How to get salon-fresh hair at home
I make a point to schedule my haircuts right before notable events -- a birthday, a vacation, a special weekend. I love the feeling of professionally 'done' hair, since my typical routine is as close to wash-and-go as my unruly hair will allow. Usually I can squeeze a few days of silky salon hair out of one visit...but I simply can't afford to get a blowout every couple weeks. And I'm one of those people who is usually hopeless when it comes to recreating the salon look in the comfort of my own bathroom.
The solution? It's all in the products, baby. By using products specifically designed for your hair type and tailoring your routine to your specific hair needs, you can get smooth, shiny hair on your own. Here are four handy tips to make your hair look and feel like you just got back from the salon.
The key to salon-fresh hair is to use products formulated for your hair type (and any current concerns) and to protect tresses from damaging UV rays. Avoid using conditioner if you’ve got thin or fine locks, unless they’re particularly unmanageable or in serious need of moisture. By using the above simple tips on a regular basis, you might find yourself shelling out for salon treatments less and less.
Do you prefer the salon-fresh look, or do you like your hair better when you've styled it yourself?
The solution? It's all in the products, baby. By using products specifically designed for your hair type and tailoring your routine to your specific hair needs, you can get smooth, shiny hair on your own. Here are four handy tips to make your hair look and feel like you just got back from the salon.
- Match your hair type. One of the best ways to boost your hair’s health is by using products specifically formulated for your hair type or current concerns.
- Lift thin, lifeless locks. Pump up skinny strands by using volumizing formulas.
- Preserve hair color and highlights. If you highlight or color your hair, it’s best to lather with a color-safe shampoo. Products specifically designed for color-treated hair are typically the only ones that are up to the challenge of keeping these locks hydrated without damaging or fading the color.
- Show off stunning shine. Forget messy egg and cold-water treatments to get shiny hair that only lasts a day or two. You can create luminous locks using a glossing shampoo and conditioner.
- Fight off frizz. Some hair types need extra attention when it comes to controlling frizz, a job that’s easily handled using specially designed conditioners.
- Reconsider conditioner. Not all hair types benefit from a conditioning formula. According to About beauty expert Julyne Derrick, women with hair that’s curly, processed or dry should use a moisturizing conditioner on a regular basis. However, women with thin, fine hair might not need conditioner. But if you’re having difficulty maintaining moisture and combing out tangles without it, add conditioner to your routine. Derrick suggests a spray conditioner, which tends to be lightweight and won’t weigh down your hair.
- Protect your hair. Did you know that your hair is just as vulnerable to sun damage as your skin? Plus, contrary to popular belief, cloudy days provide zero protection. According to Judith Reichman, M.D., a Today show expert, UV rays are in full force just as much with cloud cover and smog as with direct sunlight.
- Use sunscreen. Protect your tresses from UV rays with sunscreen specifically designed for the hair.
- Repair damage. Rene Furterer Repairing After Sun Mask softens hair with phospholipids and palm butter, restoring hair health and minimizing some of the damaging effects of the sun.
The key to salon-fresh hair is to use products formulated for your hair type (and any current concerns) and to protect tresses from damaging UV rays. Avoid using conditioner if you’ve got thin or fine locks, unless they’re particularly unmanageable or in serious need of moisture. By using the above simple tips on a regular basis, you might find yourself shelling out for salon treatments less and less.
Do you prefer the salon-fresh look, or do you like your hair better when you've styled it yourself?