Hairdresser’s top 3 tips for salon-styled results at home

I am a professional hairdresser

 

 

I am sure you all feel the same, that nothing beats the wonderful feel and look of salon-styled hair.

Especially if you have just stepped out of the salon with the new Taylor Swift style and colour. 

As a professional hairdresser, I want to help you achieve that salon-style hair at home.

But there are a few steps you will have to take to truly get that salon-styled hair.

Well unless you are lucky like the lovely Taylor Swift. Who has a group of hairdressers helping her. 

 

Taylor Swift

 

 

Taylor Swift sure does have beautiful hair and she sure knows how to use her hair to her advantage. Especially during her concerts.

At her latest concert, she slipped into different sparkling body suits, boots, ballgowns and catsuits and her hair changed right along with her.

She does have a team of hairdressers helping her though. So that makes it easier.

 

So how do you achieve that salon-style hair at home?

 

Well, a little work is involved. Think about it the first part of a professional salon visit. It usually starts with the hair wash.

Which will involve the best shampoo and conditioner that the hairdresser feels is the right fit for your hair. 

So the first step for you at home is also the shampoo you use.

Shampoo can help you create that wonderful full bounce and lift that you can get with the 90s Supermodel Blowout hair.

But it can also cause that flat lifeless look that you can get when you use a silicone-based shampoo.

You may ask what are the benefits of using a silicone-free shampoo? Well, there are a few.

Using a silicone-free shampoo will stop the build-up of silicone on your hair.

As silicone will weigh your hair down. Thus making your roots look greasy and your ends look dry. Silicone can also eventually lead to your hair breaking off. 

 

How often should I wash my hair?

 

On average you should only be washing your hair once or twice a week. Any more than that and you are washing out all the natural oils.

But if you have to wash your hair more often make sure you are using the right shampoos and conditioners. 

 

The second step

 

The second step is the conditioner. You also need to make sure this is not a silicone-based conditioner. This will also have the same effect on your hair as the shampoo.

So, as you can see it is very important what products you use on your hair.

Please check out my list of the best silicone-free shampoos and conditioners. I have tried these on myself and my clients. these products will help you start with the correct first steps.

The third step is how you handle your hair once you have washed and conditioned it.

This comes down to a few little tricks of the trade.

 

Applying the conditioner 

 

 

With all conditioners make sure you only apply the conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair.

Your scalp has natural oils that will help protect your scalp and your hair.

But if you are prone to a dry scalp please add some conditioner to your scalp too. 

Many people think the white flaky bits on your scalp and hair are dandruff. So they resort to dandruff shampoo.

Many of these shampoos are harsh and never fully remove the problem. Thus you keep buying their shampoo.

 

Dandruff

 

Real dandruff is Seborrheic dermatitis.  So what are some natural remedies for dandruff? or a dry scalp?

 

• Make sure you thoroughly rinse out your shampoo.

 

• Use a gentle shampoo.

 

• Add conditioner to your scalp

 

• Massage your head and scalp regularly throughout the day. This will allow your scalp to produce more oils. 

 

• Use an apple cider vinegar rinse.

 

How can I prevent and treat a dry and itchy scalp?

The main reason for a dry scalp is the harsh shampoo you are using. So make sure you use the correct shampoo.

It can also be that you are not washing out all of the shampoos properly. So make sure you thoroughly rinse out all of the shampoos. Your hair should be left with a squeaking sound.

It can also be that you are overwashing your hair.

 

Rinsing the conditioner out

 

You may ask how can I add volume to my hair?

If you have very thin or slightly thinning hair make sure you wash all of your conditioner out of your hair.

If you do not wash it all out you will be left with too much weight on your hair. Which will then weigh it down and make it difficult to get the lift you desire.

If your hair is a medium thickness to heavy thickness wash out about 50 % of the conditioner.

So, you should still feel a small amount of conditioner on your hair. This helps to weigh down the strong cuticle just enough, without making your hair look greasy.

If you have very thick coarse hair then only wash out about 20% of the conditioner.

You should feel a slightly thick layer on your hair. This helps to smooth out the cuticle and achieve that shiny look you desire.

Try not to use very hot water, as this can remove too many of your natural oils. 

 

Very thick, dry or curly hair

 

How can I tame frizzy hair?

If your hair is very thick, coarse, dry and super curly then you do not have to wash the conditioner out at all. As long as you are not using a very heavy conditioner.

With very thick and curly hair you could even just do a conditioner wash only. So you do not use shampoo at all.

A conditioner wash will help to weigh your curls down, so they form the perfect curls.

Also, if your hair is very dry it helps to smooth out the cuticle making the hair look shiny due to the reflection of light.

With this style of washing you will never end up with that fly-away look you get after washing your hair with shampoo.

 

The way you wash the conditioner out is not all that is involved

 

It also comes down to how you dry your hair after you have rinsed the conditioner out.

First- never rub your hair with a towel. Many people will rub their hair with a towel thinking this is how you get the water out.

Yes, that is true this is how you get the water out. But you are ruffling up the cuticle of the hair strand.

So all that lovely conditioner you have just put on your hair is worthless. As the conditioner was there to make the cuticle lay flat and now the cuticle is back to lifting.

The best way to dry your hair is to squeeze your hair in a towel. If you have thick hair you will have to do this many times.

 

There are two ways you can do this

 

 

Firstly with your head up straight and turned to the side. You put some of your hair into the towel and squeeze the towel with your hands. The same as if you are squeezing a lemon.

 

The second way

 

 

Secondly, bend your head over in your lap so it is upside down. Then put some of your hair into the towel and again squeeze.

Now and then stop the squeezing and put your hands into your hair. At the point closest to the scalp. Make your hands into a claw shape and move your hand from left to right.

This technique will help your hair to lift off the scalp. Thus stopping your hair from lying flat on your head.

This is a great way to help you achieve volume at the roots to allow you to get the perfect 90s Supermodel Blowout.

 

Too much hard work?

 

 

If all this squeezing seems like too much effort you could wrap your hair in a towel like the ones listed below.

These towels are designed to remove a lot of the excess water very quickly.

Leave your hair wrapped in the towel for about 20 minutes. This will remove most of the water. But if it does not remove enough then please follow the same steps from above.

 

Pricing guide

$ = under $15

$$ = $15–$25

$$$ = over $25

 

10-inch Microfiber Hair Towels – YoulerTex Microfiber Hair Towel

$

 

3 Pack Microfiber Hair Towel – Hicober Microfiber Hair Towel

$$

 

Silky smooth style Microfiber Hair Towels – Microfiber Hair Towel Wrap for Women

$$$

 

Claw clips

 

 

What are the best products for my hair type?

Well if you have straight hair you could also use a claw clip. Claw clips are amazing and very versatile. 

Twist your hair around and clip your hair to the top of your head. Clipping your hair to the top of your head will help you to get volume at the roots. Thus again helping you to achieve that 90s Supermodel Blowout.

Sleek updos are also very popular right now, and they’re only gaining traction. Stars like Bella Hadid, Kim Kardashian and Lori Harvey have made slicked-back hair their trademark.

To achieve this look the easy way clip your hair in a claw clip at the lower part of the back of your scalp.

Thus making your hair lay flat on your head while it is drying. Again, a win-win situation as you have already started to style your hair.

The claw clips are yet another Y2K beauty trend and are back in a big way. So yes it’s a win-win situation with the claw clips.

As they are not only stylish but as said versatile too. Plus they are very comfortable and less damaging than hair ties.

 

These are the types of claw clips I recommend using

 

Extra large claw clips for thick, long and curly hair – LuSeren Hair Clips for Women 4.3 Inch

$

 

Large claw clips for thin, thick and curly hair – Claw Clips for Thick Thin Curly Hair

$

 

Small claw clips for thin hair: Double Row Teeth Hair Clips 

$

 

Claw clips for thin hair – Jayongnee 3Pcs Hair Claw Clips

$

 

Tortoise claw clips for hair – Hair Claw Clips 8 Pack Tortoise Barrettes Rectangle Shape

$

 

Rectangular claw clips for hair: Extra Large Hair Claw Clips

$

 

Flower Claw clips – 8PCS Flower Claw Hair Clips

$

 

Large Flower Claw Clips – 8 Pack Flower Hair Clips Large

$

 

Curly hair

 

 

What are the best practices for styling and caring for curly hair?

Drying your hair by squeezing it in a towel is very beneficial if you have curly hair. Squeezing the hair helps to set the curls in their natural form.

You could also squeeze more conditioner into your nearly dry hair if your hair is starting to look a little frizzy.

Just put about a teaspoon of conditioner in your hands. Rub your hands together to make the conditioner separate. Then squeeze this into the mid-lengths and ends of your hair.

 

Combing your hair

 

1. How can I prevent hair breakage and split ends?
2. What is the best way to detangle hair without causing damage?

 

You can comb your hair after you have rinsed the conditioner out, during your shower, during the drying and just before styling. It all depends on your hair type. 

 

• With curly hair, I suggest combing your hair in the shower and then not combing it again. As you want your curls to set the natural way.

 

• With thin hair, you can comb it whenever you like. Sometimes it is better to comb your hair often. As thin hair will tangle please make sure you use a wide-toothed comb and start combing from the ends up. Otherwise, you will cause breakage.

 

• Then with thick hair, I suggest that you wash the conditioner out during the drying process. 

 

You should never comb your hair with a thin comb unless you have very thin hair.  Also never use a thin comb on dry hair. Always comb your hair with a wide-toothed comb.

I do not recommend using a comb on your hair when it is dry. Please use a special brush.

My next post will be about what types of brushes and how to prepare your hair for styling.

 

These are the types of combs I recommend using

 

 

Best wide-toothed comb: Large Hair Detangling Comb Wide Tooth Comb for Curly Hair Wet Dry Hair

$

 

Best wide-toothed detangling comb: Giorgio G49 Graphite Large 5.75 Inch Hair Detangling Comb, Wide Teeth for Thick Curly Wavy Hair

$

 

Best travelling detangling comb: Giorgio G51 Small Travel Purse Hair Detangling Comb

$

 

Best funky detangling comb: Zhailyn Wide Tooth Comb, Tortoise

$

 

Best wide-toothed and narrow detangling comb: Keranique Anti-breakage Hair Styling Comb for Detangling and Conditioning

$

 

Best tortoise-coloured detangling comb: Large Wide Tooth Tortoise Shell Comb Hair Detangling Comb

$

 

Best pink and purple wide-toothed detangling comb: Wide Tooth Comb and Large Hair Detangling Comb

$

 

Best detangling comb for the shower: Gimme Beauty – Turquoise & Purple Detangling Shower Comb Set

$

 

Best hair lifting comb: Cricket Ultra Smooth Coconut Hair Pick Comb for Curly, Thick, Medium to Long Hair

$

 

Use your fingers as a comb

 

If you have very thick or curly hair then I suggest using your fingers first before using a comb.

You make your fingers and hands act like a comb. By putting them into a claw shape like the picture below.

Start at the ends of your hair and slowly start to separate the strands, especially if they are stuck together.

Work from the ends of your hair, through the mid-lengths and up to the scalp. Never start from the top first as this will break your hair.

If you have fine to medium-textured hair you can start with a comb. But again only start at the ends, working your way up the mid-lengths to the scalp. Never start from the scalp and comb down. This will cause breakage.

So now you have prepared your hair ready to style. But you will have to wait for my next post to find out more.

 

Take away

 

 

Never rub your hair once it’s in the towel, always squeeze dry your hair.

Try not to use silicone-based shampoos and conditioners as they will create build-up, greasy roots, dry ends and even make your hair break off.

If you do use a silicone-based shampoo or conditioner then please use a shampoo to remove the build-up. Before your hair breaks off.

But be careful to only use this type of shampoo about once a month. As this shampoo is harsh on your hair. 

 

• Best silicone-removing shampoo and conditioner – PURA D’OR Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo & Conditioner

 

You could also use the more natural way which is an apple cider vinegar rinse.

 

Always use a wide tooth comb to comb your hair when wet. Never comb your hair with a thin comb when dry.

Try and use a claw clip for fashion and to protect your hair.

Please feel free to write in the comments if you would like more advice.

 

Happy hair days.