Your Guide to Great Hair

Why have ok hair when you could have GREAT hair? Behold, bellas, the do’s and don’ts of happy, healthy locks. Shine on.

DO mix up your hairstyles to avoid breakage

Messy bun your go-to do? Can’t remember the last time you let your hair out of a slick, high pony? Well it’s time to mix things up for the sake of those tresses! Wearing the same style every day means there is constant pressure on the same area of your strands. Which means? Unnecessary damage and ugly breakage.

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DO use shampoo and conditioner for YOUR hair type

If your hair is looking generally blah, chances are you’re using the wrong products. It’s important to take care of coloured locks to prevent colour fade and stop blonde hair from going brassy. And make sure you’re using a shampoo and conditioner specially created for curly/ fine/ coarse / flat/ oily/ dry girls just like you. Luxe haircare brand Kérastase has a super-extensive range of products worth shouting about, including the Discipline range for the truly unruly.

DO minimise heat styling

Even with a protective spray, constant heat styling can be harsh and damaging for your hair, stripping it of moisture. So skip it when you can and let hair air-dry. Especially if you’re just going to whack it up in a top knot anyway!

DON’T neglect a weekly treatment

Ask any girl with gorgeous, glossy hair her secrets, and she’ll sing the praises of an intensive hair mask. These are ace at replenishing that moisture that’s lost from heat styling, UV and chlorine damage, and delivering instant softness.

If you are really in your hair’s bad books, Kérastase Resistance Masque Thérapiste is AHmazing. I was once in tears after an over-zealous bleach job and this is the only thing that helped my locks regain some life.

Aim for a mask weekly, or once a fortnight if you struggle with commitment.

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DO use a decent brush… and clean it regularly!

The type of brush you should be using depends on your hair type and what you’re trying to achieve. But everybody agrees the ULTIMATE is the Mason Pearson boar bristle and nylon brush—beloved for its shine-enhancing powers.

Whatever your weapon, make sure you remember to clean it! And that doesn’t just mean pulling out the stray hairs, it means washing out all the grease and follicles (get the picture?) with some shampoo. Preferably every couple of weeks.

DO use a brush on wet hair!

Your mama/ hairdresser/BFF probably told you never to do this, but it’s totally ok. As long as you buy a detangling wet brush. Like The Wet Brush beloved by Kendall Jenner and co.

Otherwise, stick with a wide tooth comb and wait until your hair’s dried a little. Going at it when sopping can stretch your strands. And not in a good ‘I’m growing my hair’ way.

DO use tricks to extend the life of your blowout

Ain’t nobody got time to blow dry their hair to perfection every day! If you’re hair’s limper than limp biscuit (me!), you’ll love Batiste's XXL Plumping Powder. The light-weight powder adds texture and volume from the roots to give you that freshly flipped look.

DON’T over-wash your hair

Speaking of washing, your hair needs some of its natural oils, so try to ‘train’ your hair and increase time between shampooing. Use a dry shampoo to mop up oil on your no-poo days. We like Klorane’s hypoallergenic Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk for refreshing and softening locks.

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DO give weak or thinning hair extra care

If your hair’s weak or thinning, you need to invest in a strengthening product to repair your strands and prevent further damage! KLORANE Weak & Thin Fortifying Shampoo and Conditioner is just the ticket. The products help give you fuller, healthier, more lively hair, thanks to the inclusion of stimulating, reparative quinine.

DO sleep on a silk pillowcas

It sounds a bit Princess and the Pea, but silk pillowcases are a beauty wonder. They allow hair to slip and slide, so you’re not accidentally damaging your locks while you slumber. Plus they stop your face from getting all crumply.

DON’T use crappy hair ties

You’re still doing that? Seriously? It’s time to treat your hair with a little respect! Go for snag-free ties only, with no little metal joiny bits. And NEVER use a regular rubber band. We love Scunci’s No Damage elastics, and the genius Invisibobble—it kinda looks like a telephone cord and even helps prevent those awful hair-tie headaches.  

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