"Washing your hair less frequently is the best thing you can do for it," says Ren Yekulis, colorist at Mixed Co. Salon in Chicago. "The more often you wash it, the more often you have to style -- and potentially damage -- it, and the faster your color will fade." We totally get that if you're sudsing up daily, it can be nearly impossible to suddenly go a week without washing, so Yekulis suggests slowly increasing the amount of time you go in between shampoos. Start off with a day in between, gradually getting to a point where you're washing only two to three times weekly. In the meantime...
Image via Getty
Photo 3/8
Make Dry Shampoo Your BFF
This style-saver works wonders when it comes to going longer in between washes, but for the best results, put a little more thought and consideration into how you use it. San Diego-based stylist Erin Goodman suggests dividing hair into one-inch sections, then holding the bottle six inches away from your head and spraying directly at the root. Allow it to dry for one minute, then brush the roots vigorously to distribute the product before brushing through the rest of your hair. This M.O. ensures that the dry shampoo absorbs all of the oil and grime without leaving a residue in your hair.
Image via Getty
Photo 4/8
Switch to Sulfate- and Paraben-Free Shampoo
When you do wash your hair, Goodman recommends sticking with shampoos free of these color-unfriendly chemicals. Sulfates (harsh detergents) can strip your color, while parabens build up on the hair shaft. "This not only makes the hair look dull and lifeless, but also prevents any of the hydrating or nourishing ingredients in shampoo or conditioner from penetrating and getting into the cuticle," she explains.
Image via Getty
Photo 5/8
Rethink How You Brush
Next time you're at the salon, pay attention to how your stylist brushes your hair. Hint: They don't start at the top. "When you brush from the scalp down, you're just pushing any tangles into more tangles," points out Yekulis. "This puts more strain on the hair and ups the likelihood of breakage, especially when the hair is wet and already more likely to snap," she adds. The best bet is to start brushing at the ends, gradually moving your way up. And if your hair is wet, using a wide-tooth comb instead of a brush may also help prevent unnecessary damage.
Image via Getty
Photo 6/8
Grab a Mask
For a fast fix, turn to a hair mask or deep conditioner. Typically loaded with hydrating and strengthening ingredients, these products may noticeably improve the look and feel of your hair after just one use. Yekulis suggests using one weekly, applying from mid-shaft to ends, and letting it sit for at least 10 minutes, longer if you have the time. Heat will help open the cuticle and allow all those good-for-your hair ingredients to better penetrate, so consider applying the mask, covering hair in a plastic shower cap, and letting it do its thing for a few hours before rinsing. Netflix and hair mask, anyone?
