You might be feeling a little lost without us in the coming weeks, but don’t worry, we’ve got some helpful at-home tips to keep your hair under control.
Stay Away From These Ingredients
Hair products should be as natural as possible. This does limit shelf life, which is why we are somewhat forgiving with store-bought products. However, there are some common ingredients that you just shouldn’t put up with:
- Parabens/formaldehyde: Heavy preservatives that prolong shelf-life an unnecessary amount of time
- Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate: Surfactants responsible for the useless lather effect. Also dehydrating and irritating, causing flakes, aaand potentially cancerous…Yikes.
- Perfume/fragrance/alcohols: These will be found in most products, which is alright, but they shouldn’t be one of the first ingredients. Alcohol dries out your hair.
Homemade Natural Hair Products
A wise teacher in hair school once told us that you shouldn’t put anything on your hair that you wouldn’t put in your mouth. The root of your hair is attached to capillaries, which absorb nutrients and carry them throughout your bloodstream.
Nourishing DIY hair masks are easy to make!
You’re going to make a rinse to cleanse away any build up. This should consist of:
- 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons of baking soda
- 2 cups of water
Scrub this into your scalp and rinse with warm water.
Next you’re going to make a conditioner packed full of protein, because this is the predominant component of hair structure (keratin protein makes up 97% of the hair).
- Egg whites are the epitome of protein. Slosh in a few of those (yes, I know it’s kind of nasty, but who’s going to know anyway?)
- Throw in a glob (these are loose measurements, and that’s okay) of mayonnaise; it adds shine and more egg benefits.
- 2 teaspoons of any of the following oils: coconut, olive, jojoba, argan, or a combination, for moisture.
- a banana (full of vitamins, minerals, and moisture)
Allow this bizarre mixture to sit on your hair for about 40 minutes, wrapped in plastic wrap, and then rinse with cool water (use shampoo if it’s feeling really coated). Your hair will thank you for the treatment. Beauty isn’t pain, it’s bananas.
Keep the Frizz Away
If you have curls/afro-textured hair, are prone to frizz, or have your hair in braids/cornrows/locs, then you need to follow this tip!
Get yourself either a silk pillowcase or sleep cap/wrap, along with a spray bottle filled with 90% water, 9% leave-in conditioner, and a dash of oils. Mist your hair and scalp before bed and twist hair around your head like a halo if it’s long enough, then tuck into your cap.
You’ll wake without a hair out of place!
Not So Hot… But Not So Cold Either!
Temperature plays a big role in the bonds of the amino acids that provide the structural integrity of your hair. For happy strands, find that happy medium. This means:
- Warm/cool showers, not hot
- Thermal styling products
- Drying fully before going out in freezing temperatures
- Tucking in delicate front-frame pieces when outside in the frosty wind
The elements can be intense in the winter, and so can our beauty regimes. The more you go easy on your beautiful tresses, the healthier they’ll be. Lockdown is a great time to drop unnecessary damaging routines to a more seldom practice.
When you choose to blow-dry instead of straightening, for instance, or to use semi-permanent color rather than permanent store-bought, your hair will truly thank you. And so will we when we see you in the new year!
Keeping your hair healthy at home is one thing – but silky salon hair is better! Pretty please leave the cutting and bleaching to us!
Book your appointment now and you’ll be first in the door for fresh locks when we re-open.