We all dream of healthy, vibrant hair that turns heads and makes us feel confident. But achieving that dream can be surprisingly tricky. Sometimes, even with the best intentions, we unknowingly fall into habits that can damage our locks and hinder our hair’s growth potential.
At BLU Salon in Monrovia. CA, we work on a wide range of hair types and textures, and we see these common mistakes all too often. Today, we’re here to shed light on three specific hair habits that could be sabotaging your dream of healthy hair, offering some simple solutions to get you back on track.
Bad Habit #1: Skipping Conditioner or Using It Incorrectly
Conditioner is often seen as an optional extra, but it’s a crucial step in your hair care routine. Skipping it can leave your hair dry, brittle, prone to breakage, and create some serious frizziness and tangles. We see many of our clients using conditioners incorrectly, leading them beleive conditioners weigh down their hair causing it to be limp and lack luminous shine.
Why is Conditioner Important?
Shampoo cleanses the hair, but it can also raise the hair cuticle, the outermost layer. Conditioner helps smooth the cuticle and lock in moisture. This not only makes your hair feel softer and shinier but also protects it from environmental damage and breakage.
The Problem:
- Skipping conditioner: This strips your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry, tangled, and prone to frizz, and breakage.
- Applying conditioner to the roots: Conditioner is meant to hydrate and nourish the hair shaft, not the scalp. Applying it to the roots can weigh down your hair and make it look greasy.
- Not rinsing thoroughly: Leaving conditioner residue on your hair can also lead to build-up and weigh it down.
The Solution:
- Invest in a high-quality, natural conditioner: To maintain healthy hair Look for formulas rich in hydrating ingredients like plant butters, oils, and humectants. Avoid harsh chemicals and sulfates that can strip your hair of moisture.
- Apply conditioner only to the mid-lengths and ends: This is where your hair needs the most hydration.
- Rinse thoroughly: Use lukewarm water to ensure all product residue is removed.
How to Choose the Right Conditioner:
- Hydrating conditioners are ideal for dry, normal, or color-treated hair. We love KINESSENCES Antiox Mask! It’s perfect to protect and hydrate colored hair to achieve long-lasting color and healthy hair.
- Volumizing conditioners are suitable for fine or limp hair, as they add body and lift without weighing it down. Our top pick at BLU Salon is KINACTIF Volume 2-in-1 Conditioning Mask to hydrate adding volume.
- Detangling conditioners are perfect for thick, curly, or easily tangled hair. Try out KINACTIF™ N°1 Nutrition Detangling Spray! A magical conditioning and detangling spray that works all day long, helping to eliminate frizz, tangles, and static from any hair type.
Bad Habit #2: Heat Styling Without Protection – A Recipe for Damage
Heat styling tools like straighteners, curling irons, and blow dryers can achieve stunning looks, but without heat protection, they can wreak havoc on your hair, and end your dream of healthy hair. Excessive heat exposure dries out strands, leading to breakage, split ends, and dullness.
Why Use Heat Protectant?
Heat protectant products create a barrier on your hair, absorbing and distributing heat evenly. This minimizes damage caused by high temperatures, allowing you to style your hair safely.
The Problem:
- Split ends: Heat weakens the hair shaft, making it prone to splitting and breakage.
- Dryness and frizz: Heat can remove moisture from the hair, leaving it dry, brittle, and frizzy.
- Loss of color: Heat can fade hair color, particularly for chemically treated hair.
The Solution:
- Limit heat styling to a minimum. Consider alternative styling techniques like air-drying, braiding, or using heatless rollers.
- Always use a heat protectant: This creates a barrier between your hair and the heat source, minimizing damage. Our #1 pick is KINACTIF™ N°1 Nourishing Melting Extract. A nourishing formulation of extracts that melt deep into the hair for thermal protection and all-day hydration. It is lightly scented, sulfate and silicone-free, and 87% of its ingredients are naturally derived, producing soft shiny frizz-free results.
- Invest in high-quality tools with adjustable temperature settings: Opt for lower heat settings whenever possible.
How to Use Heat Protectant:
- Look for a heat protectant spray or serum that suits your hair type.
- Apply the product evenly to damp or towel-dried hair, focusing on mid-lengths and ends.
- Let the product dry completely before using heat-styling tools.
Bad Habit #2: Brushing Wet Hair Too Aggressively
Brushing wet hair seems like a natural post-shower habit, but it can actually cause a nightmare of damage to healthy hair. When hair is wet, it’s in a more fragile state and more susceptible to breakage. To maintain healthy hair, it’s important to be gentle and use the right tools when brushing wet hair.
The Problem:
- Wet hair is much more fragile than dry hair. Brushing it aggressively can cause significant breakage and split ends.
- The friction from brushing can also damage the hair cuticle, leading to frizz and dullness.
The Solution:
- Gently detangle your hair with a wide-tooth comb while it’s still wet. Start at the ends and work your way up to the roots to avoid pulling.
- Wait until your hair is at least 80% dry before using a brush.
- Invest in a good quality, detangling brush: This will help minimize friction and breakage.
Bonus Tip: Embrace Air-Drying Whenever Possible
Let your hair air-dry whenever possible. Not only is it gentler on your hair, but it also allows your hair’s natural texture to shine through. If you must use heat styling tools, minimize the heat setting and use them only occasionally.
Remember, healthy hair is beautiful hair.
While these tips can significantly improve your hair health, consider incorporating natural hair care practices into your routine for an extra boost. At BLU Salon in Monrovia, CA we believe in harnessing the power of nature’s finest ingredients to promote healthy hair growth and shine. Our preferred product line KINACTIF and KINESSEENCES are formulated with botanical extracts, essential oils, and other natural ingredients known to nourish and strengthen hair.
- Argan oil: Rich in vitamin E and antioxidants, argan oil nourishes the hair, promotes shine, and combats frizz.
- Aloe vera: Soothes the scalp, reduces dryness, and promotes hair growth.
- Coconut oil: Conditions the hair, prevents breakage, and adds shine
By incorporating these tips and embracing natural ingredients, you can take control of your healthy hair journey and unlock your hair’s true potential. Remember, consistency is key! If you went to the gym once you can’t expect to have a strong body. It’s a daily commitment to a routine that brings about health and wellness. With a commitment to healthy hair practices, you’ll be well on your way to achieving beautiful, strong, and vibrant locks.
If you have any specific hair concerns or require personalized advice, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us! We can assess your hair type and needs and recommend the best course of action for achieving your healthy hair goals.