9 Must-Try Spring Hair Care and Styling Tips to Restore Your Hair
How to Maintain Salon Quality Hair Effortlessly, At Home.
By Romina Manenti
Published on February 11th, 2023
When we get caught up with the day to day, it can be easy to overlook the importance of proper hair care maintenance–even the little things. If we are keeping it real, it’s safe to say that we could all use a little advice when it comes to maintaining the luster and hydration of our hair.
The good news is that a few straightforward hair care techniques and styling hacks can go a long way! We are here to help you improve the health of your hair, while also enhancing your entire appearance by making your hair give off that flawless and glowing look.
Follow through MAY11 healthy hair guide and learn 9 fundamental tricks for taking care of your hair that won't disrupt your day but will still produce salon-quality results. Incorporate these regimens into your hair routine and you’ll quickly find the answer to what should healthy hair look like!
How to brush your hair correctly before shampooing
Brushing your hair prior to washing is a surefire way to prevent tangles, remove build up, and keep your hair feeling soft and silky. Begin with dampening your hair, and then proceed to the relative instructions below.
If your hair type allows brushing from roots to tips in a downward motion without putting up much of a fight, proceed to brush downward, removing styling products and loose hair as needed. Remember, it’s normal to shed between 50 and 100 strands of hair a day, so when you brush your hair daily, you help remove loose hair. Your shampoo will foam faster and do its action limiting the quantity of the shampoo used.
If your hair is tangled, gently brush or comb your hair, starting in the midsection or a few inches away from the ends. Brush down to the ends, then move the brush upward an inch or two and continue brushing downward until you have removed all tangles from that section. Continue moving up your hair until you get to your scalp, and then brush the entire length of your hair a few times–until there are no more knots–which avoids any breakage during the shampoo. This damage-free technique will save your hair from detrimental breakage and help it feel soft post wash.
If you have impurities or buildup within your scalp–such as excess product or oil, flakes, or dry skin, utilize a scalp brush to brush the scalp, going from side to side, back to front. For those with longer hair, sometimes, this technique might be easier when done upside down. If your hair is tangled and you have impurities, begin with the aforementioned instructions.
Note: if your roots get dry or tangle after shampoo, that means you are using the wrong shampoo for your hair type, or your hair is extremely depleted. In this case, you’ll need a pre-shampoo treatment (please refer to tip 5).
2. How to properly wash your scalp and hair lengths
We often lay our focus and time on washing our hair to make sure it is clean, but in the process tend to neglect the scalp. If you have come across scalp sensitivities–such as build-up, oily scalp, or dry scalp–understanding how to wash your scalp is a must!
On dry hair, apply a standard amount of shampoo into your scalp, then add water until the shampoo begins to foam.
Keep massaging the product in a circular motion to the scalp, adding water as needed, until you feel the shampoo begin to foam. When the product starts to slide off your scalp, that will be your indicator that you’ve done your scalp wash successfully.
For the remainder of your hair, simply add a bit of shampoo–about half of the quantity you used for your scalp–and gently wash your lengths.
This technique will have your scalp feeling clean and less irritated in no time!
3. How to manage fine hair via washing–without risking overwash
It can be easy to overwash fine hair. The result of overwashing leads to excess oil production, making the hair appear greasy. On the opposite end, overwash can result in hair stripped of its natural oils, causing the hair to be dried out. So if you’re stumped as to how to manage fine hair, the secret is to apply only a small amount of shampoo. Remember, a little goes a long way!
Rinse the hair underwater for 2 minutes
Twist the lengths to remove the excess of water
Put a small quantity of shampoo on your hands, massaging it into the scalp in a circular motion.
Add water as needed to ensure the shampoo is foaming
After an enjoyable and brief scalp massage, gently pull the foam and leftover shampoo through your hair. This method will keep your scalp clean while avoiding over-washing. We love an aware, clean queen!
4. How to wash your long hair without tangling it
Tangled hair can lead to hair damage and breakage, so it's best to keep your hair lengths detangled whenever possible. Believe it or not, the way you wash your hair can actually determine whether it will tangle faster! After washing your scalp (as described in tip #2), it’s time to clean your hair lengths–follow along to learn how.
Apply a small quantity of shampoo to your palm and rub it into your hands, then hair.
Grab your lengths at the base of your nape of your neck and slide your hands downward until the ends. Note: this requires a different technique than stated above! Instead of circular motions, you’ll be moving downward. Don't go upward or create unnecessary friction as this puts the hair at risk of being overwashed or knotted.
Repeat this process 2 or 3 times, as needed
You know what they say, “long hair don’t care!” You will be surprised how light and refreshed your hair will feel once you begin to embrace this hair washing method.
5. How to incorporate a pre-shampoo hair treatment for enhanced hair shine
Let's be honest–there are a lot of culprits that lead to damaged hair. Whether it be chemical treatments, sun or heat exposure, weather conditions, lack of proper maintenance and hair care, or incorrect products, our hair is delicate and sometimes needs some extra love and attention. That's where pre-shampooing comes in. The goal here is to lock in moisture before soaking your hair.
Pre-shampooing involves applying a treatment to your dry hair before you shampoo and condition it. This process shields your hair with a protective coat that is sometimes necessary due to the way shampoo strips moisture from the hair.
But how does one tell which specific product to use?
Need nourishment? Utilize all-natural oils to implement natural nutrients that nourish and boost hair health
Need hydration? Use a hair mask to moisturize and enhance your hair's appearance.
Need a little bit of everything? Combine both oil and a mask to nourish and hydrate your hair from root to tip
Simply apply a small amount from root to tip enough to coat the hair, then reapply a second time only in areas where your hair is depleted or particularly dry, usually the ends and the crown layers . You can use a color brush to control the application and quantity.
6. How to properly apply conditioner
It requires more than just applying conditioner to condition and work its magic successfully. Utilizing conditioner is quite similar to using face cream–you must massage it into the area to be effective.
First and foremost, your conditioner should be applied 3 inches from your roots down to the ends, as the first inches of the hair from the scalp are already naturally nourished from our scalp's natural oil production. Using a scalp brush, brush your hair from the roots, and utilize the leftover conditioner on the brush to give a boost of shine to your roots. This will also help soak up essential nutrients. Continue to apply the conditioner brush until you feel the brush smoothly sliding through the hair.
7. How to Revive Your Waves and Curls By Towel Drying
When water soaks your hair, it's only natural for your hair to feel weighted. Gentle water absorption in your hair to help it dry–no matter what type of hair texture you're working with–will begin to reveal your hair's natural patterns. Towel drying is the best way to reveal your curls and fullness through extracting water in a gentle manner–without the threat of losing any curls and waves. The towel dry method is also ideal to keep healthy hair from additional hair breakage or damage as it shift the need to rely on leave-in products or heated tools.
How to towel dry:
If you want more volume, flip your hair upside down, place the towel from the back of your head, start to wrap from the center, and twist and secure in the front.
If you want to tame the volume of the top of your head, place the towel on your forehead, wrap your head into it, then twist on the back of your head and secure it on your nape.
8. How to use dry shampoo when in a pinch
No time for washing? No stress! Luckily, there are a ton of clean, all-natural dry shampoos that exist to refresh your scalp and eliminate any undesired grease. Fine hair folks usually experience this need for oil absorption more than other hair textures, so opt for a dry shampoo and spritz it on your roots before going on a date or heading out of town. Your hair will have a fresh and clean look, and no one has to know your secret!
9. How to maximize hair glow and shine by skipping the wash
Clean hair? No thank you!
Believe it or not, one of the lesser-known secrets to glowing, healthy hair is avoiding a wash before styling it. Hair stylists who work for celebs on the red carpet and models in fashion shows implore their clients not to clean their hair if they want to achieve a glowing look. But why? On day 2 or 3 after a shampoo wash, hair is easier to style because it loses the slippery cleanness, acting as a better grip when hair products are applied. Styling pastes, gels, texturizing and hair sprays work more effectively, helping emphasize glossy hair and hold. Bonus points go to dodging the wash because baby hairs and shorter strands are surprisingly also easier to manage.
Romina’s styling tip: My favorite look is on day 3 after shampoo; apply a generous amount of gel mixed with MAY11 Blonde Restoring Hair Oil and do a high ponytail or updo; the glow is effortless and lasts all night. Who knew the healthy hair treatment you needed was to simply avoid washing it for a few days?
As you can see, tons of little at-home hair hacks can provide that extra length, strength, nourishment, and shine that your hair is craving. The best part? They are quick, easy, and you can effortlessly incorporate them into your regimen. No need for expensive products pumped with additives and chemicals, or salon treatments that cost an arm and a leg for temporary fixes. These pro at-home-salon hair care tips are all you need to change the game and have others poking you for your hair secrets!
