STYLE

Look, we love a good curling wand as much as the next gal. But after all the holiday parties and winter formals (translation: toooons of heat styling), chances are your locks are looking a little less than lustrous rn.

But it's not too late to save your strands. Whether your tresses are burned out (maybe literally?) from all the hot tools or simply split from overbrushing, follow these tips to get your hair back on track.

1. Hold the heat

We hope we're not the first to tell you that curling irons, straighteners and blow-dryers can wreak some serious havoc on your hair. (ICYMI, heat literally changes the shape of your hair's keratin strands, which can lead to weaker locks and a loss of elasticity. Yikes.) So if your mane's looking worse for the wear, it might be a good idea to nix the heat altogether. Can't go without your trusty Dyson? Be sure to spritz your hair generously with a high-quality heat protectant (we like Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant, $30) before you hit it with a hot tool.

2. Skip the salon

@caro.stxr

Sorry, highlight girlies, but the harsh chemicals your stylist uses to color your hair are, like, really bad for your strands. Hair bleach doesn't just lift the pigment from your locks—it strips out the natural oils and moisture, too. Not to say that you have to banish balayage forever, but try to space out your salon trips as much as possible to give your tresses time to heal. Then, hit your hair with a nourishing mask every couple of weeks to restore hydration and fortify broken bonds.

3. Incorporate a restorative shampoo and conditioner

The right wash day combo can work wonders on damaged hair. Search for a sulfate-free formula with added ingredients like keratin. The Nexxus Amino Bond Shampoo ($16) and Conditioner ($16) duo uses a bond-building technology to penetrate your strands from the core and repair five types of hair damage in just a couple minutes (!!!). Follow up your rinse with a leave-in serum (like this Nexxus Amino Bond Intense Rebound Treatment, $16) to seal in moisture and keep the healing magic working all day long.

4. Brush better

Raise your hand if you tend to yank a brush through your tangled tresses when you get out of the shower. 🙋‍♀️ Newsflash, not the best way to show your strands the TLC. Instead, use a wide-tooth comb or wet brush with short, gentle strokes—starting at the ends and working your way up to the root. (Oh, and a good detangling spray doesn't hurt—try The Honest Company Refresh Conditioning Detangler, $7.)

5. Sleep on a silk pillowcase

If you tend to toss and turn at night, all that friction between your hair and your pillowcase can cause your hair to break. Swap your cotton or flannel for a silk slip instead. Your hair (and your skin!) will thank you later.

Follow us on TikTok for more beauty tips @girlslifemag!

Top and slider image: @dvcolour

by GL | 1/25/2024