Salon stylists just have the magic touch. Every time theyre put to the test, they leave us with gorgeous, healthy-looking, cant-stop-running-our-hands-through-it hair that we convince ourselves well be able to recreate each morning thereafter, with just a few quick changes to our ho-hum routine. But, no matter how closely we pay attention to our stylists expert twists and tousles, or how sincere we are when we say we wont miss that one crucial step that they promised would make all the difference, it doesnt take much for our earnest efforts to crumble. We yank, we tear, and we skip using the protective hair-care products we know we need because, in the end, our laziness — or lack of technique — overpowers all. But, the truth is, you can nail flawless salon hair at home — and our own staffers are proof. With wintry winds preparing to barrel down on us, now is the time to get your hair, and your routine, in tip-top shape. So, we got the hair secrets and tricks of four R29ers who manage to have perfect-looking hair every day — and theyre shockingly simple. Since these smart techniques and hair hacks are coming from people whose styling repertoires are probably on par with yours, theres no excuse for not following suit. From no-nozzle blowdrying and DIY oil masks to Pantenes root-lifting sprays and curl-enchanting whips, these healthy hair hacks will make your stylist proud. Hair Type: Processed Hair Problem: Heat Damage Any type of coloring, perming, or straightening can really put your tresses through the wringer. To counteract the resulting damage, like split-ends and breakage, beauty director Megan McIntyre picked up a few tips from the pros to keep her hair in tip-top shape — well, as tip-top as bleached-blonde hair can be, she says. See her expert tips ahead! Healthy Hair Hack No. 1: Only blowdry in the winter — and protect your hair when you do. When youre dealing with chemically treated hair, your plan of attack is to repair, repair, repair. Then, to prevent any further damage, I air dry whenever humanly possible. But, in the winter, when I have to blow dry, I use a heat-protectant spray all over my hair. Healthy Hair Hack No. 2: Remove the nozzle from your blowdryer. A hairstylist once told me to remove the nozzle from the dryer. The nozzle causes more damage since it concentrates the full blast of the heat into one small area, which is way worse than the dispersed heat from a nozzle-free blast, says McIntyre. If youre still suffering from heat damage, McIntyre recommends adding a hyper-hydrating hair mask to your routine to breathe some health back into your locks. And voilà, totally touchable tresses at your service. Hair Type: Curly Hair Problem: Frizz When it comes to curly hair, frizz is public enemy number one, says project manager Bethany Lewis. To lock in the shape and moisture of your curls, it all comes down to using the right products — and applying them correctly. While different curl patterns call for different product cocktails, Lewis tried-and-true process may help those in frizzy need, ahead. Healthy Hair Hack No. 1: Apply products before hair dries. After rinsing hair with cold water, Lewis applies a leave-in conditioner throughout her curls. Then, she finger-combs gel into her completely wet hair — no towel drying or squeezing out excess water first! This way, my curls are coated and protected before frizz can start, she says. To help define and maintain her naturally soft curls, Lewis follows up with a light, mousse-like whip instead of hairspray. This keeps her locks tousled and not crunchy. Healthy Hair Hack No. 2: Use a cotton T-shirt to dry. Now, onto the drying. Instead of a regular towel, which can tug at the curls, creating more frizz, Lewis uses an ol cotton T-shirt. The result is soft, natural-looking curls that have shape without the crunch. Hair Type: Natural Hair Problem: Dry & Knotty With natural texture, its imperative to keep hair as moisturized as possible. For photo assistant Lyne Luciens hair, the biggest issue is that it gets so dry that I get massive knots, which is really damaging. To combat the dryness and the knotting, Lucien uses a DIY oil concoction every three days on her 4B hair type. Get it next! Healthy Hair Hack No. 1: Make your own hair oils. The trifecta for combating dryness: castor oil, olive oil, and tea tree oil. Lucien mixes equal portions of each with some shea butter and then applies the mixture into her hair like a leave-in conditioner. The castor oil is really thick and slick, which helps keep my hair from tangling, says Lucien. And, the olive oil is a lot lighter in its consistency, helping to keep the moisture in. Then, I use the tea tree oil to kill bacteria. This combination works to keep my hair smooth and reduce frizz for a few days. Healthy Hair Hack No. 2: Lock in the moisture with twists. I put my hair into twists after I massage the oil mix into my hair, says Lucien. The twists aid in reducing damage because my hair doesnt move around as much when Im sleeping. Natural hair is really fragile — the slightest touch can break a strand. The twists also help create my curl pattern. Lucien says to repeat this process every three days. And, most importantly: Avoid detangling dry hair. To remove knots, only use a comb on wet hair for maximum health. Hair Type: Fine Hair Problem: Volume Life can be hard in the in-between — that is, for those of us with fine hair and mixed textures (not totally straight and not totally curly). Just ask senior editor Jessica Roska. My hair is not only fine, its also highlighted, wavy, and a little on the frizzy side — basically, it has a mind of its own. If I let my hair air-dry without any styling, the result is flat, scalp-hugging strands on top and funky curls-meet-waves in all the wrong places. See how Roska styles her hair without inflicting damage ahead. Healthy Hair Hack No. 1: Use a root-lifting product. You know those scalp-hugging strands I mentioned before? This is me nipping them in the bud, says Roska. Before I blowdry, I spray wet hair with a root-lifting spray to give it the texture it needs to lift off of my scalp. Healthy Hair Hack No. 2: Massage for texture and stay away from a curling iron! Then, I massage the product into my roots to spread it evenly throughout my hair. The massaging motion also helps give my roots a boost, says Roska. After she works in the product, Roska blowdries her hair sans brush to up the volume. Once its about 80% dry, she starts blow drying with a round brush to help smooth out her natural kinks while creating loose waves. Dont forget to use heat-protectant sprays before using any heat tools, too, says Roska. I dont wash my hair for a few days at a time so that I dont have to subject it to any excess heat. Like what you see?How about some more R29 goodness, right here?What No One Tells You About Coconut OilThe 8 Best Shampoos For Damaged HairIntroducing: The Natural Hair Project Refinery29 ift.tt/1tQ7gyG
Posted on: Fri, 07 Nov 2014 16:45:26 +0000
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