The last time I visited the salon was four months ago. I’d be lying if I’d tell you that I didn’t miss it. During the lockdown, I’ve been doing all my beauty treatments at home. Not that I’m complaining about it, but I do miss getting it done professionally. Salon-at-home feels more like a chore and less therapeutic. That goes the same for washing my own hair. I would spend more than an hour in the bathroom trying to detangle my curls, condition them and dry them and yet, after ALL this effort, my hair would still lack shine and lustre. It was only one month ago that I found out what was the problem. My attitude.
Washing my hair felt like a chore and the more I thought about it that way, the more I lost interest in how to take care of it. So this month, I did things a little differently and to my surprise, I was delighted by the results!
Here’s How To Wash Your Hair Like A Pro
Let me teach you how to turn your monotonous haircare routine into a zen-like spa experience!
1. Oil Your Hair First
If you’re struggling with hair issues, oil your hair before you shampoo. Use lighter oils if you dread washing oiled hair. Jojoba oil is a great option. Shampoos contain harsh chemicals that can strip hair and scalp from its natural oils. Hence, for the sake of your hair, apply oil 2-3 hours prior to your hair wash. The hair oil will protect your locks from drying out and losing their natural lustre.
2. Detangle When Hair Is Dry
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I used to make this mistake of detangling my hair when it was was damp. Never again. I lost so many strands because of this and I hope you don’t have to go through the same fate. When hair is wet, it’s fragile and prone to breaking. Comb your hair before going for a shower as this will keep the knots at bay and stimulate blood circulation in your scalp.
3. Lukewarm Water Is Your BFF
Don’t immediately apply shampoo to your locks without rinsing it for 2 minutes under lukewarm water. The warm temperature of the water helps to open the pores on the scalp and unclog them. The reason why you should opt for lukewarm water instead of hot water is that it won’t damage your hair or burn your scalp.
4. Mix Water Into Your Shampoo
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Dilute your shampoo with water, sometimes the reason your hair looks lacklustre is that you used more shampoo than was actually needed. Mixing in a little water into your shampoo will not only save you big bucks in the long run, but it will also reduce the concentration of the ingredients in the shampoo, making for a milder rinse.
5. Trust In The Wide-Toothed Comb
Unless you want dry and frizzy hair, never step out of the shower without applying conditioner! Remember that the conditioner is meant for your hair and not your scalp. Once you apply the product to your hair, gently brush your hair with a wide-toothed comb. This ensures an even application of the product. Leave it on for a minute or two and wash it off.
6. Finish It Off With A Cold Water Rinse
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Take a minute to massage your scalp in circular motions and then, wash your hair with cool water. The cold temperature helps to close the hair cuticles and seal in the moisture.
7. Towel-Dry Your Hair
And finally, instead of blow-drying your hair, towel-dry it instead. No heat exposure will save your strands from breaking and from drying out. Yes, it is more time-consuming as compared to blow-drying, but thanks to the lockdown, we have all the time in the world to experiment!
Pay attention to how your hair feels after this. I’m sure the locks are going to look healthy, glossy and oh-so-pretty!
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