If you hate the countless plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles that clutter up your shower know this: the environment hates them even more than you do.

Worryingly, the personal care and beauty industry produces more than 120 million units of packaging every year. And if you think that’s not that big a deal considering you can throw your empty bottles in your recycling can, think again.

The truth is that very little plastic can be recycled. In fact, Greenpeace recently reported that out of the seven different types of plastic used in consumer goods, only two them (#s1 and 2) can legitimately claim to be recyclable in the US. The rest just ends up in landfill or gets dumped in our oceans where over a million marine animals die as a result of plastic pollution.

Mic. Drop.

The good news is that not all of your plastic hair products have such dire consequences.

In fact, many are manufactured from high-density polyethylene which fits into the #2 category, so they can legally be recycled. You know that number you often see on your plastic bottles? The one that has a triangle of arrows around it? Well, that’s its plastic specification. One and two? Good? Three to seven? Not so much.

Of course, some companies don’t even tell you whether their packaging is recyclable or not (although if they don’t make that claim, you can be pretty sure it’s going to end up in landfill!). 

So what’s the best way to ensure you’re doing your bit to cut out single-use plastics and help reduce the amount of plastic pollution that ends up in our oceans? 

Thankfully, there are tons of plastic-free options that help to not only look after our world, but to look after your hair at the same time. Which is important, right? It’s all well and good doing everything you can to be environmentally-conscious, but you don’t want to waste your money on cruddy shampoo and ineffective conditioner that your hair hates.

Which is why we’re in love with the latest array of bar shampoos and conditioners currently filling our social feeds and Google searches. 

What Are Bar Shampoos & Conditioners? 

While traditional shampoos and conditioners come in plastic bottles and are filled with liquid formulations that often get wasted – how hard is it to use every last scrap? –  their bar counterparts are exactly what they say on the tin. Or in this case, exactly what they say on their eco-friendly cardboard box! 

They’re solid (like soap), usually wrapped in paper or cardboard and you get to use every single bit of it until it’s literally shrunk to nothing in the palm of your hand. What’s more, most bar formulas equate to somewhere between three and five bottles of regular shampoo or conditioner. So they save you $$$s as well. Result!

Granted, bar shampoos take a bit of getting used to because they often don’t lather as much as traditional ones. But that’s not such a bad thing because it means they’re gentler on your hair and don’t contain all those harsh surfactants which can strip your locks of essential oil and moisture.

Don’t be fooled though, these babies will still clean and condition your hair effectively. But only if you choose the right ones, of course.

Keep scrolling for three of our current faves…

1. Great For All Hair Types: Viori Hidden Waterfall Hair Shampoo & Conditioner Bar

Handcrafted with Longsheng rice to nourish, repair and strengthen all hair types, these gorgeous hair care bars were inspired by the women of the Red Yao tribe who are known for their luscious, long hair. They are packaged absolutely beautifully and the shampoo, in particular, is almost too pretty to use. But please do; you won’t regret it.

Thousands of reviews prove that these are up there as some of the best solid shampoos and conditioners you will ever have the privilege to use! They’re also cruelty-free, plastic-free, completely sustainable and perfectly pH balanced. And if all that sounds too good to be true, we have one final thing to say, it isn’t.

2. Best For Curly Hair: Ethique Professor Curl-Defining Solid Shampoo & Curliosity Conditioner Bar

A big favorite in the solid hair care world, Ethique began way back in 2012 and now includes over 100 plastic-free products to crush your every hair need. Whatever your hair desire, it has you covered, but a particular favorite of ours is this curl-caring duo.

Excellent for all types of curl, coil and textured hair this perfect partnership uses castor oil to help dissolve oil and impurities without killing your hair with lather. Shea butter, cocoa butter and glycerine also provide your curls with all the moisture it needs – with zero weight. 

3. Fabulous For Oily Scalps: J. R. Liggett’s Tea Tree & Help Oil Shampoo Bar

If you have oily hair, the thought of forgoing all that lather might fill you with dread. But honestly, give this fan-favorite a try. Gentle enough to be used every day, it harnesses the power of detoxifying, anti-bacterial tea tree oil to cleanse and purify your scalp. This comes combined with olive, almond and hemp oils to nourish and fortify.

What’s more, coconut oil helps give you the lather you crave for. We love that combination. This shampoo bar has also been shown to work pretty effectively against dandruff and an itchy scalp. Follow it with the brand’s just-as-good Conditioner Bar for healthy, clean hair every time you wash.

But Is Plastic-Free Shampoo & Conditioner Enough?

Switching out your plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles for plastic-free options is a great step, but it doesn’t stop there. What about the rest of your hair care routine? Your styling and finishing products, for example? And even your hair brush?

Read on for five of other sustainably packaged hair products we love right now…

1. Superzero Solid Hair Treatment 

Conditioners are awesome, but sometimes hair needs that little bit extra. Vacations in the sun, weeks of intense AC, maybe too many nights of partying, all these things can add up to extra dry lengths and frizzy ends. Well, that’s when this multi-use, plastic-free hair treatment comes into its own.

Free of many hair nasties like sulfates and silicones, this powerful moisturizing treatment is incredible when applied to dry or damp hair and used like a serum to tame frizzies and smooth strands. Alternatively, you can apply it to dry hair and leave it overnight for an intense hair mask. Either way, you will not be disappointed.

2. Kitsch Hair Wax Stick

Not only is this beauty made right here in the USA and packaged neatly in biodegradable FSC-certified paper, but it’s also Leaping Bunny approved and totally vegan. That’s quite a feat for a hair styling product, btw.

Furthermore, it’s a great finishing wax that helps tame, smooth and control your hair without feeling too great. And the thing we love most of all? It’s super lightweight on your hair and smells of almost nothing.

3. Zero Waste Store Bamboo Hair Brush

It’s easy to forget about hair tools like brushes and combs because, after all, you use them for a very long time. Still, why go plastic when you don’t have to? We’re big fans of wooden hair brushes because they look way better on your bathroom shelf and feel super gentle on your hair.

And this gorgeous paddle brush is no exception. Its handle and bristles are made from bamboo, while its cushioned base is natural rubber. Plastic? What plastic? It’s completely plastic free and is comfortable to hold, feels fabulous to use, and detangles and styles your hair with zero damage.

4. Jack Henry Hair Paste

This cruelty-free styling paste is a big favorite at TH HQ! It’s non-greasy and packed with plant and protein extracts to hydrate and nourish your hair while adding hold, texture, definition and shine.

That’s what we call one helluva styling product! What’s more it gets shipped in plastic-free packaging and comes in a recyclable glass jar. Just remember to wash it out before recycling.

5. Lumi Dry Shampoo Powder

Most dry shampoos come in aerosol cans which be just as bad for the environment as plastic containers. How so? Well aerosols contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which contribute to air pollution, affect cloud formation and encourage global warming.

The good news is that not all dry shampoos come in spray-on aerosols. Or plastic bottles! This 100 percent natural formulation is packaged in cardboard and contains just three ingredients – arrowroot powder, kaolin and raw cacao powder. It also comes in three variants depending on your hair color. Oh and, important stuff, it works!

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of freshly colored hair—vibrant, shiny, and so much softer and smoother than usual. Annoyingly, that feeling fades pretty quickly—along with your perfect color and, naturally, we want to dye it again immediately.

But is doing so wreaking havoc on your locks?

From classic blonde and brunette hair to daring pastel and jewel-toned hues, we all have the same burning question: how often can you color you safely color your hair?

We’ve taken a deep dive into the subject to get the answers once and for all. 

What Does Hair Dye Do To Your Hair?

Whether you’re new to dyeing your hair or you’ve been masking your natural hue for years, you’ve probably noticed that hair dye affects not only the color but also the condition of your mane. 

Sometimes it’s down to the type of dye you choose, but how often you color your hair can be a culprit too. Let’s take a closer look at the most common types of dye, and how to use them safely.

Wash In Wash Out Hair Dye (Temporary Hair Dye)

Pretty self-explanatory from the name, this temporary hair dye should last in your hair for one wash only. Notice we say it should because, although it’s not exactly strong, it tends to linger for longer than that. 

We don’t say this to put you off, temporary hair dye is always fun and a great damage-free way to try out a new hue with almost zero commitment. Like when you suddenly think you’re destined to be a redhead (and realize immediately that you’re not!) you only have to live with it for a few days.

Just don’t be surprised if you can still see hints of the color even after several washes. This is especially true for bleached blonde hair which is much more porous and can hang on to the dye even longer. 

As for its effect on the condition of your hair? Think of temporary color as more of a tint than a dye. They don’t contain bleach or developers so you shouldn’t notice a difference.

And how often can you use temporary hair dye? As often as you like.

Although we don’t recommend it from a color point of view (expect unpredictable results if you use it nonstop!), from a damage perspective, you should be fine.

If you notice any temporary dryness, especially on your ends, stop using it for a while. Indulge in a weekly hair mask or two to reset and bring the moisture back to your hair. 

Semi Permanent Hair Dye

Much like wash-in-wash-out colors, semi-permanent hair dyes do not contain developers. These are chemical substances like ammonia and peroxide found in stronger, more permanent dyes.

Because of that, these dyes develop on top of the hair cuticle rather than inside of it. They last longer than temporary dyes but nowhere near as long as permanent ones. With that in mind, they’re great for root touch-ups and giving potential new colors a fair trial run.

How often can you safely use semi-permanent color? Since it won’t disturb the hair cuticle, you should be fine to use this dye bi-weekly – essential for root maintenance! Just keep an eye on the condition of your hair and be mindful of any changes.

Although it won’t cause any lasting damage, semi-permanent hair dye can strip your hair of natural oils. You may notice your hair feels drier after use.

Also, because they don’t last as long, they require more frequent application which can leave your hair feeling dull and lifeless. But will semi-permanent dyes cause any lasting damage? That’s very unlikely. 

A great conditioning routine, a few moisturizing hair masks, and reducing heat styling for a week or two should bring it back to life. 

Demi Permanent Hair Dye

Somewhere in between semi-permanent and permanent, you’ll find Demi-permanent dyes. These formulas contain developers but in a low concentration.

The developers lift the hair cuticle so that the dye can penetrate and absorb into the strands, however, the color only lasts between 12-24 washes. It all depends on the strength of the developer and the condition of your hair.

If your locks are untouched, the dye will likely wash out quicker than if you have more porous bleached hair for example. 

Since these fade gradually and will eventually wash out altogether, they’re used for darkening the hair as opposed to lightening it. Choose Demi-permanent dyes to cover unwanted gray hair or to get a richer tone of your natural hair color. Wait a minimum of four weeks but preferably six in between treatments.

Permanent Hair Dye

Onto the strongest hair color option, permanent dye. Just like Demi-permanent formulas, permanent dyes contain developers, like peroxide or ammonia, but in much higher quantities. 

These chemical substances work to swell your strands and open up the hair cuticle. The process will remove your natural hair pigment and deposit the new color in its place. These dyes, therefore, may fade over time but you can never wash them out completely, hence – permanent.

You can use permanent dye to either lighten or darken hair which is what makes them so popular. The downside? 

The strength of permanent dye can interfere with your hair’s natural structure and delicate proteins. The changes it makes to both the inner and outer hair shaft can leave lasting damage with your once lustrous mane becoming irreversibly dry and susceptible to breakage. 

For this reason, we highly recommend waiting a minimum of 6-8 weeks between hair color appointments. Meanwhile, you can always request semi-permanent dye to touch up your roots and cover unwanted grays.

How Often Can You Bleach Your Hair Safely?

Whether you’re bleaching your hair to wear it blonde or preparing your locks for a more colorful hue to go on top, this lightening technique is notoriously damaging. 

Much like permanent hair dye, bleach swells and interrupts the natural structure of your hair to lift and lighten the pigment. This can cause permanent changes to your locks with them becoming drier, frizzier, and weaker. 

With all this in mind, we highly recommend waiting at least 8 weeks between bleach appointments. This will give your hair time to recuperate, restore its natural oils, and gain back all that lost moisture through conditioning treatments and gentle styling. 

Signs of bleach and permanent hair color damage include: 

• Dryness
• Brittle strands
• Dull color
• Excess frizz
• Snapping
• Split ends
• Excessively stretchy hair (from protein loss) 

If you’re experiencing any of these hair symptoms, work with your stylist to restore your hair health. We know it’s hard but, for now, forget about bleach or dye. It could easily aggravate the problem and leave your hair damaged beyond repair!

Is Box Dye Really That Bad For Your Hair?

As much as we’d like to say box colors are perfectly safe and won’t damage your hair, they’re often cheaper than a salon trip for a reason. Of course, you’re not paying for anyone to apply the dye, you’ll do that part yourself which makes this option instantly cheaper.

But what we’re really talking about is the quality of the formula. Box dyes, unlike most salon dyes, use cheaper and often more harmful ingredients.

The other issue with box dyes? Few of us are trained professionals and, despite the promising pictures on the box, we have no real idea how a given color will take to our existing shade. 

It’s often said that a five-dollar box dye can cost a hundred times that much in salon fees if you end up needing a professional to color-correct your hair. While you might get lucky and find a formula you like that doesn’t alter the condition of your hair, if it does go wrong, in our experience, it’s never an easy fix.

Pro tip: don’t be fooled into thinking another box dye will fix the issue. This often makes things worse. Not only for you but also for the poor hair colorist who has to try and remove multiple layers of color down the line. 

All that said, having your hair colored at a salon is most certainly a luxury. Many of us just can’t afford regular upkeep at such high prices and box dyes are our only viable option. If that’s true for you, we have some tips on how to choose a good one! 

Look out for non-toxic formulas – Dyes with natural ingredients will be kinder to your hair.

Read reviews – social media can be a huge time waster – it can also be a great place to get multiple opinions on hair products.

Avoid ammonia – If you can, forget dyes containing ammonia and alcohol which can dry out your locks almost instantly.

Look out for nourishing ingredients – Whilst some dye ingredients ruin hair, others help revive it. Dyes containing shea butter, keratin, argan oil, plant extracts, or essential oils are our number one choice.  

Always Carry Out A Patch Test 

Our most important piece of hair dye advice? If you do choose to use a box dye, always (and we mean always) do a patch test. Is it tempting to skip this step when excited about a new hair color? Absolutely. Is it worth the risk of an allergic reaction? Never. 

Even if you’re using a dye you’ve used many times before, always carry a patch test as directed on the box. The ingredients or their quantities may have changed since the last time you used it and you may react differently to the dye this time around. 

If you’re having your hair colored by a professional, they too should always insist on a patch test at least 24 hours before your appointment. If they don’t, we highly recommend requesting one yourself.

Raise your hand if you’ve been personally victimized by bleach. Ugh, it’s truly the worst, isn’t it?

Being blonde looks like it’s all fun and games until you fall prey to a bad stylist or even a DIY dye job that goes awry.

And if you’re currently dealing with damaged bleached hair, fret not, because we have some advice and tips to share. Tiffanie Richards, master colorist at Louise O’Conner Salon, shared her insights regarding rehabbing bleached hair, below!

All About Damaged Bleached Hair

If you have an inkling that your bleached hair is damaged, we think you should trust your gut. From brittle ends to hair falling out, damaged bleached hair is typically pretty easy to spot.

“Your ends will always be a telltale sign that your hair is damaged,” Richards adds. “If you see your ends are literally split, it’s time for a cut. For more intense damage you will notice while your hair is wet. It will have a cotton-like texture/appearance and will be stretchy. Healthy hair should not be able to be stretched like a piece of rubber where damaged hair will have an odd stretch to it.”

What to Do If You Damage Your Hair From Bleach

If you accidentally damage your hair from bleach, the number one rule is to leave your hair alone, and under no circumstances add more color to “fix it”.

Instead, Richards says, “Don’t panic and DO NOT over brush or touch. Leave your hair alone as much as possible. There are many products on the market now, such as Olaplex, to immediately help rebuild your hair. The sooner you act, the better chance of repair there will be. Also, the obvious haircut is recommended.”

The bad thing about bleach damage is that it’s pretty impossible to reverse once the deed is done, however, there are certain things you can keep in mind to avoid further damage. As we mentioned earlier, don’t add any more bleach to your hair.

Additionally, you’ll want to avoid heat styling as much as you can. “If your hair is already in a gummy state while wet, it means it’s lacking any kind of hydration,” shares Richards. “Heat styling is going to further this dehydration.”

The Recovery Process

Buckle up, because rehabbing damaged bleached hair is a marathon, not a sprint. The unfortunate reality is that the recovery process might take years, depending on the length and texture of your hair.

However, to help speed things along and get your hair back to its silky, voluminous, healthy nature, it’s all about focusing on rebuilding.

Richards tells us, “Chances of the hair 100% rebuilding are slim to none. When damage from lightener occurs you can only try to preserve and grow out. Patience is really key in these situations. Also, less is more. Hydration is extremely important, do NOT heat style and use hesitation when it comes to tight ponytails or buns.”

If you’re looking for treatments to add into your hair care routine, we suggest looking into Olaplex and Keratin.

Richards agrees, telling us, “Keratin treatments such as Lasio are great for damaged hair. This will help rebuild the keratin lost and will be much more managable for styling resulting in less heat styling. Let your stylist know that you want to be gentle and they will do the keratin treatment with a lower heat while ironing.”

She also discusses Olaplex, stating, “Products like Olaplex are created to help PREVENT damage. It’s not a miracle balm that can magically reverse damage that has already been done. It can help make it feel manageable but have realistic expectations.” 

Invest in Good-For-Your-Damaged-Hair Products

When dealing with damaged bleached hair, rehabbing is going to take patience and the best products available on the market. From shampoo to conditioner, masks, and even leave-in conditioner, there are a few products we think you should definitely get your hands on.

When shopping for these products, Richards suggests looking “for words like hydration, moisture, and repair.” She goes on to say, “Avoid too many protein-driven products. While a little bit of protein is great to repair, too much will cause more brittleness. Look for a leave-in treatment for post-shower as well. Hask has a leave-in treatment made with argan oil. This product also protects from heat damage which will definitely be needed.”

Another product you’re going to benefit from is a hair mask, which we recommend using weekly. Richards tells us her favorite is Kitsch’s Bond Repair Treatment ($12), saying, “This is made with a vegan keratin-like protein that helps to seal the hair’s cuticle. This mask makes hair super soft and healthy-feeling after just one use.”

To Chop, or Not to Chop?

If you’ve noticed your hair seems less thick and that your hair brush is gobbling up larger-than-normal amounts of your locks, you might want to consider a cut.

However, if you were to cut off all of the damage, you wouldn’t be left with much. So we suggest taking off the ends of the hair that have the worst breakage.

And as the months go by, you’ll notice more hair growth, meaning you can continue to cut the dead ends off.

Yes, maintaining healthy and shiny locks on vacation is no mean feat, but we can help you do it.

With some simple pre-holiday prep and a few straightforward on-vacation haircare tips (that we promise won’t interfere with your plans), you’ll have the sleekest, tamest tresses of any summer getaway yet. 

Prep Your Hair Before You Leave

Want to know how to keep your hair healthy on vacation? You’ll need a good base to start with. Luckily, you can do plenty to ready your locks before you even step foot on the plane. 

•  Keep up with weekly conditioning treatments. Moisturized hair stands the best chance of holding up against the drying effects of salt water, chlorine, and sand. Plus, it’ll fare much better in high humidity. So don’t skimp on the hair masks – and definitely don’t skip the conditioner!

• Use a heat protectant. This isn’t just a pre-vacation tip, you should always protect your hair before heat styling. However, if you’re guilty of skipping this step from time to time (like we all are), change your ways in the lead-up to your vacation. Those tresses are about to be exposed to enough heat from constant sunshine. Don’t stress them out further with straighteners, blow dryers, and curling wands and no heat protection spray.
• Go for a trim. You should do this regularly anyway (preferably every 6-8 weeks), but definitely book in for a trim before your vacation. Freshen up your existing cut and have any split ends removed. After all, you can’t maintain healthy shiny hair if it’s not there in the first place. 

Pro tip: if you can’t stand to lose any of your lengths before traveling, ask your stylist for a ‘dusting’ instead.

This simple technique removes split ends from the entirety of the hair, rather than just trimming off the ends. It’ll make your hair look and feel instantly sleeker, but you can keep the long hair you worked so hard to grow for your trip. 

Beach Vacation Hair Tips

Planning a getaway that mainly involves relaxing on the sand and swimming in the sea? Make room in your luggage for a few haircare essentials to keep your hair in check.

Pack A Deeply Moisturizing Shampoo & Conditioner

Number one on your packing list for healthy holiday hair? A great shampoo and conditioner capable of standing up to soaring temperatures.

Look out for highly nourishing formulas with ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, argan oil, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C. These ingredients will protect and moisturize the hair giving it all it needs to thrive without weighing it down. 

Rinse/Wet Your Hair Before Swimming In Chlorinated Or Salt Water

If you only follow one of our vacation haircare tips this summer, let it be this one. Before diving into the pool or swimming in the sea, soak your locks in the shower first. 

Why? Think of your hair like a sponge, it can only soak up so much water.

If the water your hair soaks up is full of salt or chlorine, a chemical known to strip the hair of moisture, you’ll end up with frizzy brittle locks in no time. If you take a moment to wet the hair before the pool instead, your strands won’t have the capacity to absorb these harmful substances.

Also, notice we recommend a rinse and not a wash.

Washing the hair temporarily strips it of natural oils that coat and protect against environmental factors like chlorine and salt. So, forgo shampoo before a dip and simply rinse your locks with clean, lukewarm water instead. 

This tip is especially important for those with bleached locks which can be on the drier side to begin with!

Treat Your Hair To A Moisturizing Mask 

We know you want to get out and enjoy the sun sea and sand, but treating your tresses to a mask or two on vacation is well worth it. You won’t need to set much time aside for an easy treatment like this either.

Simply apply the mask as directed, and use a wide-tooth comb to distribute it evenly. Then, loosely tie your hair back, preferably with a silk hair tie or scrunchie to prevent any pulling or drag.

Let it work its magic whilst you get ready for the day – or even relax by the pool. Your stressed, possibly dried-out, post-beach locks will thank you for it and quickly drink up all of that glorious moisture. 

Always Wear A Hat

Another reason our hair becomes unruly on warm weather vacations? Overexposure to UV rays from the sun.

To combat this and protect your scalp from burning, which is equally if not more important, wear a hat as much as possible when spending time outside. If/when you can’t, try to stay in the shade during peak sun hours. That’s usually between 10 am and 4 pm. 

Oh, and if you have colored hair, it’s even more beneficial. Hats will prevent those harmful UV rays from fading your color faster. 

Apply A Heat Defense Spray

Handy for more than just heat styling, your go-to heat protection spray will also help defend your locks against the sun.

Spritz it all over dry or damp hair, then comb the product through your locks for even coverage before you step outside.  

How To Take Care Of Your Hair After A Beach Day

As for our post-beach hair care tips, we’re all about bringing back the moisture we lost to the sea. The good news? These tips are so simple you’ll barely even notice a change from your regular haircare routine.

Rinse Your Hair Thoroughly 

This tip is for a post-beach day but goes for pool swimming too. Since both salt water and chlorine are extremely drying to your hair, the key is to prevent your locks from fully absorbing either.

Start by thoroughly, and we mean thoroughly, rinsing your hair through with clean water. Use your fingertips to massage your scalp and release any build-up there, then run the water through your lengths to clean them too.

This will get your hair fully ready for shampoo and conditioner. 

Massage Your Scalp

After a flight, a dip in the pool, a swim in the sea, or all of the above, your scalp will be pretty stressed out and dry.

So, when washing and rinsing your hair on vacation, give yourself a scalp massage. This will improve blood flow to the area and promote the natural oils within your hair follicles to emerge and rehydrate your hair. 

Use A Comb Instead Of A Brush

Pulling and stretching wet hair is a bad idea, especially when on vacation. With extra humidity, more sun exposure, and plenty of salt or chlorine coating the hair, it can leave your lengths feeling dry and brittle.

Brush from the ends to the roots and use a wide-tooth comb to limit drag. This will prevent your delicate strands from stretching and snapping in their most vulnerable state. 

How To Style Your Hair On Vacation

To keep your hair happy and healthy in warmer, often more humid climates, opt for styles that won’t put too much stress on your tresses. You’ve spent too much time prepping and maintaining to ruin all your hard work now!

Embrace Your Natural Hair Texture

One of our favorite ways to style hair on vacation is to, well, not style it. Forget all the fuss (definitely forget the heat tools) and simply embrace your natural waves or curls after a beach day.

Rinse out any salt or chlorine of course, then simply add a few pumps of lightweight hair serum to tame your tresses before dinner by the water.

If you want something a little more elevated, try adding a couple of small, loose braids throughout the hair or a couple at the front to frame your face.

Opt For Gentle Styles

If your hair tends to get a little wild on vacation, don’t worry, you’re not alone. High humidity can cause hair to frizz out and look much more, let’s say, voluminous than usual.

If that’s not your vibe, try taming your locks with a silk headband or a simple three-strand braid. This gentle braiding technique is much kinder on your hair, plus, it looks effortlessly pretty.

A chic low ponytail also works perfectly for both day and night. Use a soft silk hair tie to secure the hair in place without damaging your ends.

Caring for your hair through the heat and humidity of summer is one thing, but what about when spring comes and the rain starts? Or when winter rolls in with its icy chill and gale-force winds?

Yes, looking after your hair and catering to the specific needs of the season can be a tricky art to master.

Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you and found all the must-know hair care tips for nourishing your locks season by season.

Start with summer hair, then bookmark this page for when temperatures inevitably drop later in the year!

Summer

It might be our favorite time of year, but our hair? Not so much. Sun, sand, and seawater are a recipe for disaster and stressed-out summer tresses.

Combine all this with chlorine from the pool and constantly scraping our hair up into various buns and ponytails to beat the heat. It’s no wonder it fights back in the form of dry split ends and overly greasy roots!

But no need to panic, there is hope.

While your hair can’t make up its mind whether it wants to be too oily or too dry, with the right balance of products and a great haircare routine, you can live through summer with the shiny sun-kissed locks of your dreams.

Use lightweight Products

While winter weather calls for various oils and butters to coat the hair and regain lost moisture, summer hair should be moisturized differently.

Products with thick, heavy consistencies might offer moisturizing properties, but paired with the heat and high humidity, they’ll weigh down your hair. Greasy, coated locks won’t be far behind and your locks will end up feeling caked rather than nourished from within.

Instead, we prefer reaching for clarifying shampoos and conditioners, and lightweight serums to treat the ends. They’ll replenish all the moisture lost from dips in the ocean, swimming in chlorinated pools, and relaxing in the sunshine without suffocating each strand in the process.

All that said, we’re not suggesting you avoid oils altogether.

We especially love coconut oil-infused products this time of year. Just make sure the ones you choose have a light, non-sticky texture and include things like vitamin C, aloe vera, and if possible UV protection for the ultimate protective haircare routine for summer.

Turn Down The Temperature

With all of the beach trips, sea swimming, and, well, sweating we do in the summer, washing our hair more frequently is often inevitable. If that’s the case for you, make sure to lower the heat in your shower.

Soaring summer temperatures are already giving your hair more heat than it can handle, hot water will only upset the balance more.

That doesn’t mean you need to suds up in freezing cold water, but make sure it’s only lukewarm for washing, rinsing, and conditioning your hair instead.

Avoid Heat Tools

Oh, and that goes for heat tools too! If you can let your hair air dry in summer, we highly recommend it.

However, if that’s not for you we understand. Just do your locks a favor and turn the dial down. Most of us dial up our heat tools 20-50 degrees hotter than required for our natural hair texture anyway!

Fall

Repairing heat and chlorine damage and prepping our locks for the cold? It must be fall.

Our best hair care advice during this season?

Concentrate on readying your locks for increasingly lower temperatures and try to bring back any vibrance lost to salt water and sun.

Go For A Trim

The best way to rid your locks of damage is to keep up with regular trims.

If you haven’t been doing this and are suffering the effects of split ends and frizz, now is the time—it’ll give your hair the best chance it has to look and feel lustrous and shiny throughout the fall and even as winter creeps in.

Change The Color

Okay, so this certainly isn’t something you need to do, but if you’ve been considering coloring your hair, fall is a great time to experiment.

You’ll be washing your hair less which means less color fade, there’s no shade-altering chlorine to deal with, and you still have plenty of time before hat season to fully enjoy a brand-new hue!

Not to mention, switching up lighter shades for darker ones in the fall is always fun to do.

Maintain Your Locks

While you likely won’t need as many condition treatments as you did in summer, fall is the time to maintain healthy hair with nourishing shampoo and conditioner formulas.

Throw in fortnightly hair masks to keep your locks in great standing for winter.

Winter

With plummeting temperatures and icy cold winds, winter, like summer, can be harsh on your hair.

That calls for plenty of nourishing ingredients and more attention to conditioning your locks to retain moisture.

Wash Your Hair Less

First things first, we highly recommend not washing your hair as often in winter. As the dry, cold air draws moisture out of your strands, you’ll likely notice your tresses becoming much more brittle and harder to control.

Flyaways and static will be at an all-time high, and your ends are way more prone to breakage at this time of year. Therefore, if you continue to wash your hair at a regular rate, you could worsen the effects of the weather.

As we know, washing our hair, even with the most moisturizing shampoo and conditioner combos, washes away the natural oils. This dries out both the scalp and the strands, plus, it takes a while for those oils to come back and start working their way into our locks again.

To combat this, try forgoing one or, if you can manage it, two wash sessions per week.

Your hair will retain the natural moisture and oils that keep it strong, plus, those oils will act as a natural barrier protecting your precious tresses from the cold.

Massage Your Scalp

When you do wash your hair, give your scalp a little more TLC than usual.

Use your fingertips to massage and exfoliate, this will promote oil production and blood flow to the scalp for healthy hair growth. It’ll also prevent the sensitive skin on your head from becoming flaky in plummeting temperatures.

A simple yet always effective winter haircare tip that costs you nothing.

Make Hair Masks A Habit

Hair care in the winter is all about combating dryness. With this in mind, we highly suggest making weekly hair masks your newest hobby.

Look out for deeply nourishing ingredients that can stand up to the cold such as macadamia and avocado oil, shea butter, and glycerin.

While the oils and butter get to work soothing and rehydrating your locks, the glycerin, an ingredient that naturally binds water together to lock in moisture, will help smooth the hair cuticle for frizz-free locks.

Adding deeply nourishing, glycerin-enriched products to your routine is also one of our top tips for curly hair care in cooler climes.

Spring

Without the harsh summer sunshine or the freezing winds of winter to contend with, spring is the time we use to rejuvenate our hair.

First, think damage control following below-zero temperatures. Then, get into preparation mode for sun, salt, and sand, when summer comes around again.

Treat Your Scalp

If your scalp is feeling dry or flaky after months of back and forth between cold weather and central heating, spring is the time to get things back on track. How?

With plenty of scalp massages and oil treatments.

Just a couple of drops into the roots of your hair and a few minutes of working the product into your scalp is enough to soothe and reset your skin for healthy hair growth throughout spring.

Brush Gently

While you should never be harshly brushing your hair, it can feel extra sensitive post-winter so it’s extra important.

In spring, try using a de-tangling spray to give stressed-out winter locks a helping hand. You should also be brushing from the tips to the roots to prevent stretching and snapping wet hair.

Air Dry Your Hair

With the weather getting (a little) warmer, you can start letting your hair air dry after a shower again. Even if you only do this part of the way and then use your blowdryer to finish styling your locks, you’ll be adding less heat.

That means less damage to your hair every time you wash it. A win-win since it heals your hair more quickly, and saves you heaps of time.

Going on vacation with cruddy hair and faded color? Not on our radar.

In fact, we like our locks to look and feel their absolute best before heading off to sunnier climes. After all, we could be away for up to two weeks, during which time our hair is going to be subjected to all manner of daily onslaughts that it’s not used to.

Hours of sunshine, hotel rooms that have no limit on air conditioning, and maybe the odd sugar-laden cocktail of an evening. You hear us, right?

So what should you do to ensure your hair is in optimum condition before jetting off to this summer’s must-visit destination? Simple.

Follow these eight golden rules and your hair will be vacation-ready quicker than you can say ‘where’s my favorite bikini?’

1. Schedule Your Color – But Do It Well In Advance

If you get your hair colored on the reg, you’re not going to want to find yourself a week into your beach hol with nasty roots and faded ends. So make sure you book a touch-up in the lead up to your vacation.

Fresh color will not only make you look and feel better but it’ll be much more receptive to products like moisturizing conditioners and sun protection.

Our advice, however, is not to get your color done too close to your leaving date. Instead, schedule yours for around a week to two before you leave.

This sweet spot will give it time to settle into your hair but will still have you looking your best while you’re away. Just remember to protect your hair like crazy. The sun will inevitably lighten your color a few shades – as will chlorine and salt water.

Chlorine can also turn freshly blonde hair a weird green tone so make sure you counteract this with shampoos and conditioners that contain violet tones. Try L’Oréal Paris Ever Pure Sulfate-Free Purple Shampoo and Conditioner.

PRO TIP: A great way to avoid your hair from absorbing too much chlorinated or salt water? Rinse it with fresh water first. Hair that’s already wet will absorb less water. Clever, huh?

2. Get A Trim

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zoë Irwin (@zoeirwinhair)

Undoubtedly, the most important thing you can do for your hair before you go away is to get a good haircut. You don’t need to have a complete makeover – a decent trim will do the job – but a nice chop will improve the health of your hair and help get rid of split ends.

If you leave your split ends, however, nature will take its course, big time, and they will get ten times worse in the drying sun and salty ocean. And that’ll require cutting your hair way shorter when you return. Not ideal.

If your hair is in poor shape while you’re away it’s also more likely to become frizzy and tangled which makes it harder to style. 

Get. It. Cut.

3. Do A Couple Of Hair Masks

When you expose your hair to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, you’re really putting it through it. Just like the way your skin can become dry, dehydrated and damaged by the sun, your hair and scalp also experience negative effects including damage to the cuticles, a degradation of proteins and an increase in its permeability. 

All this can lead to dull, dry hair that feels crispy and breaks more easily. And this is why it’s extremely important to ‘feed’ your hair as much as possible in the weeks leading up to sun exposure.

Restorative masks that deeply nourish, hydrate and repair your hair are great for injecting moisture exactly where it’s needed. They will get your hair in optimal condition and prepare it for the inevitable lack of moisture that’s about to come its way, making it easier to handle and style.

Our current faves:

1. Drunk Elephant Silkamino Mega-Moisturizing Masker. The light and airy texture makes this ideal for all hair types.

2. Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Prickly Pear Oil. The best for extremely dry, ‘help-me-quick’ hair.

3. Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Hair Mask. We rate this as ‘the one’ for curly hair.

4. Try A Gloss Treatment

If you don’t color your hair or can’t afford the time or the money for a pre-vacation color refresh, a hair glossing treatment is another excellent option for getting your hair looking healthy and shiny before take off. 

These semi-permanent treatments can be done at the salon or at home (we love John Frieda Luminous Glaze Clear Shine Gloss) and are either clear or give your hair a subtle tint of low-commitment color – they usually wash off after three or four shampoos.

And the point? Shine, shine and more shine! Plus a little conditioning as part of the deal. We love to use them once a week in the lead up to vacay time. They can be a bit of a faff, but the results are so worth it.

5. Get Your Essentials In Order

This might feel like a moot point, but ensuring you have everything your hair might need while you’re away is actually mega important. Imagine being on some remote, idyllic island (awesome) only to run out of conditioner two days in (not so awesome).

Here’s an essential checklist to get you started. Of course, depending on your hair length, texture and styling jam you may need more than this but these, in our opinion, are the basic non-negotiables.

• Shampoo. Go for a sulfate-free shampoo that’s super gentle on your hair. And if you know you’re going to be spending tons of time in the pool, look out for formulas that help to thoroughly remove chlorine from your hair. Chlorine build-up is no joke. Try Davines SOLU Shampoo which checks both boxes.
• Conditioner. We love a good leave-in conditioner while on vacation because leave-ins help moisturize your hair for longer. They also provide your hair with an extra little barrier against environmental nasties. Sachajuan Leave-In Conditioner is a must.
• Deep Conditioning Mask. We can’t remember a time when we didn’t have a pot of Kérastase Soleil Après Soleil Hair Mask packed securely in our luggage. It’s just so good. And the perfect antidote to hair that’s been on the beach and in the ocean all day long. Sure, it’s expensive but it lasts forever and will have your hair looking like new in just 10 minutes.
• Sun Protection. Whether you opt for a spray, cream or oil formulation, just make sure you opt in on something to protect your hair from UV radiation. It’s a no brainer if you want to maintain awesome hair and minimal color fade. Try Sun Bum Protect & Repair Oil. And a hat. Don’t forget that hat.

6. Treat Yourself To Some Accessories

On the subject of shopping (which comes in at a near second below, well, hair!), don’t forget to invest in a few summery accessories to make air styling a breeze while you’re away from home.

Low-key hairstyles are everything on vacation. Beachy waves coupled with a tropical flower? A high ponytail dressed up with an on-trend ribboned bow? So freakin’ cute. Anthro always has a bunch of gorgeous accessories, or try Target for some affordable options.

7. Gen Up On Some Local Knowledge

Things are different when you’re away from home. The weather, for one thing, is going to hopefully be warmer (yay!), but also potentially more humid (boo!) and that can play havoc with your hair.

One word: frizz. Check to see the average humidity levels for that time of year and pack accordingly.

If it’s likely to be super humid you’re going to want to wear your hair in twists and braids rather than fight the frizz of loose locks. And you might as well leave the straighteners at home!

On the other hand, if you’re heading somewhere dry, make sure you pack lots of moisturizing formulas to keep your hair in good shape.

If you’re city bound it might also be wise to check the pollution levels at your destination. Pollution creates free radicals which are no good for your hair. If it looks pretty bad, make sure you pack an antioxidant-rich shampoo and conditioner like the Amika Mirrorball duo, to help protect your precious locks.

8. Book A Blowout At The Final Hour

Anything you can do to help your hair look fabulous for as long as possible means you won’t have to worry about it for the first few days. And that’s priceless. 

The best way to do this? By popping to your favorite stylist for a professional blowout either the day before you leave or, better yet, the day of departure. 

This is one of our favorite tricks. Tbh, we’ll take any excuse for a blow-out, but it’s also smart. And we’re all about that.

We love swimming in the sea for so many reasons. The exercise, the freedom, the feeling of cool as temperatures soar. But what do we look forward to most as beach season approaches? How our hair looks after a refreshing dip in salt-infused water! 

Feeling like a spokes-mermaid for a shampoo commercial as we soak up the sun on the sand, our only wish is that this effortlessly cool post-swim look could last all year.

Enter salt spray.

Your new favorite product in your weekly routine that offers perfect beachy waves and texture every time.

Keep reading and discover all you need to know about this miracle product, why it works so well, and how to use it safely. 

What Is Sea Salt Spray?

If you’re thinking sea salt spray is simply a mixture of H2O and table salt, or bottled-up ocean water with a fancy label – think again! 

Whilst it does of course contain salt, most good quality formulas also provide other beneficial minerals.

Calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium to name a few. The spray has a watery consistency so your hair never feels weighed down, plus, you only need a few spritzes to really notice a difference.

What Does Sea Salt Spray Do? 

Most of us reach for sea salt spray to recreate those effortlessly pretty beach waves that remind us of sun-soaked days on the beach. And yes, it’s one of the primary benefits of this versatile styling product.

However, if you invest in a good sea salt spray with quality ingredients, you’ll find this multi-tasking product can do so much more.

So, what are the extra benefits of sea salt spray? Our favorites are…

• Soaking up excess oils – you can use sea salt spray in place of dry shampoo to refresh your hair in between washes
• Enhancing the natural texture of your hair – straight, wavy, or curly, the sodium chloride (salt) content will make even seemingly poker-straight tresses look instantly curlier
• Creating volume – talk about instant texture, sea salt spray will give even the finest hair tons of body with just a few spritzes through your roots
• Reducing frizz and flyaways – by soaking up the moisture in your hair caused by humid weather conditions, salt spray can make your locks appear sleeker and less frizzy
• Styling short or long hair – sea salt spray works for both and you can use it in place of wax, mousse, or gel, depending on the style you want to achieve
• Getting a better grip – styles you usually find hard to achieve or that tend to fall out will be a thing of the past thanks to the improved grip from your go-to sea salt spray
• A matte finish – while we’re all for sleek and shiny tresses, there’s something so effortlessly cool and romantic about the matte finish you get with a sea salt spray

Does Sea Salt Spray Make Your Hair Curly?

Yes. Even if your hair appears almost completely straight or only has a slight wave, applying sea salt spray will naturally enhance even the most subtle of curl patterns. 

How? Let’s get sciencey. 

Each strand of hair on your head is made up of proteins called keratin. Between each of these proteins are bonds known as cross-links, these help form the structure of your hair.

Sea salt spray binds to your hair and creates extra cross-links throughout your strands which temporarily changes the shape and natural pattern of your hair creating curves, waves, and curls. 

In short, you don’t need a beach trip to achieve the mermaid-esque curls of your dreams. 

Does Sea Salt Spray Thicken Hair?

In addition to all of the above, sea salt spray also expands the fibers of your hair making it appear thicker and more voluminous.

That’s what makes this spray so great for both everyday and special occasion hairstyling. Who wouldn’t want more volume both on a Monday morning and a Saturday night out?

Does Sea Salt Spray Damage Hair?

We know what you’re thinking. With all of those benefits, there has to be a catch right? Well, sort of. 

Water molecules are naturally attracted to sodium chloride. So, when you spritz a formula containing salt onto your hair, you will inevitably lose some moisture. 

If you’re only using it sparingly, and only every few days, you may not notice much of a difference. However, if you become particularly attached to this do-it-all product, which we’d totally understand, you might start to notice your hair becoming a little too dry for your liking. 

If this does happen, the first thing to do is to limit your sea salt spray usage. Moisture should naturally start to return on its own when the salt isn’t there to soak it all up.

Additionally, we recommend treating your tresses to a deep conditioning treatment, or a hair mask high in oils for an elevated moisture boost. Return it to its natural, healthy state before continuing to use your sea salt spray. 

Pro tip: this is especially important if you happen to bleach your hair because. Bleach can be incredibly drying so faux blonde locks need extra TLC. Plenty of deep conditioning treatments will help them stay soft and smooth, especially during summer. 

How Often Can I Use Sea Salt Spray? 

Is sea salt spray bad for hair if you use it every day? Probably.

The high salt content is prone to drying out your locks so limit your spritzing to every other day. Or, a couple of times a week to be on the safe side. 

And remember, a little goes a long way with this product so, depending on your hair type, apply it sparingly for subtle added texture rather than soaking your locks in the stuff. 

Can I Use Sea Salt Spray Instead Of Dry Shampoo? 

Who has time to wash and blow-dry their hair multiple times a week? Not us, and we’re guessing not you either. That means we reach for dry shampoo almost every week to absorb the excess oil in our hair. 

The only problem? Even some of the best dry shampoos on the market leave a powdery residue behind. They also tend to make our roots feel laden with product… not all that appealing to the touch. 

Most are scented too which can be a welcome addition, but if you’re not all that taken with the fragrance (which generally seems to be some type of coconut mixture) you might wish for a lighter, simpler, perfume-free alternative.

That said, if you’re all about that tropical scent, there are plenty of sweet-smelling sea salt sprays out there to suit your preference. 

So, yes, you can use sea salt spray in place of dry shampoo. The main function of this product is to absorb excess moisture, in this case, oil from your roots. This leaves the hair looking and feeling fresher and more voluminous.

The salt content in your favorite salt spray will soak up the oil in your hair and work as a more natural freshener when there’s just no time for a full wash and blow dry. 

How To Apply Sea Salt Spray To Hair 

Now that we know all the benefits, let’s talk practically about how to use sea salt spray.

As is true for almost every hair product, how, where, and how often you use your sea salt spray will depend on the length and, more importantly, the texture of your hair.

While some may be working with cascading lengths, spiral curls, and tons of volume, others have poker-straight, lip-length tresses that are much finer and need all the volume they can get. 

First things first, can you use sea salt spray on dry hair? While you can apply this formula to dry hair for noticeable results, we really don’t recommend it.

Firstly, your hair is already dry so the salt will suck out even more moisture, potentially leaving your hair looking and feeling limp and brittle. Secondly, sea salt spray works best on damp hair so the formula can work its magic allowing your curl pattern to reform and volumize as it air dries. 

As a rule of thumb, longer, thicker tresses can take a little more product whilst finer locks need just a few spritzes.

As for where you should apply your salt spray, we have some advice on that too.

Unless you’re using yours as a dry shampoo alternative, try to apply the formula only to the mid-sections and ends of your hair. This will prevent dryness at the roots, stop the formula from clogging up the hair follicles on your scalp, and give your hair the best outcome in terms of curl pattern. 

If you use it to freshen up the hair between washes, use it sparingly on your roots. Again, a little goes a long way when it comes to soaking up excess moisture so go in with a few gentle spritzes, massage it in, then re-apply in ten minutes only if you really need to.

Where Can You Buy Sea Salt Spray?

Looking for the best sea salt spray on the market? We have you covered.

Googling ‘sea salt spray’ presents a seemingly endless array of options, so we’ve scoured the results to bring you the best and widest selection depending on your desired results.

The best-smelling sea salt spray

Sachajuan’s ocean mist seas salt hairspray, as you might have guessed, smells just like the ocean.

Subtle, fresh, and gentle, the lightly scented spray gives natural-looking beach waves with a matte finish suitable for long and short hair.

The best budget sea salt spray 

We’re all on some sort of budget these days so finding a well-reviewed product at a lower price point is always a win. For us, that product is the Fudge Urban sea salt spray. 

This mineral-infused formula is easy to apply and delivers high-quality results at a low cost.

The best vegan sea salt spray

Opting for vegan products is always a good idea and the award-winning, refillable sea salt spray by Alott happens to be one of the best on the market. 

Effective for all hair types and gentle enough for everyday use, every sale of this salon-quality bergamot scented spray means a donation to charity too.

The best high-end sea salt spray

Moo & Yoo’s sea salt spray leaves your hair looking and feeling super soft with a host of naturally sourced, luxury ingredients and minimal chemicals. It also protects hair from UV rays and is anti-inflammatory to benefit both your hair and scalp. 

As if that wasn’t enough, Moo & Yoo collaborate with One Tree Planted, planting a tree for every online purchase. The takeaway? This sustainable product is well worth the slightly higher price tag.

Whether you’ve booked a salon appointment with your favorite colorist or are about to undertake the slightly scary yet always satisfying task of coloring your hair at home, we always have the same question before dying our locks. Should we wash it beforehand?

While we’d love to tell you there is a yes or no answer, the truth is a little more complex and will take some delving into. So, we’ve put together our top tips into a handy guide you can refer to again and again.

Keep scrolling to learn everything you need to know about washing (or, not washing) your hair before coloring it. 

Should I Wash My Hair Before A Color Appointment?

You’ve probably heard that most colorists prefer to apply hair dye to hair that is not freshly washed. Generally, that’s true, and they’ll usually recommend staying away from the shampoo for a least a day or two before hopping into the salon chair.

Why? It’s all about the natural sebum that comes from your scalp and slowly coats your strands.

This oil will act as a natural barrier between your hair and the dye. Not a barrier that stops the dye from, well, dying, but one that protects your strands from any irritation caused by the strength of the formula. 

Can I Still Dye My Hair If I’ve Washed It?

Although we recommend dyeing hair that has at least a day or two of natural oil buildup, that doesn’t mean you can’t dye freshly washed locks.

You can, just bear in mind that your hair will absorb the dye very quickly and will have little protection from the chemicals in the formula. For some, this may result in harsher results than desired. This happens when dye takes and develops more quickly so the color looks more extreme than it would on day two hair. 

For others, they may notice their hair is drier after the dying process. That’s because the ingredients within these formulas, particularly hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, and parabens are notoriously drying.

With no oil base to protect your natural keratin, your hair can start to feel straw-like, especially with repeat applications. The best route then for your next hair color? Err on the side of caution and wait out hair wash day for 48 hours or more.

Can/Should I Use Dry Shampoo Before Getting My Hair Colored?

If you’ve decided not to wash your hair before getting a new color put in, you may start to experience greasy roots or just a general feeling of wanting to wash your hair. Since you know this can affect how the dye takes, we’re sure you won’t be tempted to lather up those locks in the shower.

But will you feel the pull of your trusty dry shampoo instead? Probably, but we really wouldn’t recommend you apply any. 

While the dry shampoo itself is unlikely to affect the color shade, it may make it trickier for the hair cuticles to open up and let the dye absorb properly. This means the color won’t be as vibrant and probably won’t last as long. Disaster!

Skip the dry shampoo in favor of slick back hairstyles and, in a pinch—your favorite hat.

Can I Use Product In My Hair Before Getting It Colored?

You’ve probably guessed this already but, using tons of product in your hair is another thing we recommend avoiding before getting your hair dyed. Much like the problem with dry shampoo, if you have tons of product in your hair, it will make it difficult for the color to adhere and develop. 

Make sure you’re washing as much product as possible out of your hair before your appointment or before you plan to dye your hair at home. Do this a couple of days before then try to use very minimal product, or even better, no product until after the dye touches your locks! 

Should I Leave My Hair Unwashed For Every Color Treatment? 

You’ve probably heard conflicting information about whether or not to wash your hair before coloring in the past. That’s probably because the type of treatment, your current hair color, and the color of the new dye all make a difference. 

Booked in for a simple route touch-up? Clean or dirty hair won’t make too much of a difference to the results.

However, if you’re going for a whole new shade and coloring all of your hair, bear in mind that natural oils can make hair, especially lighter hair, look a little darker than it is. Consult your stylist beforehand, or trial and error the process at home if you’re coloring your locks yourself.

You may need to wash your hair a little closer to your appointment so your colorist can see the true tone and condition of your hair before getting started. We’re looking at you blondes.

If your hair is darker, those natural oils likely won’t alter the shade enough that you need to wash it before. In this case, opt for minimal product application and a gap of at least 48 hours before dying to best protect those locks. 

Should I Wet My Hair Before Coloring It? 

No. Permanent hair color is designed to develop on dry hair so having wet tresses can lead to the formula sliding off, not developing properly, and leaving you with patchy results.

If you turn up to a salon appointment with wet hair, they’ll likely need to dry it for you before the process can begin. This will remove all the moisture from your hair and can dry out your tresses before the dyeing process – not ideal.

You also may need to pay a higher fee for the added service – even less ideal. So if you got your hair wet in the shower (hopefully no shampoo was involved!), simply let it air dry completely before your appointment time. 

Should I Wash My Hair Before Bleaching It? 

While we suggest not washing your hair before coloring it, we strongly recommend skipping a wash day or two before getting your hair bleached.

Though bleach is safe in the right hands and shouldn’t overly damage your hair or scalp with proper application, it is still a very strong chemical that can irritate and even burn particularly sensitive scalps.

Resist the urge to wash your hair before a hair bleaching session, your hair and your scalp will definitely thank you for it in the long run.

Want your hair to look like this ⬆️ after every wash day? Ha, you and us both! But gorgeous hair doesn’t just happen—no matter how much TikTok and Instagram try to persuade you otherwise.

From your shampoo all the way through to your blow-dry, if you don’t put in the groundwork, you will never have the hair you deserve. Sorry, but that’s the truth, right there.

Do you really think your favorite A-listers just turn up to the red carpet looking inch-perfect from head-to-toe? Or that they rock out of bed every day with not a hair out of place?

On the contrary, most of them spend hours upon hours being coiffed by their highly trained hair stylists in order to look so perfectly groomed. After all, healthy-looking locks, beachy waves, mega shine and salon-worthy volume all require time, patience and effort. Even for the rich and famous. 

So let’s talk about drying your hair, shall we?

No matter your hair type, the way in which you dry your hair can make or break your final do. Scrub it with a towel and leave it to its own devices, and you may find yourself left with more frizz than you care to mention. Blast it with hot air when it’s sopping wet and you’ll likely be there for hours. And neither of these scenarios are what we imagine are high on your priority list. 

If you feel like your hair drying skills need a little fine tuning, read on for everything we know about how to perfect the different stages of drying your hair—from the minute you step out of the shower to the glorious end result.

Full disclosure, we can’t promise you Jen Aniston hair every time you wash your locks, but follow our tips and we can guarantee you better, shinier and healthier-looking hair every time. 

Knowledge (and a little side of practice!) for the win.

1. The Important Towel Dry Stage

Do you literally grab your blow dryer immediately after showering in a bid to get your hair dried quicker? Big mistake. In fact, the longer you leave it, the better your hair will look and feel. Think about it, the less time you subject your hair to excess heat from your dryer, the less damage it will experience as a result. 

Instead of blow-drying immediately after shampooing and conditioning, use a towel to absorb the majority of water from your hair first. But not just any towel, of course. A microfiber hair towel is your best bet.

How so? Well, cotton towels are great but they have a much rougher surface and those little loops can get caught up in your hair, stretching and potentially damage your wet strands – which are already vulnerable enough, thanks very much. 

Microfiber towels, on the other hand, treat your hair with way more respect because they’re made of much tinier fibers which give them a smoother, snag-free surface. More good news: they’re also way lighter and thinner than bulky regular towels which is not only great from a storage perspective, but also causes less strain on your roots.

Oh, and because each fiber is up to 200 times thinner than an average strand of hair, this makes microfiber towels super absorbent. In fact, most experts agree that wrapping your hair in microfiber towel can cut your drying time by up to a half. The VOLO Hero Microfiber Hair Towel is our current obsession, btw.

So, what’s the best way to go about towel drying your hair? First, gently squeeze out the excess moisture using blotting and scrunching motions with your microfiber towel. Don’t squeeze your hair tight or rub it too vigorously as this will cause strain on the roots of your hair and encourage frizzy lengths and split ends. We don’t like to be dramatic but rubbing your hair with a towel? Kind of like sandpaper.

Once you’ve squeezed out a good amount of water – a minute should do it, depending on the length and thickness of your hair – apply either a leave-in conditioner or smoothing cream. Gently comb this through to detangle your strands, then wrap your hair in your microfiber towel (not too tight, remember) and leave it for ten to 15 minutes, or until your hair is about 70 percent dry.

2. The Best Way To Air Dry Your Hair

Air drying is a great alternative to blow drying, especially if you have wavy or curly locks, or want to enhance the texture of your hair. Doesn’t sound like you? Then skip this section and scroll straight down to #3. Don’t worry, we won’t be offended!

If you’re all about air drying, however, or fancy giving it a go, read on. 

Once your hair is almost dry thanks to your new fabulous towel drying skills (you can thank us later), apply your favorite styling product to encourage the end result you’re trying to achieve. For wavy hair, try an anti-frizz serum like John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Serum or to enhance your curls go for a priming cream like Oribe Curl Control Silkening Crème. 

Then, try one of the following methods for air drying your hair…

Scrunch It

If you have loose waves, soft curls or textured hair you want to make the most of, gently scrunch your hair at the lengths and ends as they air dry. Get dressed, eat your breakfast or do your makeup as your hair dries naturally, scrunching the ends every so often to encourage waves. 

Twist It

For a beachy, boho vibe, try twisting sections of your hair from roots to ends with your fingers as it air dries. This is a great method for encouraging movement in straight, layered hair.

Band It

Banding is a super easy way to air dry curly hair into loose, sexy waves. To nail the look, gather your towel dried hair into a ponytail and secure it with a covered band or scrunchie. Next, grab a few more bands and place these at even intervals all the way down your ponytail until you reach the ends. Allow it dry while you occupy yourself elsewhere, then remove the bands and rake through your hair with your fingers. 

3. How To Blow Dry Like A Pro

OK, now for the big finish – the blow dry. 

First, unwrap your hair from your microfiber towel then comb it again with a wide-toothed comb. Spritz all over with your favorite heat protectant to minimize heat damage then, if your hair still feels pretty damp, use your hands and fingers to tousle your hair as you dry it for a minute or so. Don’t pick up a brush until your hair is a good 70-80 percent dry, OK?

5 Of The Best Heat Protectants To Shield Your Hair From Damage

• For Fine Hair: Bondi Boost Heat Protect Spray
• For Thick Hair: Redken Quick Blowout
• For Colored Hair: Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave-In Spray
• For Frizzy Hair: Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Crème 
• For Curly Hair: Kérastase Resistance Ciment Thermique Resurfacing Strengthening Milk

Next, grab a round bristle brush, some sectioning clips and clip the top sections of your hair up and out of the way so you can work on the underneath layers first.

Start off with the front and sides of your hair and part this underneath section into one inch sections, then grab your brush and dry each section with the nozzle pointing down the hair shaft to help the cuticles lie flat and smooth.

We’re sure you’ll have seen your hairdresser rolling each section of your hair up and around the brush from roots to ends, right?

This is one of the best ways to boost volume, shine and movement to your hair so give it a whirl. We’re not gonna lie to you, it’s not easy, but practice makes perfect!

The trick is to direct your dryer at the roots first and hold it there for a few seconds. Then turn your dryer away from your hair and allow this section to cool slightly, before bringing the air flow back to your hair and gently pulling the brush down the mid-lengths to the ends.

Create tension with your brush as you go and rotate the brush slightly, twisting and twirling it to create more shape through each section. As we said, practice makes perfect!

Continue this process all over, working on one-inch sections and taking your time to make sure  that each section is properly dry before moving on to the next.

And if your arms get tired? Don’t be afraid to switch your hands over, holding your brush with your dominant hand and your dryer with the weaker one. Or just take a break for a few minutes and make some coffee. No biggie.

Getting greasy hair is perfectly normal between washes, especially when it’s been a few days. It’s a sign your hair and scalp are healthy and doing what they need to stay that way.

But what if your locks rarely feel clean and seem constantly weighed down with excess oils?

Maybe your scalp is over-producing sebum, leaving your roots feeling overly slick. Perhaps the products you’re using are too rich for your hair texture.

Whatever the reason behind oily tresses, there’s much you can do to restore the balance.

Keep scrolling to discover our top do’s and don’ts to combat greasy-looking locks…

Don’t… Keep Touching Your Hair

Your scalp makes oil naturally but that may not be what’s causing your greasy hair. You could be exposing your hair to other external oils from your fingertips.

This won’t make too much of a difference whilst styling your hair, tucking it behind your ear, or occasionally running your fingers through the ends.

However, constantly touching your locks can lead to an oily buildup if you keep it up throughout the day.

Instead, try introducing helpful habits like pulling your hair back with a silk scrunchie. This can help remove temptation while sitting on the sofa or at your desk!

Do… Invest In A High-Quality Dry Shampoo

Sometimes, all you need to get another day or two out of your hair is a few spritzes of high-quality dry shampoo—emphasis on the ‘few’. If you use too much dry shampoo you can end up drying out your scalp.

This in turn causes your follicles to produce more and more oil to combat the dryness and, spoiler alert, your hair is greasy again.

Instead, try to spray the formula in a few key areas, then use your fingertips or a wide tooth comb to gently distribute the product throughout your hair for best results. 

Don’t… Wash Your Hair Every Day

When your hair feels or even just looks greasy, the temptation to wash it every morning can be overwhelming. You want to feel your most confident self and greasy locks usually have the opposite effect.

However, there’s a high chance that by constantly sudsing up those tresses, you’re actually making the issue worse. But how?

In order to keep itself and your hair healthy, your scalp naturally produces a substance called sebum (what we often refer to as grease). Every time you wash it away with shampoo in the shower, your scalp knows it’s gone and automatically produces more.

So, if you continually wash your hair at the first sign of grease, you’re asking your scalp to continually kick-start the process to release more sebum into your locks.

So, you can end up forcing your hair follicles to over-produce which wildly, makes your hair feel greasier than if you left in an extra day or two between washes. 

Do… Use A Clarifying Shampoo On Hair Wash Days

When hair wash day comes around, you need the right shampoo to help get your locks feeling fully clean. Also, since you’ll be trying to stop washing your hair daily (right?), a clarifying shampoo could be an excellent choice.

These deeply cleansing formulas will rid your hair of excess oils and product build-up to leave it feeling squeaky clean. Just keep in mind that, if you do end up going back to washing your hair more than two/three times a week, these formulas will be too drying, even for oily hair. 

So, use them to fully cleanse your hair when you do decide to suds up, then, let your scalp and natural oils do their thing on the days in between. You’ll likely find it takes longer for them to show up in your hair again anyway.

Don’t… Use Conditioner On Your Scalp

If you only follow two simple rules for washing your hair, make it these.

Number one: use shampoo mainly at the roots, then rub the excess suds lightly into the ends of your hair to avoid dryness. Two: only apply conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, never on the scalp. 

Conditioners and hair masks are packed with hydrating ingredients like shea butter, argan oil, and aloe vera. These are great for restoring moisture to dry ends and making your hair look strong and shiny.

However, since your scalp usually produces enough natural oil of its own, we rarely need to add more. This can weigh the hair down and is often the culprit behind overly greasy locks. So, use yours sparingly, and remember, keep it away from your scalp.  

Greasy Hair Hairstyle Image Link – https://www.instagram.com/p/CKlBoQgDiWX/ 

Do… Find Your Favorite Hairstyles For Greasy Hair Days

Since not washing your hair when it feels greasy is easier said than done, we highly recommend looking into hairstyles that work wonders for oily hair. Our favorite? Anything with a slick back!

You can never go wrong with a low, slicked-back bun for office days. That said, this style looks just as chic on the weekends with your go-to jeans and a simple white tee.

If you want to mix things up for your evening plans, why not try a half-up half-down style with a slicked back center parting?

Since it’s usually the part of our hair near the scalp that looks the oiliest, these styles will cleverly conceal the grease as part of your look until your next hair wash session. 

Don’t… Use Too Much Heat

Applying excessive amounts of heat to your hair is never a good idea. Especially if your tresses are on the greasy side. Too much heat can do one of two things.

Firstly, it can dry out your hair which, again, means your scalp will overproduce sebum to balance it out again. Secondly, the oils in your hair may react with the heat and cause your locks to look even greasier as they become more slick. 

So, if you’re choosing to heat style your hair, we highly recommend turning the temperature down.

This will protect your hair from heat damage and stop the oils on your scalp from becoming too much.

Additionally, we’ll always suggest a blowout over straightening your locks to add volume and lift whereas a straightener may make your hair look limp and oily. 

Hairbrush Image Link –  https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf9yMzwOY4I/ 

Do…Clean Your Hairbrushes Often

You can have the best haircare routine in the world but if you’re using a dirty hairbrush, your hair will never reap the benefits.

Each time you brush through your locks, loose hairs, dead skin, and oils from your scalp transfer onto the bristles of your brush. If you don’t remove them, they’ll end up in your hair the next time you use it.

Think about that the next time you jump out of the shower and make sure you’re taking as good care of your hair brushes and accessories as you are of your hair itself!