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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.”