Article by BR Tabatha
It might seem like hair care products are constantly developing and evolving but when it comes to the basics of hair care things don't really change much at all. Here's our top ten hair care tips, whatever your hair type or style!
1. Rinse your hair thoroughly after shampooing and conditioning.
Left over product and residue will dull hair, make it look greasy and weigh it down. Aim to spend as long on the final rinse as you did shampooing and conditioning combined.
2. Make the most of conditioning time.
Once you've applied conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, use a wide tooth comb to distribute the conditioner, stimulate the scalp and leave your hair shiny and tangle free.
3. Get your ends trimmed regularly.
Contrary to popular myth, trimming your ends doesn't make you hair grow any faster, but trims ensure your hair looks it's best by removing split ends, which make hair look unruly, dry and damaged.
4. Use a towel gently.
You know the vigourous towel drying you mum would subject you to? Do the exact opposite! Rubbing your hair with a towel when it’s wet will ruffle the cuticle and cause tangles, increasing frizz and damage. De-tangle hair while conditioner and gently squeeze out excess water after rinsing. Wrap your hair in a microfibre towel and towel dry gently, with minimum effort!
5. Exercise good blow drying.
Opt for the medium heat setting and hold the dryer at least 6 to 8 inches away from your hair and direct the air blast down the shaft from the root to prevent frizz. Use some form of heat protection when blow drying. Experiment with serums, milks, creams and sprays to find what works best for you.
6. Don't fall for 'You must change your products or your hair will get used to them'.
Your hair is effectively dead from the roots down - it doesn't feel and it certainly doesn't know if you're using the same brand day after day, month after month.
7. Go easy with the brush.
Brushing your hair 100 times morning and night will not leave your hair more shiny but it can cause breakage and frizz. Brush your hair when you need to - when you're styling it. Avoid brushing wet hair - it's at its most fragile. Opt for a wide tooth comb or a gentle tangle brush to de-tangle wet hair, and reserve the brush strictly for styling.
8. Volumise the easy way.
Volume will give hair a fuller, bouncier and healthier look. If you're blow drying flip your head upside down and blow dry until almost dry; then flip your volumised hair back and finish styling and smoothing, A simple trick for a fuller hair do is to part and style your hair in the opposite direction to usual.
9. Use the right product for your hair type.
Think product varieties are marketing hype? Think again! For example curly hair is naturally dry (oil doesn't travel down the kinky hair shaft as easily as on straight hair) so products for curly hair will contain ingredients to soften the hair and minimise frizz, helping the oils travel more easily. Conversely products aimed at oily hair will be light and gentle (look for a thinner consistency and clear colour). Whether your hair is fine, limp, dry, damaged, coarse, coloured, curly or oily, look for a product range that address the specific needs that come with each type.
10. Amp up the intensity.
At least once a fortnight treat your hair to an intensive treatment. For deeper penetration of the product wrap a warm towel around your head. Leave it for 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
I've never tried to comb my hair while applying my conditioner. I will try this... Thanks