8 products that'll give you the best hair of your life, according to a professional hairdresser.

You know what we love doing? Pestering very busy beauty experts and asking them to dish out all of their secrets. It's fun! Helpful! JUICY! Especially when it comes to hair. 

In case you've been having a snooze, the hair market has positively exploded in the past couple of years — with a focus on everything from scalp care to bond repair and hair oiling. And while our hair is no doubt appreciating some extra love, goodness... it's confusing out there.

That's why we hit up celebrity hairstylist and owner of RAW Hair, Anthony Nader, and asked him to tell us absolutely everything we should use to get our best, healthiest hair. 

And guess what? He spilled all his top recommendations. 

Watch: 5 ways to lift your hair game. Post continues below.

Before we get into it though, we also asked Nader for some general tips on what to... not do to your hair. That is, the common hair mistakes her sees every single day.

The first thing he told us? Don't neglect your scalp. "It's the breeding ground for healthy hair," he said. "It's also the place where your hair shaft starts. Having a scalp care routine will influence better hair growth from its foundation. This, in turn, means more fun with your hair changes over the four seasons and with confidence."  

Another mistake he always sees in his salon? Over bleach processing. "It's such a common practice that I see and feel too often unfortunately. This occurs mostly with balayage, as the bleach application layers on top of previous bleach services and before you know it, your hair colour resembles somewhat a Cadbury’s Top Deck situation."

Yikes! 

"I recommend just leaving the ends 'bleach-free' and opting for having a toner applied over this area instead. This method is far kinder to your strands that are crying out for sincere help and will also add lost sheen which bleach will never give."

Bleached girlies, take note!

Nader also shared the importance of regular trims if you're hoping to keep your hair in tiptop shape. Because apparently the half yearly haircut doesn't do an awful lot of good for your strands. "When the client sits in the salon chair for their 'dusting', the hairdresser will need to snip more off because of all the split ends and breakage over time."

And look, as someone who get her hair cut very infrequently, and is always surprised her hair is shorter than requested post-appointment, this explains... a lot. 

"We've all become so time poor but if you can show your most prized possession (your glorious crown of hair) a treat say every eight-to-10 weeks max, you’ll not only see the difference with your clean blunt ends but also feel so much healthier." 

On that note, we asked Nader to tell us all of the hair products he recommends for our best hair yet.

Here's what he said.

Joico Moisture Recovery Shampoo and Conditioner Duo, $56.95.

Image: SSSHair/Canva.

If you're looking to switch up your usual shampoo and conditioner, Nader recommends checking out the Joico Moisture Recovery range. "This duo helps to restore moisture by gently cleansing the hair ensuring it isn't stripped of its natural oils," he said.

Speaking of washing your hair, Nader added that one of the biggest misconceptions he hears is that conditioner is only meant to be applied only to the ends of your hair. "While it's essential to focus on the tips to prevent split ends, applying conditioner to the roots can help hydrate your scalp and promote overall hair health," he said.

So, go forth and share the love to the rest of your hair! "Just be sure to use a lightweight formula if you have fine hair to avoid weighing it down," he added.

Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, $54. 

Image: Sephora/Canva.

Any surprises here? If you're someone who has used Olaplex before, you'll understand the hype around the bond-building range. It just makes your hair feel like a healthier version of itself. "This shampoo is a fan favourite," said Nader. "It re-links broken bonds and protects damaged hair from every-day stresses to cleanse and hydrate for a soft, shiny feel."

Olaplex is a sulphate-free shampoo, and as Nader points out, another common misconception is that sulphate-free shampoos don't lather well and therefore, don't clean the hair effectively. In reality, Nader told us, lather doesn't equate to cleanliness. 

"Sulfates are surfactants that create the lathering effect but can also strip the hair of its natural oils," he said. "Sulfate-free shampoos can cleanse the hair gently without drying it out, making them an excellent choice for those with sensitive scalps or colour-treated hair."

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Detox Foaming Scalp Scrub, $46.95.

Image: SSS Hair/Canva.

"Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Detox Foaming Scalp Scrub is an instant scalp refresh. A two-in-one hair detox and scalp scrub, what could be better?" said Nader.

If you're on the fence about whether scalp scrub is necessary or not (we get it — there are so many different hair products on the market, it can be tricky to know what you *actually* need), Nader also shared his rule of thumb on what he said can be a somewhat misunderstood cleansing routine. 

"You use a scalp scrub to break up the present build up on the scalp which also manages sebum production. You reach for a cleansing shampoo when you need to deep clean your strands of product build-up. If you want to exfoliate AND cleanse at the same, use the scalp scrub first and then follow that with the detox shampoo."

Which brings us to... 

K18 Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo, $59.

Image: Sephora/Canva.

Speaking of detox shampoo, if you're looking for a good expert-approved option, Nader likes this one from K18. "This colour-safe and non-stripping clarifying shampoo cleanses effectively yet gently to remove product build-up and repair hair," he said.

Hey, it's a cult favourite brand for good reason!

Muk Deep Muk Ultra Soft Leave In Conditioner, $29.95.

Image: Sephora/Canva.

When it comes to leave-in hair treatments, this formula from Muk is one of Nader's faves if you're looking to nourish and smooth your hair. "It's an ultra-soft, weightless spray that replaces lost nutrients and moisture, leaving hair silky and enriched." 

The best part? It's not too hurty on the bank account, either. 

If you're not already on the leave-in conditioner train and not sure if you really need to add another hair product into your already beefy routine, Nader said there are a couple of things you should know.

"I'm not opposed to anyone using a leave-in conditioner. But first of all you need to ask yourself, 'Why do I want to use this?' and, 'What are the pros and cons?' before you take the leap. If you have highly coloured hair, is it going to hydrate? Maybe not. Have you got fine oily hair but want to use something for the mid lengths and ends? Excellent choice," he said. 

"Do you want to wear your hair up into a ponytail or a topknot and condition at the same time? Excellent choice. Do you have super curly/ringlet hair strands that need some daily loving but won't weigh down your hair shape for the day or go greasy? Your hair will love you for extra attention."

Note. Taken. 

Mason Pearson Pure Boar Bristle Hair Brush, $190.

Image: Mason Pearson/Canva.

"I have only one brush that I always stand by and it doesn’t matter on age or sex. Invest in a Mason Pearson 100% Boar Bristle Brush," said Nader. 

"This British royalty will last your lifetime. Inject the illusion of volume, helps fight flyaways and combats frizz. This brush is designed to gently release tangles while massaging the scalp and distributing natural oils through hair strands."

Is this the most expensive brush we've ever seen? Yes. Do we need it, immediately? Also, yes.

ltn Hair Straightener, $220.

Image: SSS Hair/Canva.

"As for hot hair tools, my go-to is the ltn Hair Straightener which works by heating the hair from the inside out, ensuring long-lasting and stunning results," said Nader. "It is designed to provide professional-grade styling capabilities while prioritising the health and integrity of the hair."  

ltn Hair Mulberry Silk Pillowcase, $99.

Image: SSS Hair/Canva.

Yes, the silk pillowcase hair benefits are a real thing! As Nader shared, silk pillowcases are a total win for smoother, healthier hair. "ltn Hair Mulberry Silk Pillowcase is an absolute must for friction reduction, less tangles and breakage."

"If you want longevity with healthy hair and skin, a mulberry silk pillowcase is a winner."

Feature image: Instagram/@rawbyanthonynader/Canva/Sephora.