6 minute read
Help your hair
Hairdressers can sometimes feel like miracle workers. They style our hair with ease, achieve that perfect blonde tone and nail a blunt cut every time. I’m sure you’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered why you can’t achieve the same results at home – they make it look so easy! So you want their best advice? Well, sometimes that starts with what you shouldn’t be doing. We spoke to Grow’s Expert Hair Stylist Belinda Keeley of Chumba Concept Salon about all the things your hairdresser wishes you would stop doing.
Going to bed with wet hair
Chances are you’ve done this on several occasions, and you’re forgiven if you have! We know what it’s like when it’s late, you’re tired and you just don’t have the energy to dry your hair. BUT, it’s important to know that Your hair is weakest whilst wet which can mean it can easily get damaged while you’re moving your head about on your pillow while you sleep. Going to bed with wet hair can cause breakage (especially in blondes or those with particularly brittle hair), not to mention extra knots or kinks that will be hard to get out in the morning. Rather than going straight to bed with wet hair, do a luxe hair treatment a few hours before bed to ensure your hair is nourished and strengthened from the inside out. We love Grow Haircare’s Anti- Breakage Hair Mask which is formulated with amino acids and key actives to help strengthen hair deep from within and prevents damage and breakage caused by environmental stress, chemical treatments or over styling.
Covering your hair with too many silicones
Unfortunately, silicones are an ingredient found in many supermarket shampoos, conditioners and treatment products. The problem with silicones is that they add another barrier layer to hair strands, so, while it will initially it looks shiny and new, it prevents moisture from penetrating the hair shaft. It also is a magnet for dirt and other ingredients and over time hair accumulates more product build up on the hair. Silicones do an amazing job at covering up any damage we do to our manes, but that can mean the reality underneath is lacklustre. Silicone build-up can cause hair to become brittle, lifeless and dull, and can also react with professional colour. If you’ve been using a silicone-based shampoo for a while now, try giving your hair a detox with a silicone free shampoo and conditioner. It will remove the build up and get your hair on the right track to where you want it to be. We recommend Grow’s range of silicone free shampoos, conditioners and treatment products, like Grow’s Longer Stronger Shampoo – and yes, you can get them at Woolworths!
Overuse of hot tools
With many people working from home, right now is a good time to ease up on the hot tools. Yes we know that hairdressers use hot styling tools on a daily basis, but overuse can damage the hair. Try to minimise the amount of times you’re using heated tools on your hair because too much heat can lead to brittle, damaged hair and split ends. Heat-based styling tools such as hair dryers and hair straighteners are great, but only if used sporadically. Minimise the amount of times you’re using these types of tools if you can. A great way to do this is by letting your hair air dry on the days when you can get away with it and consider using a dry shampoo to get more longevity out of your hair style.
Not caring about your scalp
Here’s some advice you may not have heard before – the skin on your scalp is just as important as the skin on your face! Many people don’t realise that our scalps actually have a lot to do with our hair health, so it’s
important to look after it much the same. Just like you would keep your skin in check with dedicated daily cleansing, your scalp needs regular attention too. Invest in a scalp scrub that will give your scalp a deep exfoliation and remove any product build up on your hair. Touted as ‘exfoliation for the scalp’, a scalp scrub could be the thing that’s missing in your haircare routine. Invest in a quality scalp scrub like Grow’s Stimulating Scalp Scrub which is formulated with natural sea salt and peppermint oil to effectively eliminate impurities and remove product build up. It will detox, refresh and restore balance to your hair and scalp, whilst purifying and leaving your scalp restored. Fun fact, a scalp scrub can assist with the prevention of hair thinning and shedding, so it’s a perfect addition to your haircare routine if you’re looking to grow out your hair. The best bit about Grow’s Stimulating Scalp Scrub? On scrub days there is no need to also shampoo!
Using box dyes
Ok, we totally understand if you’ve used a box dye or two over the past year and a half – some people literally had no other choice! However, if you can, try to stop using them because they can cause many difficulties with colour corrections at the salon. Box dyes are typically a more concentrated formulation than salon hair colour and can contain a host of harsh chemicals. They’re also not tailored to hair type, so it can be really hard to get the desired colour and even harder to get it out!
Having unrealistic expectations
While there is nothing wrong with requesting a specific cut or colour, try to have realistic expectations. If you’re currently sporting black locks, don’t expect to go platinum blonde in one sitting. We can work miracles sometimes, but we are not magicians! It’s ok if you want to ask questions or check in how you might be able to get to a desired end-result. Better yet, bring in pictures that can better explain what you want. Sometimes things can get lost in translation so verbally explaining what you want can be confusing if you both have different ideas about tones etc. The good thing to know is that most hairdressers will be honest with you and let you know if they don’t think they can achieve it. Ok so you might have done a sneaky little dye job at home (we understand) but please tell us about it! I know it can feel a little embarrassing or might seem better if you just blame it on a previous hairdresser, but that can cause all sorts of problems. What might seem like innocent white lie can lead to a disastrous hair outcome. Things like box dyes, henna and home peroxide jobs can cause reactions with professional products during the colouring process and can alter what direction your stylist has to take with your hair. For example, some black box dyes can take up to a year to shift, with some not so pretty colours exposed in the process. Be mindful that hairdressers aren’t asking you about your hair history to embarrass you, we’re asking so we can make sure we do the best job possible!
Ignoring advice from your hairdresser
Yes, sometimes it might feel like your hairdresser is suggesting a particular product because they are trying to sell you something, but truth be told, they’re suggesting it because it’s the right product for your hair. A hairdresser has likely suggested a particular product because it’s been specifically formulated with high quality ingredients that target specific hair and scalp concerns. Hairdressers suggest these type of products because they actually do work and we want your hair to still be looking fresh by your next appointment. If budget is a concern, tell us! There is always a solution and lots of quality products at every price point. It makes our jobs a whole lot easier when you come back in and your hair will thank you for it. By Belinda Keely, haircare expert at Grow. growhaircare.com.au
