Your hair has undoubtedly suffered some damage this winter. You did your best, but you were attacked on two fronts - cold weather and whipping winds outside and moisture sucking heat and hair dryers inside. So whether you stuffed your locks up under a hat, tied them back in a ponytail or heat-styled to your hearts content, you’re left with a dull, broken and fried mess lying lifelessly atop your head. This is no way to greet the springtime. It’s time to resuscitate your hair. Here are three simple steps to have spring-ready hair.
Trim it away
Pay your favorite salon a visit to be rid of split and broken ends. Make sure and start with a relaxing shampoo and conditioning. If you’re like most people, you aren’t nearly as thorough as a professional when it comes to getting your hair and scalp really clean and nourished. After your hair is cleansed and conditioned, removing split ends will immediately improve its look and shine. Another perk of a salon visit is product recommendations. Ask them for their opinion on a deep conditioner or mask and how to properly use it. Freshly trimmed hair and friendly advice will be just what you needed on your road to a refreshing spring style.
Keep Moisturizing!
At least once a week, treat your hair with a restoring mask or deep conditioner. If you’re willing to splurge, the crème de la crème is Kerastase’s Resistance Masque Force ($61). This miracle mask rebuilds hair fibers, prevents breakage and fortifies while healing and protecting. Apply from the middle of your strands down the roots, and wait 5-10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly for amazing results. A less expensive option is Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Treatment by Organix ($8). One user claims, “It smells amazing, and nothing has left my hair so soft and shiny before!”
If you’re a frequent styler, your hair is thirsty. We mean really, really thirsty. So, before or after you style (or both), you should use moisturizing products. Oscar Blandi’s Hair Lift Mousse is our favorite for many reasons. Mainly, it doses your hair with serious amounts of moisture. If that wasn’t enough, it also plumps and expands hair for a long-lasting youthful fullness. To top things off, its anti-static agent also works to eliminate fly aways for a smooth look.
Consider a Water Swap
Winter air and hard water pack a brutal one-two punch when it comes to your hair. The minerals in hard water (magnesium and calcium) weigh your hair down by coating it in a dull soap scum. You can banish the scum and reclaim your shine by switching to a water softener. When the scum is gone, your natural oils will be free to replenish the moisture in your hair. There’s a reason people preach of the wonders of washing your hair with rainwater. Rainwater is soft water! Soft water, untainted by ground minerals, allows your hair products to emulsify easily. This helps you to avoid overdoing it on shampoo and further drying out your locks. When you wash with soft water, and leave the minerals in the ground, your hair can get truly clean.
Spring is a time for bouncy curls, shiny waves and straight sleek hair. With these tips you can snip, scrub, treat, rinse and style your lackluster winter hair away!
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