Curly girls are special people with special hair, and sometimes those crazy curls need some extra TLC! No, we can’t just shower and go. Yes, we sometimes wish we could. Trust me, as someone who has lived with curly hair all my life, I know the struggles. But I also know how beautiful curly hair can be! Don’t be discouraged ladies with curly hair, there are ways to hack your luscious locks. Try any of these brilliant tricks to keep your hair manageable, frizz-free, and looking fabulous.
 
Invest in a Wide Tooth Comb
I know that we’re taught that if we have curly hair, we’re not supposed to comb our curls. But, luckily, there is a time and a tool to comb those curls!
 
Right when you get out of the shower, put product in your hair and comb it all the way through, even to the roots. This will distribute product without you putting oil directly on your roots, and a thicker comb will be less likely to snap in thicker hair.
 
Try Plopping Your Hair
Drying curling hair with a regular towel is A BIG NO. The fibers in regular towels will mess up your hair, only causing frizz.
 
If you don’t want to avoid toweling off all together, dry your hair off with a t-shirt. The microfibers of a tee are much more gentle on curly hair. This technique, called plopping, is the best way to dry your hair without ruining the curls.
 
Avoid Triangle Head
The worst nightmare of curly girls everywhere: the dreaded triangle head. This conundrum happens when the bottom of your hair poofs out and the top stays flat – resulting in an unflattering triangle shape. The trick to avoid it?  Layers upon layers upon layers.
 
Figure Out What Curls You Have 
The best way to address your curls? 
Figure out what kind of curls you have! Use this helpful chart to figure out where your curls fall.
 
Deep Condition Your Hair
Once a week, you should deep condition your hair. If you’re not sure where to start on the road to deep conditioning, start with this coconut hair mask! It’s easy to make and will treat your hair to a spa-like treatment your curls will soak right up.
 
Use Hefty Hair Clips
Do you shower at night? That can make styling your curls for the next day difficult. Don’t just sleep on wet curls, pin them with these hefty clips. Twist each piece of hair before clipping and the morning you’ll have dry, full curls to work with!
 
Pineapple Your Hair
Speaking of nighttime routines, try a technique called “pineappling” with your dry curls. Flip your curls  upside down and secure so that your hair won’t get mussed up on the pillow.
 
Purification Shower Head
If you think water purification is just for drinking water, you couldn’t be more wrong! This special shower head purifies water and balances your pH, keeping your hair healthy and strong,
 
Grow Your Hair Out 
Curly girls can grow out their hair, too. You just have to figure out HOW to grow out your particular type of curls. Use this helpful infograph to figure how you should grow out your hair.
 
How To Style Curly Hair
This is the ultimate technique – I use it myself!
 
When you get out of the shower, put product on the bottom 3/4 of your hair and brush it through with a comb. Then flip your hair, loosen your curls, and scrunch. When the curls are starting to form, put a diffuser on your blow dryer and dry your hair upside down. When the curls start to dry correctly, flip your hair up and dry curl with the diffuser into the style you want. The result? Lovely, frizz-free curls.
 
Avoid Heat 
At all costs, avoid intense heat on your curls! Embrace your natural texture (it’s beautiful, we promise) and nix using straightening irons, curling irons, and even blow dryers, too frequently.
 
Do you have any tricks to keep your curls looking amazing?  Share them with me the next time you’re in the salon.

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If you've dyed your hair at least once, then you're well acquainted with the whole new world of hair care you have to submit to in order to keep your locks looking healthy and undamaged. But there are still some things you should do when you color your hair that your stylist wish you knew, ensuring that your next hair appointment won't be derailed with them trying to bring your dry, fried hair back to life. Or worse, trying to fix an accidental color that was so not what you envisioned.
 
While we might use our best efforts to deep condition and shower with purple or red shampoos at home, beauty care is sometimes rough — and expensive. But there are simple steps and measures you can take before coming to the salon that will ensure your coloring process goes as smoothly and stress-free as possible. You don't have to keep your fingers crossed underneath the hair cloak that your hair actually turns out blonde and not brassy, or brown and not ashy. If you follow the steps below, you'll leave the salon looking just how you imagined. Ahead are tips straight from stylists and colorists on what to do when you color your hair at a salon.
 
1. Get A Water Filter For Your Bathroom 
While many of us obsess with getting color treated shampoos to keep our hair healthy and primed for color, we might overlook the actual water running out of our taps. But according to Meredith Morris, stylist, colorist, and owner of MAVEN Beverly Hill, that's a huge oversight.
 
"Before you do anything, invest in a water filter for your shower. The water from the shower contains many minerals and it can deposit onto your hair. These minerals cause buildup and can discolor your hair, so purifying your shower experience is an absolute must," she says.
 
2. Wash With A Detoxifying Shampoo
In order to get the cleanest color, you have to make sure you don't have any buildup in your hair before you sit in your stylist's chair. "A few days prior to your hair color appointment, clarify your hair with a detoxifying shampoo. This will clean and rid your hair of any buildup from both the environment and products," Morris shares.
 
3. Wash Your Hair The Day Of The Appointment
"It's best to go to the salon appointment with your hair as your normally style it day to day. This will help tremendously in the consultation portion of your appointment. Your stylist/colorist will be able to better accommodate your needs when seeing what and how you do your hair on a daily basis," Morris points out.
 
In fact, coming in with dirty hair will throw your colorist off her evaluation. "Dirty hair is stinky and the excess oils can dull and visually darken the natural color of the hair preventing the stylist from being able to make a proper assessment of the situation," Morris stresses.
 
4. Be Honest About Your Hair Coloring History
This isn't the '50s anymore and we shouldn't be embarrassed for being bottle blondes, red heads, or what ever color you chose. Because of that, be upfront with your colorist when they ask about your salon past.
 
"It is a very common misconception that once you can no longer see colour visually, it means that the colour is gone completely. Color does not dissappear, but fades or is covered with the truth laying underneath," Jaymi Van Horne, a hairstylist at Toronto's Good Day Hairshop explains in an email interview with Bustle. "I frequently hear clients say 'it’s all my natural' when in fact they coloured it 4 years ago and I will come across it about 10-15” down. It is imperative that you mention any and all color or relaxer services that have been performed in the past to ensure the best outcome," Van Horne stresses. That way different sections of your hair won't turn a different shade because they absorbed the color incorrectly.
 
5. Brush Your Hair Out
It can be tempting to throw your hair into a ponytail and leave for your day of pampering, but be sure you brush it out properly before you go. "Sometimes I spend 20 minutes just brushing out a messy bun when I really should be focusing on my formulation," Van Horne says. "Services are based on time and adding steps like straightening or brushing can intervene with how much time is spent actually doing your colour." Be courteous to your stylist and do that little step!
 
6. Come With Plenty Of Research Ready 
While not many of us say "do whatever you want" when sitting in the chair, trying to describe the color with your words is just as vague. Instead, do yourself and the colorist a favor by coming in ready with pictures.
 
"Since no color can be exactly recreated (as everyone’s hair varies in texture and thickness — and we’re artists, not robots) I like to tell a client that we will personalize their look based on the three they have shown me. A customized combination that suits their look and lifestyle," Van Horne explains. This way, you'll be able to get the color you've been daydreaming about in your head.
 
7. Chill On The Softness
If you're a serial hair dyer, chances are you're diligent with treatments and masks to keep it soft. But, Van Horne points out, there is such a thing as overkill.
 
"People often come to me with overly hydrated hair — that is, their hair is breaking and won't roundbrush because the hair is so bogged down with moisture. Like skin, too much of a good thing in your hair can cause inflammation and leave you with the exact opposite of what you were trying to achieve. Just because it’s colored, doesn't mean it needs a moisturizing treatment seven days a week," Van Horne shares. Instead, stick to a hair mask about once a week and let your hair breathe.
 
8. Stay Still 
While it might be tempting to look around the salon or down at your phone during a long color job, fight the urge. "You don't have to be a statue, but nothing is worse than trying not to overlap (and over-process) bleach while your client is looking in every direction. We know it’s hard to sit there for hours on end, but asking if you can grab your coffee before actually doing it can make the difference between bleeding tiger stripes and the sun-kissed (healthy) blonde of your dreams," Van Horne points out. Try to stay in one spot.
 
9. Pay Attention To Your Hair Texture After The Appointment
Everyone's hair reacts differently to color, so keep an eye on your texture to see what your locks need after the process. "If your hair is feeling limp like an overcooked spaghetti, you need protein. If it's dry and and flakes off when you brush it, you need moisture. Look for products that support each role for ideal results," Van Horne explains. That way you keep your hair looking healthy for longer.
 
Keep these simple tips top of mind next time you book your next color appointment — your hairstylist will love you for it!

Is your hair feeling the "stress" from too much heat? How about from being over processed from highlights or hair color? This is a nice list of hair masks that will help get your hair back in to condition.
 
To Smooth: Ouai Treatment Masque
If your hair resists styling, get it under control with this restoring mask. Artichoke leaf extract seals the cuticle for less frizz, more shine, and more protection against aggressors like heat and color. Tamarind seed extract delivers major hydration and creates a barrier to prevent further damage. 

For Curls: DevaCurl Heaven In Hair
The more moisturized your curls, the more manageable they’ll be. This hydrating mask contains three types of butters (cupuaçu, murumuru, and cacao) to enrich, protect, nourish, and soften for stronger, healthier curls that are easier to work with.

To Restore: It’s A 10 Miracle Hair Mask
Not quite sure what your hair needs, but know it needs a boost? Cover all the bases with this multitasking mask. Oat kernel extract, apricot kernel oil, sweet almond oil, and linseed extract restore moisture, deliver vitamins and antioxidants to strengthen, soothe the scalp, and promote healthy hair growth. Use a little as a conditioner daily or as a mask all over strands once per week. 

For Shine: Fekkai Salon Professional Color Care Technician Mask
Coloring your hair can strip strands of a lot of things, especially shine. This mask is made with grapeseed oil to rehydrate and, in turn, produce major shine. For an even deeper treatment, apply the mask to damp strands, then wrap a warm towel around your hair and let it sit for at least 10 minutes before rinsing.

For Hydration: Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask
All the stress we put our hair through (hot tools, brushing, coloring) can leave hair brittle and dehydrated. Once restore the moisture, your overall hair health improves as well. This treatment includes argan oil, glycerin, and linseed extract to moisturize, smoothen, and strengthen parched strands. Apply it to damp hair, comb through, then let sit for five to seven minutes before rinsing.

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Winter has already set in!  This is a time when our hair needs to look its very best, despite the cold weather outside.
 
Not only does winter affect your skin, it also causes problems for your hair. Therefore, it’s time to talk about winter haircare.
 
“You may already moisturize your skin during the winter months BUT what to do about your hair and scalp?” 
 
To help you sparkle this season, we’ve put together TOP 10 TIPS about how to keep your locks looking A-grade all winter!

 #1 Keep Your Home Warm but NOT Hot
Make sure you don’t get a temperature shock when you get home or when you’re going out. If the temperature inside your house or apartment is much warmer than outside it can irritate your skin and scalp.
 
#2 Turn the Hot Water Down
BRRRR… It’s cold, we know! A really hot shower feels so good on a cold weather day. BUT if you wanna care for your scalp, you should turn the temperature of your shower down. Hot water is neither good for your skin or your hair.

Hot water dehydrates your skin and hair. It’s actually like cooking the moisture out of your skin, creepy right?!

Well, to help temper your use of hot water, keep the water heater at the same position all year round OR even better, see if you can edge it down in the fall and winter season.
 
#3 Wash Your Hair to a Minimum
How often are you shampooing? Well, in the cold weather season we found, that if you’re shampooing your hair two or three times a week, you can prevent your hair from drying out too much.

#4 Oil Your Hair
During the winter season your scalp will be drier and that can lead to dandruff and scalp irritation, which in the worst-case scenario can lead to hair fall.
 
No matter how busy you are, really don’t forget the oil your hair needs. It’s really important to keep your scalp moisturized!
 
Use olive or coconut oil, massage it into your scalp and leave it in for 20 minutes, and finally rinse it out with shampoo and conditioner.

#5 Double Up On Conditioner
Yup, conditioner is a must! We’ve said it before, conditioning your hair after shampooing should be an important part of your hair routine.
 
During winter we recommend you to use a deep conditioner plus a leave in treatment, especially for those who are living up North.

#6 Dry Your Hair Correctly
When it comes to drying your hair, you should really treat your hair with care.
 
Even though a blow dryer is the best tool if you wanna style your hair to perfection, it can also be really harmful for your hair as the heat can dry out your hair and scalp.
 
Therefore, it’s important that you protect your hair with heat protection before you blow dry it.  Keep in mind, that heat protection is as important as the actual blow-drying part!

#7 Allow Your Hair to Air Dry
If possible, it’s a good idea to let your hair air dry and limited your use of tools like dryers and flat irons. Still, be aware that going outside with wet hair in cold weather can cause your hair to freeze and break.
 
So if you don’t have time for your hair to dry naturally before going out, then blow dry it and use the cool setting. Once again, remember to use pre-styling spray or a leave-in conditioner before blow drying.
 
#8 Have Your Hair Trimmed Regularly
Whether you have long or short hair, winter weather can make the ends of your hair dry and brittle. Regular trims will keep your hair in good condition and reduce the risk of split ends.
 
#9 Throw On The Hat
To be cool and warm!  Well, when the wind starts to blow, it’s time to throw on the hat. Yeah, that means saying goodbye to that awesome hairdo you’ve spent all your morning creating. 

Still, wearing a hat can add an edge to your look. Just remember to pick a hat that fits your style and face shape!
 
#10 Eat Balanced & Stay Hydrated
Eating a healthy diet full of vitamins is the best way to keep your hair and scalp looking and feeling healthy. Also make sure you drink plenty of water to keep your hair and scalp hydrated.

Well, are you set for the winter?
 
Make these TOP TIPS a part of your hair care routine.
A little extra care will make a big difference!
 
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