Hey there, I’m Jess ✨. On The Signature, I share reflections on beauty, routines, travel, wellness, culture, and everyday life. For those drawn to a calmer, more intentional way of living, I send a free newsletter each month on the 7th. You're welcome to join.
Disclaimer: this content is not sponsored nor affiliated - I pay for everything that I use myself. This independence allows me to tell you what I have been loving the most with unbiased honesty.
I recently shared what life with alopecia is like, the haircare routines I have had to tweak and how it changed my whole identity. As I truly focus on properly using and finishing my beauty, this monthly edition will be focused on haircare empties.
Jess
Check all past empties reviews:
Here are the haircare products I finished recently, what I am replacing them with (or not) and whether I would buy them again:
AMIKA Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Shampoo, Conditioner and Leave-In
I don't know how it happened but I arrived late to the party and only started using Amika's products in 2025, after a colleague of mine, who has the most gorgeous hair, mentioned it's one of her favourite go-to brands. A few months after, I can attest that it's one of the best brands I have ever used on my hair and the one that made me put my trusty Moroccanoil products to the side.
I started with the full Hydro Rush Intense range, with Shampoo, Conditioner and Leave-In. You can check my full hair wash routine here. I love the shampoo and use it weekly. I cannot say the conditioner is the one product that gives me the best slip but it's good enough for detangling. The leave-in spray is a must, as I use it before weekly detangling my hair on wash day when I have not used a mask. I still have to try the Hydro Rush Intense Hair Mask soon, but overall, I am very satisfied with what I have tried so far.
Verdict: not only would I purchase these products again but I have replaced all three with new bottles of each and have a few more in stock. The only other leave-in I'd like to try is from Amika's Freeze Me Not collection.
AMIKA Dream Routine Overnight Treatment
Although the bottle is a similar shade of blue, the Dream Routine Overnight Treatment is not a part of the aforementioned Hydro Rush Intense collection. I had never used an overnight cream before and now I can't go without. On evenings, I apply a few pumps on my hair length before protecting it under a silk bonnet. In the morning, the hair is moisturised and less brittle, great for my weekday french braid or bun styles.
Verdict: love it so much I have already started a new bottle.
THE ORDINARY Multi Peptide Serum for Hair Density
This product is part of my evening skincare routine, that I apply on my roots after double cleansing my face. This serum is a concentrated leave-in formula designed to support the scalp and give you thicker, denser, fuller-looking hair. The formula is lightweight and offers a combination of peptide technologies alongside a series of plant-based extracts. This formula contains REDENSYL™, Procapil™, CAPIXYL™, BAICAPIL™, AnaGain™, and High-Solubility Caffeine.
Verdict: This was my second bottle, as I finished the previous one last year. I have another bottle to start soon. I use this hair serum with low expectations as I have LPP alopecia so I don't believe any product can truly change my hair nature at this point. But if it does not cause more inflammation on my scalp, I might as well continue.
THE ORDINARY Squalane Oil
How did I miss out on the wonders of squalane oil for so many years? It's a very versatile oil that can be used either for skincare or haircare. This version by The Ordinary is made with 100% Plant-Derived Squalane and helps preserve hydration. I have been focusing on warming a few drops in my palms and I focus on my hair ends, before putting on my silk bonnet at night.
Verdict: I loved this product and do not have in stock unfortunately. I have been using Lumene's Hair Oil but not loving in nearly as much. I will need to repurchase it soon!
UMBERTO GIANNINI Boho Beach Jelly Coconut Oil Scrunching Jelly
When my hair is freshly washed I shape the curls with hair gel and use it loose or do what I just baptised a sun bun. I am still learning as it is a lenghty process and I only started doing it when I went fully natural a few years ago. I am still looking for the best hair gel for me, and loved this Umberto Giannini one I purchased during a road trip to Namibia and urgently needed a jelly to style my hair. It is sticky on the hands when applying but has a great hold for daily usage, without leaving residue.
Verdict: I enjoyed this product and do not have in stock. I will need to repurchase it soon and try something else in the meantime.
What I bought in Paris...
I always write about products that I used until the last drop but let's switch things up and talk about what is new as well. After realising on my latest trip to Paris how these brands were all the rage...I got curious about what to try next I couldn't resist but bring a few new items back home. After checking many reviews, I wanted to test how they would fit into my haircare routine and hair needs. Cannot wait to try them so I will keep you posted on my thoughts in future empties reviews.
Les Secrets de Loly
I was influenced not only by the adverts all around Paris but as well by my dear Chacha. I have yet to try these products but I love the brand's story and how inclusive it is in making all types of hair feel seen and cared for. And how gorgeous and vibrant is the branding? I purchased:
- Perfect Clean Shampoo
- Pink Paradise Conditioner
- Kurl Nectar Hair Primer
- Boost Curl Jelly
Fenty Hair
A work colleague recently gave me a Brown Mascara which turned out to be my first Fenty product. I know it is a very popular brand in stores and on social media, but I had yet to try it. Jump to a few weeks later, and I purchased this 4-product bundle to try the Fenty Hair line. The bundle had small size bottles of:
- The Rich One Moisture Repair Shampoo
- The Richer One Moisture Repair Deep Conditioner
- The Comeback Kid Instant Damage Repair Treatment
- The Protective Type 5-in-1 Heat Protectant Styler
OUAI
I read that one a month, we need to clarify our hair from all the product buildup. I did not know that. After some research, I saw several "detox shampoos" and OUAI's came best recommended. I have yet to try it to share my opinion on it.
COLORWOW
This was totally a social media influenced product. Dream Coat Extra Strength by ColorWOW is raved as a must before applying heat to one's hair, to coat it and preserve the heat styling for longer. I rarely apply heat on my hair. I used to, on a weekly basis, a lifetime ago, before I discovered I had Alopecia - but next time I do, I will try it.
OLAPLEX Nº3 PLUS
I have been a faithful user of Olaplex Nº3 for almost a decade and I was very excited to learn they had reformulated a product that already works wonders for me. This new version not only promises to act faster - dropping from 30 to 10 minutes - but is also a bigger container. Cannot wait to try it!
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