Contents
Here is a complete guide to hair care: tips, tricks, debunking popular and enduring myths, plus useful life hacks.
Features of hair care depending on their type
But curls are different for everyone – someone has no problems with them, someone suffers from oily hair, and someone is annoyed by their dryness, the fact that they are confused, fluffy, electrified. How to build comprehensive care at home? It is very important to focus on your hair type.
dry
Do you often itch your head, do you feel discomfort?
Have you noticed dandruff?
Is your hair electrified?
Can you say that your hair is dull and thin?
Is the answer to most of the questions yes? You most likely have dry hair. What to do? Hair care at home is not so difficult if you follow the basic rules. Below is a brief guide:
When choosing a clarifying shampoo, opt for sulfate-free formulas.
Look for ceramides, B vitamins and valuable oils in your hair care products.
Use conditioners, masks and hair balms. They contain the components necessary to maintain optimal moisture levels.
Fatty
They look perfect for the first few hours after washing, and then hang in greasy strands, and nothing can be done about it – just wash your hair again. What is the action plan? Choose the right care products. Pay attention to composition. It should include:
extracts of useful plants: nettle, chamomile, birch, etc.;
valuable essential oils: rosemary, tea tree;
substances that absorb sebum;
vitamins: their range is wide – A, E, C, group B;
ceramides;
minerals: pay special attention to zinc and selenium.
Painted
Dyed hair is a separate issue. In the process of changing the color, the strands are exposed to aggressive chemicals – ammonia and hydrogen peroxide, as a result of which the protective fatty film is damaged. Over time, coloring can make your hair dry and brittle, lacking its natural shine.
Home care in this case should be specific, since it is necessary to solve two problems in parallel: maintain the brightness and vibrancy of the color, restore the hair, and take care of it. Therefore, it is better to give preference to products from special lines for colored hair.
Rules for complex hair care at home
How to take care of your hair? The scheme is universal. Care rules include:
selection of care in accordance with the condition and type of strands;
regular competent cleaning;
the use of conditioners and balms after shampoo;
additional care in the form of masks, oils, serums and creams aimed at solving specific problems (strengthening, smoothing, combating the problem of split ends, etc.);
required thermal protection.
Below we will consider all the stages in more detail and tell you what products are useful for systemic hair care at home.
Purification
When choosing a shampoo as the main cleanser, we first of all focus on the type of scalp. The basic rules are as follows.
Choose the shampoo that suits your needs: for dandruff, for sensitive scalp, for dry hair, for color maintenance, for weak or damaged hair, etc.
Pay attention to composition. It is good if it contains vitamins, ceramides, amino acid complexes.
Apply the shampoo to the scalp, after lathering it in the palms of your hands. And having already thoroughly lathered your head, distribute the foam along the length of your hair.
Rinse your hair well with running water.
The frequency of shampooing is not regulated by any general rules. Oily hair needs to be washed more often, dry hair less often.
Co-washing, sulfate-free shampoos have become very fashionable today. But don’t fanatically follow trends. These cleansing methods may not cope with oily scalp. So be guided by your own feelings.
Here are some shampoos that will help in different situations. We advise you to pay attention to them.
Revitalizing shampoo Botanic Therapy “Ginger root and royal jelly”, Garnier
The formula contains a special complex with ginger root and royal jelly, which strengthens the strands. Short, long or medium length – hair regains vitality. Shampoo nourishes curls, makes them smooth and shiny.
Fructis Thick & Luxurious Strengthening Shampoo, Garnier
The formula with pomegranate extract is designed to make even fine hair look luxurious. The result of using the product is silky, flowing strands.
Elseve Strengthening Shampoo, Ultra Strength, L’Oréal Paris
The shampoo contains biotin, vitamin B5 and arginine. The tool nourishes the scalp and strengthens the hair along the entire length.
Intensive anti-dandruff shampoo Kerium DS, La Roche-Posay
Conditioning
How should you take care of your hair so that it shines and looks healthy? Use conditioner every time after cleansing. It will help smooth out the strands, make them more obedient. When compared to skin care, conditioner can be compared to a cream that must be applied after cleansing.
Balm conditioner for very dry hair Fructis SuperFood “Banana. Nutrition, Garnier
Laminating balm “Color Expert”, L’Oréal Paris
Balm for colored or highlighted hair with flax oil has a triple effect: it fixes the color, enhances the shine of the hair, and intensively nourishes it.
Conditioner for shine Dercos Nutrients Vitamin, Vichy
Formula for dull and lifeless hair with tonic acai berries and aloe vera gives the hair a vitamin charge (the conditioner contains vitamins C and E), fills them with vitality and adds multifaceted shine.
Botanic Therapy “Royal Jelly and Propolis” Repair Balm Conditioner, Garnier
Royal jelly and propolis in the composition of the balm are known for their nourishing and regenerating properties. They make hair soft and silky. The balm makes hair easier to comb, restores shine and healthy look.
Additional care
What else do you need for hair care? Right now, we will briefly talk about everything related to additional care, and about the various methods of care.
Masks
Hair masks are like a small spa. They contain all kinds of nutritional and moisture-retaining components. As a result of the use of masks, the hair becomes softer to the touch, acquires a healthy look and natural shine.
Mask for dry and unruly hair Fructis Superfood “Macadamia. Smoothing, Garnier
Provides effective nutrition, softens and smoothes dry and unruly hair.
Steam hair mask (balm + cap soaked in lotion) “Dream length” Elseve, L’Oréal Paris
The formula of the balm is enriched with vegetable keratin and castor oil to nourish and intensively restore hair along the entire length.
Mask for damaged hair Fructis SuperFood “Papaya. Recovery, Garnier
For 98% it consists of components of natural origin. The remaining 2% are the ingredients needed to maintain a pleasant consistency and stability of the formula. Restores hair, strengthens them, facilitates combing. The tool can be used as a mask, conditioner and leave-in care.
Mask for very dry hair Fructis Superfood “Banana. Extra nutrition, Garnier
Rich in vitamin E, glycerin, olive oil and shea butter. Like all similar products of the Superfood series, it involves three methods of application – as a mask, conditioner or leave-in care.
Peelings
Hair peeling is a great solution for those who often use styling products. But here it is important to note that the regularity of peeling is indicated on the product packaging, and it is recommended to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Scrubs
Scrubs are used to cleanse the scalp. The frequency of their use is the same as for peels – as a rule, no more than 1-2 times a month, but this depends on the specific product. The frequency and method of application are indicated on the package. After the scrub (as in skin care), it is worth applying a mask to the hair.
Oils
In hair care, there is a technique that has been tested for centuries – the use of oils. First of all, they are good for solving the problem of split ends. But the oil can also be applied along the entire length of the hair – for extra shine, protection and nutrition. How to use: rub a drop of oil in the palms of your hands and lightly smooth the strands from the middle to the ends. Then you can start blow-drying.
Oil-elixir “Transformation” Fructis, Garnier
Oil-elixir for instant transformation, softness and shine of hair is quickly absorbed, facilitates styling. The formula with triglyceride, avocado oil and valuable rosemary extract creates a protective coating on the surface of the hair, intensely nourishes it and improves elasticity.
Oil for smoothness and radiance Botanic Therapy “Argan oil and camellia extract”, Garnier
Gives hair softness, shine, silkiness. Facilitates combing and protects against damage. Camellia extract softens hair and restores its natural shine.
Botanic Therapy “Royal Jelly and Propolis” Revitalizing Cream-Oil, Garnier
Leave-in care with a light creamy texture restores and protects damaged and split ends. The formula with royal jelly and propolis intensively nourishes and softens the hair, making it silky.
Botanic Therapy Castor Oil & Almond Firming Cream-Oil, Garnier
Nourishes and strengthens hair, prevents hair loss due to brittleness, makes it softer, shinier and stronger.
Oil for all hair types “Extraordinary Perfecting”, L’Oréal Paris
For extreme nutrition and hair transformation, oils of 6 rare colors are included in the composition. Due to the versatility of the composition, the oil can be used in the morning or evening before and after shampooing, as well as during styling.
Oil before shampooing Botanicals “Lavender. Hydrating Essence, L’Oréal Paris
Soothing oil for sensitive scalp relieves discomfort, provides hydration and soothes the scalp. It is applied before shampooing and then washed off with shampoos.
Extraordinary oil for damaged hair “Revitalizing” Elseve, L’Oréal Paris
A pleasant and non-greasy repair oil for damaged hair, it nourishes and restores the protective barrier without weighing it down.
Leave-in care
This is the final touch in the scheme of care. Leave-in care usually adds a lively shine to the hair, and most importantly, protects it from the negative effects of the environment, helps prevent dryness and brittleness. Oils are often used as leave-in care, but they are not the only ones that can play this role. Active serums designed to strengthen hair are also often used as leave-in care.
Moisturizing Serum to add volume Elseve “Hyaluron filler”, L’Oréal Paris
Active serum with 2% care system with hyaluronic acid is designed for dehydrated and fine hair and can literally fill them with life – a moisturizing composition saturates the hair with moisture, as a result of which they become thicker in diameter (by 9%) and look more voluminous, denser and elastic without the effect of weighting. Serum can be applied to both dry and damp hair, paying particular attention to the ends.
Complex leave-in care cream “Growth in full force 10-in-1” Fructis, Garnier
Complements the Full Growth range for hair that is weakened and prone to falling out due to brittleness. The main active ingredients are apple extract and vegetable glycerin.
Complex leave-in care “SOS Hair Rescuer 10-in-1”, Fructis, Garnier
It also complements the SOS Hair Rescuer repair range for very damaged hair. In the composition – a vitamin complex, amla oil, known for its antioxidant properties, liquid aminokeratin. The leave-in treatment can be used as a thermal protectant when styling with flat irons, curling irons and other high temperature gadgets.
Botanicals Ginger & Coriander Firming Serum, L’Oréal Paris
Natural, 98% vegan formula for fragile and damaged hair. Visibly reduces breakage with regular use. Enriched with oils – coconut, sunflower, coriander, soybean. In addition to ginger extract, it contains exfoliating salicylic acid and smoothing wax.
Leave-in care for dry hair Strengthening and Hydrating Hair Oil-in-Cream, Kiehl’s
Nourishes, restores and strengthens the hair, relieves them of excessive dryness, adds shine to the hair. With prolonged regular use, the hair becomes stronger and more resistant to damage.
Smoothing Leave-In Concentrate Smoothing Oil-Infused Leave-In Concentrate, Kiehl’s
A multifunctional concentrate with argan and babassu oils has a light texture. It can be used on damp hair for nourishment and smoothness, on dry hair for softness and shine, and for heat styling protection.
Should I add homemade masks to home hair care?
If you want to conjure in the kitchen and spend time first preparing masks made by yourself, and then washing them out of your hair, then no one will put up obstacles for you. It is only important to understand that no, even the most labor-intensive, home mask can replace complex hair care of any type.
However, here are a couple of recipes for lovers. Let’s start by choosing a mask depending on the task it is designed to solve.
Against dryness: mask with honey
2 teaspoons of honey;
2 egg yolks;
2 tablespoons of milk.
What to apply and how to cook: mix the ingredients thoroughly and apply the composition along the entire length of the hair, then wrap your head with a towel for 30-40 minutes or put the strands under a shower cap. Wash off with shampoo.
Mask against oily hair
1 tablespoon of green clay powder;
1 tablespoon dry mustard;
1 tablespoon of melted honey;
2-3 tablespoons of warm water.
Mix everything thoroughly and apply the composition on the scalp along the partings, put on a shower cap and leave for 30 minutes. Wash off with shampoo.
How to take care of your hair with salon treatments
How else can you take care of your hair? Of course, with the help of salon procedures. Among the most popular are the top three.
Biolamination – during the procedure, each hair is covered with a protective film that protects from the negative effects of the environment.
Screening – the procedure also protects the strands from adverse external influences and gives the hair a healthy and well-groomed appearance.
Cryomassage is one of the most comfortable and gentle procedures, during which liquid nitrogen is actively used, saturating the scalp with moisture and giving an impulse to the regeneration of hair follicles.
How else to help your hair look well-groomed
Summarizing all of the above, we want to say that hair care at home is not such a terrible and labor-intensive business. But in order for the curls to always look well-groomed, it is recommended to take additional measures.
Head massage
We really combine business with pleasure and return beauty and health to curls. Thanks to the manual effect, blood circulation in the scalp improves and the process of sebum secretion normalizes. A very pleasant, relaxing procedure that allows you to completely relax for a while.
Ampoules
Today, only the lazy one does not know about the power of this format of funds. Ampoules for home use contain concentrated serums that perform a variety of tasks – most often they help fight hair loss, strengthen and noticeably improve their appearance. As a rule, after a course of 10-15 procedures, the result is beyond doubt.
Vitamins
For the full growth and health of hair, the doctor will recommend a suitable vitamin complex, which must be taken daily. It is important to ensure that the diet contains as many foods as possible rich in B vitamins, zinc, iron, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid. You can read more about vitamins in our article.
Regular haircut ends.
If you have long hair or a medium-length haircut, do not forget that every 2-3 months the ends should be trimmed, and in between, be sure to use creams and oils to prevent cross-section.
Warm water.
When washing your hair, use warm (not hot) water. But when rinsing – cool.