Everything You Need to Know About Hair
Having luscious, healthy hair isn't just for Instagram models and celebrities — you, too, can have strong, visibly nourished hair. All it takes to see a big difference is a few simple styling tricks and a little tender loving care. Aside from choosing your products wisely (shout-out to shampoo with damage-repairing proteins), take the time to learn what your hair wants from you. Knowing your hair type (straight, wavy, curly — and which kind of curl) and creating a routine specific to your unique texture, color, and style can make a world of difference. Changing one simple task in your daily hair routine could significantly impact the health of your hair. Maybe you need to switch to a colorless shampoo or invest in a decent moisturizing scalp treatment, or maybe you just need to swap out your towel for an old T-shirt. Whether you’re searching for a new routine, looking to maintain a vibrant new color, or you want to upgrade your moisture intake, there are plenty of ways to get — and keep — your hair healthy and strong.
Getty Images1/29Curly Hair: Know Your Curl Type
Defining your hair patterns is step one in learning how to maintain and care for your curls. According to hairstylist Vernon François, curl type is determined by the shape of the hair follicle. Curl patterns are also identified by the shape the hair strands make (i.e., kinky, curvy, or spiraled). Of course, a person can have multiple pattern types on their head. Curly-hair genius Anthony Dickey explains that identifying a curly hair type is best done when hair is soaking wet.
Hair identification goes as follows: 1 is straight, 2 is wavy, 3 is curly, and 4 is coils. Next, the sub-classification of curly hair falls between A to C, based on the width of your pattern. A has a wider pattern size, B is medium, and C has the smallest patterns.
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DevaCurl2/29Curly Hair: Use a Pre-Poo
Before you hop in the shower, give your curls some pre-shampoo love by using a deep conditioner, oil, or a no-poo product like DevaCurl No-Poo Decadence to prep your hair. Curls and Couture creator Courtney Danielle says pre-pooing your hair makes washing it easier because it softens tight curls, allowing you to detangle with ease. Wait upwards of 30 minutes before jumping in the shower to allow the pre-poo to fully nourish your hair.
Getty Images3/29Curly Hair: Change Your Shampoo Technique
Shampooing curls can be a bit of a chore, but it turns out there’s an easier way to clean your hair. Breanna Chevolleau of Mini Marley previously told Allure that the best way to shampoo curly hair is to focus on your roots. "Try to focus your shampoo on the scalp and hold the ends of your hair together so that it doesn't get tangled while scrubbing," she says.
Natural Hair YouTuber Rayna Ali-Patterson tells Allure that curly haired girls should be rinsing with warm water to open up cuticles, allowing hair to absorb more moisture. Follow up with a moisturizing conditioner, avoiding your scalp. Allow this product to soak in for about five minutes before rinsing with cool water.
Getty Images4/29Thinning Hair: Get a Trim
It might seem counterintuitive to cut thinning hair, but hairstylist Nunzio Saviano swears by it. According to Saviano, trimming thinning hair about two inches can make it look thicker and healthier almost instantly.
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Getty Images5/29Thinning Hair: Consider Highlights
Making thin hair look thicker can be as simple as seeing a colorist. Stylist James Corbett recommends adding highlights to make thin or volume-less hair appear thicker. Corbett says a color change swells the hair cuticle, thus giving you the appearance of more hair.
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Moroccanoil6/29Thinning Hair: Try a Scalp Treatment
Using a scalp treatment, like Moroccanoil's trusted Dry Scalp Treatment, once a week can have a significant impact on your hair’s overall health. According to dermatologist Neil Sadick, the key to long-lasting hair health is keeping hair follicles clean; this prevents blockage and inflammation, which can cause hair to thin.
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Getty Images7/29Color-Treated Hair: DIY Carefully
A simple single-color change can easily be done at home, as long as you pick a color that’s no more than two shades lighter or darker than your natural color.
According to colorist Aura Friedman, the best way to avoid patches when dying your hair at home is to part your hair down the middle and section your hair into fours. "Always apply the dye from back to front," says Friedman. "That way the dye is sitting on the back of your hair the longest, which is naturally darker than the front anyway." Don’t forget to invest in a shampoo and conditioner for color-treated hair for your healthy results that don't fade.
Getty Images8/29Color-Treated Hair: Avoid Bleaching at Home
Colorist Rita Hazan previously told Allure that at-home bleaching is incredibly difficult to do correctly. Instead, she recommends having your hair bleached by salon professionals. Done incorrectly, bleaching can cause breakage and serious damage. If you do bleach your hair at home, the results will be based on your natural hair color, meaning brunettes will often see an orange result. Ultimately, Hazan says color-correction of an at-home bleach job will cost triple what initially bleaching at a salon costs.
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Getty Images9/29Color-Treated Hair: Don't Overwash Your Strands
Whether you've dyed your hair at home or at the salon, you’ve spent time and money on your color, so make sure it lasts by using a weekly deep-conditioner. According to Corbett, weekly deep-conditioning treatments help hair hold color longer, keeping it looking healthy and vibrant.
Courtesy of brand10/29Frizzy Hair: Seal the Cuticle
Keeping your hair cuticles sealed is the first step to fighting frizz. Preventing moisture from seeping in is important, so Allure editors recommend that you rub a dime-size drop of anti-frizz cream between your hands and rake it through wet hair. If you have fine hair, search for a lightweight, water-based product. For those with thicker hair, use an anti-frizz cream that contains silicone to lock out humidity. Or you can try editor-recommended Phyto Phytokéritne Extrême Mask with moisturizing shea butter.
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Getty Images11/29Frizzy Hair: Air-Dry
Try air-drying your hair vs. using a blow-dryer every day to protect your cuticles and prevent unwanted damage and frizz. According to stylist Garren, people with curly hair should squeeze out excess water before applying leave-in conditioner and frizz-fighting cream to their hair. Then wrap small sections of hair around your fingers for about 30 seconds to help form ringlets. Garren stresses that the less you touch your hair when it's wet, the less frizz you'll have in the long run.
Courtesy of Brand12/29Heat Styling: Use a Protective Spray
Before blow-drying, straightening, or curling your hair, make sure to spritz a heat-protectant spray like Verb Leave-In Mist on your hair. According to stylist Kirsten Patterson, heat protectant is the only product you should apply before using a heat tool. She stresses that you should avoid using traditional hairspray before applying heat as the combination could dry out your hair.
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Getty Images13/29Heat Styling: Curl From the Roots
Despite what you may have learned in middle school, you should never curl your hair from the ends up, Patterson says. Instead, start at the roots and make your way down the barrel of your curling iron as the ends of your hair are delicate and don’t need much heat to curl. Working from the roots down will prevent damage and look more natural when finished. Also make sure to avoid holding the curl on the iron for too long. Hairstylist David Babaii says holding hair on the iron for between three to five seconds is best for curls that aren’t too tight.
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Getty Images14/29Heat Styling: Use Conditioner
According to cosmetic chemist Ni’Kita Wilson, conditioners are an important part of keeping your hair healthy while using heat tools. “It’s just as important as heat-protectant spray, if not more because conditioner is better at coating the hair,” she says. If you use your heat tools frequently, add a deep conditioner to your normal washing routine as a way to prevent damage when using your favorite curling or flat iron.
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R+Co15/29Blonde Hair: Use Colorless Styling Products
Cosmetic chemist Jim Hammer previously told Allure that colorants in various hair products can stain blonde hair, which is why it’s important to use transparent or colorless products. If you are going to use products with a color, Hammer recommends only using products with light purple or purple-blue shades — like R+Co Sunset Blvd Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner — because these will complement blonde hair. Use products that are made specifically for blonde hair.
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Getty Images16/29Blonde Hair: Don’t Over-Shampoo
Dermatologist Francesca Fusco recommends shampooing dyed-blonde hair every other time you shower and using a conditioner with zinc pyrithione in between washes. This ingredient helps condition your scalp while limiting color stripping, which means you can be blonder longer.
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Getty Images17/29Blonde Hair: Avoid Hard Water
Hard water is filled with minerals like copper and chlorine that can change the color of your newly dyed blonde hair. According to celebrity hair colorist Kari Hill, some of her clients install water softeners in their homes to prevent unwanted color changes. However, Hill notes, sometimes these softeners contain charcoal, which can make blonde hair seem less bright. Ultimately, Hill says the best solution is to put a hardworking filter on your showerhead.
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Getty Images18/29Braids: Loosen Up
Tension isn’t great for your scalp, which makes having too-tight braids pretty bad for your hair’s health. The tension caused by braids can cause red, inflamed bumps that can ultimately contribute to unwanted hair loss or thinning. Plus, it can be pretty painful to live with tight braids for several weeks. If you find plaiting is too tight, consider asking your stylist to loosen your braids. Additionally, applying certain essential oils can ease the tightness on your scalp and calm irritation. Hairstylist Erica Legagneur previously told Allure that these oils “carry anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that will help repair the scalp.” While your hair is in braids, she suggests using chamomile, coconut, or rosemary oil for their soothing and conditioning properties.
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Getty Images19/29Braids: Keep Your Hair and Scalp Hydrated
When your hair is in braids, make sure to keep your scalp hydrated by applying a protective spray. Calming tension spray can help keep your scalp and hair moisturized while relieving any pull. Carol's Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey Calming Tension Spray contains aloe leaf, which can be both soothing and nourishing to the scalp, according to L’Oréal lead educator Stephanie J. McLemore. You can also use a daily leave-in conditioner that will hydrate your hair and scalp throughout the day.
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Getty Images20/29Braids: Let Natural Hair Breathe
After you’ve had your hair in braids or braid extensions for a few weeks (note: the max is two months), you need to remove your braids and let your natural hair breathe for a while. McLemore suggests using a detoxifying treatment to rejuvenate your hair at the roots — ideally one that contains clary sage, eucalyptus, and sweet almond oils to fortify and protect your hair from braiding damage.
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courtesy of brand21/29Prevent Breakage: Use Dry Shampoo
Not every hair type needs to be washed every day. Cosmetic chemist Randy Schueller says most people can get away with washing their hair every few days by investing in a good dry shampoo, like Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo. Remember: Overwashing can cause your hair to get frizzy and break.
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Getty Images22/29Prevent Breakage: Don't Use a Towel
Put down your favorite towel and pick up that embarrassing band tee you’ve had hidden in your closet since high school. According to stylists like Mark Townsend, using a T-shirt to dry your hair is gentler and prevents unwanted breakage post-shower. Townsend emphasizes that the texture of tees doesn’t irritate the cuticle, keeping your hair looking smoother and healthier.
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Getty Images23/29Prevent Breakage: Sleep With Braids
Another way to prevent hair damage is to sleep with slightly damp hair in two loose braids overnight. This allows your hair to naturally smooth frizz, loosen typically tight curls, and even give straight hair beachy waves, according to hairstylist Mara Rozak. Plus, it saves you time and energy in the morning, which leaves you with more time to sleep (or guzzle coffee — let’s be honest).
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Getty Images24/29At-Home Blowouts: Dry Your Hair Fully
Achieving an awesome at-home blowout to last doesn’t have to be difficult. According to Hawkins, the secret to a long-lasting blowout is making sure your hair is completely dry. If there are damp spots in your hair, it will cause your blowout to frizz and deflate rather quickly.
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Harry Josh25/29At-Home Blowouts: Use an Ionic Dryer
Using the right tools can make a world of difference when it comes to getting the perfect at-home blowout. Consider investing in an ionic dryer, like the Harry Josh Pro Dryer 2000, which helps prevent unwanted frizz, leaving you with a smooth blowout. Kristin Ess also launched a more affordable ionic dryer as part of her new hot-tools collection.
Getty Images26/29At-Home Blowouts: Use Tension
Grab your barrel brush and get to work. According to Allure editors, you should work in two-inch sections, wrapping your hair tightly around your brush as you pull it down. Follow with the nozzle of your blow-dryer as the tension you’re creating will mean the difference between a sleek salon-esque blowout and a poor at-home attempt.
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Getty Images27/29Volumize: Use the Right Styling Products
Hairspray at your roots can do the trick, but the right way to give your hair a healthy dose of volume is to use lightweight products that bulk up fine hair all over. Try using a volumizing shampoo and conditioner, and finish your wet routine with a volumizing styling product combed through your hair. Afterward, blow-dry with a round brush and wrap your hair in hot rollers for five minutes for a whole lot of waves.
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Getty Images28/29Volumize: Get Layers
A simple way to add volume to your everyday style is by getting a haircut with layers. According to celebrity hairstylist Orlando Pita, getting layers cut directly into the ends of your hair will produce an airy, voluminous look for your style.
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Getty Images29/29Volumize: Don't Brush
If you’re styling your hair at home, consider putting down your trusted brush and using your hands to tousle your hair while blow drying it. According to Pita, tousling your hair with your fingers creates the perfect amount of volume.
