If your ends feel dry, rough or straw-like after coloring, a perm or years of blow-drying, a leave-in treatment does the work between salon visits. The Margaret Josefin Intensive Hair Care Essence is a lightweight Japanese leave-in oil made for exactly that. Here is what is in it, how much to use for your hair length, and how it compares with the other leave-ins we carry.
The short answer: after shampooing, towel-dry your hair, warm one pump between your palms, work it into the ends and blow-dry. Use more if your hair is long or very damaged, and a little on dry hair any time for shine.
At a Glance
| Intensive Hair Care Essence | |
|---|---|
| Type | Leave-in treatment oil for damaged hair (no rinsing) |
| Best for | Hair that is dry, brittle or damaged by color or perm |
| Key ingredients | Marine collagen, an amino-acid base, superoxide dismutase, trehalose, chamomile extract |
| Finish | Smooth and shiny without feeling greasy |
| When to use | After every shampoo on towel-dried hair; on dry hair for extra shine |
| Size | 4 fl oz (120 mL) pump bottle, made in Japan |
| Price | Margaret Josefin Intensive Hair Care Essence: $64 |
What’s Inside and What It Does
| Ingredient | On the label as | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Marine collagen | Hydrolyzed Collagen | Helps repair hair damaged by color or perm |
| Amino-acid base | Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate | Turns damaged, brittle hair smooth and shiny without leaving it greasy |
| Superoxide dismutase | Superoxide Dismutase | Helps repair damaged cuticles and adds shine |
| Trehalose | Trehalose | Helps protect hair from UV rays |
| Chamomile extract | Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract | Helps protect hair from cigarette smoke |
The formula is silicone-based (cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone), which gives the slip and the glossy finish. It also contains soybean oil, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (tocopherol) and fragrance. If you avoid silicones or soy, this one is not for you.
How to Use It
- Shampoo as usual and towel-dry your hair.
- Pump the Essence onto your palm. One pump is right for semi-long hair.
- Warm it between your palms and fingers so it spreads evenly.
- Apply it to the ends first, then whatever is left through the mid-lengths.
- Blow-dry as usual.
Do not use it on an irritated scalp, keep it away from your eyes, and store the bottle away from heat.
How Much to Use
| Your hair | How much |
|---|---|
| Short | Less than one pump; start small and add if needed |
| Semi-long (around the shoulders) | One pump |
| Long, or very damaged | More than one pump; add a little at a time until the ends feel soft |
| Dry hair, between washes | A small amount on the ends for shine |
Too much on fine hair can look flat, so build it up slowly and keep it off the roots.
Essence vs. Other Leave-Ins We Carry
| Product | Texture | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret Josefin Intensive Hair Care Essence | Light oil | Color- or perm-damaged, brittle ends; shine without grease | $64 |
| Amatora OQ Leave-In Treatment Mousse | Foam | Damaged, dull hair; light all-over care with ceramides and keratin | $52 |
| KIDA Beverly Hills Pracaxi Oil | Light finishing oil | Frizz, flyaways and dry ends; also works on skin | $46 |
Choose the Essence if damage from color or perm is the main problem. Choose the OQ Mousse if your hair is fine and an oil feels too heavy. Choose the KIDA Pracaxi Oil as a finishing touch after blow-drying or flat ironing. See our full guides to the OQ Mousse and KIDA Pracaxi Oil.
Pair It With the Deep Hair Mask
The Essence is the daily step. Once or twice a week, the Margaret Josefin Deep Hair Mask ($40) adds deep moisture on wash day.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Mask day (1–2 times a week) | Shampoo → Deep Hair Mask for about 5 minutes → rinse → Essence on towel-dried ends → blow-dry |
| Other wash days | Shampoo and conditioner → Essence on towel-dried ends → blow-dry |
| Dry hair, any time | A small amount of Essence on the ends for shine |
More about the mask in our Margaret Josefin Deep Hair Mask guide, and a wider comparison in the best Japanese hair treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I use it on wet or dry hair?
Both. On towel-dried hair before blow-drying is the main use. On dry hair, a small amount adds shine.
Will it make my hair greasy?
Not when you use the right amount. The amino-acid base is made to smooth hair without a greasy feel. Start with one pump or less and keep it on the ends.
Is it good for color-treated or permed hair?
Yes. Repairing hair damaged by color or perm is what the marine collagen in this formula is there for.
Does it contain silicone?
Yes. Cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone are the first two ingredients. They give the smooth, glossy finish.
Can I use it on my scalp?
No. Apply it to the lengths and ends only, and do not use it on an irritated scalp.
Shop the Intensive Hair Care Essence, $64 · All Margaret Josefin. U.S. orders over $40 ship free from our salon in Irvine, California.