Dry Hair
If your strands feel dry, straw-like, or frizzy, they may have dried out due to too much shampooing, heat styling, infrequent salon trims, harsh salon treatments, lack of nutrition, or living in a dry climate.
If your natural texture is wavy or curly and you frequently straighten it, this could cause it to become dry and damaged due to over-styling with hot styling tools. Your natural texture can be maintained if you condition regularly and use your flat iron sparingly.
Leave-in conditioner can be an invaluable weapon against dryness and flyaways, both common complaints of those with straight hair. Apply this product from midshaft to ends for even moisture distribution – this will give your strands the boost of hydration they require to look healthy and vibrant! Consider including an intensive hair mask in your weekly regimen for added hydration!
Wet Hair
After taking a shower, your hair may still not be dehydrated but not wet either – this state is known as damp and should be given special consideration as it’s more vulnerable to damage.
Detangle with a wide-tooth comb or fingers rather than using a brush. Once detangled, apply a leave-in conditioner and hair oil, as usual, to keep them hydrated and prevent breakage and frizz.
Wet styling can be an effective solution for people with curly or kinky locks who desire smooth, defined curls. It helps arrange and keep each ring in its place for a softer style and even makes hair appear longer!
For type one hair, comb through wet locks to remove tangles before applying an alcohol-free mousse from root to tip, squeezing out any extra water and air drying the remainder. Or divide into four equal sections and braid each into low buns before untying and unbraiding when dry for gentle waves.
Heat Styling
Heat styling – whether using a blow dryer, straightener, or simply giving you ‘do a quick spritz of hairspray – can be damaging, particularly for people who color their hair or go through the rebound process (a chemical treatment to reverse damage from straightening).
If you use a heat styling tool, protect your strands by applying a heat protection before turning up the heat. This will help prevent moisture loss that leads to dry hair.
But the most fabulous faux pas lies in overusing these tools: “Using heat tools such as flat irons or curling wands every day will deplete natural oils in your strands and damage outer cuticle layers, leaving your hair weak and brittle,” according to Garnier celebrity hairstylist Millie Morales. Try to go a month without heat styling; that will allow your strands to return to their healthiest state.
Brushing
Brushing your hair regularly is essential to keeping it smooth and sleek, helping remove oil and evenly disperse natural oils across your scalp, thus preventing buildup. A dry shampoo may also help absorb extra fat to keep your locks grease-free or consider purchasing a frizz-fighting and straightening conditioner which offers heat protection.
Chamarti recommends Sebastian Dark Oil shine serum or sprays as a finishing touch, while Arkive The Mastery hair spray will also seal in moisture and help fight frizz.
Giovanni Vaccaro of Glasmsquad advises his clients with straight hair to use a ceramic-coated brush to retain heat and dry their strands faster, while those with coarser locks should go for boar bristle brushes instead. Furthermore, brush your locks sectionally from roots to ends – an essential step.
