This Celebrity Hair Stylist Reveals the Products You Should (and Shouldn't) Be Buying

Image Source: Getty

If you struggle to find the best products for your hair, or find that you buy something you love in a salon and it just doesn't give you the same results at home, then you need to keep reading. In a world where we are constantly bombarded with reviews and products, its hard to work out if the any of it actually works or if it's all for a profit. Which is why when a hair stylist like Edward James — who has been in the industry for 25 years, working for major brands like Nicky Clarke and Aveda, as well as running four award-winning neighbourhood salons in a South London — offers to give you his completely unbiased, unaffiliated product recommendations you take note. James sat down to discuss his favourite products to target some of the most frequently asked hair issues, such as hair loss and scalp care, resisting greys, products to suit your hair type, hard water damage and answer the all important question — what's his favourite hairspray?

And the best bit? James has decided to open up this knowledge to everyone by creating The Hair Consult an online store with zero affiliate links (links where the brand or person recommending the product gets a percentage of the sale), just the products him and his team recommended to help your hair. "There are no affiliate links and I felt quite strongly about it," he explains. "If there was a range I really believed in then maybe I would one day consider it, but right now for me it's about authenticity." In a world jam-packed with influencers, and the understanding from most of us that they need to get paid for creating content and the work we do, this seems very refreshing for a business model — to be consumer, rather than profit, focused. "We have all seen influencers out there who start off being neutral and then one day everything is sponsored," says James. "Personally I believe there are other ways to get revenue, like repeat business, which we prefer to focus on."

Image Source: Edward James

So if you've got a burning question or desperate to find out why social media favourites like Olaplex and K18 may not be the best options for your hair and why a £1.99 hairspray can compete with the best of them then you need to read on.

What's the Best Product for a Healthy Scalp?

"Hair loss and scalp care are huge concerns," says James. "As we become more aware that incredible hair starts with our scalp, we are learning to treat it in a similar way to our skincare."

"One of my favourite ranges to target this area is Aveda Scalp Solutions," recommends James. This range consists of a shampoo and conditioner, overnight serum, exfoliating scalp mask and a protective spray. It also comes with a scalp massaging tool, which has seen a massive lift recently with influential hair TikTokers offering advice about how to use this small plastic brush, and its benefits. This video from trichologist Abbey has had over 3 million views.

@abbets

How to use the scalp massager 🤍 #scalpmassage #scalpmassager #scalphealth #healthyscalp #healthyhairtips

♬ original sound - ABBEY 🤍🕊️

James explains that if you don't want to purchase the entire range then you should choose the Aveda Scalp Solutions Exfoliating Scalp Treatment (£39). "Essentially you want to unclog the follicles to maintain a healthy scalp and prevent hair loss," says James "The scalp exfoliator is quite thick and gloopy and you only need to apply once a week. It comes with a little brush so you can really work the product in to your head, before you massage it into your scalp and rinse away."

"Although slightly more premium, I also love the Oribe Serene Shampoo (£46) and Oribe Serene Conditioner (£50). It contains peppermint so it tingles on the scalp and has caffeine designed to increase blood flow to the skin." It is well-known that you should only use conditioner on the mid lengths to the ends as it can make your hair flat and clog up pores, but James suggests this one is good for calming the scalp down so should also be used at the root.

What about high street favourites like Head & Shoulders? James instantly cringes and admits his husband still uses this well-known brand, "I understand why people depend on this, but it has a lot of chemicals, so if you're using it regularly it will strip the natural oils in your scalp, which will then encourage your scalp to produce more oils, which can cause it to have a yeast build up, so you end up in a vicious cycle." James does recommend its use for one hair concern however: "If your hair dye is too dark, then this is perfect as it will strip the colour away." For a high street brand he does recommend, it would be OGX Deep Recovery Overnight Treatment (£15) "It is much more gentle on the hair," explains James, "As it contains keratin and vitamin b3 which supports hair growth at the same time."

What's the Best Product For Damaged Hair?

One of the key hairstyling growth areas recently has been hair bonding masks, such as social media sensations K18 and Olaplex. However many people have found that they are great the first few times you use them but can leave hair feeling brittle and broken if you use on a regular basis. According the James this is all about the bonds the products target: "Products like this target either disulfide bonds or peptide bonds, they rarely target all three bonds which make up our hair and will prevent it from feeling brittle or damaging it further. Aveda Botanical Repair range works on all three types of bonds, so it won't damage the hair. I recommend this Aveda Botanical Repair Intensive Strengthening Masque Rich (£48) instead."

Why Is my Colour Not Lasting or Covering the Grey?"

Although James suggest this may be the salon colour, or colourist's technique, it could be to do with the products you're using on your hair before your appointment. "What I have found with clients who have been using root touch ups, even temporary products like mascaras and sprays, that it is working as a barrier, which may be why your grey coverage isn't as good or preventing the colour taking at the root," he says.

He also suggests styling products like Colour Wow Dream Coat (£26) may be amazing for keeping your hair shiny and protecting it from humidity, however if you're using it and then not washing your hair before a colour appointment, it can act as a barrier to the dye. He also added that he can't see the difference between the original and the extra strength so there's no need to switch it up if you have tried and loved the original. However, he warns: "Thick hair needs about 15 pumps, you really need to coat the hair entirely."

Why Does My Hair Feel Better on Holiday?

Unfortunately hard water, especially in London and other cities, can leave a residue on hair that makes it appear dull, lifeless and weighs it down. "If you can, get a water softener shower head," recommends James. "If you can't, then I recommend L'Oreal's Metal Detox Range. It strips all the metal minerals clinging to the hair, and if you use it once a week you will really notice a difference." The range consists of five products, however James strongly recommends the Metal Detox Oil (£27) "It is more like a gel, than an oil, so it is suitable for all hair textures. It makes hair feel incredibly soft and has a heat protectant in it too. If you use regularly it will prevent your hair from absorbing the metal minerals found in our water."

If you are really struggling with hard water or have spent a lot of time in chlorinated water then James recommends a one-off treatment by Malibu C (£7). "This is a little sachet of granules, simply add to some water and spray through the hair, leave it for five-ten minutes and it will remove all the hard water, chlorine, copper build up (which is very common in older homes)," he says. "There is no need to use it more than once a month.

And Finally . . . What is Your Favourite Hairspray?

Although James suggests he doesn't use a lot of hairspray in the salon, tending to choose a texture spray like Oribe Texturising Spray (£49) to finish the hair, he does believe that the majority of them are pretty much on par with one another. "If I'm going to use a hairspray, for bridal look or occasions where we need the style to last longer, then I tend to use Silvikrin Classic Hold Hairspray (£1.99) as it does the job as good as the next product."

If this hasn't answered your burning hair question then it may be worth booking in with James and his team at The Hair Consult (£25) for a personal consultation where the team can give you advice for your exact hair needs.