HAIR BASICS
THE PRINCIPLES OF HAIR CARE
You already know we are all about skincare here at BSE, but we want you to know that we value hair care just as much! Hence, the importance of a hair care routine––nothing is more important for keeping your scalp healthy and maintaining your beautiful locks.
There are a few quick things to consider before establishing your hair care routine, such as your hair type (fine, thick or coarse) and your hair texture (straight, wavy, curly, kinky). Knowing your texture and type will help you choose the best products for your needs, as well as help you pinpoint certain hair concerns. For example, fine & straight hair has a tendency to oil up much quicker than curly hair (as the sebum easily travels down the strands) and curly hair is prone to breakage and frizz.
It is also crucial to choose your products in accordance with whether or not your hair is dyed or bleached: dyed hair shouldn't be washed every day in order to preserve colour from fading and bleached hair may need some extra form of TLC.
Lastly, most of us have a hair concern we want our chosen products to address, such as frizz, split ends, brittle strands, dry or oily scalp, etc.
Regardless of your hair type and your concerns, establishing a basic hair care routine is crucial. Keeping your mane in its best condition will make it easier to style and less prone to breakage, and will guarantee that heads will turn when you walk down the street. ;)
CLEANSE
A good wash is non-negotiable hair care. The right shampoos are designed to remove dead skin, sebum, outdoor pollutants, and product residues from your scalp while simultaneously protecting its natural oils.
BIODERMA NODE FLUID SHAMPOO ($12.90)
REVIVOGEN MD BIO-CLEANSING SHAMPOO ($32.50)
CONDITION
Conditioners are known for their moisturizing properties, but they actually play a much bigger role in hair care.
Shampoos are known to “open" the cuticle of your hair, which is why following up with a condition is a must in order to "close", or seal, the cuticle. Skip the conditioner and you will leave your strands vulnerable to breakage, knotting, sun damage, and if your hair is coloured, fading or brassiness.
If you tend to skip conditioning because you find it weighs down your locks or makes your hair greasy, opt for a lighter conditioner or try another brand.
Other benefits of hair conditioner include less tangling, more brilliance, and frizz reduction.
Oh, and FYI: it’s a common misconception that both your conditioner and shampoo have to match or come from the same brand. Depending on your needs, you can mix & match any product that helps you achieve the hair of your dreams.
REVIVOGEN PRO THICKENING CONDITIONER ($30)
GRAYDON HAIR SMOOTHIE ($25)
LOCK IT IN
If you have hair that is curly, kinky, damaged, or particularly prone to breakage due to dryness, you may want to add a second moisturizing step after you hop out of the shower. A hydrating serum or oil will lock in moisture without weighing down your hair, giving it extra shine and protection. Both are also helpful in preventing tangles.
Oils lubricate the outer cuticle of your hair and strengthen the bonds of the strand’s inner core, helping to reverse the brittleness that causes breakage in the first place. Damaged hair won’t grow longer and will dull your hair’s natural shine, so oil up ASAP–but make sure to apply only on the ends of your strands, and not on your scalp.
MASK IT
Hair masks are a year-long must. Similar to conditioners, they deeply moisturize the hair, strengthen the root, boost shine, and improve hair elasticity and softness. However, due to their specific ingredients and the time of application, the results are almost immediate and much longer-lasting. We suggest using one weekly.
REVIVOGEN PRO VOLUMIZING HAIR MASK ($47)
EXTRA TIPS
Try to avoid brushing wet hair. If required, opt for a wide-tooth comb (and while you’re at it, turn it into a scalp massage to stimulate hair growth!)
MOUNT LAI THE JADE MASSAGING COMB ($70)
Just like our skin, our hair suffers from sun damage. Wear a hat or a scarf to protect your hair when outside for several hours.
Always use a heat protector before blow-drying or styling your hair with heat tools.
Have any more hair care questions? Don’t hesitate to leave us a comment below and we’ll address it ASAP.
Until next time,
Mathilde