One thing I’ve learned over the years is that having healthy, shiny, beautiful hair doesn’t mean spending a fortune on professional treatments or going to the hairdresser every week. It’s true that a hairdresser’s hands always come in handy, but there are many tricks that will help you keep your mane healthy with small habits.
«The problem is that many women make mistakes that end up weakening the hair fiber without realizing it. That promotes frizz and causes the hair to lose its natural shine», explains Jose Fernández, a hair stylist at Llongueras. Which ones are among the most common? Using too much heat, overdoing certain products, or even washing it badly (or too often).
The good news? You don’t have to be drastic or overly strict to achieve fabulous hair. In fact, when I asked my hairdresser, he revealed five tips that are very easy to integrate into any routine worth trying. I’ve already put them into practice (and I must admit that the change is noticeable).
What tricks, tips and products to incorporate into my routine
1/ Goodbye to hot water. “Although a hot shower is pleasant, excessive heat promotes dryness of the scalp and leaves the hair rougher.” Instead, they recommend lukewarm water, finishing with a slightly cooler rinse.
2/ Hydrating mask once a week. Especially if your hair is long, dyed or you style it quite often. That said, the mask should be tailored to your needs. “Not all hair needs the same: fine hair tends to appreciate lightweight formulas, while dry or curly hair can benefit from more nourishing treatments.” As a recommendation, Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy is one of the best. It hydrates a lot thanks to its blend of Mirsalehi honey, biomimetic ceramides and hyaluronic acid without leaving a heavy feel and makes the hair soft, flexible and with spectacular shine.
3/ Dry without rubbing. “One of the most common mistakes after a shower is rubbing the hair vigorously to remove moisture. When wet, the hair is more vulnerable to mechanical damage, which promotes breakage and frizz.” What to do instead? Use a microfiber towel like this one. Coffee O’Clock Soft & Comfy Towel by Beter is soft, absorbs moisture, and protects from frizz.
4/ Always use heat protection. “Flat irons, curling irons and hairdryers will help you achieve a perfect hairstyle, but using them frequently at high temperatures damages the hair fiber.” Therefore, heat protection should not be missing. And one of the best is La Biosthétique Heat Protecting Spray. It protects against heat and keeps hydration inside the hair fiber to prevent the hair from becoming rough and brittle.
5/ Take care of your ends. Fernández recommends using a good serum or oil to nourish them. “As a trick, warm one or two drops of product between your hands and distribute them gently along the ends. That said, remember that no oil can permanently repair an open end. When the hair is split, the solution is to cut it.”
Her favorite is Wella Professionals Ultimate Smooth Miracle Oil Serum. The reason? Thanks to squalane and omega-9, it deeply nourishes the hair fiber, controls frizz for up to 96 hours, and leaves a silky shine that lasts several days. It also protects against heat up to 230 °C and UV rays. It has a very light texture and quick absorption. Not much more could be asked of it.
