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Want to know how to make your hair look good all the time? These are some of our salon-approved tricks for glossy, healthy hair every day. Which one is your favourite?
Rinsing your hair with cold water after a shower can help to close the hair follicles and boost the shine factor. Using a clarifying shampoo weekly can remove build-up and regular deep conditioning treatments, hair oils and masks can protect from heat and sun damage.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet rich in keratin, like nuts and fish, and Omega-3 fatty acids can help hair growth and promote shine, too.
Photo by Fleur Kaan on Unsplash.
Healthy hair produces a certain amount of sebum, or oil, as a way to hydrate your scalp and protect your hair. And the amount of oil you produce varies depending on your hair type, how often you shower and other lifestyle factors like that.
Sometimes this natural oil can collect on your hair, especially at the root - and this can look greasy or oily.
If this sounds familiar, then we’re here to tell you the causes of oily hair, products that can control oil production, and some home remedies for when your hair looks too greasy.
The oil in your hair is part of your body’s defense system for the sensitive hair of your scalp. This oil mixes with sweat and dirt, coating your scalp and sometimes the top of your head, too. This is actually normal, so don’t panic.
How to fix it
Practicing good hygiene by washing your scalp often with a shampoo cleanses the oil and gives your hair a fresh start. But saying that, some hair types (straight hair for one, sorry guys) are prone to oil build-up and certain lifestyle habits, like exercise, over-use of styling products, and being out in the heat or humidity can add to your bad hair day.
Photo by Chris Slupski on Unsplash
If your hair is oily or greasy one of the causes could be over-washing.
Every time you wash your hair with shampoo, it sends the scalp the signal to produce more sebum. If you’re washing your hair too often, your scalp gets the message that it needs to be in oil production overdrive.
This can result in oily build-up on your scalp - and the greasy look you’re trying to avoid.
Straight hair is especially prone to collecting oil because the hair shaft doesn’t have any texture or wave to it, so oil slides straight down the hair shaft and collects all over your head. It also makes oil in your hair more visible when hair hangs straight down.
Photo by freestocks on Unsplash
Another cause of oily hair is the type of styling products you use. Sebum is a type of oil, which means that simply washing it with water doesn’t break it up.
Rinsing your hair with just water or skipping the shampoo step and using only conditioner can allow oil to build up. While it might not be easy to spot the oil when your hair is drying, it quickly appears oily again only a few hours or so later.
That’s because only certain ingredients, found in most shampoos, can break down the oil that builds up on your hair.
Deep condition your hair with a mask or leave-on conditioner once or twice a week in autumn. Just 10 minutes a few times a week is all you need to keep hair healthy.
It’s cooler to wear your hair up in the summer but this can cause breakages and scalp stress some come the autumn consider wearing your hair down more often. Avoid tight ponytails so that it puts less pressure on the hair follicles.
Heated styling tools can cause all sorts of damage, especially during the colder months. Add a few protectant products like spray, serum, mousse, or cream to your winter beauty arsenal.
Regular haircuts promote growth and keeps hair healthy. The longer your hair, the more susceptible you are to breakage so give us a call to book your next appointment.
And while it might be tempting to chop it all off and start again, there’s no need for a new look (unless you really want one - in which case give us a call!).
Instead try our four-step plan to repair damaged hair:
Have a weekly hair mask: You can even sleep in it overnight (with hair wrapped in a microfibre towel) for maximum hydration.
Comb conditioner through before rinsing: This helps to improve the appearance of frazzled hair and has the effect of smoothing the hair cuticles down.
Use hair serum: This nourishes the scalp and hair follicles. We like L'Oreal's Absolute Repair Serum, which you can buy here.
Regular haircuts: A great haircut will revitalise hair and make you look - and feel - better about your damaged hair. You don’t have to go for a dramatic new style, just talk to us about your needs and we will deliver!
When it comes to choosing the right hair colour for you, our colourists know the three elements that combined will create your perfect look...
The colour of your skin tone is actually one of the most important aspects of choosing the perfect hair colour. The correct colour will compliment your skin and make it appear even more beautiful, while the wrong colour might make your skin look dull and dreary.
To really enhance and intensify your eye colour, we might recommend a contrasting colour. For instance - if your eyes are blue, a caramel or golden blonde tone will make them appear even bluer. If they are green, a fiery or soft red tone could be the perfect colour for you.
Once the hair colour has been narrowed down to suit your complexion and eye colour, your personal style should be considered - and this is where you know best. Do you want to be noticed or blend in? Do you need to be more daring or does your outfit say enough? Make sure the shades you and your hair stylist choose is one that will make you feel confident and yourself.
To effectively tackle frizzy hair, you need to focus on adding moisture, minimising heat and friction and using the right products for you. This means gentle sulphate-free cleaning, deep conditioning and the best styling techniques that help to smooth the hair cuticles.
Gentle cleansing: That means investing in sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners that add moisuture. Avoid over-washing as this can strip the hair of its natural oils and make the frizz factor even worse.
Invest in deep conditioner: Doing a weekly hair mask or using deep conditioner once a week will repair frizzy hair and add intense hydration.
Use leave-in treatments: Serums, leave-in conditioners and hair oils can lock in moisture and protect against the humidity that can lead to frizzy hair.
Chill out on heat styling: Use styling tools on the lowest settings and use a heat protectant spray to keep hair from getting frazzled.
Cold water rinse: End your shower with a cold water rinse as this seals the hair cuticle making it look shinier, and reducing the frizz factor.
Gentle drying: Carefully blot hair dry with a microfibre towel or cotton T-shirt instead of rubbing vigorously with a towel. And always wait for hair to dry a bit before brushing it as this can cause frizz and breakage.
TRICK ONE: Look stylish AND protect your hair with a retro style glam swimming cap.
TRICK TWO: Coconut oil helps to coat the hair before a swim so that chlorine doesn’t come into contact with it.
TRICK THREE: A leave-in conditioner also helps to protect the hair before you take a dip.
