How to Use Salon Haircare at Home

Professional haircare can help you get better results at home, but choosing the right product is only half the job. How you use it matters too. Some treatments need to be used before conditioner, others need heat to work properly, and some are better suited to specific concerns such as damage, frizz or thinning hair.

Here is a simple guide to choosing and using some of the most popular salon haircare brands available at Millies.

What Salon Haircare Products Do Stylists Recommend?

The best salon haircare depends on what your hair actually needs.

• For damaged hair: K18 and Olaplex

• For colour-treated or blonde hair: Kérastase, Pureology and Alfaparf Milano

• For frizz and shine: Color Wow and Moroccanoil

• For thinning hair and scalp care: Nioxin

You do not need to use several intensive treatments at once. Start with your main hair concern and build your routine around that.

If your hair is particularly weak or overprocessed, you can also explore our damaged hair collection.

How to Use K18 for Damaged Hair

K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask is designed to be used after shampooing and before your usual styling products. The important thing to remember is that you skip conditioner before K18.

A simple K18 routine is:

1. Shampoo your hair and rinse.

2. Do not apply conditioner.

3. Towel-dry your hair.

4. Apply a small amount of K18 through the lengths and ends.

5. Leave it for four minutes.

6. Do not rinse.

7. Add styling products and style as normal.

K18 can also be used on uncoloured hair if it has been damaged by heat styling, brushing or other factors. If your hair is already healthy, you may get more benefit from focusing on hydration and heat protection.

How to Use Olaplex

Olaplex is another popular choice for damaged and chemically treated hair. The range includes shampoos, conditioners, treatments and styling products, so the correct method depends on which product you are using.

For treatments such as Olaplex No.3, always follow the instructions on the product packaging. The brand's treatment range has changed over time, so it is better to follow the directions for your current product rather than an older routine you may have seen online.

For more detailed advice, read our guide on how to use Olaplex No.3.

How to Use Color Wow Dream Coat for Frizzy Hair

Color Wow Dream Coat is a popular option if frizz and humidity are your main concerns. For the original Dream Coat:

1. Start with clean, damp hair.

2. Divide your hair into sections.

3. Spray Dream Coat evenly through each section.

4. Blow-dry using a brush to create tension.

5. Dry your hair completely.

The important part is the blow-drying step. Original Dream Coat is activated by heat and tension, so simply spraying it onto your hair and allowing it to air-dry will not give the same result.

It also includes heat protection for the blow-drying stage.

If frizz and dryness are regular concerns, you can also browse our dry and frizzy hair collection.

Can You Use Color Wow Dream Coat on Curly Hair?

Yes, but choose the version that suits the finish you want.

Original Dream Coat is better if you plan to blow-dry curly or wavy hair smooth. If you want to keep your natural curl pattern, Dream Coat for Curly Hair is the more suitable option.

For a more detailed application guide, see how to use Color Wow Dream Coat.

What Should You Use for Colour-Treated or Blonde Hair?

Colour-treated hair usually needs two things: colour protection and moisture.

For blonde or silver hair that is becoming brassy, a purple shampoo such as Alfaparf Semi di Lino Blonde Anti-Yellow Low Shampoo can help neutralise unwanted yellow tones.

If dullness is your main concern, Alfaparf Semi di Lino Diamond focuses on shine. If your hair feels dry, the Semi di Lino Moisture range is designed for additional nourishment.

You can also read our guide to choosing the best Alfaparf shampoo if you are not sure which range suits your hair.

Pureology offers sulphate-free options for colour-treated hair, while Redken has ranges designed for concerns including frizz and damage.

The easiest approach is to choose your shampoo and conditioner according to your main concern rather than trying to treat everything at once.

For more targeted options, browse our coloured hair collection or blonde hair collection.

How to Use Hair Oil Without Making Hair Greasy

Hair oils can add shine, softness and smoothness, but more is not always better.

For products such as Alfaparf Cristalli Liquidi, start with a small amount and apply it mainly through the mid-lengths and ends.

It can be used on damp or dry hair and does not need to be rinsed out.

If your hair is fine, start with less than you think you need. You can always add another drop.

Hair oil is usually best treated as a finishing step rather than something that needs to be applied heavily throughout the hair.

What Can You Use for Thinning Hair?

Nioxin offers specialist scalp and haircare systems designed to support a healthy scalp and help hair look thicker and fuller.

It is important, however, to separate cosmetic haircare from medical hair-loss treatment. Nioxin should not be considered a treatment that regrows lost hair.

If you notice sudden, significant or patchy hair loss, speak to your GP rather than relying on a shampoo or scalp product alone.

For more information on choosing products for thinning hair, see our guide to the best shampoos for hair loss.

What Is the Best Shampoo for Hard Water?

If your hair regularly feels coated, rough or dull after washing, build-up may be contributing.

A clarifying shampoo can help remove mineral and styling product build-up. Options include Redken Hair Cleansing Cream and Olaplex No.4C Clarifying Shampoo.

Clarifying shampoos generally do not need to replace your normal shampoo for every wash. Follow the directions on the individual product and use a suitable conditioner afterwards if your hair needs extra softness.

What Are the Best Sulphate-Free Shampoos?

Sulphate-free shampoo can be a good option if your hair is colour-treated, dry or you simply prefer a gentler cleansing routine.

Pureology offers several sulphate-free shampoos, with formulas for different hair concerns.

The best choice still depends on your hair type. Look beyond the words "sulphate-free" and choose a shampoo that also addresses concerns such as dryness, colour protection or damage.

For more options, read our guide to sulphate-free shampoos.

How to Build a Salon Haircare Routine at Home

You do not need a complicated routine to take better care of your hair.

For most wash days, keep it simple:

1. Shampoo: Cleanse your scalp and hair.

2. Treat: Use your mask or bond treatment if needed.

3. Condition: Use conditioner unless your treatment tells you to skip this step.

4. Protect: Apply leave-in care and heat protection.

5. Style: Blow-dry, diffuse or style as normal.

6. Finish: Add a small amount of serum or oil if needed.

The only catch is that specialist treatments do not always follow the usual order. K18, for example, is used without conditioner beforehand, while original Color Wow Dream Coat needs blow-drying to activate it.

When in doubt, always follow the instructions for the individual product.

You can also browse the full haircare collection or explore hair styling products to complete your routine.

Where to Buy Salon Haircare in Ireland

You can shop professional haircare brands including Olaplex, K18, Kérastase, Redken, Pureology, Alfaparf Milano, Color Wow, Moroccanoil and Nioxin at Millies.ie.

If you are not sure what products suit your hair type or concern, the Millies beauty team can also help you build a routine without adding products you do not need.

Salon Haircare FAQs

What Haircare Products Do Salons Recommend?

It depends on your hair concern. K18 and Olaplex are popular choices for damaged hair, Pureology and Kérastase for colour care, Color Wow and Moroccanoil for frizz and shine, and Nioxin for thinning hair and scalp care.

How Do I Use the K18 Hair Mask Properly?

Shampoo your hair and skip conditioner. Towel-dry, apply K18 to damp hair and leave it for four minutes. Do not rinse it out. After four minutes, you can apply your usual styling products.

Can I Use Conditioner Before K18?

No. Conditioner should be skipped before using the K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask.

Does K18 Work on Virgin Hair?

It can be useful if uncoloured hair has been damaged by heat styling, brushing or other factors. If your hair already feels healthy, hydration and heat protection may be more useful than an intensive repair treatment.

How Often Should I Use Olaplex?

It depends on the Olaplex product you are using. Follow the instructions on your current product, as recommended routines can differ between treatments and formulas.

How Do I Apply Color Wow Dream Coat?

Apply original Dream Coat evenly to clean, damp hair in sections. Then blow-dry using a brush to create tension. Heat and tension are important for activating the formula.

Does Color Wow Dream Coat Protect Against Heat?

Yes. Original Color Wow Dream Coat includes heat protection for the blow-drying stage.

Does Nioxin Grow Hair Back?

Nioxin is designed to support the scalp and help hair look thicker and fuller. It should not be considered a medical treatment for hair loss.

What Is the Best Shampoo for Hard Water in Ireland?

A clarifying shampoo can help remove mineral and product build-up. Redken Hair Cleansing Cream and Olaplex No.4C Clarifying Shampoo are two options.

Where Can I Buy Olaplex in Ireland?

You can shop Olaplex at Millies, alongside a wide selection of professional haircare brands.

Where Can I Buy Kérastase in Ireland?

You can shop Kérastase haircare at Millies, including products for different hair types and concerns.