My strands had become engulfed in bright shades of auburn thanks to the lack of professional toning. My roots had grown out so much that it started to look like a dodgy home dip-dye effect... 2013 vibes.
And yes, I did have split ends.
But when I sat down in that hairdressers chair and felt the stylist run her fingers through my hair, I was sure that she was going to tell me my hair needed some serious TLC. Instead she said "How on earth is your hair so healthy? Usually when girls come in with bleached hair it feels like straw...whatever you're doing, keep doing it."
My friends have always envied over my hair, saying how long and healthy it is and how jealous they are. But I just thought they couldn't see past the length as they all have mid-length cuts. But as it turns out, my hair really is healthy!
I'm a minimal effort kind of gal, which is a nice way of calling myself lazy to be honest. Which means my hair care routine is pretty simple to follow. Here's how I keep it healthy and up to my hairdressers standards!
1. Use minimal heat and when you do, protect it!
I'm rubbish at styling my own hair, I can just about curl it all over, but that takes at least an hour and a few burns to get right. So I tend to just leave the house and wet down any fly aways in the morning. I also never EVER use a hair dryer. I usually wash my hair at night and go to bed with damn hair. Heat damages the natural texture of your hair and can cause it to split and break off, the damage is permanent and the only way to fix it is to cut off the mess! So, if you really need to use heat for a night out or for time purposes, then try and style it on a lower and heat and use a heat protectant. I use my trusty Tressemé Heat Protection Spray or the OGX Frizz Defy + Coconut Miracle Oil Heat Protection Cream.
2. Use a hair mask
I like to try and treat my hair at least once a week to a nourishing mask that I keep on for at least 10 minutes, but I almost always leave it on for hours. You can spend a lot of money on them, and of course there will be some quite expensive ones that are free from all nasties that are perfect for hair. But when you're on a budget or just can't face spending more than £20 on a hair product, then I have a couple of recommendations. At the moment, I'm using the Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Food Mask Treatment in watermelon. Its a lovely thick texture and a little goes a long way, and the watermelon scent is delicious! An OG hair mask are the Aussie ones, I love any of the one's from their 3 Minute Miracle range, especially the Reconstructor.
3. Hair serums
I have been using serums and oils on my hair for years. It's the best way to make your hair feel silky smooth and flatten down your flyaways and split ends. My hairdresser recommended olive oil during my appointment last week, so that's one I'm going to try next! I have quite a few shop bought serums in my arsenal and have tried and tested many over the years. Here are my favourites:
- Garnier Ultimate Blends Coconut Hair Oil
- L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil
- OGX Renewing+ Argan Oil of Morocco Penetrating Oil
- L'Oreal Elvive Dream Lengths No Haircut Cream
4. Choose the right toning shampoo
An essential part of maintaining balayage is toning so that you aren't welcomed with annoying brassy tones. There are so many on the market and you will undoubtedly get tempted to buy one from a drugstore, but the truth is, toners are best at professional grade. Purple shampoos work as a toner too and I have finally found one that is strong enough to lift the caramel tones in my dark brown hair: Fudge Professional Clean Blonde Damage Rewind Shampoo. A previous hair dresser reccomened it to me a few years ago when I first started getting my hair bleached and I've been hooked since. I always recommend it as it's infused with ingredients that help to keep your hair moisturised whereas many drug store purple shampoos severely dry out the hair.