String theory
Stylists share tips to get hair that’s healthy, shiny.
Hair, like skin, needs attention.
Ignore it or use the wrong products or too much of the right products, and the result isn’t pretty.
Healthy, shiny hair doesn’t just happen. Long or short, straight or curly, thick or thin, it all requires a little maintenance. As winter comes to an end and spring and summer fast approaching, it’s not too early — or too late — for a primer on hair care.
With that in mind, we asked a few hairstylists to share their best tips for hair that’s “shining, gleaming, streaming, flaxen, waxen.” Sorry, the song “Hair” keeps playing in my head.
Michelle Wilson, owner of Wilson Art Hair Gallery:
Keep your hair trimmed and conditioned and do not neglect your hair cut appointments. Hair needs to be trimmed regularly to prevent ends from splitting, especially when exposed to seasonal elements.
Conditioner is every girl’s friend during the summer months. Use a leave-in conditioner with SPF such as ColorProofs Pure Release Instant Detangler. It fortifies and repairs your hair while protecting your color.
Do an at-home deep conditioning treatment once a week and try not to shampoo and blow dry as often. Embrace summer’s casual braids, ponytails or buns.
If you’re a swimmer, wet your hair first and apply a light coating of conditioner. This will prevent your locks from absorbing so much chlorine. When you climb out of the pool, shampoo with a clarifying shampoo to remove any chlorine left in your hair. Be sure to finish with a moisturizing shampoo.
When possible, wear a hat. This will protect not only your hair, it will protect your face from sun damage, too.
Greg Welchel, founder of Trichology Salon and co-owner of Hair Arts Institute:
Use a moisturizing shampoo that is sulfate-free such as the R+Co Atlantis Moisturizing shampoo/ conditioner. For longer hair, go two to three days between shampooing.
Sleep on a satin pillow case. When two porous fibers like cotton and hair rub together, it causes frizziness. Hair will glide over satin.
Protect your hair with a heat styling shield such as Oribe Balm d’Or. Flat irons can reach 450 degrees. A buffer between heat and hair helps.
Before diving into the pool, fill your hair with tap water first to keep chlorine from being the first contact on your hair. You also can use a leave-in spray conditioner when poolside.
And shampoo only from the roots to the midshaft, then condition from the midshaft to the ends. This will keep the ends of your hair in better condition and leave the hair at the base free of too much heavy moisture. That will make it easier to get volume in your hair.
Jan Hill, co-owner of Eden Salon, who also included her team — Haydin Buterbaugh, Alisha Carter, Malissa Skrastins and Nicole Cardone — on how to combat warm, dry weather’s impact on hair and skin:
First, prevention. Lessen sun exposure with hats, sunglasses and sunscreen. It is a tricky trade-off. The risk is possible irritation to skin and eyes with synthetics or perhaps less protection from natural or organic sunscreens. Whatever you choose, choose something to protect yourself from skin cancer. Layering sun protection on your face is comfortable in hot weather. And don’t forget your hair.
Consider Daily Light Guard, Tinted Moisture, Matte Dual Foundation; Daily Hair Repair for protection from heat; Dry Remedy Oil leave-in hair treatment; and various Sun Care products smoothed through a braid or ponytail to protect from chlorine, wind and sun. All by Aveda.
Two, moisturize. Most of us wash more in spring and summer because we’re more active outdoors. Perspiration, increased oil production, sun and wind can leave skin and hair depleted of moisture.
Replenish and treat with products such as Light Elements Smoothing Fluid and Scalp Benefits, both by Aveda.
Three, strengthen. Weak hair often is caused by dryness. Hair can break down when there is no flexibility. If it can’t bend in the wind, it can split. If you lighten your hair replace protein regularly. Even strong, thick hair looks faded and rough when overly dry.
Consider Aveda’s Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment and Invati Advanced Revitalizer.
Seasons change. Seasons of life change. Regular professional attention to your hair every four to six weeks is essential.