Hydration hair heroes: our favourite moisture boosters

You don’t have to just accept dry and damaged hair as the norm. You can add moisture and hydrate your hair with our favourite products, below.

Static hair? Here are five products to fix it

Fuzzy hair is a common problem, and there are lots of different reasons why it can happen.

You could be over-styling, brushing your hair a little too aggressively, wearing your ponytail too tight, have hormonal hair thinning or fragile hair after having a baby.

Fix it with these five anti-frizz products…

Dry hair? These the the best hair masks to rehydrate

If your hair is damaged and dry then there’s one thing you need to invest in… a hair mask.

The beauty of a hair mask is that they get deep into hair strands and the cuticle to repair breakage and strengthen from root to tip. If you have dyed hair they are also a must.

“The key with hair treatments is to keep them up and ensure they are used weekly to keep hair condition at its best,” recommends Sam McKnight, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Hair by Sam McKnight.

Read on for our list of the best hair masks for dry, damaged hair.

These are the hair masks to beat dry and damaged hair

If you have dry and damaged hair then you need to get your hands on a hair mask!

The beauty of a hair mask is that they get deep into hair strands and the cuticle to repair breakage and strengthen from root to tip. If you have dyed hair they are also a must.

“The key with hair treatments is to keep them up and ensure they are used weekly to keep hair condition at its best,” recommends Sam McKnight, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Hair by Sam McKnight.

Read on for our list of the best hair masks for dry, damaged hair.

Budget-friendly products to revive dry and damaged hair

Having dry and damaged hair doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune on products to fix it.

In fact we’ve found some of the best brands that really work - all for under £20. Scroll through the gallery to see our recommendations.

Long hair? Follow these stylist-approved steps to maintain it

Trying to grow your hair or simply maintain your already luscious locks? Read on... 

1. Never use harsh shampoos

Shampoos that strip the scalp of its natural oils are a complete no-no! You need to understand that the longer the hair, the drier the ends.

You need to cleanse the dirt but you can't strip your hair of its nutrients. Opt for a super mild shampoo and conditioner and see the difference.

2. Never skip haircare regimes

The longer your hair, the more it gets damaged by the heat, styling and sun damage. So make sure you take some time out once a week to do a hair mask or give yourself an oil massage. Take yourself out to get a hair spa treatment with us once a month, too. 

3. Never ill-treat wet hair

Seriously, never ever start using the blow dryer on dripping wet hair! Make sure you towel dry hair thoroughly and let it semi air dry before you apply heat. Also, do yourself a favour and get a microfibre towel, which is gentler on the hair. Don't forget to add moisture with hair serum and heat protectant. 

4. Never backcomb your hair for volume

Teasing is the worst thing that you could do to your long hair. Your hair is already stressed by the weight. Instead, invest in a great texturising spray and scrunch your hair for volume.

5. Never douse your hair in chemicals

Steer clear of alcohol-laden hair sprays and products with parabens, especially when those products need to be applied to your ends. Remember, the longer your hair the more nourishment your ends need!

6. Never cancel your trim appointments

You know how we keep recommending that you get regular trims? Well, we're not just saying it for fun - it's vital to do so when you have long hair to keep it healthy and strong.

7. Never tie your hair up the same way

This is a two-fold misdemeanour: give your hair a break, switch up the position of your ponytail/bun, let your hair down or braid it. Make sure your hair is not tied too tight and you don't use a hair elastic that causes breakage. 

8. Never use plastic hair brushes

Use a ceramic or wooden bristle brush. It is less harsh on your scalp and also makes sure the natural oils get evenly distributed through the hair. 

This is an edited version of beauty journalist Kannagi Desai's article on the Popxo website. Read the original version here.

How to have a Good Hair Day every day

Fed up of waking up with hair you can’t tame? This is our five step salon-approved formula for how to have a Good Hair Day every day.

Step 1: Cleanse

Just like you cleanse your skin, your hair needs the same care. You don’t have to do this daily - how often you wash your hair depends on its dryness and if you have product build up. Washing your hair will leave it and your scalp feeling clean, removing any products, grease, dirt and dead skin cells which might have built up.

Step 2: Condition and nourish

Conditioning your hair helps to detangle, seal the cuticles and provide moisture. It replenishes the moisture that your shampoo may have removed, and it will help remove any knots or tangles that were caused by massaging your shampoo onto your hair and scalp.

Step 3: Protect

Never use heated styling tools like curlers or straightener on wet or damp hair. After applying a heat protectant, let your hair air dry for a couple of minutes before applying heat.

Step 4: Moisturise

After styling your hair or letting it air dry, add back in a little moisture. Also on days where you’re not washing your hair, your hair may benefit from a moisture boost. This is where hair oil comes in, our favorite multitasker! Hair oils are also great for controlling frizz and preventing dryness.

Step 5: Treatment

Try a weekly mask, oil or a scalp treatment. This can help tackle damage, dryness and an oily, flaky or dry scalp, and improve the overall appearance and health of your hair.

Fix swimming hair with these simple steps

Hot weather, chlorinated swimming pools and salty sea water can all wreak havoc with your hair, resulting in dry lengths, damaged ends and dull, faded colour.

So, how do you keep your hair looking full, shiny and healthy during the warmest months of the year? A few small tweaks to you everyday routine can make all the difference.

Don’t forget the SPF for your hair

UV rays can damage your hair as well as your skin. Investing in a hair protector that has UV filters has the same effect as sun cream, shielding the strands from harmful rays (which can break down the structure of your hair as well as fade any colour). 

Fight humidity with serum

Rising temperatures can leave any hair type frizzy and fluffy, and a good hair serum is the fastest way to restore order. The best hair serums will work to smooth frizz while also adding shine, making your hair look as healthy as can be. What’s more, today’s best options come with a whole host of added benefits, from colour-protecting ingredients to nourishing actives and deep-hydrating extracts.

Hydrate with a hair mask

Just like hydrating yourself with a glass of water (or a cool G&T), using a hair mask puts moisture back into the hair giving it a new lease of life. It also helps weakened hair follicles to regain strength and elasticity, helping to avoid further sun damage.

Give your scalp some TLC

Just like the skin on your face, your scalp can become dry and sensitive when it is exposed to the sun. You may even find your parting becomes pink and burnt if you leave it unprotected. Like your skin, you should treat your scalp to some extra TLC in the summer, using products that specifically address your issues. For instance, applying a weekly soothing scalp mask in the summer is a great way to calm and moisturise your scalp. Daily hydrating scalp toners can also be very beneficial – a healthy scalp is key to hair growth.

Why soap shampoos could be your new best friend

As well as replacing single use plastic bottles, shampoo bars tend to be free from drying preservatives and harsh sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), making them kinder to your hair.

Lather and rinse like normal and your bar should last weeks longer than your usual bottle. With better products out there to choose from, it’s a great way to help save the planet - and look after your hair!

In place of chemicals, shampoo soap bars focus on nourishing oils and butters, like Funky Soap’s Babassu Oil Shampoo, £5.50, which pairs hydrating babassu oil with cocoa and shea butters to restore shine and improve lost elasticity. 

If scent is your thing, Bain & Savon’s Zesty Orange Shampoo Bar, £5.50, is made with orange, grapefruit and lemongrass oil, while the lemon juice and green olives in Lush’s Montalbano Shampoo Bar, £7.50, will transport you to Sicily.

This is an extract of an article featured on Stylist.co.uk. To read the full article click here.