The end of summer is coming, and just like the crunchy yellow fields that were once a luscious green, you may have noticed your once sleek and shiny hair become increasingly dry and straw-like. It's the unmistakable work of a scorching UK summer.
As we move into the colder months, which can also have a drying effect on hair (we can't win), it’s worth adding an extra replenishing hair oil to your routine. And after years of trialling, testing and dousing our lengths with all the latest hair oil launches, we think we’ve found one that not only immediately repairs and replenishes but also protects strands against any future aggressors.
Everybody put your hands together for the affordable Pantene Repair & Protect Hair Oil. Does it live up to its ‘10x reduction in damage in one drop’ claims? Here’s what you need to know.
Pantene Repair & Protect Hair Oil at a glance
Pros
- Helps repair damaged hair in just one application
- Can be applied to wet or dry hair
- Costs under £10
Cons
- Can weigh down finer hair, so apply to ends only
How does it work?
Inside this little bottle of liquid gold is a nourishing formula containing keratin and vitamin E. We produce keratin, a protein that helps form the skin and hair’s outer layer, naturally, but you can reinforce its effectiveness by applying it topically via a hair treatment like this.
The oil fills in any gaps in the hair shafts to increase smoothness and prevents breakage. Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, also works to protect hair strands from environmental aggressors, such as UV rays, which can cause hair to look dry and lacklustre (and we’ve had a lot of sun this summer). It also locks in hydration that’s lost when temperatures rise.
The brand claims that even just one drop can increase hair health by 10 times. My fellow beauty writer, Flo, added it to our routines and used it consistently to see if it restored our parched, heatwave hair. Here are our honest thoughts.
The verdicts
Madeleine Evans, Lifestyle Writer, aka The Sun Worshipper
“With endless days spent in the sun and a week swimming in the salty Welsh waters, it’s safe to say that my hair is feeling slightly dry and crispy. And though a sign of a summer well spent, I was keen to restore some shine ahead of autumn.
My impressions of the oil were good – it's easy to apply and is thick enough that it doesn't run everywhere. I applied it to wet hair first and it dried silky smooth. My natural waves looked shinier than usual, which is rare, as I often only experience glossy hair when I style it straight. A little goes a long way too – just one pump rubbed between my hands was enough to quench my dry ends. As with all hair oils, I recommend steering clear of your roots, as added oil can make your hair look greasy.
The oil also worked wonders when I applied it to dry hair, especially when I’d styled my hair with curlers, as it added a glorious reflective shine as well as a much-needed dose of hydration post-heat styling. I love that it works on both wet and dry hair.”
Florence Reeves-White, Senior Beauty Writer, aka The Serial Bleacher
“I’m a sucker for a hair oil. Having bleached my naturally dark-brown hair bright blonde since the age of 15, I’m intimately acquainted with frizz, breakage and split ends. Forgetting to pack an oil on a trip – particularly somewhere humid – is enough to send me straight to the nearest pharmacy before I’ve even contemplated breakfast.
For all the expensive formulas that have passed through my bathroom, though, this affordable Pantene oil is the one I now keep coming back to when my lengths need to look smoother, shinier and generally less frazzled in a short space of time. I work a (probably ill-advisably) liberal helping through wet hair straight out of the shower with my hands, and somehow one £8.50 bottle still lasts me for months.
It’s less an everyday staple and more my emergency contact when my strands look as stressed as I feel. I have leave-in conditioners and convenient sprays that I lather on my lengths every day, but this is the bottle I throw into my suitcase, reach for before an event, or drag from the cupboard when my reflection needs a little extra help.
Most recently, I accidentally dyed my hair pink – a story for another day – which means that when the texture veers fluffy, the overall effect is less effortless cool and more washed-up, straggly rock-and-roll wannabe. This oil has been my saviour – if my hair is refusing to play ball on the colour front, I can at least make sure the texture looks silky, polished and vaguely intentional.”
Our final thoughts
This magic oil gave our strands instant shine, a soft feel, and generally brought our sun-stressed hair back to life. Though suited to most hair types, it’s particularly effective on bleached or curly hair, which are often in need of extra TLC. Apply it with caution if you have fine hair, as residue may appear more visible and weigh strands down.
But just a couple of pumps are the gateway to shiny, soft strands, so the bottle should last you months to come, and at under £10, it won’t break the bank, either.
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
