Useful Hair Styling Tips To Get You Through Lockdown

There was a story I recently read that followed the buying trends of consumers throughout various weeks of lockdown. The first phase, obviously, focused on essentials for survival and keeping sanitized. This was the phase that saw the birth of many memes on toilet paper. Then this movement shifted to reflect how consumers were trying out new things in their kitchens to pass the time. Ingredients we never thought to have in our homes were suddenly part of our grocery lists: baking soda, flour, yeast. Baking, it appeared, was the thing to get into.  

The more recent phase, according this report, is seeing increased sales in hair dyes and other items to help maintain hair. On my news feed alone, I’ve seen two to three friends doing at-home color treatments. Crowd sourcing posts have similarly inquired about where to get the best clippers and which YouTube channels to go to for hair styling tutorials.

On week three of lockdown, I found myself braving the outside world for a hair dye kit. This, by the way, was the first time ever that I was to do my own hair touchup. Usually, getting colors done was a treat experienced within the familiar walls of my trusty salon. That day, the pampering had to happen solo and in the confines of my bathroom. I picked out a hair color that looked like my current hair shade and read through the pamphlet around eight times just to be sure I got the steps right. It took an entire afternoon to partition hair in four parts, apply dye on roots and finally comb the formula through to the tips. No wonder the salons charge so much. After leaving the color formulation on for about 25 minutes I was ready to see the fruits of my first hair coloring adventure. I was also more determined than ever to learn to maintain it so the colors stay on for longer.

MAINTAINING HAIR COLOR

George Papanikolas, Hollywood’s most sought-after colorist and MATRIX brand ambassador recommends “extending your color is best done by using color depositing shampoos and conditioners such as Matrix Total Results So Silver, Brass Off and Dark Envy.” These are hair products specially formulates to neutralize unwanted brassy tones. After a thorough rinse, I sprayed on MATRIX TOTAL RESULTS Keep Me Vivid Color Lamination Spray, combed it through damp hair and let is stay for about three minutes. This was followed by a generous layer of MATRIX TOTAL RESULTS Keep Me Vivid Conditioner which I left on for another two minutes before a very thorough rinse and styling.

The boxed dye kit I got was ammonia free, which was a huge relief. However, in the event that your hair color formula contains ammonia and other chemicals, add DAILY DOSE Miracle Moisture Leave In Conditioner to your hair washing routine. Ammonia causes strands to dry and become brittle which is why you need a nourishing formula to bring back hair’s shine, bounce. You will also love how this Miracle Moisture Leave-In is weightless and ideal for everyday use.

CREATE LOVELY LAYERS

It has been years since my last DIY haircut but I am almost certain that a reunion with the clipper is eminent. Layered hair has always been a go-to style because of the illusion of volume that it creates and the softly framed effect it creates. When done wrong, however, it can possibly resemble a bird’s nest. I’ve cut my hair into a disaster one too many times before. Tips from celebrity stylist Sunnie Brooke, however, are giving me courage. It helps, of course, that Brooke is the master behind the perfectly coiffed stars like Allison Williams, Sophia Bush and Hailey Baldwin. You will find more of her at home hair tutorials when you click here.

To get started on any trim or cut, she suggests getting organized with items you will need:

• Towel for easy clean up
• Comb with wide and fine teeth
• Clip or hair tie to section hair
• Fine point scissors
• Fine mist spray (optional)

To create soft layers:

·            Cutting with wet hair increases chances of chopping off too much. Start with dry hair. Using your fine tooth comb, create a middle part which will serve as the base.

·            Take a tiny section from each side of the part and tuck the rest behind ears.

·            Cut hair diagonally to create soft layers instead of it looking blunt and severe.

·            When cutting each section, start in the center and make that your shortest point. As you move towards the back of your hair, work on a longer length.

·            Make sure both sides are even, always cutting diagonally from the top.

To chop off split ends:

·            Bring ends of hair up and cut into them vertically

·            Top off with BIOLAGE All-In-One Coconut Fusion Multi Benefit Spray. This hair mist helps to define the shape of your hair and bring back its natural bounce.

Raincry has also recently launched at home hair remedies for locks that need hydration, volume, nourishing and repair. Founded by celebrated hairstylist Feisal Qureshi, Raincry is a sustainable luxury brand mostly known for its artisanal brushes from France and Italy. The founder was searching for perfect hairstyling tools and later found himself creating high performance brushes in a workshop in France. “The result was heralded as the best in the industry.” This would later see the birth of other breakthrough products such as the newly launched remedy collection which is ideal especially during these times.

Rebuild Bond Repair is ideal for hair that is damaged or brittle. It utilizes the nourishing properties of collagen peptides, CBD and lotus flower, sealing in moisture and protecting strands from deep within. Apply on hair as need focusing on damaged areas like tips of hair.

Daily Densifying Treatment is ideal for fine to normal hair types. Spritz on the roots before drying or styling hair. This multitasking formulation adds volume from the roots, promotes hair growth and protects strands from heat. Calendula extracts enhances root volume while biotin and copper peptides help to encouraging hair growth.

Brilliance Detangling Spray does wonders for all hair types. This lightweight, non greasy hair coat helps to protect locks while detangling stubborn strands. Camellia flower oil boosts natural shine while infusing hair with antioxidants. For optimum results, spray on hair before styling.

Daily Hydrating Treatment is a heaven sent for those with dry, coarse and frizzy hair. This leave-in formula utilizes Abyssinian oil, bergamot extract and castor seed oil to hydrate stands. This hair hydrator also protects against heat while blocking humidity.