A hairstyle, hairdo, or haircut refers to the styling of hair, usually on the human scalp. Sometimes, this could also mean an editing of facial or body hair. The fashioning of hair can be considered an aspect of personal grooming, fashion, and cosmetics, although practical, cultural, and popular considerations also influence some hairstyles.
The oldest known depiction of hair styling is hair braiding which dates back about 30,000 years. In history, women’s hair was often elaborately and carefully dressed in special ways. From the time of the Roman Empire until the Middle Ages, most women grew their hair as long as it would naturally grow. Between the late 15th century and the 16th century, a very high hairline on the forehead was considered attractive. Around the same time period, European men often wore their hair cropped no longer than shoulder-length. In the early 17th century, male hairstyles grew longer, with waves or curls being considered desirable.
The male wig was pioneered by King Louis XIII of France (1601–1643) in 1624. Perukes or periwigs for men were introduced into the English-speaking world with other French styles in 1660. Late 17th-century wigs were very long and wavy, but became shorter in the mid-18th century, by which time they were normally white. Short hair for fashionable men was a product of the Neoclassical movement. In the early 19th century the male beard, and also moustaches and sideburns, made a strong reappearance. From the 16th to the 19th century, European women’s hair became more visible while their hair coverings grew smaller. In the middle of the 18th century the pouf style developed. During the First World War, women around the world started to shift to shorter hairstyles that were easier to manage. In the early 1950s women’s hair was generally curled and worn in a variety of styles and lengths. In the 1960s, many women began to wear their hair in short modern cuts such as the pixie cut, while in the 1970s, hair tended to be longer and looser. In both the 1960s and 1970s many men and women wore their hair very long and straight. In the 1980s, women pulled back their hair with scrunchies. During the 1980s, punk hairstyles were adopted by many people.
Early modern history
Male styles
During the 15th and 16th centuries, European men wore their hair cropped no longer than shoulder-length, with very fashionable men wearing bangs or fringes. In Italy it was common for men to dye their hair. In the early 17th century male hairstyles grew longer, with waves or curls being considered desirable in upper-class European men.
The male wig was supposedly pioneered by King Louis XIII of France (1601–1643) in 1624 when he had prematurely begun to bald. This fashion was largely promoted by his son and successor Louis XIV of France (1638–1715) that contributed to its spread in European and European-influenced countries. The beard had been in a long decline and now disappeared among the upper classes.
Perukes or periwigs for men were introduced into the English-speaking world with other French styles when Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660, following a lengthy exile in France. These wigs were shoulder-length or longer, imitating the long hair that had become fashionable among men since the 1620s. Their use soon became popular in the English court. The London diarist Samuel Pepys recorded the day in 1665 that a barber had shaved his head and that he tried on his new periwig for the first time, but in a year of plague he was uneasy about wearing it:
3rd September 1665: Up, and put on my coloured silk suit, very fine, and my new periwig, bought a good while since, but darst not wear it because the plague was in Westminster when I bought it. And it is a wonder what will be the fashion after the plague is done as to periwigs, for nobody will dare to buy any haire for fear of the infection? That it had been cut off the heads of people dead of the plague.
Late 17th-century wigs were very long and wavy (see George I below), but became shorter in the mid-18th century, by which time they were normally white (George II). A very common style had a single stiff curl running round the head at the end of the hair. By the late 18th century the natural hair was often powdered to achieve the impression of a short wig, tied into a small tail or “queue” behind (George III).
Short hair for fashionable men was a product of the Neoclassical movement. Classically inspired male hair styles included the Bedford Crop, arguably the precursor of most plain modern male styles, which was invented by the radical politician Francis Russell, 5th Duke of Bedford as a protest against a tax on hair powder; he encouraged his friends to adopt it by betting them they would not. Another influential style (or group of styles) was named by the French “à la Titus” after Titus Junius Brutus (not in fact the Roman Emperor Titus as often assumed), with hair short and layered but somewhat piled up on the crown, often with restrained quiffs or locks hanging down; variants are familiar from the hair of both Napoleon and George IV. The style was supposed to have been introduced by the actor François-Joseph Talma, who upstaged his wigged co-actors when appearing in productions of works such as Voltaire’s Brutus (about Lucius Junius Brutus, who orders the execution of his son Titus). In 1799, a Parisian fashion magazine reported that even bald men were adopting Titus wigs, and the style was also worn by women, the Journal de Paris reporting in 1802 that “more than half of elegant women were wearing their hair or wig à la Titus.”
In the early 19th century the male beard, and also moustaches and sideburns, made a strong reappearance, associated with the Romantic movement, and all remained very common until the 1890s, after which younger men ceased to wear them, with World War I, when the majority of men in many countries saw military service, finally despatching the full beard except for older men retaining the styles of their youth, and those affecting a Bohemian look. The short military-style moustache remained popular.
Female styles
From the 16th to the 19th century, European women’s hair became more visible while their hair coverings grew smaller, with both becoming more elaborate, and with hairstyles beginning to include ornamentation such as flowers, ostrich plumes, ropes of pearls, jewels, ribbons and small crafted objects such as replicas of ships and windmills. Bound hair was felt to be symbolic of propriety: loosening one’s hair was considered immodest and sexual, and sometimes was felt to have supernatural connotations. Red hair was popular, particularly in England during the reign of the red-haired Elizabeth I, and women and aristocratic men used borax, saltpeter, saffron and sulfur powder to dye their hair red, making themselves nauseated and giving themselves headaches and nosebleeds. During this period in Spain and Latin cultures, women wore lace mantillas, often worn over a high comb, and in Buenos Aires, there developed a fashion for extremely large tortoise-shell hair combs called peinetón, which could measure up to three feet in height and width, and which are said by historians to have reflected the growing influence of France, rather than Spain, upon Argentinians.
In the middle of the 18th century the pouf style developed, with women creating volume in the hair at the front of the head, usually with a pad underneath to lift it higher, and ornamented the back with seashells, pearls or gemstones. In 1750, women began dressing their hair with perfumed pomade and powdering it white. Just before World War I, some women began wearing silk turbans over their hair.
Causes and Effects of Wrong Hair Styling
No matter what kind of hair you’re rocking — whether it’s short or long, curly or straight, dyed or natural — you likely want to know exactly how you can keep it looking and feeling its healthiest. The good news is there are plenty of ways you can work with your hair’s natural texture to get it looking great nearly every day.
The bad news? You’re probably making tons of mistakes with your locks every day without even realizing it, leaving them prone to serious damage and breakage.
Here are the top mistakes you’re likely making with your hair and how you can get it back to its healthiest ever.
You’re washing too much — or not enough — for your hair type.
As schedules get busier and phenomenal dry shampoos continue to flood the market, there’s been plenty of debate about if you really should wash your hair every day. Many top stylists argue that during our normal day, our locks are exposed to dirt and oil buildup, pollution, and product … not to mention sweat from summer temps or a grueling workout, so you need to clean it daily.
Others swear that washing every day strips your hair of its natural oils, and your shampooing habits could be doing major damage to your hair as a result. But every person’s hair is different, so you should find the routine that’s just right for you depending on your hair type, activity level, and amount of damage from hot tools and treatments … even though it says “rinse, lather, and repeat” on the back of your shampoo bottle, you probably don’t actually need to.
You’re not washing thoroughly enough.
If you’re short on time, it’s easy to hop in and out of the shower without giving your routine much thought. But not washing thoroughly enough might lead to missing spots altogether, stepping out of the shower with product still left behind.
Make sure to evenly distribute shampoo and conditioner, said Pantene celebrity stylist Danilo Dixon. Dixon told Good Housekeeping the best technique, advising to “Squeeze it into your palms, then use your fingers to work it from your scalp to the ends.”
He adds, “Rinse until you don’t feel any residue to ensure that it’s totally clean,” preventing further product buildup after your shower.
You’re wrapping it up post-shower in a towel.
Walking around with wet hair draped around your neck is uncomfortable, but doing the towel-dry after you wash is doing your tresses no favors. When you rough up your strands with a standard towel, you’re setting the stage for tons of frizz … which is likely the last thing any of us wants.
Instead, gently blot hair with your towel to speed the drying process, or better yet, use an old cotton tee, which is less harsh on your hair.
You’re brushing your strands while they’re still wet.
Wet hair is extremely weak and thus more vulnerable to breakage than dry hair, so tugging at your tresses with a brush or a comb post-shower to de-tangle is one of the worst things you can do.
Waiting as long as you can to work through those tangles (and also using a high-quality hair brush when you do) is a good idea for all hair types, even if it requires a little more extra patience.
You sleep on wet hair.
If you prefer to wash just before bed or simply don’t have any other time during your day, we’ve got some bad news: Sleeping on wet strands leaves them more prone to friction, and thus, more prone to frizzies, tangles, and knots while you’re dozing away in dreamland.
Though it’s understandably so easy to take a soothing hot shower or bath and climb right into bed, you really should give locks enough time to air dry, or style them accordingly before letting that head hit the pillow.
Waking up with frizz will just mean more A.M. styling time, so you’ll ultimately save yourself time and precious z’s by going to bed with dry hair. You can also buy a satin pillowcase, which not only feels super luxurious, but causes less friction on your mane as you toss and turn through the night.
You grab the blow dryer right after your shower.
Again, we know how short on time you are, but grabbing the hot tools immediately after hopping out of the shower is a definite no-no. For starters, the longer your hair is exposed to high temps from styling tools like a blow dryer, flat iron, or curling iron, the more damage you can create.
If you can swing it, let your hair air-dry for at least an hour before touching it at all, and you’ll cut down on styling time and heat damage all at once.
You’re using the highest heat settings on your tools.
You might think that an easy way to minimize styling time and heat damage is by keeping tools on the highest heat settings, but this is a seriously bad idea. No matter what your hair type, you should always keep your tools on the medium settings … even if temps can reach up to 450 degrees.
For example, Bustle recommends keeping your curling iron at 275 to 360 degrees, which will give you that perfect curl with much less damage.
You aren’t thoroughly drying your hair.
We know, we just told you that committing the mortal sin of blow-drying too quickly and using the high heat settings can cause some scary long-term effects on your locks, but the opposite is also true: Skimping on drying time is equally bad for your strands.
When you blow dry and leave hair damp, you’re giving it a one-way ticket to frizzville as the hair becomes exposed to the elements when you walk out the door.
And if your hair isn’t fully dry before you straighten or curl it, you’re putting it at serious risk for breakage. Ever heard that telltale sizzle when you use a hot tool on wet hair? According to SELF, “Ironing wet hair causes the moisture to burst out in little steam explosions. This causes a bubbling and buckling of the cuticle that appear as tiny hair blisters under magnification.” Yikes.
You’re not styling section by section.
If you’re just grabbing that blow dryer and going to town on your head, carelessly blowing in whatever direction you can, you’re unknowingly leaving your hair in a state of distress, which is no good.
In fact, you’re likely missing some hard-to-reach spots entirely and then overdrying others, inadvertently leading to damage. Pros like Alli Webb, who founded Drybar, recommend working in 1-2 inch sections, clipping them as you go to make sure you give each section enough drying time.
You skip heat protection … and sun protection.
Experts agree that no matter how often you style with hot tools, you absolutely have to protect your hair first by using a heat protecting spray or cream. As Erika Wasser, founder and CEO of Glam & Go told Greatist, “It’s like asking if you need an oven mitt to pull something out of the oven.”
You definitely wouldn’t try that, so don’t use your beloved blow dryer without protecting your strands first. It’ll help cut down on damage and frying, while also keeping your mane soft and polished looking.
And if you’re spending any amount of time in the sun, you should also use a sun protective spray. The same way that you should protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, you also need to protect your scalp and strands, too. Wearing a hat helps, and coating tresses with a spray designed for sun exposure will prevent color from fading and hair from drying out.
You’re using too much product.
There’s a plethora of high-quality hair products out there, and it can be so tempting to go wild in the hair care aisle, grabbing every pretty bottle on the shelf. But too much of a good thing becomes, well, not such a good thing.
Most hair types benefit from a dime-sized amount of shampoo, conditioner, and styling products, according to Constantine James, a celebrity hair and makeup expert. James told Greatist that using too much product is simply a waste of money and does nothing for you.
“If you’re using a half-dollar size of product, you will definitely be spending a lot of money on shampoo and conditioner and not doing much for your hair,” according to James. So remember: a little goes a long way.
You’re applying product directly to roots.
With the exception of root volumizers and mousse (and, of course, shampoo which is meant to clean your roots), you shouldn’t be applying products to the tippy top of your head. Most products are designed to be applied from mid-shaft to ends, and this includes serums, oils, and creams. Adding products to your roots will only lead to them looking greasy and flat, which no one wants.
You’re using the wrong products for your hair type.
This one takes some trial and error, but it’s worth it to do some research before adding new products to your hair care regimen. Get samples or trial sizes when you can, and be sure to choose products based on your hair’s needs.
If your hair is dry or damaged, look for words like “hydrating,” “moisturizing,” or “nourishing.” If you frequently color your hair or expose it to chemical treatments, pick products that are color-safe and also prevent color fading. If your hair is thinning, look for buzzwords like “volumizing,” “thickening,” or “clarifying.” And if you’re frizz-prone, look for “smoothing,” “anti-frizz,” and the like.
You style it in a tight pony or bun every single day.
For those of us constantly on-the-go, ponytails and top knots often save us hours of styling time, giving us a polished look without hot tools and tons of product. But wearing your hair in the same way every day is pretty bad for it, causing breakage along your hairline and mid-shaft.
Hair ties, as convenient as they are, can lead to breakage, flyaways, and frizz, which isn’t great for the long-term health of your hair. Give locks a break as often as you can to protect your scalp from unnecessary stress and tightness, so it’ll look great no matter what style you’re rocking these days.
Savvy Styling for Healthy Hair
Treat Wet Hair Tenderly
Go easy on your hair when it’s wet. Wrap it in a towel. Don’t rub it dry. That causes frizz.
Use a wide-tooth comb instead of a brush on wet hair. If it’s straight, let it dry a bit before combing. If it’s curly, comb when it’s still damp.
Don’t tug or pull wet or dry hair. One hundred strokes a day? That’s an old wives’ tale. Too much brushing can cause split ends.
Take a Holiday From the Heat
Let your hair air dry when you can. Heat-free days boost its natural recovery process.
For shiny hair without heat, wash it at night and sleep on it, says Patrick Melville, co-owner of the Patrick Melville Salon in New York. His clients include Heidi Klum, Halle Berry, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. “After your shower, brush your hair out and put a braid in it,” Melville says. “Don’t blow-dry the braid.”
Turn Down the Heat
When using a blow-dryer, start on the lowest setting and gradually turn it up. If you see steam, you’re probably scorching your locks. Keep the dryer moving and hold it 6 inches from your hair.
Work fast. “The quicker, stronger, and faster you are, the better it is for your hair and the less damage you create,” says Jonathan Antin, star of the Bravo TV series Blow Out and co-owner of Jonathan & George Salon in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Divide your hair into sections, Antin says. Focus on drying each section for about 3 minutes, then clip it and get it out of the way so it’s not exposed to extra heat.
Use Hair Tools With Care
If you use a heated device like a hot comb, curling iron, or blow-dryer, choose one that’s temperature controlled and limit the time it touches your hair.
Set your curling iron to low or medium heat and leave it in place for just 1 or 2 seconds.
“Don’t melt your hair with a flat iron,” Antin says. “Use it only when your hair is properly dried and run it through your ends only.”
For bouncy curls without a curling iron, try wrapping your hair in Velcro rollers. “Put the rollers in your hair for about 20 minutes and you’ll get lots of volume and a smooth wave with no heat,” says Lisa Lobosco, lead stylist at Ecru New York whose styles have walked the runway at New York Fashion Week.
Be Color-Smart
If you color your hair, minimize damage by staying “on-shade” or within three shades of your natural color. When in doubt, opt for a darker color instead of lighter.
The more time between coloring, the better. Stretch touch-ups to 8 to 10 weeks or longer.
Condition your hair after every shampoo and shield it from the sun to minimize color damage. Try a leave-in conditioner with zinc oxide.
Be Smooth
For more shine, try hair serum. Put a few drops on your hands and smooth it through your hair, avoiding your scalp. Styling products made with dimethicone can also boost shine.
Smoothing shampoos and conditioners, which contain extra conditioners, can help create a sleek look, says Melville. Moisturize regularly to curb dryness and frizz.
Your scalp has natural oils. Apply conditioner to the ends of your hair, not the scalp. Don’t shampoo more than you need to.
Go Free-Style
Your hair can break if you pull it back regularly in a tight ponytail, bun, or cornrows or wear extensions.
Pull it back loosely instead. Or try hairstyles that put less tension on the roots.
A great cut goes a long way. Melville recommends a trim every 8 weeks to keep the shape and style of shorter cuts and every 3 to 4 months for longer hair.
Pick a style that’s easy on your hair. Embrace its natural texture and color instead of fighting it with heat and processing. Be good to your hair and you’ll enjoy better control and shine.
Styling Tips For Damaged Hair
Summer is coming and we all want to look our best, if you have any holiday plans coming up that means additional sun and chlorine to our hair which can cause extra damage to your hair. Try our styling tips to help solve your hair troubles and get healthy looking locks now.
1. Prepping damaged hair
First you should start by assessing your hair to find out why or what is causing damage to your hair. This could be for many different reasons such as diet, sun damage, air pollution, chemical damage (from continuous colouring) or simply needing a trim.
You can do this by checking the hair for split ends, frizz or general wear and tear and once you have identified the cause you can start to treat it with the right products.
2. Finding the right products for your hair
Start with a good quality shampoo and conditioner such as Kérastase Nutritive shampoo and mask this product is great because it has silicone derivatives and glucose proteins which help to repair and fill the damage, Keratin and collagen based products are also great for damaged hair. This will give you a good foundation for styling and maintaining your hair.
Some damaged hair can be treated with a deep conditioning mask or treatment and light serum which will seal minor damage and add shine to dull hair. If you wash your hair everyday we recommend that you try to minimize the times you wash your hair a week, this may be stripping your hair of natural oils that can protect the hair from harmful UV rays and sun damage. Try to use a heat protection spray before you start to dry your hair.
To make the most of your treatment or mask apply as usual and wear a shower cap whilst you go in the shower. The heat from the shower will open up the hairs cuticle and allow the treatment to deeply penetrate the hair.
3. The right brush
To avoid further damage it is best not to use a brush when the hair is wet, instead opt for a comb or Tangle Teezer. You should not force the comb through as this will snap the hair and make it brittle or cause thinning to the ends of the hair.
If you struggle with combing your hair and find it is usually quite knotted then use a leave in conditioner or serum to help ease the strain put on the hair. Use a round barrel brush to smooth and blow dry hair. Flat brushes should only be used to brush hair through when styled or if you want a straight look.
4. Drying your hair properly
Try to dry your hair along the hair shaft, this means you don’t roughen up the cuticle when drying and the hair will appear sleeker, this is easier if you use a nozzle to direct the heat exactly where you want it to dry.
Try to use a hairdryer that is not travel sized as regular hairdryers have more power and functions to control settings.
We recommend you use your hairdryer on a lower heat setting and do not use styling tools such as straighteners or tongs on wet hair, this adds unnecessary heat to the hair that can cause breakage or further damage.
If the hair is not 100% dry when you start to style or use tools then this can cause frizz and may mean the style falls out quicker and takes longer to create.
5. Cutting heat time
If you want to cut down on heat time there are a few options that you can try:
- Dry the hair on a lower speed or heat setting.
- Replace styling tools by blow drying the hair.
- Create curls or waves with a diffuser (Try to minimize movement to the hair which will cause frizz).
- Dry the hair and put into plaits or use an Aurora band to create curls or waves.
6. Styling products
Depending on the look you are going for there are many products to try:
- For sleek shine use a pea sized amount of serum or oil to the ends of the hair.
- If you are creating waves or curls try a styling mousse to add hold and structure.
- For natural curls Kérastase Nutritive range is fantastic as it has been specially formulated with shorea and palm oils which provide deep nourishment straight into the hair follicle.
- For updos and plaits a blow-dry cream before drying and a small amount of hairspray can be used for flyaways.
7. No heat styles
Why not try:
- A sleek ponytail (try using invisi-bobble as they pull less on the hair)
- A chic bun, this can be fun to experiment with low or high, pulled out and messy or sleek.
- A braid, You can try many or just one, and there are many different types to try.
8. How to maintain at bedtime
Put dried hair in a smoothed loose bun before bed to create tousled waves or maintain your already styled hair.
9. Natural look
Always allow at least one day off a week for your hair to dry naturally.
10. Stop the cycle
For general wear and tear the most common problem surprisingly, is a ladies handbag! This can pull and rip hair out leaving a hole on one side. Recommendations would be to wear the hair up whilst carrying heavy bags and stop it from being caught under your handbag.
Protect hair against heat and chemical dammage by using heat protection and have regular treatments.
Factors to Keep in Mind For Styling of Hair
If there is one thing we can all get behind when it comes to our hair, it’s that hair damage is never a good thing. Say what you will about your ultimate hair goals, but I think we can all agree that having dry, brittle strands that split and break off is never a good thing, no matter what your hair type, color, or cut may be. Unfortunately, it’s our daily hair care routines that often cause the most damage to our manes (think heat styling, aggressive brushing, sun damage, and improper washing), which is why it’s essential for you to make sure that you’re not only caring for your hair but that you’re also doing it correctly. What exactly does that mean? We recently caught up with our lab team to dish on why hair breaks and what you can do to stop it—here’s what they had to say.
What Is Hair Damage?
Hair damage occurs when aggressors (think friction, heat, and harsh chemical treatments) attack the protective outer layer of your hair (a.k.a the cuticle) leaving cracks in its exterior. Once cracked, the cuticle lifts (or opens up), causing your hair to look dull, dry, frizzy, or brittle, while also making it more prone to damage and breakage, thus continuing what can seem like a neverending hair nightmare. But don’t worry—all hope is not lost! While you may not be able to completely repair hair that is already damaged, there are still plenty of steps you can take to help prevent it from happening in the future.
1. Improve Your Hair Brushing Skills
You may have heard that brushing your hair 100 strokes a day is part of a healthy hair care routine, but that’s nothing more than a myth. In reality, an excessive amount of brushing can cause severe damage to the hair, especially when your hair is still wet, as that’s when it is its most elastic and therefore, more likely to break. Instead, it’s recommended that you apply a post-shower conditioner, like our fully customizable leave-in treatment, to wet hair and, using a wide-tooth comb, gently rake it through your strands, detangling them as you go. You should also avoid brushing your hair throughout the day, making an exception only when you need to detangle again, as dry ends are also at risk of snapping.
2. Invest In Good Hair Ties
Now, don’t get us wrong, we love our hair ties (how else would we be able to get through a workout?), but that doesn’t mean that we don’t see them for the hair-damaging culprits that they are. Useful though they may be, hair ties have a tendency to pull on the scalp and hair cuticles, which is why you may sometimes notice that your hair falls out a bit every time you undo your elastic. To prevent this, try wearing your hair down more often, or, at the very least, opt for a breakage-preventing style, like an Invisibobble.
3. Step Up Your Blow-Drying Game
It’s no secret that blow-drying your hair every day can cause severe damage, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to commit to a lifetime of air-drying either. The key is to learn how to dry your hair the right way. That means allowing your hair to air-dry a bit first (about 75% of the way) before finishing it off with a blow-dryer, and giving your strands a break from the heat at least a few times a week. When you are drying your hair (preferably on the lowest heat setting), make sure to also put at least a half an inch of space between your strands and the dryer to avoid scorching your ends, and always, always, always apply a heat protectant first. (In case you haven’t heard, our customizable leave-in treatment is an excellent option for this *wink, wink.*)
4. Don’t Heat Style Dirty Hair
While we’re on the topic, it’s also worth noting that using a straightener or a curling iron on hair that hasn’t been adequately cleansed is also a big no-no when it comes to combating hair damage. That’s because, in addition to the already inevitable damage from heat styling, some styling products (dry shampoos, texture sprays, waxes, etc.) contain ingredients that aren’t meant to be combined with excessive heat. Instead, reach for products that are specifically designed to hydrate and protect your strands in-between washes and, as always, never use your heat tools without applying a heat protectant first.
5. Know How Often To Wash Your Hair
Let’s get this straight once and for all: how often you cleanse your mane is entirely up to you and is dependent upon your hair type, hairstyle, and lifestyle. That said, there is such a thing as over or under washing your hair, both of which can lead to damage. While daily washes are fine if you have oily hair, extremely dry hair may only need weekly shampooing, according to the Nemours Foundation. Either way, you want to make sure you’re washing your hair with a shampoo that’s formulated for your hair type at least every couple of days (or whenever it gets dirty) as infrequent washing can lead to a buildup of dead cells, product residue, oil, and bacteria, all of which can cause—yep, you guessed it—hair damage.
6. Protect Your Hair Against Chlorine + Salt Water
While undeniably fun and refreshing, it’s no secret that chlorine and salt water are also incredibly harsh on our delicate strands, often causing them to become dry, brittle, and lackluster. Now, we would never suggest skipping out on your next beach vacation (you earned that!), but that doesn’t mean you have to live with the resulting damage either. Instead, take the American Academy of Dermatology’s advice and immediately rinse the ocean/pool water from your hair before applying a deep conditioning cream or oil, which will help form a protective barrier around the hair shaft and lock in moisture for an extra dose of damage prevention.
7. Make A Standing Appointment With Your Hairstylist
The easiest way to stop hair damage in its tracks? Cut it off! While cutting your hair may seem a bit drastic at first, regular hair trims are a great way to keep your hair healthy and free of split ends, which are capable of traveling up the length of your hair, causing even more breakage. Rather than letting your hair get to that point, simply book a standing appointment with your hairstylist for every 6-8 weeks and your split ends won’t stand a chance!
8. Ditch Your Regular Bath Towel
Using the wrong towel can literally make or break your hair (specifically the latter), as your hair is in its most vulnerable state when it’s fresh-out-of-the-shower wet. Rather than using a harsh cotton towel, which can cause friction, frizz, and breakage, reach for a plush microfiber towel or a cotton T-shirt instead. Both fabrics are not only softer and more gentle on your strands but also specially designed to help dry your hair faster, thus reducing the amount of swelling that occurs in wet hair, which is what makes it vulnerable to damage in the first place.
9. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
While properly hydrating your hair may seem a bit obvious, it’s worth repeating that without optimal hydration, your hair is much more prone to breakage. Any good hair care routine then should start with a quality shampoo and conditioner that provide ample moisture, sans all those nasty ingredients, like sulfates and alcohol. Our customized shampoos and conditioners not only check off both of those boxes, but they also give you the option to add a number of damage-fighting hair goals to your formula, including “deep condition,” “replenish hair,” “strengthen,” and “fix split ends,” so your hair can stay smooth and healthy all year-round.
10. Beware Of Overprocessing
Sorry, color-treated girls, but all of that chemical processing you’re doing may be causing irreversible damage to your hair. While not all color treatments are the same in regards to the amount of damage they create (a semi-permanent process like a gloss is far less damaging than a double process like bleaching), they are still anything but harmless. That’s because the harsh chemicals present in these dyes can make your hair shafts porous to the point of exposing the hair cortex, which once broken, leads to extreme breakage. To help counteract those adverse effects, it’s important to keep the hair constantly hydrated and to use products that help repair the hair, like a deep conditioning mask or a daily leave-in treatment (seriously, is there anything a good leave-in product can’t do?). The AAD also recommends extending the time between your sessions to 8–10 weeks, if possible, to ensure you’re not overdoing it. Your hair can only take so much, after all.
Ready to say goodbye to your hair damage once and for all? Start by creating your perfect customized hair care formula.