I am a professional hairdresser

 

 

I am the type of hairdresser who has always loved to help my clients. Especially with the best tools and products they can use on their hair.

But recently I thought why just help my clients, why don’t I try and help everyone’s clients too? So, I decided to start writing posts on how to help people handle their hair at home. I love to help people and animals.

As you all know going to a hair salon feels amazing. Especially once you are in the hands of your hairdresser. As you are the one that gets all the attention. Well, usually it is that way. But what happens once you step out of the salon?

If you are lucky and have a hairdresser/hair stylist who is willing to take the time to teach you. Then all is good but if you are not that lucky then you may be left with a pile of tangles or limp lifeless hair.

So here is my next post to help you handle your hair at home.

 

Step one

 

 

So the First Step comes down to the products you use on your hair. The first product is 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.

Using a silicone-free shampoo will stop the build-up of silicone on your hair. Because silicone weighs your hair down. Thus making your roots look greasy and your ends look dry. Silicone can also eventually lead to your hair breaking off. If you would like more information about silicone-free shampoos please have a look.

 

What’s next?

 

 

The Second Step comes down to the next lot of products, the conditioners. You also need to make sure this is not a silicone-based conditioner. As this will also have the same effect on your hair as a silicone-based shampoo. Check out the conditioners here – Silicone-free conditioners. 

The third step comes down to how you handle your hair once you have finished washing your hair. I have written a post about how to handle your hair after washing it and the products you should use. Have a look at where it says the third step.

So what’s next? Well, that all depends on what hair design you want to achieve.

 

Styling your hair

 

 

Depending on which country you live in can make a huge difference to how you style your hair. If you are living in a hot country your hair will be able to dry naturally. Compared to living in cold countries, like the U.K. Where there is no way you would leave your hair to dry naturally. Well, unless it is the one hot week of summer that we get, then you can.

Drying your hair naturally is the best way you can dry your hair. As you are not allowing any external heat devices to damage your hair. Also, you are allowing your hair to fall exactly how it was designed to fall. Which often is the most flattering look for your face.

 

• But what if you like to blow-dry your hair because you want a particular style?

 

• What if you live in a cold country?

 

Well, then you need to use a hair dryer or another heating device like a hood hair dryer and rollers. But the most important part when you are blow drying your hair is to have some form of heat protection.

 

Heat Protection

 

 

When using hot styling tools like hairdryers, straighteners, or curling irons. You must always apply some form of heat protection products. This is to shield your hair from damage that these appliances can cause.

The heat protection you use will all depend on what heating device you are using. If you are using a hair dryer to dry your hair you can apply a spray, mist, oil or serum to your hair first. As a hair dryer does not conduct as much heat as hair straighteners or curling tongs.

If you are using hair straighteners I would always suggest you use a spray as a spray will spread more evenly. But that all depends on how good you are at applying products.

Never use any other heating device apart from a hair dryer on wet hair. If you use straighteners or curling irons on wet hair you are frying your hair strands.

Below I have added the best heat protection sprays I have found that I have used on my hair and my client’s hair.

 

Pricing guide

$ = under $15

$$ = $15–$25

$$$ = over $25

 

My top products for heat protection at home –

 

1 – Heat protection spray for hair straightening – CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray

$

 

2 – Heat protection spray with oil – Mielle Mongongo Oil Thermal & Heat Protectant Spray

$

 

3 – Lightweight heat protection spray – L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Sleek It Iron Straight Heat Spray

$

 

4 – Heat protection spray to control frizz – TIGI Bed Head Some Like It Hot Heat Protection Spray for Heat Styling

$

 

Blow-Drying

 

 

Before you start to style your hair with a hair dryer it is best to remove most of the water from your hair naturally. This saves your hair from having too much heat damage. I wrote a post about how to remove most of the water. Please have a look here.

To blow-dry your hair it is always best to use the lowest heat setting. Also, make sure that you wiggle the hair drying by moving the hair dryer from side to side. Do not just hold it in one spot. Holding the dryer close and in one spot will dry the hair out, burn off all the natural oils and burn your scalp.

To get the body into your hair it is best to lift the roots. This is why you see your hairdresser lift your hair high when they are blow drying. To do this at home turn your head upside down in your lap. Aim the hair dryer at the roots of the hair, remember to wiggle the hair dryer.

You can make the roots almost 90 % dry. True styling comes when your hair is sectioned. Once 90 % dry turn your hair up the correct way. You will now see lots of lift on your roots.

So, now we start to style your hair. Divide your hair into manageable sections. This is to ensure that you dry each part evenly and thoroughly before using any other heating device. Remember to wiggle the hair dryer. If you are struggling to get the lift you require. Then you can tilt your head to the side while you are drying.

You can remove the part at the end of a hair dryer. So you do not allow the heat to be concentrated in one area. This part is usually used by professional hairdressers when they want a certain area of the hair focussed on.

 

Pricing guide

$ = under $15

$$ = $15–$25

$$$ = over $25

 

My top products for drying at home-

 

1 – Hair dryer – Conair Double Ceramic Hair Dryer

$$

 

2 – Hair dryer and diffuser for curly hair – Wavytalk Professional Ionic Hair Dryer Blow Dryer with Diffuser and Concentrator for Curly Hair

$$$

 

3 – Low noise hair dryer – 110000 RPM High-Speed Ionic Hair Dryer, Professional

$$$

 

4 – Hair dryer for travelling – Blow Dryer Lightweight Hair Dryer

$$

 

Blow-drying curly hair

 

 

If you have curly hair it is always advisable to use a diffuser. A diffuser is a great product as it does what it says on the box. It diffuses the amount of heat from one area to a larger area.

A diffuser is also great for people with very thin hair or sensitive scalp. The heat from the hair dryer is not concentrated in one area. But using a diffuser does not make it easy if you want straight hair. You may find it difficult to control the width of the dryer plus your hair brush. So it may be a great way to dry your hair first but you may require hair straighteners after.

 

Pricing guide

$ = under $15

$$ = $15–$25

$$$ = over $25

 

My top products for diffusing hair for at-home use –

 

1 – Hair diffuser –Universal Hair Diffuser Adaptable

$

 

2 – Super sturdy hair diffuser –Universal Hair Diffuser

$$

 

3 – Hair diffuser – Hair Diffuser Attachment Universal Diffuser

$

 

4 – Hair diffuser –Conair Volumizing Universal Hair Diffuser, Adjustable Hair Dryer Attachment for Frizz-Free Curls

$

 

5- Hair diffuser for travelling – Universal Collapsible Hair Dryer Diffuser, Will Fit Most  Hair Dryers

$

 

Brushes

 

 

Brushes are an important product you should have when blow-drying your hair. They are the part that controls the lift, body and frizz. It is also handy to have many different products, as you may require a different look.

Consider using a round brush to add volume at the roots and smoothness to the mid-lengths and ends. With a round brush, you can easily bend the bottom of your hair for that great tucked-under look.

A denim brush has nine rows of extra-long nylon pins. This brush is ideal for medium to thick hair as it can grab a large section of hair in one go. Thus it helps to provide lift without tangling your hair.

The more bristles the more tension there is on the hair. Fewer bristles and you get more airflow so the hair will dry faster but maybe not as smooth.

I have no preference on what brush I use as everyone’s head of hair is completely different. No one human is the same let alone one strand of hair. So I will use whatever brush is suited to the hair type of my customer.

I have created a list of the best hairbrushes I have used so far. I have evaluated each on design, bristle type, and brush shape. I have also considered if the brush can be used on wet, dry hair, or both, and also, the different hair types each brush is best suited for.

 

Pricing guide

$ = under $15

$$ = $15–$25

$$$ = over $25

 

My top brushes for at-home use –

 

1 – Ceramic thermal hairbrush to help straighten hair – Round Brush for Blow Drying – Extra Small

$$

 

2 – Wooden paddle hair brush – Wooden Paddle Hair Brush

$$

 

3 – Cushion hair brush – Denman Cushion Hair Brush (Large)

$$$

 

4 – Round hair brush for medium to thick hair – Professional Round Brush for Blow Drying – Large Ceramic

$$

 

5 – Round hair brush for short hair – Conair Style & Volumize Metal Round Brush

$

 

6 – Soft wire bristles hairbrush – Kitsch Wet Hair Brush Detangling Brush

$

 

7 – Paddle brush for medium to thick hair –Conair Quick Blow-Dry Copper Collection, Curved Paddle Brush

$

 

Use the Right Tools

 

 

Using the right tools and products on your hair is very important. Same as putting the right food into your body to have good health is important. As you are what you eat.

If you use hair straighteners please invest in high-quality straighteners. The high-quality straighteners are designed to do less damage to your hair. They are also designed to provide the right amount of heat

But if the high-quality straighteners are out of your price range, please choose ones with adjustable temperature settings. Professional hairdressers will always use quality products because they do not want to cause damage to your hair.

If your straighteners are metal they can be too hot for your hair. Thus making your dry and brittle and resulting in your hair breaking off. Try to limit the amount of heat-styling tools you use. Opting for heatless hairstyles whenever possible to reduce damage to your hair.

 

Using straighteners

 

If you are using hair straighteners make sure you only go over the section of hair you are straightening once or twice at the most. If you invest in good quality hair straighteners then just once will be enough. As they are designed to give straight hair straight away.

I have added a few of the best hair straighteners I have used. As you will see I love GHDs, the reason I love GHDs is you usually only have to go over one section of hair once to get perfectly straight hair. Also, they have a great way of keeping the hair straight for a longer period. But that also consists of what products you are using to benefit from the GHD’s skills.

 

Pricing guide

$ = under $50

$$ = $50–$75

$$$ = over $75

 

My top products of hair straighteners for at-home –

 

1 – Professional GHD 1″ hair straightener – GHD Original Styler ― 1″ Flat Iron Hair Straightener

$$$

 

2 – Professional GHD 2″ hair straightener –GHD Max Styler ― 2″ Flat Iron Hair Straightener

$$$

 

3 – Professional GHD 1″ hair straightener –Platinum

$$$

 

4 – Hair straighteners: – L’OREAL PROFESSIONNEL PARIS Steam Hair Straightener

$$$

 

Using tongs/curling irons

 

 

If you are using hair tongs or curling irons make sure you get good quality ones. Cheaper ones will get too hot and damage your hair. Also, make sure you do not leave your hair inside or wrapped around the tongs for too long. Make sure you also protect your hair with the right products.

If you want curls you can use the thin GHD hair straighteners to make curls. Then you are only buying one product for two jobs. These are the ones I recommend if you want to try that technique – GHD Curve Classic Curl Tong

 

Pricing guide

$ = under $50

$$ = $50–$75

$$$ = over $75

 

My top products for curling hair at home –

 

1 – Hot brush for curls and lift – GHD Rise Hot Air Hair Brush

$$$

 

2 – Curling tongs – Paul Mitchell Pro Tools Express Gold Curl Marcel Titanium Curling Iron

$$

 

3 – For curls and straight hair – DAN Technology 5 in 1 Curling Iron Curling Wand

$

 

4 – Interchangeable tongs – Curling Iron, 6-in-1 Curling Wands

$

 

5 – Great for travelling: – Mini Curling Iron Travel Size

$

 

Hair Serums, smoothers and Oils

 

 

Hair serums are the best products for shiny hair. They are a great product to help you control frizz and achieve smooth-looking hair. Especially if you have curly hair and you want to cover up that I have just washed my hair look.

Hair serums, oils, smoothers and other products should be applied to dry hair to get the best results. But you can apply them before drying your hair. Squeeze about 3 or 4 drops into the palms of your hands and rub your hands together to soften and warm up the serum. Then gently squeeze the serum into the ends of your hair, working your way up to the mid-lengths. Do not apply the serum to the roots, unless you want a greasy look.

Once you have applied the products you can either brush your hair if you have straight hair or use your fingers to act like a comb if you have curly hair. Thus separating any tangles and spreading the product evenly.

You can add serums, oils, smoothers and other softening products to your ends and mid-lengths every morning if you have very dry or frizzy hair. If you prefer not to use a serum you can also use conditioner and apply it the same way as above.

 

Pricing guide

$ = under $15

$$ = $15–$25

$$$ = over $25

 

My top glossy, shiny hair products –

 

1 – Hair smoother –Olaplex No 6 Bond Smoother

$$$

 

 

2 – Hair serum –Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum

$$$

 

3 – Hair serum – Peptide Hair Growth Serum for Men & Women

$$

 

4 -Hair oil – OUAI Hair Oil – Hair Heat Protectant Oil for Frizz Control

$

 

5 – Hair serum – HerStyler Hair Repair Serum – Argan Oil, Vitamin E and Aloe Vera

$

 

6 – Hair serum for blonde/greying hair –Framesi Color Lover Dynamic Blonde Serum

$$$

 

7 – Argon oil for hair –PURA D’OR Organic Moroccan Argan Oil

$

 

Regular Trims

 

 

Having fabulous hair is not all about the products you use. The most important part of keeping your hair healthy and getting long gorgeous locks is having a regular haircut/trim.

I know many of you can be scared to visit a hair salon to have a haircut. As you have probably been to a hairdresser to ask for 2 centimetres cut off and you have ended up with half of your hair gone.

Luckily for me, I started hairdressing at a hairdressing college. So, I got many different diplomas in all aspects of hairdressing and beauty. From wig making, massage, face shapes, facials,  deportment, and even science. I loved science so that was one of the best bits for me.

While at college you had a work placement once a week at one of the top hair salons in Bournemouth. The salon I worked at was owned by a hairdresser who used to be the manager of Vidal Sassoon hair salons in London. So, I felt so privileged to be invited to work at his salon. Thus, I learned many amazing skills in hairdressing.

One of the most important skills I learned was to ask your customers questions, over and over and over. Until you are both on the same wavelength. Otherwise, mistakes will happen and you will end up with half your hair gone.

 

How often should I cut my hair?

 

You should be having regular trims every 6 to 8 weeks. The reason you have to do this is it will prevent your split ends from travelling up the hair shaft. Which eventually makes the hair too thin, so it snaps off.

If you are trying to grow your hair regular haircuts are so important. You can insist your hairdresser cuts off the very ends and that you are willing to come every 6 weeks if they adhere to your requests.

You may not know but your hair goes through four stages of growth.

The first three phases are anagen, catagen, and telogen. They are the growth and maturation of hair and the activity of the hair follicles that produce individual hairs. During the final, or exogen, phase, “old” hair sheds, though usually, a new hair is getting ready to take its place.

On average, you lose 80 to 100 hairs a day. So, if you do not wash your hair that often when you do you may have a huge pile of hair left in your drain.

Each phase has its timeline, which can be affected by age, nutrition, and overall health. That means there are steps you can take along the way to help ensure that your hair follows a healthy growth cycle.

Having healthy and full hair all depends on genetics and hormone levels, which are largely beyond your control, as well as manageable factors related to a healthy lifestyle and proper hair care.

 

Take away

 

 

So I have run through how to get amazing hair at home. But please remember one of the most important parts of having fabulous hair is a balanced diet. Making sure you are staying hydrated, and reducing stress. Which is not always easy.

I hope my posts help you achieve that amazing salon-styled hair. Do not forget to visit the hair shop for your regular trims.