal people of Australia tied their hair in rolled knots and used the powders ground from ochre clay during ceremonies such as rituals. Much later, in the Middle Ages, women set their hair using all sorts of unique ingredients, such as lard. Later, due to the onset of lice, men often shaved their heads and opted for wigs. 

Modern-day hair care largely began with Schwarzkopf’s commercial shampoo, released in Germany in 1898. Until this time, hair washing and bathing were not part of most European daily habits, and so the onset of shampoo genuinely did change how hair care was approached. Throughout the 1900s, a range of hair care products began surging onto the market, enabling women to curl or straighten their hair, and enabling men to combat baldness. Hair dyes grew in popularity as a way to combat signs of greyness. Synthetic shampoos hit the scene in the 1950s, with tailor-made anti-dandruff shampoos following suit a decade later. 

Today, there is a general push for health care in hair care. People today demand shampoos free of synthetic fragrances, parabens and phthalates, and shampoo packaging which doesn’t damage the environment. Plant-based options like Argan oil, jojoba oil, aloe, coconut and neem, as well as recyclable packaging, are all surging in popularity today as a result. This reflects a broader health and environment-consciousness which is picking up speed in all parts of the world. In this way, hair care can be seen to be largely reflective of political, social and media trends through the ages.

There are several general pieces of advice that you can adopt today to drastically improve the health of your hair. Using gentle, thick-bristle brushes, like boar bristle brushes, can reduce the strain placed on your hair when you comb it. Similarly, using hair ties that aren’t too tight, such as plastic coil ponytail holders, will reduce the pressure put on your scalp when putting it on and taking it off. 

Hot tip: try brushing your hair before you shower, because your hair is less likely to be subject to damage. 

When it comes to hydration and drying, it’s important to make sure that your hair maintains a state of balance: not too dry, not too oily. You can do this by washing your hair no more than once a day, and doing so with a water temperature that is not too hot nor too cold. There is also a huge range of hair care products, like oils, shampoos, conditioners and deep moisture treatments, which are tailored specifically to different types of hair, which we’ll get into later. When shampooing, focus on your scalp, rather than your ends, and aim to shampoo your hair approximately once every three days. Avoid using hair products with harmful chemicals like ammonium lauryl sulphate or sodium lauryl sulphate. Instead, opt for products that contain moisturising ingredients like aloe, coconut oil, Argan oil and spirulina, as well as those which are rich in essential minerals and vitamins like protein, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids. 

When drying your hair, don’t towel dry, but instead use old t-shirts or satin wraps, or a blow-dryer with the heat set at a moderate temperature. To aid with hair care at night, try using a satin pillowcase, which will reduce the static and frizziness that might otherwise be caused when using cotton pillowcases. Aim to get your hair trimmed once every 10 to 12 weeks to avoid being the victim of split ends. Avoid excessive UV light, and try to maintain a balanced diet with limited alcohol and stress, as these things will contribute to poor hair health.

When it comes to your own, unique, personalised hair care routine, it’s important to first determine your hair type. If you have oily hair, you’ll want to use shampoos and conditioners which are targeted at reducing oiliness. If you have dry hair, you might want to choose products that are rich in oils. People with thin, delicate hair might want to buy products that restore strength, while people with thick, robust hair might want to try products that give a natural-looking shine to their hair. 

Most people’s hair care routines will involve shampoo, followed by conditioner and hair drying. After that, people might straighten, curl, or blow-dry their hair to achieve their desired style. However, there are a number of variations to this routine. Many people opt for using dry shampoo on days when they plan not to wash their hair but want to remove the appearance of greasiness on their scalp. People with delicate hair might use styling products like a heat protectant before they subject their hair to drying, straightening or curling, as the heat from these tools can cause damage if used incorrectly. Some people choose to use a leave-in conditioner, deep conditioning hair treatment or an oil massage, to thoroughly restore the oils their scalp has lost. There is also a range of specific shampoos and conditioners that target hair loss, thinning, greying, dandruff, itchy scalps and sensitive scalps, which are incorporated into people’s unique daily hair care routines. 

To keep your locks strong, consider the L’Occitane Intensive Repair Shampoo. With a silicone-free formula designed to strengthen brittle hair, this L’Occitane creation is a great go-to for all hair types, as it provides a foundational level of firmness and healthiness to your hair fibres. Make the most of Moroccan oil with the MOROCCANOIL Extra Volume Shampoo, which revitalises and emboldens your hair to give it a rich, thickened look guaranteed to turn heads. Those on the lookout for conditioners can turn to the L’Occitane Intensive Repair Conditioner, which will complement the shampoo we mentioned above. With its detangling, reconstructive properties, your hair will feel healthy, fresh and rejuvenated in no time. Alternatively, check out the Eveline Bio Organic Conditioner with Aloe and Anti-Hair Loss Properties, allowing you to retain your youthful glow by introducing essential nutrients to your scalp. 

Looking for your next favourite hair straightener, hair dryer and tools? Try the Philips Selfie Hair Straightener, which provides smooth, silky plates and a non-damaging heat setting that will allow your hair to look its best without losing its integrity. The Philips StraightCare Essential ThermoProtect Straightener offers advanced Thermoprotect technology, which similarly protects your hair fibres by distributing heat across the device. For dryers, take a look at the Philips Hair Dryer Prestige with SenseIQ, which intelligently adjusts the temperature of your drying session more than 4,000 times to prevent overheating. The Panasonic Nanoe Dual Voltage Hair Dryer is dual voltage, allowing you to travel with it and use it anytime and anywhere. With nanoe™Moisture-rich nanoe™ that contains 1,000 times the moisture compared to regular ions, you can rest assured that plenty of moisture will penetrate your hair, delivering a smooth and shiny result. If you need a little nudge in the right direction, our hair dryer buying guide will have the information you need to make the best purchase.

Of course, to set everything, you’ll also need the right hair styling products. Hair sprays like the Schwarzkopf OSiS+ Session Extreme Hold Hairspray offer an ultra long-lasting strong hold. With its non-sticky and fast-drying formula, you can keep flyaways at bay and enjoy an all-day hold.

Oils, serums and moisturisers are some of the most hotly contested hair treatment products in the hair care space. Lucky for you, some of the best products you can buy are available at duty-free prices online on iShopChangi. 

What oil is best for hair?

The Kérastase Paris Chronologiste Fragrant Oil contains an exquisite blend of perfumes that your hair will love. Enjoy the pleasant aromas of Persian lime, green tulips, magnolia, rose, cedar and musk. The Clairol Herbal Essences Argan Oil of Morocco Conditioner, on the other hand, combines antioxidants, aloe and sea kelp to create a smooth oil rich in the essential nutrients your hair needs for healthy functioning. 

In the market for the best hair serums? Try the Kérastase Paris Nutritive 8H Magic Night Serum, the perfect serum for your new nighttime routine. Absorbed deeply into your hair over 8 hours, this nutritive blend will leave your hair feeling supple and refreshed come morning. Alternatively, take home a MOROCCANOIL Intense Hydrating Mask. Specifically designed to restore dry hair of a medium to thick texture, this mask from MOROCCANOIL possesses all your favourite antioxidant-filled oils and ingredients, like Argan oil, and promotes a shimmering, glossy look to your hair when applied 2 to 3 times per week. 

How do you moisturise and oil your hair?

Moisturisers and oils are a great way to improve the overall health, texture and quality of your hair. As a rule of thumb, moisturiser should only be applied to wet hair. This enables the product to absorb most effectively into your scalp, as the natural dampness from your hair will allow it to sink into the hair and spread more easily throughout its length. Moisturising once or twice per week will offer your hair richness and fullness without becoming too oily or thick for your hair to handle. 

Hair oil can be applied before you go to bed at night, as a way to improve the overall health and shine of your hair. Rub the oil into your hair thoroughly and cover it with an old t-shirt or shower cap while you sleep. When you wake up, you can wash, shampoo, condition and rinse your hair as per usual. Hair oil does not have to be applied to wet hair - in fact, some oil products which are thicker might benefit from application to dry hair. Read the instructions on the product you buy for the best results.

Is one product not sufficient in creating the ultimate hair care routine? Buy yourself a hair care set, like the Mt. Sapola Hair Spa. This hair care set comes with a hair mask, hair serum and hair tonic, which are not only made from all-natural ingredients like coconut, tangerine, bergamot, rosemary and eucalyptus, but are also ranked as the best beauty products by Beauty Insider. Alternatively, check out the SMiB Premium Starter Kit for Anti Hair Loss. You’ll receive a coral calcium shampoo, treatment, essence and plasma scalp massager, each of which has been scientifically tested to reduce hair loss and promote hair growth. We all know that there is a range of Korean beauty products that are must-haves - and this has to be one of them. Straight from Korea, this set which has sold over a million times uses only the best ingredients and is free from nasty chemicals which damage your scalp.

Looking for the best hair care products in Singapore? Browse our extensive catalogue of products on iShopChangi today to find your favourite new hair care and beauty products online for men and women, all of which are on offer at incredible, tax-absorbed prices. Explore the world’s leading brands online, and spend $59 at the checkout to receive free delivery island-wide. If you’re curious for more standout tips for understanding the world of health and beauty, take a look at our other guides, like those on makeup, Kinohimitsu and perfumes, to see what else takes your fancy. And while you’re at it, why not sign up to Changi Rewards? You’ll gain even more exclusive discounts when you shop, like 10% off your first product after joining. Shop today and enjoy the benefits of soft, luscious, lustrous hair tomorrow!