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Touchably Soft Hair: How to Achieve and Maintain It

Touchably Soft Hair: How to Achieve and Maintain It featured image
This article first appeared in the Summer 2024 issue of New Beauty. Click here to subscribe

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What good is a hairstyle if you can’t touch it? No one wants their curls at the cost of crunch or dry, unmanageable strands. And, according to a 2020 study conducted by Dyson, 70 percent of people feel like they have damaged hair. To help you achieve a light and airy style that defies the elements, we tapped top hair gurus for their tips. From the shower to styling, this is how to get touchably soft hair.

What’s the Damage?

First, let’s talk about how we got here. If you’re finding your unstyled hair isn’t run-your-fingers-through-it soft, there could be a couple of causes. “Chemical damage is one common cause,” says celebrity hairstylist and Kerasilk ambassador Harry Josh. “Overprocessing the hair can leave it crispy and brittle to the touch.”

Salon treatments like perming, Japanese bonding and even keratin smoothing treatments can have unintended consequences on hair. “Other causes can include over-styling, not using heat protectant or using chemical processes like hair coloring frequently,” says Eduardo Ponce, celebrity hairstylist and Balmain Hair’s U.S. West Coast ambassador. “Even poor nutrition can lead to brittle strands.”

In the Shower

Ask any hair expert, and they’ll tell you that good hair has to start at the scalp. And, taking care of your scalp should start in the shower. “The first step to smooth, soft and healthy hair starts at the scalp,” explains Jessica Sepel, a clinical nutritionist and founder of JSHealth Vitamins. “We use vegan keratin to rejuvenate the hair’s surface, leaving it glossier, smoother and silkier-looking.”

For those of us with curls to maintain, Marcus Johnson, Redken’s regional education manager, explains that the goal is to find a balance between the curl and the product. “Our new Acidic Bonding Curls collection was designed specifically for the curly girl. We’re wanting to bring that curl pattern back, prevent frizz and give that vital repair.”

Pre-Style

Before you bring out any hot tools, take the prep steps to ensure your hair remains damage-free. “To keep your hair from drying out, hydration is key,” explains celebrity hairstylist Sophie Rose Gutterman. Also, heat protection is critical and should not be skipped. “I always use double heat protection, no matter what.” That defensive step can also add nourishment to strands. “If I’m doing a look that lends itself to softness, such as sleek and straight, a brushed wave or a smooth blowout, I use an oil in damp hair before I style,” says celebrity hairstylist Clariss Rubenstein, a NEXXUS ambassador. “I finish with a bit more oil to seal the ends, add shine and smooth flyaways. NEXXUS Repair and Nourish Ultralight Hair Oil is my favorite for this.”

Style

Styling can create another pitfall: Too much product or poor-quality product can leave the hair stiff and unmanageable. To prevent a crunchy result, Gutterman implements an easy smoothing technique. “I run my hands through the hair to make sure the product blends seamlessly into the hair, rather than sitting on top of it.”

Josh adds, “Be gentle with your hair when you comb it out. And when you apply product, it’s important to remember to layer it so that softening agents are incorporated when you’re styling. Adding a serum or calming balm can take the crunch out of a hairstyle while still leaving it soft and manageable.”

In the shower

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JSHealth Repair + Shine Nourishing Vitamin Conditioner ($28)

“Our innovative 2-Step Vitamin Haircare System was created with leading biochemists,” explains Sepel. “Designed with our signature Miracle Hair Complex containing an array of science-backed vitamins, nutrients and botanicals, this conditioner works to both nourish the scalp and transform the hair from root to tip.”

JSHEALTH NOURISHING VITAMIN CONDITIONER - REPAIR + SHINE
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SexyHair Healthy Sexy Hair Healthy Moisturizing Shampoo ($35)

“Having a great combo of hydrating shampoo, conditioner and a leave-in—if your hair needs some extra love—is critical,” says celebrity hairstylist Danielle Priano. “SexyHair is all I use, and my hair is so healthy and shiny all the time.”

sexyhair healthy moisturizing shampoo

Treatments

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Kerasilk Smoothing Mask ($48)

“Integrate masks like this one into your routine often to rehydrate your strands,” Josh says. “It intensely conditions all hair types and delivers shine and long-lasting manageability, which is a hallmark of healthy hair.”

kerasilk mask
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Kenra Professional Platinum Luxe Shine Mask ($32)

Double your softness with this gold-enriched, color-safe formula that not only offers 72-hour humidity protection, but also leaves hair twice as strong.

kenra luxe shine mask

Styling

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PHYTO Softness Express Detangling Milk ($30)

Powered by organic white mallow plant extract, sourced from France, as well as oat milk, this creamy detangler is designed to pump up the softness. Apply it to damp, towel-dried hair for softer, shinier strands.

phyto detangling spray
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NEXXUS Repair and Nourish Ultra Lightweight Hair Oil ($18)

Infused with Rose of Jericho and Damascus rose oils, this hair oil is designed to weightlessly nourish and protect hair from humidity, frizz and heat-styling.

nexxus repair hair oil
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Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer ($499)

Leave it to the brilliant minds at Dyson to create a blow-dryer that uses sensor technology to protect the scalp and hair from heat damage. Nural sensors heat as the device nears your head, and help enhance shine along the way.

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Redken Sculpting Curl Gel ($32)

Celebrity hairstylist and Redken global brand ambassador Leysa Carrillo says this formula from the brand’s Acidic Bonding line holds curls all day long. “I can use this gel on any texture: wavy, curly or coily.” She pairs it with the Hydrating Curl Cream from the same line for its luxurious hydration.

redken sculpting curl gel

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