I believe heavily that a shower filter is an absolute must.
My water is hard and must be loaded with chemicals as I notice an enormous difference.
I have an Aquasana which is a high end filter, but I still think some chemicals come through.

In fact the only "magic hair softener" I've found amongst all the tricks (baking soda, nearly natural,
magic shampoos, etc.) is this one:

- purchase a gallon of purified water from Target (about 99 cents)
- pour some in the sink, submerge your piece in the purified water for a few hours.

now it's soft soft soft

I do this IN ADDITION to the filter.

- AG