I've tried dozens of hair masks– this is the one that actually repairs damage

I've been having a bit of a hair crisis as of late. I've been a tape-in extension wearer for the best part of a decade, but these heatwaves have not been mixing well with my masses of added hair. With the sweat and humidity, my scalp has felt product-heavy, itchy, and greasy—not glamorous.

So, a few weeks ago, I decided to ditch my beloved tape-ins until at least autumn in a bid to give my natural hair a much-needed break from root strain and avoid the discomfort of heavy-feeling hair over the summer months. While I made sure my extensions were professionally maintained so that damage was kept to a minimum, my natural hair wasn't in its best condition when they came out.

Most of the damage was scraggly ends that needed a chop, but my natural strands also felt a little weak and lacklustre. What I needed was a tried and trusted treatment to nurse them back to health, and I found it in Philip Kingsley's Honey Nectar and Peach Elasticizer, £40 for a tub.

This pre-shampoo treatment (yes, not exactly a conditioner) isn’t just a cult favourite for no reason– it’s packed with powerhouse ingredients that bring real results, which I can attest to.

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Originally created for Audrey Hepburn in the 1970s to help revive her hair after weeks of it being heat-styled on set,the Elasticizer is all about bringing bounce, hydration and strength back to stressed-out strands like mine. The Honey Nectar & Peach edition smells like a summer afternoon- soft, juicy peaches and a delicate hint of warm honey- but it’s not just about fragrance. The formula is rich in hydrolysed elastin, which helps to improve hair’s stretch and strength, reducing breakage and snapping. You’ve also got castor oil to lock in moisture and olive oil to soften and add serious shine.

It’s super simple to use, just apply once a week to damp hair before shampooing, leave on for 10–20 minutes (or longer if you fancy– sometimes I wear mine for a few hours while I'm working), then rinse and wash as usual.

I've been using it for the best part of a month now, and my hair feels so much softer, looks much shinier, and my ends no longer look split. I know it'll take a while for the thickness to improve, but it's by far the best 'instant fix' treatment I've found for damaged and dull hair.

I'll share a full hair recovery breakdown soon, but another product I'm also loving is Mielle's Rosemary and Mint Strengthening Leave-in Conditioner, £9.99. I bought a bottle from Amazon after being influenced on TikTok, and I really think it's helping my hair grow back faster and stronger.