You’ve heard of glass skin, now Korean beauty gurus are embracing “glass hair” – smooth, silky and glossy tresses resembling the reflective surface of glass. The secret? In addition to your regular hair care routine (including shampoo and conditioner), incorporate hair treatments to combat heat styling damage, excess grease, frizz, dandruff and hair loss. Korean hair care routines are all about prioritizing scalp health, believing that healthy and soft hair begins from the roots. Read on to discover the perfect Korean hair care products for your routine, endorsed by K-Beauty enthusiasts!
1. Elizavecca – Milky Piggy CER-100 Collagen Ceramide Coating Protein Treatment
You’ve seen it, you’ve probably tried it. Elizavecca’s Milky Piggy CER-100 Collagen Ceramide Coating Protein Treatment is well-known in K-Beauty circles for its hair glow-up powers. The bestseller is formulated with porcine collagen, soy and wheat proteins and ceramide to keep hydration locked into each strand. Touted by dyed hair-enthusiasts as a frizzy hair savior, the treatment is excellent for nourishing just-bleached and damaged tresses.
2. MOEV – Annurcatin Hair Oil Essence
What is Annurcatin™? It’s MOEV’s proprietary ingredient that combines annurca apple extract and biotin to smooth out rough tangles and promote high-shine locks. The Annurcatin Hair Oil Essence is formulated with an impressive blend of 9 plant oils, 19 types of plant proteins and ceramide NP to hydrate and strengthen your hair. Best of all, it’s wonderfully scented with a crisp red apple fragrance. Apply the Hair Oil Essence on dry hair to complete your hair care routine. If you’re also looking to incorporate a hair-strengthening shampoo and treatment into your daily routine, try MOEV’s Annurcatin-infused shampoo and treatment duo!
3. AROMATICA – Rosemary Root Enhancer
While washing your hair daily isn’t advisable, does an itchy scalp between wash days make you second-guess your routine? AROMATICA’s Rosemary Root Enhancer acts as a dry shampoo, perfect for mitigating excess grease and irritation on your scalp. The scalp care formula contains rosemary oil, rosemary extract, caffeine, biotin and Black Food Complex™ to nourish hair from the roots. The thin-tipped nozzle applicator makes it easy to apply the scalp treatment directly on dry scalp, before massaging to aid absorption.
4. miseenscéne – Perfect Serum – 5 Types
“Perfect” is in the name, and it’s hard to argue with that given how well-loved miseenscéne’s Perfect Serum is. From the multiple versions of this nourishing hair serum that target different hair concerns, my picks include the Original version that hits the perfect balance between thoroughly hydrating and lightweight to ensure healthy hair. Many also swear by the Rose Perfume edition as it imbues a delightfully rose scent in hair and leaves a silky, shiny and volumized finish!
5. anillO – Hair Essence Mini Trio Set
anillO is a hair and body care-focused Korean brand that’s all about beautifying everyday rituals with relaxing, nourishing and fragrant formulas. I’m partial to anillO’s Rosy Night Repair Line as it offers intensive repair to damaged hair alongside a gorgeous rosy scent. Give the brand a shot with this mini set of three hair essences: the Rosy Night Repair Hair Essence, Lime Sunday Refresh Hair Essence and Black Tea Nourishing Hair Essence. You’re sure to find a scent that lifts your spirits, and each formula promises glossy hair.
6. Dr.FORHAIR – UNOVE Silk Oil Essence – 2 Types
High in nutrition, low in uncomfortable stickiness, Dr.FORHAIR’s UNOVE Silk Oil Essence strengthens hair without leaving an overly greasy appearance. It’s formulated with hydrolyzed silk, 23 types of proteins and plant-derived oils to nourish dry and brittle strands. What’s more, the luxurious floral scent makes it a joy to apply. Dr.HORHAIR offers two versions of the essence: Tender Bloom is a brighter floral and musky fragrance, while Warm Petals features comfy woody and floral notes. Can’t get enough? Add the UNOVE Deep Damage Repair Shampoo and UNOVE Deep Damage Treatment EX to your hair care routine for extra nourishment.
7. A’PIEU – Mint Scalp Hair Vinegar
You might have seen A’PIEU’s popular Raspberry Hair Vinegar in past years, but have you seen its recently viral sister product? Minty and cooling, the A’PIEU Mint Scalp Hair Vinegar appeals to those with an itchy and irritated scalp. Containing vinegar, three types of mint extract, peppermint oil and tea tree oil, the formula thoroughly refreshes the scalp, reduces excess oil and offers antibacterial properties. Apply on wet hair after shampooing, and massage gently to aid absorption before rinsing away with warm water. Dandruff begone!
8. VT – PDRN Reedle Shot Hair Ampoule 100dL
Korean skin care brand VT is renowned for its game-changing CICA REEDLE™ ingredient containing cica-derived particles that mimic microneedling treatments to deliver low-molecular actives deep into skin. Now the brand has taken that technology and tailored it for hair and scalp care. The spicule-infused PDRN Reedle Shot Hair Ampoule 100dL hydrates scalp with PDRN, gently exfoliates with AHA, and encourages hair growth with caffeine and biotin. The result? A healthy glowing head of hair and an itch-free comfortable scalp! Start with the gentlest potency at 100dL, and work your way up in usage to 300dL and 700dL for even better hair health results. If you’re still not convinced, check out this editor’s review: 30-Day Hair Transformation with VT’s PDRN Reedle Shot Hair Ampoule.
9. COSRX – Peptide 132 Ultra Perfect Hair Bonding Oil Serum
Another example of Korean skin care brands seamlessly expanding into the hair care realm, COSRX’s recently released Peptide 132 line has taken the K-Beauty world by storm. The Peptide 132 Ultra Perfect Hair Bonding Oil Serum contains patented PEPTIDE-132 to recharge the scalp and boost hair keratin levels, while seven types of plant oils (such as argan oil and olive oil) leave hair shiny and bouncy. It’s ideal for protecting and strengthening hair before and after heat styling, and nourishing dry and damp hair alike!
10. Seapuri – Scalpy Hair Serum
If hair loss is stressing you out and preventing you from manifesting your glass hair dreams, the seawater-infused Scalpy Hair Serum may ease your woes. It’s formulated with dexpanthenol to soothe, menthol to cool and ten types of amino acids and hydrolyzed keratin to strengthen scalp and hair. The serum also contains salicylic acid to gently exfoliate dead skin and dandruff, leaving scalp refreshed and clean. The triple-ball roller applicator makes it easy to massage the hair serum directly onto roots, ensuring you receive maximum benefits. The YesStyle bestseller is suitable for nourishing all hair types.
