Can’t Make it to the Salon? Here’s How to Give Your Hair Some TLC At-Home

3 min read
OSCAR DE LA RENTA

If you thought the weeks of split ends, DIY blow drys and grown out roots were over, think again. Despite the easing of lockdown restrictions in Dubai, and the reopening of some beauty salons, you may still find it difficult to get your post-lockdown locks. 

An extensive waiting list comes with every hair appointment, as well as strict social distancing guidelines, masks to be worn at all times and a temperature check before you begin. And with some of us still confined to our own home, the wait to see a professional stylist must simply go on. 

Luckily, we’ve brought the stylist to you and sought advice from Stuart Hastings, senior stylist at Pastels Salon. Here, Hastings talks us through four simple beauty tricks and tries, to help keep hair healthy and still stylish at-home.

Heat tools strip colour and shine | BRANDON MAXWELL

TAKE A BREAK FROM TOOLS
With everyone spending more time at home and not privy to the UAE’s usual dynamic social scene, there has never been a better opportunity to give your hair some TLC.  Most of us are addicted to hair-styling heat tools in the quest for Insta-perfect hair, but now is a good time to give your hair a break from the endless blowdrying/styling regime that relies on damaging tools.

Over time, heat styling can take the shine from your hair and strip your strands of colour. Stopping the use of hot hair tools, means that your hair is able to regain optimum health and not be stripped of moisture, which in turn will leave it shiny and a lot less frizzy after it dries.

hair at-home

Masque Intense, KERASTASE | No.6 Bond Smoother, OLAPLEX both available at Pastels e-store

TREAT ONCE A WEEK
As well as giving your hair a break from hot hair tools, why not add in a few weekly treatments to promote its health and restore its lustre and elasticity. Kerastase’s Masque Intense is a brilliant way to infuse the hair with moisture; while Olaplex is a must-have for those with coloured hair as it repairs disulfide bonds in hair, leaving it smooth and shiny.

hair at-home

Coconut milk acts as a natural conditioner | AKRIS

GO AU NATURALE
For natural product lovers, coconut milk is a popular choice. This is because it contains all the essential nutrients required for healthy hair, boosting your hair follicles and promoting hair growth. Lauric acid is one of the main ingredients in coconut. This long/medium-chain fatty acid is known for its ability to penetrate hair easily and help strengthen the cuticle.

The natural fatty acid profile of coconut milk has extreme moisturizing effects. These can restore both dry hair and scalp, acting as a powerful conditioner for damaged hair too. To use this hair care trick at-home, apply coconut milk on your hair and massage for 3 to 5 minutes. Shampoo as usual, after 20 minutes.

hair at-home

Experiment with plaits and braids | ANDREW GN

BE CREATIVE
One other huge advantage of ditching your usual hair regime is that with the time you save on styling your hair, you can investigate other methods to create on-point braided looks or boho waves by braiding on placing damp hair in buns. You can also use this time to curate your at-home hair product portfolio and will end up with a greater appreciation for products that blur the boundaries of care and styling.

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