WHEN it comes to beauty concerns I am laziest when it comes to hair. Whether it be style, cut, color or maintenance, hair interests me the least. But aware that great hair is essential to boosting one’s total image, I have found products that help me look super with minimum effort.

For dandruff, falling hair, and sore sensitive scalp, there’s Kerastase Bain Bio Recharge with 2.5 percent Bioflorin shampoo. It provides the hair good bacteria to check the population of bad bacteria which ruin scalp and result in dandruff and falling hair.

Probiotic oral supplements are originally used to promote intestinal health. They are supposed to control the population of bad bacteria in the stomach that cause yeast infection, gas and bloating. Because of its effect in the intestine, it is logical that a shampoo with probiotics will reinforce the scalp’s natural defense or immune system.

For home treatment, one may check out Concentre Bio Recharge 15ml x 5 Bioflorine 5 percent. It is supposedly applied once a week for five weeks straight on towel-dried hair after shampooing. It is lathered and then left for five minutes on the scalp, before rinse-off.

The Kerastase Institute at 6750 Ayala Avenue, Makati offers an intensive treatment called Biotic Ritual which complements the Bio Recharge shampoo and home treatment. Choose from the Cleanse+Treat and three-step Prepare+Cleanse+Treat options.

After I started using Biotic, my dandruff disappeared, my scalp oiliness has been controlled, and I have less falling/breaking hair. Call 8191040.

Maximizing color

Most shampoos contain sulfate, a washing detergent that lathers and deeply cleanses hair, especially the oily variety. But the problem with sulfate is it clashes with a great highlighting or dye job.

The first two weeks of colored hair is important. It is this time that color is most bound to fade which is what a high-sulfate shampoo can cause, resulting in dull or brassy (too red or rusty) color your are stuck with till you dye over it.

Bonacure Sulfate- Free Color Save Shampoo for color-treated hair is especially helpful to help color achieve its best potential in the first two weeks. It can be paired with the Bonacure Color Save Spray on Conditioner with Moringa Oleifera (malunggay extract), which causes maximum shine and hydration.

You may use the shampoo even after the first two weeks to boost the color.

Even after switching back to Kerastase shampoo I have retained the Spray on Color Save conditioner to keep my hair strands silky. It is available at leading salons nationwide.

Flat hair

For flat hair, there’s Kiehl’s Super Thick Volumizer. Those with thin fine limp hair will love the sexy body this gives.

After a shower, bend from the waist and spritz near the hair roots; then flip up your hair and do the same on top, using fingers to comb through. Then brush to the style you want. You’ll get big sexy hair that moves without the greasy stiff film other styling products leave behind.

Blow-drying is an option. Kiehl’s Boutique is at Greenbelt 5 Makati.

Proudly Filipino made

Zen Zest’s virgin-coconut-oil hair-care line’s Revitalizing Shampoo for Dry Damaged Hair gently cleans hair and scalp without leaving heavy residue so hair still has body.

The Intensive Coconut Conditioner hydrates, smoothes and conditions while providing hair antioxidant protection. Both come in a 300-ml bottle.

The 50-ml Coconut Hair Gloss Serum tames frizzy or curly hair by weighing it down. It smoothes out frayed ends at a fraction of the price of imported designer brands.

Newly opened boutiques

Shu Uemura has opened in Power Plant Mall, Rockwell. Many celebrities have been sighted there. Top purchases there are the eyelash curler, cleansing oils, eyeshadows and powder blush.

Lancôme has opened its flagship store at Greenbelt 5 Makati. It’s known for the Juicy Tubes lip gloss; mascara lines in Hypnose, Definicils and Magnascopic; Bi Facil eye makeup remover; and Pure Focus T-zone mattifier (which is guaranteed to keep a greasy face matte).

E-mail the author at kinnysalas@yahoo.com.