Whether you’re going a day or two between washes, it’s helpful to find different ways to care for your hair and learn how to style second day hair. When it comes to second day hair, there are many ways you can follow to help bring your tresses back to life. Follow our top five tips on how you can refresh second day hair.
Use a texturising spray
For days when you’re too lazy to do your hair and want to go for an effortless, tousled look, try using KEVIN.MURPHY’s BEDROOM.HAIR, which is our Haul of Fame brand of the month. This lightweight texturising hairspray is great for any hair type to add body and life, and also enhance natural curls. Use it for hairstyles that scream “I woke up like this”.
Apply dry shampoo
If your hair gets greasy in between washes, it’s worth using a dry shampoo to help getrid of greasy hair. A dry shampoo is perfect for absorbing oil, sweat, and odour while leaving you with hair that looks, feels and smells clean. Pro tip: apply the dry shampoo on different sections of your hair and wait for at least 30 seconds to allow the product to activate before brushing your hair.
Add moisture with a leave-in conditioner
Are your tresses feeling a bit dry? Using a leave-in conditioner on second day hair, especially if your hair feels dry, is a great way to keep your locks moisturised. A leave-in conditioner can also help combat frizziness and protect it from heat and environmental stressors.
Braid your hair overnight
If you plan to go more than two days without washing your hair, consider putting your hair into a braid at night to help preserve your hairstyle or give you effortless and heat-free beachy waves the next morning. Putting your hair in braids helps prevent your hair from crimps and folds that may occur while you sleep and it also helps prevent your hair from tangling and breaking overnight.
Try an easy hairstyle
Second day hair is perfect for creating different hairstyles, such as a high or low ponytail, a sleek ponytail or a messy bun. The options are endless when it comes to styling second day hair. Make sure to prep your hair with dry shampoo or a texturising spray to help you achieve your preferred style.
Trying to grow hair longer or get thicker hair can feel like an endless waiting game. While hair is the fastest-growing tissue in the human body, according to the Trichological Society, the average rate of growth is 0.5 to 1.7 centimeters per month or anywhere from about two to eight inches per year. That growth can feel minimal — especially when you’re waiting for it to happen.
It’s normal to shed between 50 and 100 hairs a day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), but if you think your growth is really stunted, there are certain tweaks you can make to your day-to-day haircare regimen to boost hair growth. You can try using a different hair brush, adjusting how often you use your hair dryer to dial down damage to your hair or adding in hair growth oils and foods to make hair grow quicker to your routine.
These are the secrets and home remedies that grow hair fast, according to top dermatologists, celebrity hairstylists, skincare experts and our own Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab pros.
1. Get frequent trims.
It may seem counterintuitive, but if you want long hair that’s actually healthy, you need to get regular trims. “While haircuts don’t make your hair grow any faster, they get rid of split ends that break your hair,” explains Michael Dueñas, a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles. “Eliminating the breakage gives the appearance that your hair is growing faster.” After all, a split end that breaks can lead to your hair losing length — not to mention shine, volume and smoothness.
2. Eat the right diet.
Having long, strong hair doesn’t just depend on which products you put on your hair; it also depends on what you put into your body. “To promote hair growth, you need to ‘feed’ the hair from the inside,” explains Francesca Fusco, M.D., a dermatologist in NYC. So what foods make hair grow quicker? Those high in protein, the building blocks of hair, including meats and other sources. “Try increasing your protein intakewith foods like fish, beans, nuts and whole grains,” she recommends. Even if you’re not a meat lover, you should still aim to maintain a diet high in protein for hair growth. Women who don’t get enough of it often experience “more hair shedding,” Dr. Fusco says.
And steer clear of trendy “cleanses” for a multitude of reasons. “Doing a cleanse is terrible for your hair because you’re depriving your body of nutrients,” Dueñas warns. “After doing a cleanse even for a week, you’ll notice slower hair growth and lackluster locks.”
3. Add a hair-healthy vitamin to your a.m. routine.
If your diet isn’t supplying you with enough nutrition, a supplement could make a world of difference. “Look for a multivitamin that’s formulated and labeled ‘for hair, skin and nails,'” Dr. Fusco suggests. “Those contain important vitamins like biotin and C and B that can support hair health.” Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab deputy director Stefani Sassos suggests these vitamins and minerals to contribute to healthier hair:
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Zinc
Iron
Omega-3 fatty acids
4. Shampoo less and hydrate more.
How often you shampoo your hair does actually impact your hair’s health. “Shampooing your hair [only] two to three times a week allows your natural oils to penetrate your hair, allowing it to hydrate and repair itself,” explains Ken Paves, a celebrity hairstylist in L.A. For thicker and fuller-looking hair fast, choose a shampoo labeled “volumizing” or “thickening.”
Coating your strands in a silky deep conditioner or hair mask or a hair detangler regularly can also help to prevent damage while detangling strands, according to GH Beauty Lab pros. Slather on a store-bought or DIY hair mask from root to tip once a week: One with cinnamon can stimulate blood circulation to encourage stronger, longer hair in no time, says Liana Zingarino, a freelance hair stylist based in New York City.
5. Lay off the bleach.
As chic as platinum hair looks, going from a darker shade to light blonde could stand between you and your longest-possible hair. “When the cuticle of the hair is damaged from bleach, you can have more breakage or split ends,” explains Elizabeth Hiserodt, senior colorist at Cutler Salon in New York City. “The fewer chemical treatments, the better your hair will grow.”
6. Avoid excessive heat styling.
“Stop over-styling your hair,” says Paves. If you must use heat, he recommends decreasing the temperature and always using a heat protectant — otherwise, you risk damaging your hair, leading to breakage and frizz.
Mike Garten
7. Brush hair regularly.
Going to bed with unbrushed hair may seem tempting when you’re tired, but giving your hair a few quick strokes can be great for your hair and scalp’s overall health. “Starting at the scalp, use a boar bristle brush to distribute your scalp’s oils evenly onto your hair so it stays naturally moisturized,” recommends Meri Kate O’Connor, celebrity stylist and colorist at Cooper in West Hollywood, CA. Bonus: This simple step each night also helps increase circulation, which helps make your scalp healthier.
8. Keep your showers cooler and focus on scalp care.
A hot shower can dehydrate your skin — and it’s also rough on your hair. “Turn the water temperature down when cleansing,” recommends Paves, and give your scalp a little extra love. Massage with your fingers as you shampoo to deeply de-gunk and help boost circulation.
9. Protect hair from physical damage.
Hair is especially susceptible to breakage when it’s wet, so instead, detangle hair before shampooing. “Water exposure swells and stretches the hair’s shaft, which causes the shingle-like outer layer to lift, and adding stress from brushing in that state can cause it to break,” says Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab senior chemist Sabina Wizemann.
If you have to detangle hair when wet, do it the right way: Apply a top-rated leave-in conditioner from roots to ends and use a gentler wide-tooth comb or detangling brush to reduce friction, working from the ends up in small sections to prevent tearing hair, Wizemann advises.
10. Sleep on a silk pillowcase.
Getting better hair overnight is possible — all you need is to switch up your pillowcase and reap the hair-healthy benefits of silk. “Silk is easier on hair — it helps avoid tangles and breakage,” says Jesleen Ahluwalia, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai in NYC. The less breakage your hair experiences, the longer your hair will be. In fact, they’re so good that the Good Housekeeping Institute even conducted an entire study to find the best silk pillowcases.
11. Try using minoxidil.
Pick up a bottle of Women’s Rogaine, recommends GH beauty director April Franzino. “The active ingredient, minoxidil, is FDA-approved and proven to help stop hair loss and promote hair regrowth with continued use according to packaging instructions.” For a more targeted solution, pick up Hers 2% Minoxidil Topical Solution and use the dropper applicator to focus on more specific problem areas.
But be wary of shampoos that claim to grow hair — hair growth from shampoo “has yet to be scientifically proven, at least in published research or to FDA’s standards,” says Jeni Thomas, Ph.D., principal scientist at Proctor & Gamble Beauty.
When to talk to your doctor about hair loss
Underlying causes of hair loss may be contributing to your hair’s slow (or lack of) growth. It’s estimated that more than 50% of women will experience noticeable hair loss, according to Cleveland Clinic — and that doesn’t count those born with wispy or sparse strands. “Hair that’s naturally thin in diameter [fine] or sparse is genetic,” says Joyce Davis, M.D., dermatologist in NYC. “Hair loss is often hereditary (or androgenic) thinning, which tends to be patchy.” Another common type of hair loss is telogen effluvium (TE), or allover shedding due to hormones or health issues such as thyroid or autoimmune disease and anemia.
With TE, hair generally grows back once the problem is treated; see a doctor for diagnosis. For androgenic loss, the over-the-counter topical minoxidil mentioned above is proven to grow hair with continued use. For all types, the professional treatment PRP (platelet-rich plasma) stimulates growth with scalp injections of your blood’s growth factors, Dr. Davis says. Consult a dermatologist to find out if it’s right for you.
Meet the experts
Jesleen Ahluwalia, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai in NYC.
Joyce Davis, M.D., a board certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon in NYC.
Michael Dueñas, a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles.
Francesca Fusco, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai in NYC.
Elizabeth Hiserodt, senior colorist at Cutler Salon in New York City.
Meri Kate O’Connor, celebrity stylist and colorist at Cooper in West Hollywood, CA.
Ken Paves, a celebrity hairstylist in L.A.
Jeni Thomas, Ph.D., principal scientist at Proctor & Gamble Beauty.
Sabina Wizemann, Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab senior chemist.
Liana Zingarino, a freelance hair stylist based in New York City.
Pia is a beauty and fashion editor with a decade of experience at publications including Hello Giggles, InStyle, Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Prevention, People en Español and HELLO!/HOLA! She has also written for People, Elite Daily and Bustle. She received a B.A. in creative writing from NYU and a Master of Science at Columbia’s journalism school. She is based in New York City.
Like most things in life, going gray is a gradual process, starting with a few silver strands peeking out from your natural or dyed hair color, often increasing in number over time. When more of your hair starts growing in gray, you may start to notice a demarcation line in larger sections where the color stopped and the gray started. As this occurs, you have options: covering it with salon or home hair dye or embracing the natural gray hue.
In the case of Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D., she did a little bit of both. “I had an unrelated allergic reaction that made my lips swell up for a few weeks, so I skipped my monthly hair color visit in order to give my body a break,” explains Aral, who had been coloring her hair since her late 20s to cover up grays. “My roots grew about an inch, and I started noticing the salt-and-pepper pattern of my natural hair and toying with the idea of going gray.”
There’s no hard-and-fast rule about when (or if!) you should stop coloring your hair and go gray; it’s ultimately a personal choice. When Aral did decide to go fully gray, her experience both personally and professionally — this scientist has tested a whole lot of hair dye in her years at the GH Institute! — can serve as a guide for you if you’re ready to make the switch.
More From Good Housekeeping
Here are the tips you need to know about the stages of transitioning to gray hair both in the salon and naturally, including the best products, pictures of the process and gorgeous gray hairstyles.
First, let your roots grow in a bit
Even if you feel ready to go gray, you may have to wait before you begin the process. “I tell people to get at least two inches of gray growth to begin with,” says Nikki Ferrara, a celebrity hair colorist in NYC.
Aral before her first appointment.
Be patient with the process.
If you’ve never lightened your hair before, you could find yourself in the salon for an unexpected length of time during the gray transitioning coloring process. “I spent a total of seven hours in the salon and really saw how intensive the process was,” Aral explains.
Aside from the time investment of a salon session, there’s how long it takes to fully transition to gray hair, which is anywhere from six months to a year, Ferrara says. “Some people won’t have the patience, so they choose to color their hair again,” she notes. “But it’s super-rewarding if you can stick it out.”
Option 1: Try weaving in highlights or lowlights.
Streaks of strategic color help meld your existing shade with the growing in gray. “To match the salt-and-pepper look of my roots, the colorist added baby highlights [thin, subtle highlights] all over my head,” Aral says. “Toward the end of the lifting process, the colorist applied dark brown hair color to the remaining hair to create an all-over salt-and-pepper effect,” says Aral; this process is referred to as adding lowlights, which are darker ribbons of color, woven in to blend. Depending on the color you’re transitioning away from (lighter brown, red, blonde, black) your experience may be different.
Option 2: Consider removing old hair dye from natural gray strands.
You can remove dyed hair color to go fully gray. “Removing hair color can be done at home or in a salon by using hair stripping products that work by opening the cuticles [hair’s outer layer] and breaking down dye molecules inside the cortex so they can be rinsed out,” she explains. “Since hair stripping products interact with dyes only, the natural pigments in hair stay intact, allowing your gray color to appear.” (Note that “returning to a natural gray color is not possible if your hair was bleached and its pigments lightened,” says GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann, who recently let her gray grow in.
Option 3: Dye hair fully gray.
An at-home option for making the switch to full natural silver is dyeing hair gray. “There is now at-home hair color available in silver and gray shades that can dye pigmented hair gray and make the transition faster and easier,” says Wizemann.
Option 4: Let hair go gray naturally.
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If you decide to grow out your grays without additional salon or at-home hair color, Aral suggests covering up the new growth with a root touch-up product, like GH Beauty Award winner Clairol Temporary Root Touch-Up. “Depending on the person’s gray level and hair color, they might be able to blend in [their] roots for five to six weeks, or longer,” she says.
From there, Aral recommends considering a shorter haircut and getting regular trims until it grows out. Keep in mind, though, that using any hair dye that’s not temporary will set back your growing out phase, so avoid all-over permanent and demi or semi-permanent hair color.
Adjust your haircare maintenance accordingly.
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As with going platinum or any cooler blonde shade, you may find that the gray “highlights” get a little brassy. “The highlighted parts turn a bit yellow once the gray toner starts washing out,” Aral said. Your colorist may recommend coming in for more toner or glosses during the course of your transition to counteract yellowing. “Usually, you will have to get a gloss every once in a while to keep the brassiness at bay,” Ferrara says. You can try an at-home toning hair gloss or glaze to keep your gray a gorgeous silver shade between salon visits.
You may also have to adapt your shampooing and conditioning routine: “My gray is a bit wirier, so I now use more conditioner than I’m used to and a purple shampoo/conditioner duo once a week to brighten it up,” Wizemann says. “I also use more styling products to keep my hair in place.” There are shampoos designed specifically for gray, white or silver hair you can use to keep hair vibrant, and you can consider adding in a hydrating, deep conditioning hair mask to keep coarse grays soft and shiny.
Aral after her initial color treatment.
Now that you’ve got the gray hair transitioning basics down, check out the style inspiration below:
30 Celebrities With Gorgeous Gray Hairstyles
Marci Robin is a freelance writer and editor specializing in beauty and lifestyle content. With over 20 years of experience, Marci has served as a contributing editor for Allure, senior beauty editor at GoodHousekeeping.com, executive editor of xoVain and senior online editor at NewBeauty. Her writing has also appeared in her writing has also appeared in InStyle, MarthaStewart.com and Refinery29.
Beauty Director
April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman’s Day, where she oversees all beauty content. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.
You probably know which category your hair type falls under, whether you have straight, wavy or curly hair hair. After all, that crucial piece of information influences so much about your hair, from how to style it to your haircut to the types of hair products you stock in your shower. But, when it comes to hair porosity, figuring it out isn’t as simple.
So what is high porosity hair?
“Hair porosity refers to how well the hair is able to absorb or hold on to moisture,” explains Marisa Garshick, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Cornell-New York Presbyterian Medical Center. “It often is a function of the cuticle, the outermost layer of the hair, to determine how much moisture passes in and out of the hair which can determine how porous your hair is. Different types of hair processing, such as heat, coloring or chemical processing, may impact hair porosity.”
What are the characteristics of high porosity hair?
If you have highly porous hair, you can expect lots of frizz, especially during humid weather, dullness and tangles. Your hair will also likely be prone to breakage and damage, and may look and feel dry.
More From Good Housekeeping
How can you tell if you have high porosity hair?
Hair porosity falls into three categories: Low, medium and high.
“Low [porosity means it’s] difficult for moisture to penetrate and also difficult for moisture to escape,” says Brandie Devillier, platform educator at the Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute and certified color educator at Elevate Hair. If it takes a long time to blow dry, that’s a key indicator of low porosity. Low porosity hair can also be resistant to coloring, like gray hair.
“Medium porosity can accept moisture and release moisture easily,” Devilllier says. The hair cuticles are not tightly woven together and in general absorb products and moisture well, making it easier to care for.
High porosity means the cuticle layer of the hair is open and could have breakage.This type will dry quickly but it’s prone to frizz and feels very dry. High porosity hair often “looks dry and brittle, it is weak and breaks easily,” Devilllier says.
How to determine your hair porosity
Figuring out which type of hair porosity you have can make styling and keeping your hair healthy a lot easier. “There is an easy, old school trick to test your hair porosity at home,” says John Kahen, M.D., Chief Hair Surgeon and founder of Beverly Hills Hair Restoration. “Brush through clean hair, and gather the strands that shed naturally. Drop the hair strands in a glass of water and if they float, the hair is low porosity. If the hair sinks slowly after floating, it is medium porosity, and if the hair sinks instantly, it is high porosity.”
What causes high porosity hair?
Though hair porosity is largely determined by genes, it’s unknown exactly how that works, according to Trefor Evans, Ph.D., Institute Fellow at TRI Princeton. “It’s a very complicated question,” he says. “How your hair grows is down to your body’s physiology and there are so many things that control the body’s physiology.”
There are other factors at play, too. UV exposure from the sun, not using a heat protectant before styling, color and bleach can lead to high porosity hair. “Most of the porosity is genetic, but it can also be altered based on what you have done to your strands — things like chemical treatments to your hair or heat damage can take a role,” says Dove Partner & Celebrity Hair Stylist Lacy Redway.
How to care for high porosity hair
1. Opt for moisture-rich products
High porosity hair tends to be thirsty, so look for words like “hydrating” and “moisturizing” on the labels of your products. “Choosing the correct products based on your hair porosity is important,” Redway says. “Moisturize daily to help your strands from breaking and causing further damage.”
2. Get regular trims
“Because hair is dryer and more damaged, it is more prone to breakage and split ends,” Dr. Kahen says. “Regular trims help to stimulate new hair growth and keep the hair looking healthy and bouncy at the ends.” Aim for half-inch trims every four to six weeks.
3. Don’t shampoo too often
How often you wash your hair depends on your hair type, since you don’t want to strip your hair of its natural oils while finding solutions to help repair it, Redway says. On average, she recommends once to twice per week.
4. Read ingredient lists
“It is best to avoid sulfates when possible as these can be drying,” Dr. Garshick says, so opt for a sulfate-free shampoo at the very least. Additionally, be sure to steer clear of products that are clarifying or high alcohol content sprays, since these also zap moisture.
5. Suds up with the right shampoo
“There are two shampoos I recommend for high porosity hair: A damage repair shampoo and an added moisture shampoo,” Devilllier says. “Rotate these out weekly until your hair is happy again.” Our top shampoo for dry hair, Herbal Essences Bio:Renew Hydrate Coconut Milk Shampoo, conditions with coconut extract and aloe.
6. Never skip conditioner
High porosity hair needs all the moisture it can get, so be sure to always follow your shampoo with a conditioner. “You want conditioners that are deeply hydrating if you have high hair porosity,” Dr. Kahen says. “Especially leave-in conditioners can be effective because they can provide an additional barrier and layer of protection to help the hair retain moisture.”
He recommends plant-based oils like coconut and sea buckthorn oil, which are hydrating to the hair, as well as moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and manuka honey. Dr. Garshick suggests Andalou Naturals Argan Oil Conditioner, as it contains a blend of argan oil and avocado oil, as well as shea butter and vitamin E to both moisturize and condition the scalp.
7. Use a detangler
Hair that is high in porosity typically tangles easier, so it’s important to detangle hair to prevent further breakage when brushing out knots, advises Dr. Kahen. A top-rated hair detangler will help moisturize those tangles so they are easily released and you have no breakage. Garnier Gentle Detangling Hair Milk features a blend of oats, rice extract and aloe juice to glide right through knots while adding hydration to thirsty strands.
“Remember to comb from the bottom of the hair up to the scalp,” Devilllier says. “This will help with tension and ease of detangling.”
8. Skip tight styles
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that high ponytail may not be worth it. “For hairstyles, try to avoid ones that cause further damage or breakage like tighter hairstyles that can pull at the hair,” Dr. Kahen says. That means no tight elastics. It’s also best avoid excessive heat styling and go easy when brushing your hair. Use a wide tooth detangling comb or a gentle brush to prevent breakage.
9. Try a treatment
“Remember that all hair is already dead, so it’s important to nourish it as much as possible, especially if you’re doing damaging treatments that can lead to high hair porosity,” Dr. Kahen says. “Hair masks are a good solution for treating the hair and helping with its strength; leave-in conditioners and hair masks can help to seal gaps in the hair cuticles and protect the hair; and lastly, oils are all great options to seal in the hydration and help the hair retain it.” It’s a 10 Miracle Deep Conditioner Plus Keratin deeply conditions hair while preventing damage.
For an even bigger boost, you can ask your stylist for a repair treatment add-on when you visit the salon. For example, the Kérastase In-Salon Fusio Dose is custom created by your stylist to target your specific needs.
10. Fight frizz
High porosity hair is prone to frizz because it’s more damaged and cannot retain moisture as well. “Because of this, it is more difficult for hair to hold onto its natural smoothing oils that help to hydrate hair and prevent frizziness, as well as hold onto products that are added to the hair to help with hydration and frizziness,” Dr. Kahen says.
Look for a frizz tamer like the Goldwell Kerasilk Control Rich Protective Oil, a winner in the GH Beauty Lab’s test to find the best anti-frizz hair products for its ability to smooth and boost shine.
11. Sleep on silk or satin
“In between washes, continue to moisturize your strands and avoid surfaces like cotton pillowcases that may dry it out further or cause friction to lift the cuticle and have breakage — try using satin pillowcases,” Redway says.
Celia Shatzman (she/her) is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor who has penned stories on topics ranging from beauty to fashion, travel, celebrities, health, entertainment, finance and more. A graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, she is a beauty and style contributor at Forbes and her work has appeared in New York, Cosmopolitan, WWD, ELLE, Conde Nast Traveler, Afar, Travel + Leisure, Women’s Health, Marie Claire, Byrdie, Refinery29 and NYLON, among others.
When shopping for a leave-in conditioner, first look for products that are specifically designed to be left in hair. Products that are labeled as leave-ins will be formulated with super hydrating ingredients that your hair will literally soak up. Then, consider:
✔️ Ingredients: “Look for products that have humectants and natural oils in them, plus extracts and other nourishing vitamins,” Monroe advises. Combining humectants like glycerin, keratin and hyaluronic acid (which help draw moisture into the hair and lock it in) with lightweight oils delivers a leave-in conditioner that can keep dry, frizzy hair at bay and give your ringlets the natural sheen and bounce you’ve been dreaming of.
✔️ Curl type: Of course, you’ll want to first consider what type of curly hair you have when shopping for a leave-in conditioner that meets your needs. Those with fine, low-porosity curly hair, who want to add body, should opt for a lightweight spray formula, says Monroe. Meanwhile, those with thicker, coarser 4C curls need all the moisture they can get, so it’s best to choose a cream formula. “It is OK to alternate leave-ins depending on what your hair needs at the moment,” adds professional curl stylist Candace Witherspoon.
The way you care for your hair daily can determine your hair’s overall health. Washing your hair is one way to care for your scalp and tresses so it’s important to know how to wash your hair the right way. It’s also one of the first steps you can take to help you achieve smoother, silkier and healthier-looking hair.
There’s no need to complicate your hair care routine. All you need to follow are simple steps so here are our top tips on how to properly wash your hair to give you your best and healthiest hair yet.
Detangle your hair pre-wash
Your hair is weaker and more fragile when it’s wet. Make sure to brush and detangle your hair pre-wash to reduce breakage, split ends and damage. Brushing your hair before washing it can also help lift away any residue from your scalp, making it a lot easier to clean.
Choose the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair type
Not seeing results from washing your hair? You might be using the wrong shampoo and conditioner. Choose a shampoo and conditioner that suits your hair type and texture, and your current hair care needs.
If you have fine, flat or flyaway hair, we recommend trying out our Haul of Fame Philip Kingsley’s Body Building Shampoo and Conditioner Duo. This duo works incredibly well for fine or flat hair as it adds volume, shine and moisture to your hair. The shampoo adds volume, bounce and shine to your strands while the conditioner adds moisture and provides long lasting smoothness. Use it on wash days for fuller, thicker and healthier-looking hair.
Gently massage your scalp
Oftentimes, you may overlook your scalp when washing your hair. A healthy scalp helps you maintain strong and healthy hair so don’t forget to care for your scalp too. When washing your hair, take some time to gently massage your scalp, whether it’s with a scalp brush or your fingertips.
Massaging your scalp can help boost circulation, strengthen your hair follicles and prevent dry flakes which can lead to an itchy scalp. Doing so can also promote new hair growth so we recommend giving your scalp a massage on a daily basis, especially if you’re trying to boost your hair’s growth.
Leave your conditioner in
Applying conditioner to your hair isn’t the same as applying shampoo. It’s best to leave your conditioner in for at least five minutes and avoid rinsing it off immediately, like you would with shampoo, so you can reap all the benefits. Apply conditioner to the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair to add moisture and provide long-lasting smoothness.
✔️ Fluff fringe with a hair dryer: Kendall styles her clients’ bangs with the Dyson Airwrap (for a more affordable option, try the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer).
✔️ Keep heat protectant handy: “The only issue with blowout brushes is that they can have very high temperatures, causing breakage,” she says. Invest in a heat protectant, a fantastic solution to combat this issue, as well as to seal in moisture, control frizz, fight humidity and help hold the style in place.
✔️ Get trims: Bangs tend to grow out pretty fast, so keep your preferred shape and get rid of split ends with regular trims. Montoya suggests trimming every two weeks for bangs above the eyebrow. Trim every three weeks for bangs at eye and cheek level. Bangs at the jawline should get a trim at the four-week mark. If you don’t want to visit the salon that often, you can learn to trim your own bangs at home.
✔️ Prevent breakage: A leave-in conditioner and hair oil go hand in hand when it comes to keeping those cute face framers healthy and free from breakage, says Kendall. It also extends your style longer, “meaning you don’t have to put heat on them every day to protect your hair,” she added.
✔️ Revive second-day bangs: A great way to dry style your bangs would be using a texturizing spray “to keep that hold and give them a little grit to stay put,” says Kendall.
✔️ Beat stiff winds: A dab of finishing cream or a spritz of hairspray is just the trick to keep dry bangs in place. If you’ve let your bangs dry naturally, Kendall says she “usually puts a small amount of SECOND Day Finishing Cream in my hair to give the pieces a little life and keep them positioned as if I styled them.”
✔️Accessorize: Montoya’s pro tip isto have hair accessories readily available for when you don’t have time to style bangs or decide to grow them out. “My go-tos are Goody Snap & Go clips or Goody Ouchless headwraps and headbands — they are timeless and give instant style,” he says.
There’s a new way to color your hair and it doesn’t involve any commitment or chemicals — we’re talking hair color wax. Sure, the newest hair color trend is a little messy. But it’s gentle, safe and doesn’t contain any of the harsh ingredients found in regular hair dyes. The best part: it washes out easily in the shower. We got the 411 on how, when and why to apply hair color wax.
“Hair color wax is a temporary type of hair color for people who want to experiment with fun, vibrant shades but also want to avoid chemicals and damage,” says Sha-Raya Hutchins, a New York City-based hairstylist. The perks go beyond not bringing on damage. “They deposit color onto strands which then easily comes off when you wash your hair with clarifying shampoo,” explains Danusia Wnek, a chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. “These waxes do not penetrate into the strand as permanent hair color does, making them gentler.” While every formula has a slightly different ingredient list, “they are generally made of beeswax or a hair wax component, water, alcohol and color pigments,” Hutchins explains.
How should you shop for hair color wax?
“Shopping for hair color wax can be a little tedious, as sometimes you have to try out a few to see which brand takes to your hair texture,” Hutchins says. “Different brands of hair wax have different consistencies, so you really need to read reviews and figure out which brand works best for you.”
Generally speaking, you’ll want to check the (typically short) ingredient list. Beeswax is the top ingredient in hair color waxes that helps the color stick so make sure that’s on the list. Color choice is a big (and fun!) part of the shopping process. There are tons of fun, bold colors to play with and try, especially since you aren’t making a big time commitment.
Hutchins’s favorite hair color wax is Mofajang, as she feels that the colors are super bold and vibrant and it dries and sets better than other waxes she has tried. “It’s also not as messy as some competitors and lasts longer.”
Here are a few top sellers, including Mofajang:
Mofajang Temporary Hair Color Wax
Credit: Mofajang
CMWGKBC 4 Colors Temporary Hair Color Wax
Now 26% Off
Credit: CMWGKBC
ORS Curls Unleashed Color Blast Temporary Hair Color Wax
Credit: ORS Curls
Hair Paint Wax A Splash Of Color Hair Color Wax
Credit: Hair Paint Wax
How do you apply hair color wax?
Always be sure to read the instructions on your hair color wax packaging before applying and start with damp, freshly washed and conditioned hair. The application is super easy: divide hair into sections and apply it (with gloves on, of course) to each section — no mixing required. Keep in mind that a little goes a long way. You can always go back in and add a little bit more if the color isn’t as strong as you hoped; just wait at least 15 to 20 minutes for it to set. While you can use it on wet or dry hair, Hutchins feels that it sets better on wet hair. And unlike permanent hair dye, it shouldn’t be rinsed after application.
In terms of different hair types, “hair color wax can definitely be used on natural hair — it should be used as your wax or gel for your hair,” says Hutchins. She suggests washing and conditioning hair as normal and using your go-to leave-in conditioner or curl cream, then replacing any gel or wax products with hair wax instead. “I typically twist the hair using the wax as my styling gel and allow it to dry for an hour or so to prevent it from bleeding,” she says. “After that you can apply a light oil to your hair, untwist and go.”
Does hair color wax stain clothes?
The short answer: yes! Wnek suggests either wearing clothes you don’t mind getting dirty or wrapping yourself in an old towel. “The pigment from these types of products can really be messy,” she explains.
Is hair color wax good for your hair?
Hutchins believes that it’s good for your hair because it gives you color without all the damaging chemicals. “If brands could come up with an alcohol-free hair wax, it would be even better,” she says. “But hair color wax isn’t damaging and it washes out pretty easily.”
How long does hair color wax last vs. regular hair dye?
Hair color wax can last anywhere from one to two weeks depending on how often you shampoo. “It fades out on its own mostly but washing speeds it up, especially with clarifying shampoo,” Hutchins says. Regular hair dye can last a few months; it also depends on how often you wash your hair or allow it to get wet.
What’s the best way to remove hair color wax?
The easiest and quickest way to get rid of hair color wax is with clarifying shampoo. “It will not come out by just rinsing with water,” Hutchins says.
What are the pros and cons of hair color wax?
Just like any beauty product or treatment, there are upsides and downsides to using hair color wax, especially when compared to traditional hair color. Hutchins shares her thoughts:
Pros:
The temporary color. “The fact that you can try any color you want with no commitment is great — it literally washes right out,” Hutchins says. “When it comes to traditional hair dye, you have to commit for at least a month.”
The lack of damage. “Hair wax isn’t damaging to your hair and doesn’t alter the texture of your hair,” she says. “Regular hair dye can leave your hair very dry and cause breakage.”
Cons:
The mess. “Some brands never fully dry, so you could potentially be ruining a shirt or bonnet because it may continue to bleed everywhere,” Hutchins says.
The potential lack of color payoff. “Occasionally a hair color wax doesn’t really show up on your hair and can leave you feeling like it was a waste of time to use,” Hutchins says.
Contributing Beauty Editor
Dori Price is a New York City-based freelance writer and editor and beauty, style and wellness expert who was the Beauty & Fashion Director at Family Circle for 13 years before she joined Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman’s Day as a freelance beauty editor. She has also written for WomensHealthMag.com, Elle.com and HealthCentral.com.
This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Whether it’s damage, dryness, flakes, frizz or fading, we all run into hair issues. The change in seasons, indoor heat, outdoor elements and hot hair tools are only some of the culprits that can cause these challenges. Luckily, you don’t have to hit the store or add yet another beauty product to your Amazon cart: You can head straight to your kitchen for everyday ingredients that you can whip into a DIY hair mask to fix your mane using a few simple pantry staples.
Our experts are on board with making your own masks, but “like anything prefaced with DIY, you have to proceed with caution,” says Mona Gohara, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. “You don’t want the ‘D’ to stand for disaster!” She advises to get reliable sources “that are based on fact, not the number of followers on TikTok,” like our masks listed below. “There are a lot of ingredients that can make hair dry and brittle and potentially irritate the scalp, which you would obviously want to avoid, but there are also some kitchen staples that can help out a struggling scalp,” she adds.
Marisa Garshick, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in New York, agrees and advises starting slowly when incorporating any homemade mask into your routine. “In general, DIY masks can be incorporated one to two times per week or once per month depending on the specific concern,” she says. Start with once a month and see how your hair reacts; you can always up the frequency to weekly if your hair and scalp need and can tolerate the mask more often.
Below, we’ve compiled the best DIY hair masks for all of your biggest woes, from an irritated scalp to dull hair to damage and dryness. Shiny, lustrous hair is only a hair mask away — and you never even have to leave the house.
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Coconut Oil Mask for Dry Hair and Scalp
Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize — which will also help prevent split ends, frizz and breakage. If your regular conditioner isn’t cutting it, opt for an intensive overnight treatment with coconut oil. “It can penetrate the hair shaft” to repair hair, says Kyle White, a colorist at Oscar Blandi Salon in New York City.
Ingredients:1 tablespoon of coconut oil
Directions: Before bed, warm coconut oil in the microwave, then massage into damp hair, avoiding the roots. (Tie strands into a bun and/or cover with a shower cap or hair wrap if desired.) Shampoo in the morning.
Avocado, Honey and Olive Oil Mask for Dry, Damaged Hair
Various factors can cause strand damage: styling tool overuse, haircolor, chemical treatments and more. Help counteract it with an avocado and olive oil hair mask, suggests Liana Zingarino, a hair stylist at Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon in New York City. “Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, this treatment helps strengthen hair and add shine,” she says. The benefits don’t stop with strands: An avocado-based mask also “helps to rejuvenate and moisturize the scalp,” says Joel Warren of The Salon Project salons in Florida, Pennsylvania and New York.
Ingredients: Half an avocado, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of honey and 3 drops essential oil of choice
Directions: Stir ingredients together until fully combined, then apply to wet hair with your fingertips, starting at the bottom and working your way up. Warren suggests wrapping your hair into a bun and covering with a shower cap. To help activate the ingredients, blow dry your shower cap-covered hair for 10 minutes. Let it sit for another 20 minutes, then shampoo.
Cinnamon and Coconut Oil Mask for Hair Growth
Try a cinnamon-based mask — the anti-microbial spice is known to stimulate blood circulation and promote hair growth and strength, Zingarino says.
Ingredients: 1/4 cupcoconut oil and 1 tsp of cinnamon
Directions: Blend ingredients together well. Apply the mask onto your roots and part, and massage into your scalp. Let it sit for 30 to 45 minutes and rinse. Aim to do this mask at least once a week.
Castor Oil Mask for Frizzy Hair and Flyaways
Frizz can be caused by damage, the environment or both — and some types of hair are inherently more prone to it. Keep fuzz at bay by laying down and sealing hair’s cuticle, or outer layer, with an emollient ingredient like castor oil, which “acts as a protectant and can help fortify strands,” White says. Derived from the castor plant’s seeds and “comprised mainly of the fatty acid ricinoleic acid, it coats and conditions to improve smoothness,” explains GH Beauty Lab chemist Danusia Wnek.
Ingredients: Castor oil
Directions: Rub a dab of castor oil between hands and glide a very thin layer over frizz-prone areas on dry hair.
Rice and Avocado Mask for Curly Hair
Curly hair is prone to dryness and damage and can always use a little extra hydration. Dr. Garshick suggests using a mask that has rice water, “as it contains inositol which helps to repair damaged hair and in doing so, can help to retain curls.” The avocado in the mask adds instant nourishment.
Ingredients: 1 cup rice, 2 cups water, 1/2 avocado
Directions: Soak the rice in water, then use a sieve to eliminate the rice grains from the water. Mash the avocado then add to rice water. Apply to hair and rinse after 20-25 minutes.
Honey, Banana and Coconut Oil Mask for Bleached or Colored Hair
Color-treated hair can always use more hydration, especially bleached strands. “Make sure to use ingredients that won’t compromise the color,” Dr. Garshick says. “This mask helps to enhance moisture without affecting your shade.”
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon honey, 1 peeled banana and 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil
Directions: Blend ingredients together and then apply to hair for 15 minutes and rinse.
Banana, Honey, Egg and Olive Oil Mask for Thin Hair
A protein treatment can help plump strands, whether they are naturally fine or losing fullness. Make a “banana protein smoothie” for hair with amino acid-rich bananas and eggs to enhance elasticity, strengthen and add thickness, says Audrey Davis-Sivasothy, a trichologist in Houston and the author of Hair Care Rehab: The Ultimate Hair Repair and Reconditioning Manual. “Results are immediate and will last until your next shampoo,” she adds.
Ingredients: 2 egg yolks, 2 peeled ripe bananas, 2-3 tablespoons of honey, half a cup of condition, 2 tablespoons of olive oil
Directions: Blend all ingredients until pureed. Fully coat hair with the treatment, leave on for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
Coconut Oil, Sugar and Essential Oil Mask for Dandruff Flaking
If flakes start to appear on your scalp when the temperature is dropping, it may be because the heat in your home is higher and is drying out your skin, says Paul Cucinello, celebrity stylist and owner of Cucinello Beauty. Your scalp is no exception. This exfoliating treatment helps remove and reduce flakes and (bonus!) doubles as a great facial scrub.
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of raw unrefined coconut oil, 4 teaspoons of raw sugar, 5 drops of peppermint oil, 2 drops of tea tree oil
Directions: In a small bowl, mix ingredients together. Using your fingers or a hair color brush, apply mixture directly to two-inch sections of clean, damp hair in the shower. Once evenly applied, gently massage for 1-3 minutes and then clip your hair up and let it sit for the duration of your shower.
The sugar in this DIY scrub breaks down to glycolic acid, which dissolves dead skin cells, Cucinello says. The coconut oil is rich in fatty acids and has anti-inflammatory benefits; the peppermint oil helps promote circulation to the scalp; and tea tree oil is anti-fungal, antimicrobial and antibacterial.
Almond Oil, Mayo and Yogurt Mask for Dry Scalp
“If you suffer from dry scalp, almond or coconut oil is a key ingredient as either can help to keep the skin barrier strong and hydrated,” Dr. Gohara says. “People often mix with mayonnaise and yogurt or honey as each have anti-inflammatory properties.” Bonus: yogurt can also reel in flyaways.
Ingredients: 2 tbsp almond oil (or sub in coconut oil), 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tsp yogurt (or sub 1 tsp honey)
Directions: Mix all ingredients well in a bowl and apply to the scalp. Leave for for 15-30 minutes and rinse out.
Egg White and Lemon Hair Mask for Oily Hair
If you are prone to greasy hair, an egg mask can work wonders, says Sadah Saltzman, a hairstylist at Salon AKS in New York City. Stick with just the whites, which have protein enzymes that help remove excess oil.
Ingredients: 1 egg white, juice from half a lemon
Directions: Smooth over hair from roots to ends and leave on for 30 minutes to an hour — longer is better. Rinse with lukewarm water, not hot!
Baking Soda Mask for Buildup
Between haircare and styling products, it’s easy to accumulate layers of residue. Buildup can lead to strands that look and feel greasy along with flatness and even dandruff-like flakes. Cut through excess oil and buildup with this “baking soda power cleanse” from Davis-Sivasothy.
Ingredients: Half a cup of shampoo, 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda
Directions: Combine shampoo with baking soda, stir well and pour over wet hair. Gently massage the mixture into the scalp and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
Honey, ACV and Coconut Oil Mask for Dullness
Keeping hair moisturized and healthy always makes your hair look better, says Stephanie Brown, master colorist at IGK Hair Salon in New York City. When strands start to lose their luster, apply a treatment made with apple cider vinegar, which clarifies and smooths hair’s outer layer, to boost shine.
Ingredients: One tablespoon of raw honey, apple cider vinegar and coconut oil (Adjust the amount but keep equal parts if you have really long or thick hair)
Directions: Work the blend through damp hair and leave on for at least 20 minutes, then shampoo it out. It’s great for all hair types and helps lock in color as well.
Green Tea and Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse for Irritated Scalp
While green tea has a laundry list of health benefits, you can also add “scalp soother” to the list, Saltzman says. A tonic that combines antioxidant green tea and anti-inflammatory, hydrating peppermint oil can help soothe dry, irritated scalp skin.
Ingredients: 1 cup of green tea, 2 drops of peppermint oil, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
Directions: Mix well, massage into scalp and let sit for at least five minutes before rinsing.
Oats, Almond Oil and Milk Mask for Flat Hair
Give lifeless strands an energizing boost with a protein-rich oatmeal, milk and almond oil hair treatment. Apply to damp (not soaking wet) hair for the best results, Brown advises.
Ingredients: Half a cup of oats, 2 tablespoons of almond oil, half a cup of milk
Directions: Mix ingredients well. Smooth the mask all over hair and leave it on for 20 to 40 minutes, then shampoo.
Dori Price Contributing Beauty Editor Dori Price is a New York City-based freelance writer and editor and beauty, style and wellness expert who was the Beauty & Fashion Director at Family Circle for 13 years before she joined Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman’s Day as a freelance beauty editor.
Andrea Cheng Andrea Cheng is a New York-based writer who writes about fashion and beauty.
The fatty nature of hair is characterised by overactive sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands in the hair produce too much sebum and water. The hair is therefore limp, heavy, frizzy and difficult to style.
Fatty hair is a menace to quite a few people. What causes fatty hair quickly? How do I find the right hair care? Here are a few effective remedies for fatty hair.
Why does hair get greasy?
Fatty hair is the result of excessive sebum production. This can have many causes. The fatty nature of our hair includes genetic predispositions and hormonal imbalances during puberty, pregnancy and the menopause. The tendency to greasy skin may also result from the use of certain medications or a caloric diet rich in processed foods. In most cases, however, the culprit is improper hair care such as washing the hair too often or too seldom, using heavy cosmetics or not thoroughly cleansing the scalp after shampooing.
Taking Care of Fatty Hair
The right care for fatty hair is important for both aesthetic and health reasons. The care of fatty hair is important for both cosmetic and health reasons. It is important to use the right cosmetics, the right application methods and even hairstyles, which may improve the condition of your hair.
What Shampoo for Oily Hair?
The fight against fatty hair starts with cleansing the hair. The right shampoo for oily hair is very important. Beware of shampoos for dry hair and those with intense moisturizing properties. The formula of these shampoos may overload the hair and thus accelerate oiliness. Beware of shampoos for oily hair. Some of them may over-dry the scalp and cause excessive sebum production.
Gentle shampoos with a light texture like L’oreal Professionnel’s Pure Resource Shampoo, which contains antioxidant vitamin E and a water softening agent, work best.
Oily hair should be washed as often as it needs it. It is best to do this in the morning so that your hair stays fresh for longer. The way you wash oily hair is also important. Avoid running hot water over your hair to stimulate the sebaceous glands. It is much better to wash your hair and scalp with lukewarm water. Finally, it is important to rinse your hair thoroughly.
Which conditioner is right for fatty hair?
The first step is to care for your hair intensely. A lack of moisture will make your hair greasy at the roots and dry and brittle at the ends. The remedy for this can be found in masks or conditioners, which are applied about an hour before shampooing. The hair oil penetrates the hair and does not weigh it down.
Leave-in conditioners are not suitable for oily hair. It is important not to apply hair care products directly to the scalp but only from the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair. Oil treatments also have great effects on hair. The sebaceous glands in your hair are well regulated with the help of jojoba, castor or argan oil.
How do I style my fatty hair?
The freshness of fatty hair can be prolonged by styling the hair in the right way. Especially overheating the hair is not recommended for oily hair. This is because heat stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce sebum. Heavy waxes and styling pastes are also not recommended. Brushes with hard bristles may irritate the scalp. You may want to replace these brushes with round combs.
If you have to deal with hair extensions on a daily basis, the ideal solution is human hair wigs.
What Type of Hairstyle for Oily Hair?
The hairstyle itself may also help in the battle against fatty hair. If your hair is prone to fatty acid it is best to avoid updos, which may cling tightly to your head. Loose chignons or casual waves allow the skin to breathe. You should also refrain from touching your hair every day.
