Figuring out a curated hair care routine can be a challenge. Walking into a beauty supply store is a bit daunting, with multiple aisles dedicated to protecting your hair. Depending on the texture and porosity of your hair, you’ll need different products than other people do. Figuring out what to use can help your tresses look better than ever. With the following guide, you can get your hair looking right no matter the weather.
Washing
The first type of product you’ll need is for wash day. No matter what hair type you have, your hair will need washing in regular intervals. Depending on the porosity and texture of your hair, you may not need to wash as often as other people, but you’ll still need to cleanse every so often.
To wash your hair effectively, you’ll need a good clarifying shampoo and conditioner. When you’re choosing these products, it’s easy to decide based on the look of the bottle and the scent. Really, you should choose based on your hair goals. Do you want more volume? Increased shine? Less frizz? Find a shampoo and conditioner that promote your goals and use them for your wash days.
Smoothing
The next product type to look for is smoothing products. These come after you wash your hair, usually when your hair is slightly damp. More often than not, smoothing products are for people with textured hair patterns such as curls, waves, or coils. After a wash, the proteins in each strand react to heat and humidity, causing your hair to become frizzy and hard to manage.
By adding something like a hair serum, curl cream, or leave-in conditioner to your hair care routine, you can stop rebellious tresses at the source. Rather than fighting with your hair to stay styled, you can work with far more manageable locks from the get-go.
Protecting
Before you get to styling, you may want to consider some protective products. If you style with heat, even to dry your hair, adding a heat protectant is a crucial step. Your hair is made up of long protein strands. When you add heat to your hair, these proteins are damaged temporarily; however, repeated use of heat styling can damage them permanently.
Rather than leaving your hair vulnerable to permanent damage that causes breakage and split ends, add a heat protectant spray or cream to your routine. These products coat the strands and seal in moisture, protecting the proteins from heat damage.
Styling
When it comes to styling your hair, there is a wide range of products you can use in your hair. Some you’ll use when your hair is still damp, such as gel or mousse. Many others, you’ll use when your hair is dry and you’re using heat.
One of the most common styling products you’ll find yourself using is hairspray. While it’s easy to think hairsprays are one can fits all, there are different strengths and flexibilities meant for a range of holds. If you’re just going out for a few minutes and don’t need your hair to hold that long, choose something with a flexible hold. For long workdays or outdoor activities, find something that will keep you secure for hours. Styling solutions are just as customizable as every other hair care product.
Texturizing
The final type of product to consider adding to your hair care routine is texturizing products. These products are mainly made for people with straight, fine hair. If you don’t have much texture to your hair, or your hair doesn’t hold style very well, you may need a product to help you out.
Adding some extra oomph with a sea salt spray or volumizing powder can help you achieve the style you’re looking for. These additional products work in tandem with your other styling supplies to leave your hair looking great, even if you don’t have much volume or texture naturally.
Overall, making your hair look its best doesn’t have to be rocket science. Simply knowing what products to use is half the battle.