Want longer, stronger hair? Or how about a brand-new colour? January's the perfect time to kickstart a new regime and up your hair game, but getting started can be super tough which is why we'd always recommend setting yourself a few (firm) resolutions. Not sure where to start? We want to see everyone smash their hair goals this year, so we've pulled together a list of must-keep hair resolutions - including some top tips from our expert stylists.
Stick to a haircare routine
Routines are boring. They eat up your chill time and they’re way (way) too easy to give up on. Sadly, they’re also key to good hair. RiRi, Cheryl and Beyonce all have ‘em, and you can bet your next paycheck that the true hair goddesses like Ariana Grande don’t get those picture-perfect ‘dos by lathering up with an everyday shampoo. Routines don’t have to be super arduous either. When we grilled our stylists on their top tips for regular hair maintenance, they told us to focus on:
- Washing with a shampoo (and conditioner!) that matches your hair type.
- Using a good hair serum.
- Detoxing with a hair mask at least once per week (We love Designline's Olive Oil Masque).
- Letting your hair rest for at least one day per week (without heated styling tools)
When it comes to actually picking the right products, the best advice is to focus on finding things that are right for your hair type. If you’ve got thick or curly hair, try to look out for lightweight products like Paul Mitchell’s Super Skinny Serum. If you have thin, limp or dry hair, try to focus on products that are designed to hydrate or nourish your hair (like Kerastase’s Nutritive Irisome Lait Vital) and if you have coloured hair, you should definitely try to find something like Sebastians’ Colour Ignite Shampoo, which is designed to lock in pigments. Moisture is important too. When your hair dries out, it becomes way more susceptible to damage so try to pick up a hydrating shampoo, or use a good hair mist whenever you can. All this talk of serums and hair masks might sound super intimidating, but it’s surprisingly easy to keep up with a good routine (once you’ve gotten into the habit, at least!) and the results are well worth the effort.
Heat-treat your hair
Hand on heart, how often do you use the heat protect spray lurking at the back of your dresser? Don't worry: we're not here to judge. Most of us are just as guilty of glossing over it on a busy morning but that doesn't change the fact that heat protect sprays are key to sleek and glossy hair. Every time you use straighteners, tongs or a hairdryer, you strip moisture from your hair and damage the protective cuticle layer that prevents your hair from fraying. A good heat protect spray gets between your hair and all this damage: Coating individual strands to ensure they’re properly insulated from harm. A lot of heat protection sprays also contain ingredients that are designed to nourish and revitalise damaged hair which is great if you’ve been neglecting regular heat treatment and need to make amends. They’re also dead easy to use - you literally just spritz it straight onto damp hair before you style, so this is probably one of the easiest New Year’s resolutions you’ll find. Not sure which spray to go for? ghd are the masters of all things heat-related and their Heat Protect Spray is one of the best in the business so we’d recommend starting there!
Get trimmed regularly
It's no secret that regular trims are key to good hair, your stylist probably nags you every time you sit down in the chair, and for good reason too: Not only do regular trims keep you looking 100% on-point, they also remove split ends which stops the damage from spreading up your hair, and helps to restore some of it's shine. If you've ever noticed that your hair starts to look tired or flat a few weeks after getting a cut, that's a sure sign that you've waited too long but the general rule is to go every 4-6 weeks (depending on your hair type). And yes, we know that's a big ask. That's why we're advocating that you make it one of your New Year resolutions. It won’t be easy, but we promise it’s worth the effort and that your hair will thank you for the extra commitment. Plus it’s not like you have to book an appointment or anything - just drop into your local Supercuts salon whenever it’s time, and one of our stylists will look after the rest.
Experiment with brand-new colour
We’re always looking for an excuse to experiment with colour. It’s fun, it keeps things fresh and it’s a great way to express yourself. Plus, a brand new colour’s perfect for shaking off last year’s cobwebs, and gearing up for SS19. If you take a sneak-peak at last year’s hottest hair trends, you’ll notice that tonnes of celebrities were trialling new colours in AW18, and we’re pretty confident that trend will continue this year. Just look at all the buzz around coral hair atm! Keen to get in on the hype? Now’s the perfect time to swing by your local Supercuts and chat to one of our stylists about one of our colour packages. You don’t need an appointment or anything so just show up whenever you’re ready and get started. Make sure you pick up a good colour protect shampoo too: Even permanent colour treatments will start to fade once your hair’s cuticle layer gets damaged and the pigments can leach out so it’s best to start using a suitable product from the day you make the switch.
Try A Healthy Hair Diet
Believe it or not, Insta-perfect hair isn't just the results of good product and a god-tier sylist. If you want to really up your hair game, word is that you'll neeed to start by re-jigging your diet to ensure that you're getting the right balance of hair-friendly nutrients. Experts recommend eating less fatty food, and prioritising ingredients that are high in vitamins A, D, and K. It's also important to get plenty of protein and a good amount of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, so you should focus on foods like:
- Walnuts
- Brown rice
- Leafy green veg
- Salmon
- Green tea
- Prunes
- Blueberries
There’s also some evidence to suggest that bacon is a good choice - what with its high zinc and vitamin B content - but we’re not quite sure whether we should be recommending bacon here so we’re kind of hedging our bets and mentioning it here instead. If you’re not going totally #veganuary you could also try beef because that’s pretty much the best source of protein you’ll find. Shifting your diet can be pretty daunting but if you can manage for 2-4 weeks, you should notice a change in your hair’s texture and shine. Particularly if you do it in conjunction with a nourishing hair mask or a nutrient-rich serum!
Get your paws on a (good) protein treatment
Want stronger, shinier hair? Extra protein’s your bff. A whopping 70-90% of your hair is made of this wonder nutrient (depending on moisture content) but protein isn’t quite as strong as you might think. Excess heat, chemical colours and abrasive cleaning agents can all cause some pretty savage damage to strands of protein; splitting them straight down the middle, or causing them to break apart like a frayed string. Now, this kind of damage is pretty routine, but it can build up over time - leaving your hair looking limp, dry and flat. Our stylists recommend using a good protein treatment to get ahead of the problem and keep your hair looking nice and glossy. Good options include Paul Mitchell’s Awapuhi Keratin Intensive Treatment or Designline’s Protein Boost Leave in which will provide all the protein needed to heal and replenish your hair. Protein-rich shampoos like Paul Mitchell’s Super Skinny Daily Shampoo are also a good shout. They’re not as intensive as a leave-in serum, but they still provide a whacking dose of extra protein which will definitely help to get things back on track.
Stay Social
Found a New Year's resolution that works for you? Share it with us @SupercutsUK using the hashtag #SupercutsUK !
