A salon blow-dry lasts a day or two. A good routine at home keeps hair looking healthy all the time. Here is how the professionals we supply build a routine that actually works, using the same products you will find in our hair care range.
1. Wash your scalp, not your lengths
Shampoo is for your scalp. Apply it at the roots, massage with your fingertips for around 30 seconds, then let it rinse through the lengths. If your ends feel dry, they rarely need a second application — the run-off is enough.
How often you wash depends on your scalp, not the calendar. Oily scalps may need daily cleansing; dry or curly hair often does better on a two to three day cycle. Choose a shampoo matched to your main concern: colour protection for tinted hair, scalp care for flaking or irritation, or a dry shampoo to stretch out a wash day.
2. Conditioner belongs on the mid-lengths and ends
Conditioner on the scalp is one of the most common causes of hair that looks limp within a day. Apply from the ears down, comb it through with a wide-tooth comb, and rinse with cooler water to help smooth the cuticle.
3. Add one weekly treatment
A weekly mask or treatment does more for long-term condition than any amount of styling product. If your hair is chemically treated, look for bond-building or protein treatments. If it is simply dry, a moisturising mask with oils or butters is the better fit. Protein-heavy treatments used too often can make hair feel stiff, so follow the directions on the pack rather than using them every wash.
4. Protect before you apply heat
Heat protection is not optional if you use a dryer, straightener or curling iron. Apply a heat protectant to damp hair before blow-drying and again lightly before styling. Keep tools on the lowest setting that does the job — most professional irons will style effectively well below their maximum temperature.
5. Style on cool air to finish
Once hair is dry, switch the dryer to the cool setting for the last 30 seconds. It sets the style and closes the cuticle, which is what gives a blow-dry its shine.
6. Keep your tools clean
Product build-up on a straightener or brush transfers straight back onto clean hair. Wipe plates and barrels while they are still warm, and wash brushes and combs in warm soapy water monthly.
A simple routine you can actually keep up
- Daily: heat protection before styling, light oil or serum on the ends if needed.
- Every wash: shampoo at the scalp, conditioner from the ears down, cool rinse.
- Weekly: one mask or treatment, plus a brush and comb clean.
- Every few weeks: a clarifying or chelating wash if you use a lot of styling product, swim, or live in a hard-water area.
If you are not sure which products suit your hair type, our team is happy to help you narrow it down — get in touch and tell us about your hair and your routine.
