At this point, it’s easy to admit that we’ve simply given up on trying to make our hair look presentable. At least in my case, the “throw it up in a bun and see what happens” mentality is the only solution to the overgrown, broken mess that I call my hair. Although taking a trip to our stylists is not in the cards for the time being, at least we can reach out to them for some tips on how to keep our hair as manageable as possible. Scroll through to see what hairstylists are hoping you’re doing at home (although well aware they’re still going to have some major work to do once this is over).
Getting Choppy
From the horror stories I’ve heard about people ending up with diagonal dos, breaking out the scissors at home doesn’t seem like the best idea. Celebrity colorist, Chad Kenyon, would have to agree. “Unless you have a generous sense of humor (aka are not neurotic), just say no and save yourself the anguish.”
Shab Reslan, NYC-based stylist and hair expert, begs to differ. “Cleaning up your ends is as far as I would advise anyone on tackling this,” she tells NewBeauty. Not only did she give us the confidence to try it out, she also shared some vital tips on how to ensure a clean cut. “Splitting your hair down the middle of your head and bringing the hair on each side forward to lay in front of your head is a good start. Then, snip into your hair with your shears on an angle, creating a natural looking, straight line across your chest. I would recommend attempting any kind of cut on dry hair so you can see the length right away.” Need a more in-depth explanation? Check it out here.
Wash-Day Wonders
“People are definitely washing their hair less these days,” says Reslan. “I personally wash my long locks every other day. People who shampoo 1-2 times per week should consider using a scalp scrub or clarifying shampoo bi-weekly to maintain healthy scalp hygiene.” She adds: “You don’t want to find out what happens if you adopt infrequent shampoos during quarantine. The effects can show down the road and they include hair thinning and scalp conditions.”
Paul Labrecque, creative director for Paul Labrecque Salons & Spas, recommends choosing your wash-days based on your hair’s coarseness and texture. “If you have fine, limp, or oily hair it’s best to wash your hair more throughout the week. If it’s thick, curly or dry, it’s best to wash it less.”
The Color of Quarantine
Kenyon explains that when it comes to preserving your color, having oily hair is actually a good thing. For some, a more “healthy oily scalp” can be great but it’s necessary to brush from the scalp through the ends of the hair at least once a day. “This used to be a common practice—if you look closely in films from the 40’s and 50’s, women tended to brush their scalp and hair at night before sleeping. They didn’t shampoo at home as often then, or at all, as they went to the salon once a week,” explains Kenyon. By evenly distributing the sebum (aka scalp oil) from root to tip, you can help to nurture your colored hair by adding a boost of moisture. Who knew?
Although Reslan much prefers salon touch-ups over DIY, she has a few product recommendations if you simply just can’t wait: “I’ve used Madison Reed ($27) and dpHue ($30) color kits. both worked fine, but I still can’t wait to see my colorist again.”
Hydration Station
Reslan notes that being inside all day can dry out your hair, skin and nails. “Hair masks are the perfect way to add a shot of moisture into your hair, without the fuss.” Her go-to mask for a shot of replenishment? The Restoring Hair and Scalp Mask ($115) from Welleco. “It is such a beautiful cream texture and lightly scented. I just tried it and it left my hair shiny and smooth.”
Giannandrea Marongiu, celebrity hairstylist, has some guidelines for whether or not you should even be using a hair mask. “If you have medium to thick or coarse and coiled hair, using a mask is a good idea. For fine hair, just use a regular conditioner. I like Macadamia Professional and Fekkai.”
A Slumber of Silk
When it comes to silk pillowcases, Reslan believes in their wondrous effects. “I love silk pillowcases. The difference is noticeable immediately. Firstly, it maintains hydration both in your skin and hair unlike cotton, which will absorb it. The cuticles of your hair stay intact and don’t get roughed up night after night—it keeps you cooler too, so you can better preserve your blowout.” Now that we’re spending half the day in bed, it might be time to invest.
If you don’t want to splurge on silk, you can still maintain your hairstyle overnight, according to Labrecque. “If you have long hair, throw it up in a loose ponytail on top of your head.” Sleeping with your hair down, although it may seem natural, can actually cause more breakage and tangles over time. In terms of hairband recommendations, Labrecque warns against anything made with metal that could catch on the edges of the hair. Using wide-stretch ribbon is much more gentle and won’t cause fraying.
Keeping Up With Keratin
“Slow down on washing! Every time you wash your hair, a little bit of your Keratin treatment slips away. Never use any products with sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium chloride, that will make the treatment slip away even faster,” says Labrecque. Looking for a keratin-safe shampoo? Here are 13 sulfate-free products to try now.
Treat Yourself Right
When it comes to hair treatments, choosing the right one for your hair type can be overwhelming. “Olaplex No.3 ($56) is a strengthening treatment that is applied to towel dried hair pre-shower. You can leave it on for 10 minutes or, as I like to say, 10 hours, because this mask can never damage your hair and you can never leave it on too long,” says Kenyon. If you have dry, damaged hair, this mask should be at the top of your must-try list (it’s one of our all-time favorites).
According to Marongiu, the best treatment is a natural one. “Hair Prescriptives Active Hair and Scalp Treatment ($122) acts as a nourishing hair and scalp serum and a nighttime treatment all in one.” The result? Fuller, healthier hair in just twelve hours. “It’s an oil that’s derived from a unique coconut in The Philippines and it invigorates the hair follicles on the scalp, improving density and volume. I have a lot of clients that love it—the results are amazing and it really works.”
If you want to take your treatment to the next level, “wrap your hair with a steaming warm towel and lock in the heat with a shower cap. Don’t forget your glass of wine while you sit back, relax and wait for thirty minutes until your treatment is ready to wash off,” Labrecque adds.