Long Hair Rescue

If you have been regularly colouring your hair for fun or by necessity and/or taming your frizz with tongs or straighteners without making any adjustments to your hair routine, your crown of glory is likely to be in much need of TLC.  And if you have long hair like me, you may feel a bit depressed by the state of your dry and dull locks. Don’t chop it off though!  Here are some suggestions to put in place a rescue plan to bring back the shine and keep your mane in glorious condition.

Pre-wash treatment

Like for your skin, it is important to set a routine which delivers results.  One step we often miss is the pre-wash treatment.  It is a treatment that you put BEFORE washing.  It is so tempting to miss it as it requires a bit of planning.  Who wants to go out or answer the door with treatment-soaked hair?

With a bit of planning ahead though, you should be able to find 30 minutes to do it once a week (or once a fortnight) in peace.  Some people put their pre-wash treatment before going to bed but this is not for me.  I don’t like going to bed with damp hair and I don’t even want to imagine how uncomfortable it must be to sleep with or on a towel…

So, what about the treatment itself? There is the well-known Olaplex routine which should prove effective as it repairs the broken bonds in your hair.  I personally like to use No. 1 (the liquid) for 10 minutes followed by No. 3 (the cream) for 20 minutes before proceeding with washing my hair.  However, I am not a huge fan of the Olaplex shampoo and conditioner, which I don’t find nourishing enough for my hair.  Another tried and tested pre-wash deep conditioning treatment is the famous Philip Kingsley Elasticizer.

Wash less wash better

I presume that you have already heard this before but it is best to wash your hair less often and use a better shampoo.  I personally love the Shu Uemura Ultimate Reset range (in particular, the shampoo and the mask).  These products are very nourishing so if you have fine hair, you may prefer the Kerastase Bain Satin 1 range.  It is also nourishing leaving your hair soft without feeling weighed down.

Hair meditation

You need to introduce the use of a proper mask in your routine and leave it on your locks for at least 5 minutes.  I know that you have better things to do but your hair needs proper nourishment.  Maybe use that time wisely and get on with 5 minute meditation session at the same time.

 

Bring back the shine

There is one product that I recently discovered and I absolutely love it.  It is WOW Dream Coat.  It is extremely easy to use.  Just a few spritz on towel dried hair before styling.  It leaves your hair smooth and shiny and the results will last at least until your next shampoo.

 

 

 

Hair savers under £10

I am a huge fan of this L’Oréal Elvive Wonder Water.  It is quick and super easy to use and the results are incredible.  Pour it (gently!) on your hair between your shampoo and conditioner/mask and massage it for 8 seconds.  No need to leave it on.  They also have a Colour Protect version of it which I have not tried yet but I certainly will!

Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Food 3-in-1 range is also a very good versatile product.  You can use it as a conditioner, a mask or even a leave-in conditioner.  I have a preference for the Aloe Vera or the Banana one.

 

 

Even small things can help rescue your hair

Switching your hairbands for some gentle silk ones can make a huge different when you love tying your hair up in a ponytail.  My favourite ones are the Slip hair ties.  They come in all sorts of colours and they are super soft.