I can easily say that for the last 12 years; I have been styling my hair daily, if not weekly, while my go-to style is to have my hair curled. And I am always intrigued by new techniques and products. These are the tips and tricks I have picked up over the last twelve years from earliest to latest on how to keep your locks in check.
- Rotate shampoo and conditioner– First up is my all-time favorite tip, rotating your shampoo and conditioner. While I do not want to suggest that you have to buy a million shampoos and conditioners, I always keep at least two different sets in my shower. Since I color my hair, one set is a color-protecting, and its counterpart is usually a set made for dry, damaged hair. This method helps with counteracting product build-up. I know crazy, right? Think about it this way. Each time you wash your hair, even the most minimal amount of product starts to build up, so by switching your routine, you can cleanse the scalp of any leftover product more so than if you used the same shampoo and conditioner.
- Heat Protectant- The first time I learned about heat protectant was definitely in 7th grade watching youtube videos. Heat protectant creates a barrier between your hot tools and your hair. So if you apply heat to your hair regularly, I would look into one. My two recommendations are TRESemmΓ© Thermal Creations and my current favorite the Paul Mitchell Neuro Protect
- Hair Oil- Hair oil is excellent for finishing styling as it adds moisture and shine back into the hair. A little goes a long way even if you have long, thick hair like mine. I usually only take about a pea-sized amount, warm it up in my hands and apply all over. Remember, you can always add more if you need it. My top favorites are currently the Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil and the Moroccanoil Treatment.
- Hair Masks– I love nothing more than hair mask days. The first mask I ever tried was the OGX Extra Strength Hydrate & Repair + Argan Oil, and it is fantastic. Usually, I use masks as a pre-treatment before I wash my hair. Want to take it to the next level? Try applying the hair mask, then taking a wet hand towel, pop it into the microwave for about a 1 minute then wrap the towel around your hair for a heat mask treatment. The Kiehl’s Olive Fruit Oil Deeply Repairative Hair Pak is by far my favorite mask to date. The shine and smoothness my hair is unmatched compared to anything in my bathroom currently. And the smell is incredible.
- Head and Shoulders 2 n 1– I know what you are thinking why
use this product if you don’t have dandruff? Well, because it’s part of my rotating system I mentioned earlier. This 2 n 1 works so well I don’t need to condition my hair. That’s right, I don’t need to. It calms and overworked scalp due to styling and stress and leaves your hair clean and fresh. My favorite is the green apple or instant oil control. - Clarifying shampoo– Similarly to number #5, a clarifying shampoo is great to clean the scalp well and remove any product buildup. I am a huge dry shampoo fan, so I use this shampoo about 1-2 a month to make sure my scalp is in tip-top shape.
- Titanium wand and iron– The tools you use on your hair a crucial to maintaining its overall health. I suggest switching over to titanium if you can. I love my Nume 25mm curling wand because it heats up quickly, and my curls last all day. Titanium plates overall distribute heat better for a smoother finish. For straightening irons, I recommend the BaByliss Pro Nano Titanium.
- Wet Brush– Game Changer. If you don’t use some kind of wet brush by now and have hair that gets tangled easily (aka me), please go pick on of these up. I can’t remember the last time I felt the pain of brushing out knots. My favorite is actually a set included with #11 on this list.
- Hair Gloss- Hair gloss is a temporary treatment that helps with shine, frizz, and even color! The Kristin Ess Hair Signature Gloss Temporary Hair Color is spectacular at doing just that. When my hair looks like the picture above, I use the color Chocolate Cosmo and it lasts for about a month. For only $14 dollars, it’s a steal to keep your hair vibrant between coloring. For first-timers, I would try a clear gloss, much like the Hask Rose Oil & Peach Color Protection High Shine Glaze. The Hask glaze is designed for color-treated hair!
Micro Fiber Towel- If you are like me drying your hair could be considered an Olympic event. The Perfect Haircare towel has totally changed that for me. This towel reduces blow-dry time in half. Microfibers soak up to 7 times their weight in water, which I honestly believe. I have two that I rotate between and the brush it comes with is hands-down better than the Wet brush. The company is owned by a friend of mine and was designed because her family wanted a way to help their daughter Ceci get rid of her tangles and dry her beautiful long hair more efficiently. I wish this existed when I was a little girl, but I am so glad to say I will be a life long customer.- Volumizing Powder- This product is something I did not know about until I went to a KMS/Goldwell beauty event back in April. The Goldwell Dust Up powder is finely milled and super lightweight. And it smells amazing.
- Silk pillowcase-This the last one is a trick for both your hair and face. Silk pillowcases have become extremely popular in the last few years for its benefits to both hair and skin. They are supposed to help hair keep its style without tangling at night since it limits friction between your hair and the pillowcase. And for skin, the fabric is supposed to help with overall health and reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles. This set from Amazon is spectacular and extremely affordable.
I hope you found these tips, tricks,
