With lockdown altering all of our usual hair routines these last few months with no access to the hairdresser, many of us will have been experimenting with the likes of box dyeing or even DIY home cutting. However, it’s not all bad news. Some of us picked up some good hair rules that we intend to keep on post-lockdown.
Here are some of the new hair rules that may make it on to your hair regime, whatever your texture and style.
Lock in moisture
If you’re like us, you probably learned a lot of good habits during the lockdown. Adding moisture to your hair is a good thing! Hydrated hair is healthy hair, and so much easier to manage. Adding moisture and hydration will also protect your hair from unnecessary breakage and damage. Hydration is particularly important for natural hair types, curls and thick hair and an injection of moisture or re-fresher should be added daily, or every other day. For anyone who is unsure, simply spray your ends with a light, weightless product. We recommend SheaMoisture’s 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Leave-In Treatment, £10.99, LookFantastic.com
Style smart
With all the uncertainty around the pandemic, some of you may have developed a nervous habit such as mindlessly playing with your hair, twiddling it round your fingers etc. If you’re a ‘twiddler’, did you know this this can actually cause your hair to break, snap and fall out due to over manipulation? To combat the urge to touch your hair, try out a simple protective style. A protective style; try cornrows, buns, twists, or flat twists. Whichever method or style you choose, protecting your hair every so often or even every day, is definitely something that will improve overall hair health.
Sleep on satin
Getting more sleep has been a perk of the lockdown and we discovered the benefits of satin against our hair. Most of us sleep on cotton pillowcases as standard, and even wearing a scarf won’t protect your hair from morning frizz (and those pesky facial sleep wrinkles) thanks to the friction it creates. Not only that, cotton is highly absorbent, so it sucks the hydration from your hair leaving it prone to splitting and breakage. So, it’s time to swap your pillowcase for satin as one of your new hair rules. Satin doesn’t absorb moisture, so it will keep your hair smooth, frizz-free and will hold your blow dry or style for longer. If you don’t want to fork out on a pillowcase, you could also try a satin bonnet. All hair types will benefit from a swap from cotton to silk.
Embrace your natural texture
With salons being closed for so long and only now beginning to re-open, some of us returned to our natural hair texture and curl patterns, and we like it. Celebrities including Gabriel Union and Megan Thee Stallion have embraced their natural hair. If your hair has been particularly damaged by past over-colouring, chemical relaxants, use of hair extensions, over processing or excessive use of heat – now is the time to give it the TLC it deserves, to nurse it back to health. Deep condition often, at least once per week, and pinpoint products that will work for your hair pattern.
Graceful grey
Step away from the box dye – it’s not going to end well for your hair, or your bathroom walls and floor. There is a reason that hairstylists are professionally trained, hair dye typically contains high amounts of ammonia, PPDs, nitro dyes, metallic salts, and even henna. These are all harsh chemicals that can be extremely damaging to the hair as well as cause reactions to sensitive skin and allergies. Embrace the greys, and you’ll be in perfect company – Tracey Ellis Ross and the Mowrey sisters and others have all embraced their true lockdown hair colours, and they look amazing!
