HARMONY VS HYDRATE - Does your hair need protein or moisture?

Here at Neäl & Wølf we pride ourselves on having a boutique range of professional haircare that caters to all hair types, we aim to create products that have their own functions and benefits and do not overlap with one another. Just over two years ago, we identified a gap within our Cleanse & Condition Collection and that gap was HYDRATE. Some of you may be wondering, what about HARMONY and what is the difference between HARMONY and HYDRATE? And what is the difference between dry and damaged hair?

When creating our HYDRATE range, it was important to us that there was a clear difference between the usage and benefits compared to our HARMONY products

Let’s keep this simple…

HARMONY – BLEND OF REPAIRING PROTEINS WITH ADDED MOISTURE

HYDRATE – PURELY MOISTURE

HARMONY Intensive Care: A perfect blend of both repair (protein) and moisture, ideal for damaged hair that lacks strength. Repairing proteins help to repair damage and leave hair looking and feeling healthier, added moisturising ingredients ensure the hair is left feeling soft and nourished, helping to prevent further damage.

HYDRATE Moisture: A blend of nourishing oils and ingredients, perfect for adding intense hydration to dry, dull hair. Moisture locking technology makes this product also ideal for protecting colour treated hair and enhancing shine. 

HOW TO TELL IF YOUR HAIR NEEDS MOISTURE OR REPAIR (PROTEIN)

To see if your hair needs protein or moisture we recommend performing a quick and easy strand test. Do this by shampooing your hair with your chosen shampoo. Then when the shampoo is rinsed and your hair is damp, take a very small and fine section of hair and gently pull on the strand with both hands.

Watch the video below to see our Head of Education Laura Elliott explain how it's done.

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Healthy hair should bounce back like an elastic, but what if it doesn't? Read the below guide to decide if your hair needs moisture or protein 

If your hair needs moisture

• If your hair doesn't stretch at all or snaps without stretching: This indicates that your hair is dry, and needs moisture.

Choose from:

HYDRATE Moisture Shampoo 50ml, 250ml or 950ml

HYDRATE Moisture Conditioner 50ml, 200ml or 950ml

HYDRATE Moisture Mask 150ml or 500ml

If your hair needs proteins, or is damaged

• If your hair stretches too far and does not bounce back like an elastic: This indicates that your hair is damaged, and needs proteins/repair.

Choose from:

HARMONY Intensive Care Shampoo 50ml, 250ml or 950ml

HARMONY Intensive Care Treatment 50ml, 200ml or 950ml

Still not sure? Use our flow-chart!

Frequently asked questions

What is a hair mask / treatment?

A hair mask / treatment is a more intense version of a conditioner, usually tailored towards a specific hair concern i.e. damage, dryness. They can be used in multiple ways, after shampooing in the shower, overnight and sometimes a small amount can even be used as a leave-in on thick and/or curly hair.

'How often should I do a hair mask or hair treatment?' 

Your hair is unique like you, how often you should use a hair mask / treatment depends on your hair length, condition, hair type and how often you wash your hair. As a general rule of thumb, we recommend using these every other wash (alternating with your chosen conditioner or Hydrate Conditioner) if you are looking to maintain your hairs health. For severely dry or damaged hair, we would recommend you use Neal & Wolf's Harmony Treatment or Hydrate Mask every wash. Long hair often requires greater care to ensure the fragile ends remain healthy, if you have long hair you may want to use a mask or treatment at every wash. 

'What if I struggle with greasy roots and dry ends?'

Firstly, ensure that when you wash your hair that you are shampooing twice, this is important as it helps to remove dirt, grease and build-up from both the scalp and the hair, this can help your hair last longer in-between washing. We would then recommend opting for a less rich shampoo, such as DAILY Cleansing Shampoo. To help improve the look and feel of dry, dehydrated ends, use HYDRATE Moisture Conditioner or Mask on the mids and ends only. DRY Shampoo can also be used on freshly washed hair to help stop grease and sebum in it's tracks, remember to apply this to the roots only. 

'What if I struggle with greasy roots but my ends are damaged?' 

Firstly, ensure that when you wash your hair that you are shampooing twice, this is important as it helps to remove dirt, grease and build-up from both the scalp and the hair, this can help your hair last longer in-between washing. We would then recommend opting for a less rich shampoo, such as DAILY Cleansing Shampoo. To help improve the look and feel of damaged ends, use HARMONY Intensive Care Treatment on the mids and ends only. DRY Shampoo can also be used on freshly washed hair to help stop grease and sebum in it's tracks, remember to apply this to the roots only.

'How long should I leave the HARMONY Intensive Care Treatment on for?'

HARMONY Intensive Care Treatment should be applied to damp hair and left for up to 5 minutes. Due to being enriched with reparative proteins, we do not recommend that HARMONY is left on your hair overnight. 

'How long should I leave the HYDRATE Moisture Mask on for?' 

HYDRATE Moisture Mask should be applied to damp hair and left for a minimum of 10 minutes. For a more intense moisture treatment, you can also leave HYDRATE on overnight, remember to protect your pillowcase by wearing a hair wrap or a gentle microfibre towel. 

'Can I mix the ranges together, for example use Hydrate Shampoo and Harmony Treatment?' 

You can, however this isn't necessary. Both ranges cater to a different hair concern and do not overlap, if your hair is both dry and damaged then HARMONY is for you. If your hair is dry and dehydrated, HYDRATE is the haircare hero you need. 

'I wear extensions, what range would you recommend I use?'

Human hair extensions are typically more prone to dryness, this is due to the hair no longer sitting within the hair follicle where it receives necessary, natural oils from the scalp. Because of this, we would recommend

HYDRATE Moisture Shampoo 50ml, 250ml or 950ml

HYDRATE Moisture Conditioner 50ml, 200ml or 950ml

HYDRATE Moisture Mask 150ml or 500ml

If you prefer a non-specific, everyday shampoo & conditioner, then we we would recommend...

DAILY Cleansing Shampoo 50ml, 250ml, 950ml

DAILY Conditioner 50ml, 200ml, 950ml