How to Shop for Hair Care Like a Top Stylist

“This scalp exfoliator removes product buildup from your scalp, which is key because product buildup leads to irritation and dandruff,” says O’Connor. “It isn’t drying and also helps to control scalp oil.” A major plus for her: The scrub can be used on color-treated hair. O’Connor recommends using it once a week to give the scalp a deeper clean of dry shampoo residue and buildup from styling products.

This mask works wonders for those with dry or frizzy hair, says O’Conner. “It does a few things at once: It repairs your hair while adding moisture to it, protects from heat damage, and helps to protect your color as well,” she explains. “I personally find that you’ll notice a difference after one use of this mask.” You can thank Alpha Keratin 60ku®, the brand’s proprietary complex that targets and helps repair areas of damage, for the multitude of benefits.

O’Connor loves to sub this rinse in for shampoo. “It cleanses the hair and scalp, which is great for people with scalp irritation or dandruff,” she says. Apple cider vinegar gently cleanses the roots and scalp of grime, oil, and buildup without disturbing hair color—in fact, the formula is designed to seal in color. Plus, thanks to moisturizing argan oil, it even doubles as a 2-in-1. “It leaves the hair soft and shiny without you having to use a conditioner,” says O’Connor.

O’Connor’s favorite way to restore hair—be it straight, curly, damaged, or color-treated—is to double up on treatments by following the Cleansing Purifying Scalp Scrub (above) with this mask. It pairs prickly pear seed oil, an antioxidant-rich oil that helps to smooth and repair super-dry or brittle hair, with nourishing plant ceramides. “It makes hair soft, shiny, and easy to manage afterwards,” she says. “It’s also light enough that you can use it on all hair types, but if you have fine hair, start off with a small amount on your ends and go from there to make sure it isn’t too heavy.”

Whether you have your wash-and-go routine down to a science or you’ve perfected the DIY blowout, O’Connor recommends reaching for this styling cream. “I love how much shine it gives the hair,” she explains. “You can use it on wet hair to air dry or blow dry, or on dry hair as a finishing cream for extra moisture and shine.” She’s also a fan of the warm, citrus-spiked scent.

If you’re already blonde—natural or not—this handy, mess-free brush can take it to the next level. “This is perfect for those with medium to light blonde hair who want to enhance their highlights in the sun,” O’Connor says. “It gives you a super-gentle, gradual lift, so it’s nothing too crazy for at-home color.” That doesn’t mean it’s foolproof: She does recommend following the directions to the letter, and notes that she wouldn’t use it on anyone with dark blonde or brunette hair.

A single spritz of this weightless texturizer goes a long way, which is why O’Connor considers it a staple. “You can use a little bit and continue to build up texture to create the perfect amount in your hair,” she explains. “It gives just the right amount of texture without leaving hair feeling gritty or tacky—which a lot of texturizing products do.” It also delivers subtle lift at the roots for extra volume. She’s also a fan of the warm, addictive fragrance.

O’Connor—and her clients—swear by these root touch-up sticks. “It’s perfect to use between color visits to help disguise roots,” she explains. The dual-ended design sets this one apart: One side applies the transfer-proof color, while the other features a brush to easily blend it into hair for a natural look.

It’s way too easy for blonde color to go brassy, but a little maintenance can help. This shampoo offers just that, according to O’Connor, and she finds that it outperforms its peers. “This shampoo is perfect for blondes that want to stay cool-toned,” she says. “The light purple color doesn’t over-deposit like a lot of darker purple shampoos on the market, which makes it safe to use every wash to help to maintain your cool blonde.” Over-depositing the color means the blonde takes on a gray or purple hue—which you probably want to avoid.

However you choose to dry your hair, a dedicated hair-drying towel can speed up the process. O’Connor considers this to be “the perfect towel to cut drying time in half,” she says. The super-absorbent material not only soaks up moisture quickly, but “the fabric also helps to keep hair less frizzy while drying,” says O’Connor, since it minimizes the friction that can lift the hair cuticle.

It’s no secret that coloring can damage hair and lead to dryness, but harsh processes like bleaching are even worse—imagine hair snapping off in the middle of the strand. O’Connor recommends this pre-shampoo treatment to her bleach and tone clients because it’s designed for “not just highlights, but broken, damaged hair,” she says. It contains Olaplex’s patented ingredient, bis-amino diglycol dimaleate (a true mouthful), to help repair the hair bonds broken during the coloring process, leading to smoother, stronger hair.