I Changed My Entire Haircare Routine for Fall—These 11 Products Actually Repaired the Summer Damage
They've become my holy grails.


Please tell me I'm not the only one with limp, brittle, straw-like strands post-summer. (Really putting myself on blast with that mid-August photo above!) Saltwater, sweat, and an uptick of slick-backs—as a result of said sweat—always do a number on my thick, frizz-prone mane of 2c waves, which means I spend the transitional summer-to-fall period (ahem, right about now) resuscitating those bends so they'll be well-equipped for the other side of the harsh environmental spectrum—that is, brutal winds and cold, dry air.
Well, we've reached the official start of fall, and I have my lineup of damage-reversing haircare down to a T. See below for the shampoos, masks, oils, and leave-ins that have sprung my sad, summer-stressed waves back to life. My spirals are far too rebellious to fully predict when I'll have a good hair day (friends with curls, you get me!), but ultra-hydrated lengths and a healthy scalp certainly do a lot of the heavy lifting.
My Favorite Haircare Staples for Fall 2025
Healthy hair always starts with a balanced, thriving scalp. If you know me, then you know how obsessed I am with Biologique Recherche's Hair Lotion P50 Capillaire, which is essentially the scalp version of the brand's cult-favorite P50 toner. I'll part my hair into sections, give each a spritz, and let it marinate for about five to 10 minutes before hopping into the shower. The P50 solution brings excess oil, buildup, and overall gunk to the surface of my scalp so I can easily wash it away; it leaves me feeling refreshed and invigorated every single time.
After noticing increased shedding (dry, brittle strands tend to break off faster!), I immediately swapped my shampoo for a gentle, non-stripping lather infused with nourishing, hair-strengthening ingredients. Enter this new formula from Christophe Robin, which features amaranth peptides to increase fullness, lupin biomimetic peptides to reduce breakage, and raspberry oil for immense softness and shine. I haven't used another shampoo since, and my full, bouncy curls are thanking me for it!
I typically use a hair mask in place of conditioner to really feed my thicker strands the nutrients they need, but I loved the Christophe Robin shampoo so much that I decided to give the matching conditioner a go. It has a denser consistency that feels quite mask-like (which I love), and it makes my hair feel impossibly smooth. It also features those same peptides as the above hair wash, so I enjoy knowing I'll get a double dose of those hair-thickening MVPs.
Just one wash with this hydrating hair mask was all it took to make my brittle hair look like liquid gold. I suspect that's because it contains a cool, patented complex called Keratrix, which repairs mechanical, thermal, and chemical hair damage; it does so through a sustained-release system, which means it lingers on the hair fibers long after you rinse. Better yet, I can use it post-shower as a smoothing leave-in and curl-defining cream—truly a workhorse product for thirsty strands.
When my hair gets damaged, it gets knotted—like, wired headphones had a tussle in your bag type of knotted. To avoid ripping out snags in frustration every time I comb, I give my lengths a healthy spritz of this leave-in detangling spray, which, not for nothing, smells divine. It also features time-released peptides to keep the strands conditioned for the long haul, plus a protective agent to shield hair against mechanical, heat, and UV aggressors.
Shinier, healthier hair while you snooze sounds like a dream, right? This new overnight serum from Crown Affair does just that, treating your lengths to antioxidants and hydrators so it looks hair commercial-ready come morning. What I appreciate most (aside from its strengthening benefits), is the fact that it never makes hair look too greasy; it absorbs completely overnight and wouldn't dare to make a mess of your pillow.
I'm on a no-heat styling kick as I focus on repairing damage, but on the very few occasions I have picked up the blow-dryer, I'll never forget to prep my lengths with this frizz-defying spray. Created by legendary hairstylist Chris McMillan (who is responsible for creating Jennifer Aniston's "The Rachel," NBD), the formula features heat protection up to 450°F and makes my '90s blowouts look shinier and smoother than they've ever been.
I'm also a fan of this leave-in treatment from Aveda, which protects hair from breakage and heat up to 450°F. I have thick hair that's individually fine, so I need styling products that effectively moisturize without weighing down my waves. This leave-in Goldilocks, as a little goes a long way for perfectly styled lengths.
I've owned this Squigs hair oil for a while, but I *admittedly* haven't been on top of my pre-shower hair oiling routine over the past few months. Summer was busy, okay? Getting back in the swing of things has truly reminded me how soft and healthy my hair feels after a nice, thorough scalp massage. I'll comb this baby from root to tip, spend a few precious minutes massaging it in with my fingertips, then let it sit for a bit (ideally a few hours) before proceeding with my wash day.
My scalp tends to flake as soon as the air turns crisper, but I haven't seen a single fleck since introducing Act + Acre's soothing, hyaluronic acid- and glycerin-infused serum into my regimen. It helps the skin up top better hold on to moisture, which results in less frizz and static as the weather gets even chillier.
I'm also trying to cut back on the slick-backs to avoid tugging too much on my delicate hairline, but I do still crave a snatched pony from time to time! To make matters a tad healthier for my strands, I've decided to use Briogeo's Strengthening & Styling Oil for all my sleek styles. The gloss-to-oil formula is perfect for slicking down flyaways and frizz, and it comes with plenty of antioxidants and hair-healthy oils to simultaneously strengthen strands. Win win, right?
Opening Image: Vault Stock

Jamie Schneider is Who What Wear’s senior beauty editor based in New York City. With over seven years in the industry, she specializes in trend forecasting, covering everything from innovative fragrance launches to need-to-know makeup tutorials to celebrity profiles. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Organizational Studies and English before moving to NYC, and her work has appeared in MindBodyGreen, Coveteur, and more. When she’s not writing or testing the latest beauty finds, Jamie loves scouting vintage boutiques and reading thrillers, and she’s always down for a park picnic in Brooklyn.
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