Asian woman with short hair posing for a Korean hair care concept

Korean Hair Care: Must-Have Products for Your K-Inspired Hairstyle

Want your K-hair always oh-K? Complete your Korean hair care routine with these must-have products!

The K-wave craze has got us obsessed with a number of hairstyles inspired by our K-idols. The lob and bobs, pixie cuts, wispy bangs, and charming hair colors—we all love them! And now, what should be in your Korean hair care?

Don’t worry, it’s not really that complicated. To help you out, we’ve listed the must-have products you need to complete your Korean hair care.

Korean Hair Care Basics

1. Nourishing shampoo and conditioner

Korean hair care: Asian woman with dark shoulder-length hair with bangs smiling
It’s always good to start with soft, smooth, and bouncy hair. Credit: Natasha Estelle

Styling your hair starts with washing. As you rock your Korean hair, you want your locks smooth, soft, and bouncy. You can achieve this by adding shampoo and conditioner with nourishing ingredients to your routine.

Editor’s tip: Choose DOVE Oxygen & Nourishment Shampoo and DOVE Oxygen & Nourishment Conditioner. This power duo has Oxyfusion Technology to help nourish and volumize your hair by up to 95%. They will also leave your hair fragrant, smooth, and bouncy. 

2. Hair color protectant

Hair color maintenance: Woman with long dark brown curly hair wearing a purple dress at a fashion show
Let your brown hair stay beautiful and vibrant with products made for colored hair. Credit: JP Yim/Getty Images

Korean hair often involves experimenting with trendy hair colors. Therefore, you need products that are designed for dyed hair in your Korean hair care arsenal. Washing your hair doesn’t only remove dirt and oil, but also strip off color and make it fade over time. Avoid this by using products that protect your hair color while nourishing your hair. If you’re blonde, purple-based products are a must for you.

TRESemmé Pro-Color Series Color Radiance Shampoo

Editor’s tip: If you’re not sure which ones to get, always rely on the experts. The new TRESemmé Pro-Color Series Color Radiance Shampoo and  TRESemmé Pro-Color Series Conditioner are the first of its kind to have Anti-fade Technology and Color Radiance Booster that makes your hair color last twice longer. 

3. Damage repairing mask

How to protect hair from pollution: Asian woman touching her curly dark hair and smiling
Apply a hair mask at least once a week to give your hair that extra boost of nourishment. Credit: Shutterstock

After all the styling and hustling, your hair needs some TLC to gain back its glory. Pampering your hair with a hair mask weekly will make giant leaps toward damage repair.

Editor’s tip: A hair mask, without a doubt, is a must-have in your Korean hair care regimen. Use TONI&GUY Damage Repair Mask which has an advanced formula to replenish lost moisture, restore shine, and enhance the softness of your hair.

4. Heat protectant

Messy layered bob: Asian woman spraying heat protectant on her short dark Korean hair
Always spritz heat protectant on your hair before blow-drying or ironing. Credit: Natasha Estelle

When styling your hair, you need to take the extra mile in protecting it from further damage. Before you blow-dry or iron your hair, spritz some heat protectant on your tresses. The heat protectant acts as a barrier that shields your hair from your heated tools, protecting it from heat damage. Make sure you have one in your Korean hair care arsenal.

Editor’s tip: Protection should be part of your styling preparation. Use TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Flat Iron Smoothing Spray to protect your hair from heat and smooth out frizz at the same time. 

5. Leave-in conditioner

How to use leave-in conditioner: Asian woman with Korean hair swinging her black bob wearing a jumper outdoors
Don’t miss out on the benefits of leave-in conditioner. Credit: Hariono Halim

To make sure you’re really locking in moisture into your hair strands, apply a drop of leave-in conditioner for that extra nourishment. With this simple hair care tip, you can seal your K-inspired look with undeniable smoothness and bounce.

Editor’s tip: A leave-in conditioner that comes in a small packaging is highly preferable, so you can bring and use it anywhere and anytime. Always have a bottle of Cream Silk Standout Straight Leave-On Cream with you, so you can apply it whenever your hair needs a bit more nourishment, moisture, and shine. 

Did we just complete your list? We hope we did! While every hair type and style requires its own set of products and tools, we believe these must-haves are pretty much what you need to get beautiful Korean hair. You can add some more or try other alternatives. Just make sure you do it with proper research and genuine love.