I test hair products and tools constantly to write about them. Here are 5 I have actually used daily this year, with honest verdicts.
1. Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector —
Verdict: Worth it.
What works: Genuinely strengthens damaged hair over time. Visible improvement in hair texture and elasticity within weeks of consistent use.
What does not: Premium pricing. Effects are gradual rather than dramatic. Some people experience no benefit despite the marketing claims.
Bottom line: One of the few hair products that actually delivers on substantial portion of marketing claims. Worth using if your hair has any damage from heat or color services.
2. Dyson Supersonic hair dryer — 0
Verdict: Worth it (with caveats).
What works: Genuinely faster drying than conventional dryers. Less heat damage due to faster drying time. Quality build that lasts years.
What does not: Premium pricing. The performance difference is real but smaller than the price difference suggests.
Bottom line: Worth it if you blow-dry hair daily and can afford the cost. Skip if you blow-dry occasionally; quality cheaper options work fine for occasional use.
3. Briogeo Don't Despair Repair Mask —
Verdict: Worth it.
What works: Genuine deep conditioning effect. Hair feels noticeably softer and more manageable after use. Lasts 3-4 months with weekly use.
What does not: Premium pricing. Some users do not experience the same level of benefit.
Bottom line: One of the better deep conditioning masks available. Worth the cost relative to the benefit produced over months.
4. A trendy "AI-powered hair analysis" app and product line — /quarter subscription
Verdict: Skip.
What works: The app interface is well-designed. Marketing is impressive.
What does not: The "AI hair analysis" is essentially basic photo analysis with marketing language. The recommended products were generic. The customization claims were not borne out in actual use.
Bottom line: AI marketing for established product categories often produces minimal real value. Standard products without AI marketing typically work as well or better.
5. A wide-tooth wooden comb —
Verdict: Worth it (the boring win).
What works: Detangles wet hair without breakage. Comfortable to use. Lasts essentially forever.
What does not: Sounds boring relative to other hair tools.
Bottom line: The boring tool that prevents substantial daily breakage. Substantially better cost-benefit than premium hair tools.
What I would NOT pay for again
Other hair products I evaluated this year that disappointed:
- A premium "hair growth" supplement. Three months of consistent use produced no measurable difference. Cancelled subscription.
- A trendy scalp scrub product. Excessive harsh exfoliation that caused scalp irritation. Discontinued.
- A "silk-infused" pillowcase that was actually polyester. Did not produce silk pillowcase benefits despite marketing.
- An expensive heated brush. Burned hair more than it styled it. Returned.
The pattern across what worked
Products I value share characteristics: established brands with substantive product development, focused on specific functions, supported by actual results in consistent use.
Products that disappointed share characteristics: heavy marketing claims, "AI" or "smart" features layered on basic products, premium pricing for marginal differentiation.
How to evaluate hair products before buying
Practical evaluation framework:
- Check ingredients lists for known beneficial components
- Look at established brand reputation rather than marketing
- Read reviews focused on substantive long-term use rather than first impressions
- Consider cost over actual lifespan of product
- Match product to specific hair needs rather than buying based on hype
The cumulative cost consideration
Quality hair care has real costs. Annual investment in worth-it products from this list:
- Olaplex No. 3: $30 every 3 months = $120/year
- Briogeo Mask: $40 every 4 months = $120/year
- Wooden comb: $15 (lasts years)
Plus base hair care (shampoo, conditioner, leave-in, heat protectant): $300-500/year.
Total quality hair care: about $500-700/year. Plus hair dryer as one-time purchase if upgrading.
Substantial but reasonable for the quality difference. Compare to monthly salon services at $200-400 each.
The takeaway
Most hair products are not worth the money. Most genuinely worth-it products are boring established brands that solve specific problems well.
The 5 above include 4 worth keeping and 1 to skip. That ratio is about right for any hair product category.
Buy the focused established products. Skip the AI-marketed and trendy alternatives. Wait for community feedback past initial enthusiasm. Your hair and your wallet will both be better off.
