Some of us strive for glossy, healthy hair while others couldn’t care less.
If you’re someone who wants to achieve Jennifer Aniston hair status, Humairaa Habib shares seven changes that you can make to protect, strengthen, and transform your locks.
1. A protective shield
You’re probably sick of hearing about this one but heat protection is so important and that’s why professionals rave about it. Without heat protection, you’re prone to breakage, dryness and split ends. So, before you think about clamping your strands in a straightener or wrapping them around a curling wand, just a simple spritz can prevent damage of up to 50 per cent.
2. The genius headwrap
It’s vital that you use a microfibre towel when drying wet hair. Hair is at its most vulnerable when wet so it’s the ideal time to protect it. Microfibre hair wraps must have been designed by the hair gods because they absorb water faster resulting in less drying time and they do this without snapping the hair resulting in less breakage and frizz.
3. Stop the aggression
You’ve just come out of the shower, your hair is tangled, so you grab the nearest brush and start yanking. Stop! You need a wide tooth comb as it’s safer for wet hair, the gaps in the teeth of the comb allow the hair to glide through effortlessly. Gently begin combing your hair from the bottom and work your way to the roots. There’s no need to be aggressive when brushing, especially when your hair is wet and fragile.
4. Did you say silk?
Satin and silk are your besties when it comes to hair health, so say goodbye to that moisture-sucking cotton pillowcase and replace it with a moisture-loving satin or silk one. Less friction between your hair and pillowcase when you sleep means that you can say goodbye to frizz and split ends. You can also replace your hair bubble with a satin scrunchie to reduce frizz and prevent kinks in freshly styled hair.
5. Mask it
When your hair’s feeling rough, you feel rough. That’s why hair masks are an excellent choice to hydrate, smooth, and improve the strength of your strands. Use once a week as a deep treatment on the mid-lengths and ends of your hair and leave on for a minimum of 10 minutes (follow the recommended time on the packaging).
6. Leave-in or leave out?
A leave-in conditioner works wonders when combing wet hair by stopping the snagging and pulling of tangled hair. You don’t need curly hair to use a leave-in conditioner, it works for all hair types and provides hydration and shine whilst reducing frizz. Simply apply to damp or towel-dried hair after heat protection and gently comb through. If your hair is feeling extra dry, comb through a light serum before drying.
7. Oiling hair
If your hair and scalp are feeling dry and itchy, your best bet is oil. Castor oil has amazing moisturising magic as it contains ricinoleic acid from the castor bean plant and Omega-6 fatty acids. Apply to the scalp once a week and massage in to increase blood circulation – this technique has been proven to improve hair thickness and stimulate hair growth.
Put that Olaplex down for just a second and make these additional changes in your haircare routine to get that luscious and healthy head of hair. Swish and flick your beautiful locks to get endless compliments.
Lead image: Unsplash