Perfect Hair, Right Now: Leading Experts Share Favorite Items – And What to Avoid

An Expert Colorist

Colourist based in California who specialises in grey hair. His clients include Jane Fonda and Andie MacDowell.

Which budget-friendly product is a must-have?

I swear by a gentle drying cloth, or even a gentle tee to dry your hair. Many are unaware how much harm a standard towel can do, notably with silver or chemically treated hair. This minor adjustment can really minimize flyaways and damage. Another inexpensive must-have is a large-gap comb, to use in the shower. It shields your locks while removing knots and helps preserve the strength of the hair shafts, especially after lightening.

Which investment truly pays off?

A top-tier thermal appliance – featuring innovative technology, with adjustable temperature options. Lightened strands can become discolored or suffer heat stress without the right iron.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

At-home lightening. Social media makes it look easy, but the truth is it’s one of the most hazardous actions you can do to your hair. I’ve witnessed clients cause irreversible harm, experience breakage or end up with striped effects that are extremely difficult to fix. I also don’t recommend keratin or permanent straightening treatments on bleached or silver hair. These formulations are often excessively strong for weakened hair and can cause long-term damage or undesired tones.

What’s the most common mistake you see in your salon?

People using the wrong products for their particular strand characteristics. Certain clients overapply toning shampoo until their silver or blond hair looks flat and dull. Others rely too much on protein-rich treatments and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. A further common mistake is thermal styling minus a barrier. If you’re using flat irons, curling irons or blow dryers without a heat protectant, – particularly on bleached locks – you’re going to see yellowing, dryness and breakage.

What would you suggest for thinning hair?

Thinning requires a comprehensive strategy. Externally, minoxidil remains a top choice. I often suggest scalp formulas with active ingredients to boost blood flow and promote root strength. Using a scalp detox shampoo weekly helps eliminate impurities and allows solutions to be more efficient. Internal support including clinical supplements have also shown notable improvements. They support the body from the inside out by addressing hormonal imbalances, anxiety and nutritional deficiencies.

For people looking for something more advanced, PRP therapy – where your own platelet-rich plasma is injected into the scalp – can be effective. Still, my advice is to getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Thinning can be linked to medical conditions, and it’s important to determine the origin rather than chasing surface-level fixes.

Anabel Kingsley

Trichologist and brand president of Philip Kingsley clinics and product ranges for hair loss.

What’s your routine for trims and color?

I get my hair cut every 10 to 12 weeks, but will trim off splits at home fortnightly to preserve strand health, and have color touches every two months.

Which low-cost item is a game-changer?

Toppik hair fibres are truly impressive if you have thinning spots. They attach using static to your strands, and it comes in a variety of shades, making it almost invisible. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had significant shedding – and also now while experiencing some considerable hair loss after having a bad infection previously. As hair isn’t an essential tissue, it’s the initial area to show decline when your nutrition is inadequate, so I would also recommend a well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

If you have female pattern hair loss (FPHL), I’d say prescription hair-loss topicals. Regarding increased shedding, or telogen effluvium, buying an retail solution is fine, but for FPHL you really do need prescription-strength formulas to see the best results. I believe minoxidil mixed with supporting compounds – such as balancing elements, inhibitors and/or calming components – works best.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

Rosemary oil for hair loss. It doesn’t work. This belief comes from a minor study from 2015 that compared the effects of a low-dose minoxidil with rosemary oil. A 2% strength minoxidil isn’t enough to do much for genetic balding in men, so the study is basically saying they provide similarly low results.

Likewise, mega-doses of biotin. Rarely do people lack biotin, so taking it is unlikely to do your hair any good, and it can affect thyroid test results.

What’s the most common mistake you see?

In my view, we should rename "hair washing" to "scalp cleaning" – because the primary purpose of washing is to clear away sebum, debris, sweat and pollutants. I notice clients skipping washes as they think it’s harmful to their strands, when in fact the contrary is accurate – notably in cases of dandruff, which is intensified by sebum accumulation. If natural oils stay on the head, they deteriorate and lead to inflammation.

Unfortunately, what your scalp needs and what your hair likes don’t always align, so it’s a balancing act. Provided you wash delicately and manage wet locks gently, it won’t be damaging to your strands.

What solutions do you suggest for thinning?

For genetic thinning in women, start with minoxidil. It's backed by strong research and tends to show optimal results when mixed with supporting compounds. Should you wish to enhance minoxidil's benefits, or you choose to avoid it or cannot tolerate it, you could try collagen induction therapy (with a specialist), and perhaps platelet-rich plasma or light treatments.

With telogen effluvium, investigation is key. Noticeable thinning usually relates to a health trigger. Sometimes, the cause is transient – such as illness, infection or high stress – and it will resolve on its own. In other cases, thyroid imbalances or vitamin/mineral deficiencies are the driving factor – the frequent culprits include iron stores, B12 and D insufficiency – and to {treat the hair loss you need to treat the cause|address shedding, target the underlying issue|combat thinning, focus