With all the fun and frolics going on at this time of year, it’s easy to slip into bad habits when it comes to hair care. Busy days and late nights mean we can forget that our hair needs a little extra TLC during the festive season. So, before you skip a deep conditioning treatment or straighten your hair to a crisp in a bid to be party ready as quickly as possible, read on for my six tips to maintain your hair over the frantic festivities.
Don’t wash your hair too often
There is a temptation to have squeaky-clean hair every day, but cutting back on how often you wash your hair can be a good thing. Too much shampooing can strip away the hair’s natural oils that are already there to condition and protect. Opt for a quality shampoo that suits your hair type, particularly if you have colour-treated hair. If you are prone to more frequent washing, use a shampoo such as Caudalie Gentle Conditioning Shampoo, which has a really gentle plant-based formula.
Try a dry shampoo
Dry shampoo has come a long way in recent years and is now a great way to refresh hair between shampoos. It’s also ideal for adding texture and volume to party hairstyles. Using natural rice starch, the label.m dry shampoo will disperse oil and product build-up, and leave hair feeling nice and soft. Simply spray evenly over dry hair for a quick freshen up between washes.
Root of the matter
When you’re washing your hair, and this may seem obvious but it’s easily forgotten when we’re rushing in the mornings, concentrate shampoo on the roots of your hair and conditioner on the ends. Again, look for a conditioner specific to your hair type. Squeezing excess water gently out of your hair before applying conditioner will help the conditioner penetrate the hair shaft. Leave-in conditioners are especially good to use at this time of year to keep hair hydrated and healthy looking. The Whipped Mousse Mask Leave In Conditioner from Beauty Works is a non-rinse formula that combines pro-vitamin B-5, milk protein and vitamin E. It can be used on wet or dry hair, and simply massage gently into mid-lengths and ends of hair until the mousse has been completely absorbed. A little extra protection against the elements for hair.
Turn down the heat
Blow drying and heat-styling tools can all pose a threat to healthy hair, but at this time of year it’s tempting to blast away regardless. Simply by turning the heat settings down a notch and applying heat protection products, you can minimise the damage. Try not to use heat styling tools every day and when you do use them, use something like GHD Heat Protect Spray, which will provide a barrier against heat damage on damp or dry hair. Apply before drying or styling and before any other styling products.
Make like Zorro…
And wear a mask - a hair one that is. Living Proof has a Restore Mask Treatment for Dry or Damaged Hair which is a deeply conditioning treatment. Sulfate, paraben and silicone-free, this is particularly good for already damaged, or colour and chemically treated hair. Use it on clean wet hair. This treatment only needs to be left on for five minutes, so it’s easy enough to build it in as a regular once or twice-weekly treatment when you are having your morning shower.
Polished finish
A serum will finish styles off beautifully, adding shine to straight styles and definition to curls and waves. The Beauty Works Argan Serum can be used before styling and to finish your style off, leaving it feeling nice and nourished. Great for adding shine, this serum works on natural hair and extensions.
A little extra care for hair now, will pay off throughout the festive season!