January Jones recently came out and said that, thanks to her penchant for changing the color of her hair, it's coming out in clumps. Not fun. While, knock wood, I am yet to experience this same side effect of hair dyeing, god-knows-how-many-years of coloring my hair has definitely taken its toll. To put it bluntly, my hair is fried.
I can make it seem otherwise when in public with the steadfast use of serums and sprays and round brushes and whatnot. But when it comes down to it, years of highlighting my hair, along with the use of heated styling products, have left my hair a hot mess.
But there is hope. Well, I hope there's hope 'cause sweet baby Jesus, I need it. Here are five ways to unfry your hair.
1.) Deep condition or use a hair mask (or masque if you're fancy) every day. A lot of the directions on super rich conditioners or masks instruct you to use them once or twice a week. If your hair is really dry, just use it every day. As a stylist once told me: It's impossible to over-condition your hair. I had a period of time when I was doing this, and my hair's texture definitely improved. I need to get on it again. Conditioners I've used and love: Bosley Professional Healthy Hair Moisture Masque and Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil Deeply Repairative Hair Pak. (Note: If you have nothing to do, leave conditioner in all day.)
2.) Hair vitamins. Kyle Richards has credited the supplement Nourage for her long, healthy locks, but if $60 is a little pricey for you (as it is me), try GNC's Hair, Skin, and Nail vitamins.
3.) Splurge on shampoo. We all have expenses, but every once in a while, you've gotta splurge. Spend a little extra on your shampoo now and again and go for the good stuff. One glossy-haired editor here at The Stir HQ suggested Biolage. Noted.
4.) Get a salon treatment. A balls-to-the-wall approach to getting softer, shiner hair if there ever was one. Many salons now offer deep conditioning, glazing, or glossing treatments. Typically, they're pretty affordable and don't take very long. But please note: The difference between a gloss and a glaze is a gloss is more permanent, and can actually alter the color of your hair a bit, whereas a glaze will last a little over a week — think of it as a top coat of nail polish.
5.) Dye your hair a bit darker. I know, it sounds crazy that dyeing your hair could actually make it healthier, but it's true. If you've been lightening your hair for years with highlights or single process, going darker will give the appearance of softer, shinier, healthier hair. The reason being darker colors fill in porous hair better making it look less, well, fried.
Do you have fried hair? What have you done to make your hair healthy again?
Image via faster panda kill kill/Flickr
