When you want to style your unmanageable hair into a cute ‘do, what do you grab first? A hairdryer and curling iron, hair spray, brushes, and combs?
No matter how you style your hair, the key to unlocking healthy, gorgeous tresses starts in the shower. If you want long locks that feel silky soft, look shiny and vibrant, and cooperate with any style, we have your routine ready. After all, styling is only 25% of the battle; the rest comes with your day-to-day hair maintenance.
Start your shower with Olaplex’s No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo. Lather it into your roots, bring it down to the ends, then rinse. This shampoo works with all hair types to not only boost hydration but also minimize frizz and breakage by repairing hair bonds.
After that, take a dime-sized amount of the No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner and work it from the roots to the ends. Let it sit for about three minutes before rinsing it out. This strengthening formula also helps to repair hair bonds while also adding shine.
Even if you don’t want to use every step of Olaplex’s line, just using the shampoo and conditioner can make a noticeable difference in how your hair looks and behaves with more volume and shine and less breakage and frizz. If you’re interested in the other products, however, we also tested the No.3 Hair Perfector.
If you haven’t incorporated a hair mask into your routine, they are a game-changing must.
As we age, our hair color becomes duller, and this is especially noticeable to redheads. Using a gloss or toner helps to enhance natural and dyed hues while boosting shine. There are a lot of different treatments and masks that help to condition and nourish locks, making them look and feel healthier and more vibrant.
Of course, we have some favorites.
Every couple of days—twice a week or so—using Living Proof’s Restore Repair Mask makes long, coarse, and thick hair with dry ends and tangles more manageable, less frizzy, and generally sleeker and softer. For more information on this mask, check out our Living Proof review, which also features Living Proof’s Full Thickening Cream.
Lather roughly two-quarters worth of this deep conditioning mask between your hands, then apply it from the roots to the ends. Allow it to sit for five minutes before rinsing. This mask creates soft, smooth, protected locks without sacrificing body or volume.
As with trying any new hair care routine, give this system time to work as your hair adjusts to the new formulas. It can take a couple of days/washes to a few weeks for your hair to transition to new products, so be patient. And, if you have wavy, curly, or coiled tresses (or think you might have them) and you’re looking for more information on taking care of your mane, check out our Ultimate Curly Girl Guide for the best tips, tricks, and product recommendations.
For questions, concerns, or article ideas, feel free to reach out to our eCosmetics Beauty Editor directly at beauty@ecosmetics.com
