Image courtesy of @rachbenaim
Hair care is a serious business, especially when it comes to experimenting with different hairstyles. If you wear your hair tied back every day, then you know how important the style is when it comes to keeping your hair out of your face, especially during the warmer months.
It is a well-known fact that wearing one's hair up every day is not good for your mane. It's easy to forget when it's the easiest way to pull an outfit together and get you out of the house on time.
But the reality of the slicked back look is that pulling your hair back into tight hairstyles will cause breakage over time. The damage is most noticeable around the hairline and nape of your neck, where your hair touches the elastic. These are considered the fragile parts of your hair to begin with, and typically the most chemically treated areas.
When you're in a rush and need to remove your hair tie, wrestling with your ponytail can be an uncomfortable and frustrating experience. The wrong elastic can not only have your hair snapping off throughout the day but can pull out more than the necessary shedding - especially if your hair is already on the delicate side, and prone to stress and strain.
With the ever growing popularity of the model bun (aka The Clean Girl Hair), we've been seeing an increase in split ends and hair snapping due to all the tension from twisting and pulling involved.
The good news is this type of damage is easy to fix! To prevent further breakage to your already broken strands, and to start focusing on repairing your hair, simply opt for loose braids, or leave your hair down more often.
We totally get that different lifestyles and career choices may make that difficult, and may not be an option. Alternatives for that can be that you swap out your elastic band for a silk scrunchie, or hair ribbon, and don't tie your elastic too tight, make sure whatever you use to hold your hair up is not a friction inducing material. The most important thing to remember is to never tie your hair up when it is wet. Wet hair becomes more porous and susceptible to changes, and is at its most fragile state due to it stretching to its snapping point.
Don’t wear your hair the same way every day! Repeatedly wearing your hair in the same ponytail or bun can cause stress on the hair in that particular part, eventually snapping at the base of your bun. Try switching up how you wear it in order to avoid breakage from tying it up in the same place.
Damage preventing styles to try instead:
A low, loose bun or pony is a less stressful way to pull your hair back. The tension in the nape area is reduced. #ProTip part your hair down the middle and leave out the front pieces for a quick and cute style, this also relieves tension on your hairline.
A hair clip bun is a variation on the low and loose bun. It involves no hair ties or pins, relying solely on the claw clip for support. Claw clips distribute the weight of your hair evenly, which means they can be less damaging than other types of hair ties or pins.
Pinning your hair back is perfect to let your hair be down but not get in your way! This also let's you zhuzh up your outfits with hair accessories.
The ribbon bun. Using a silk handkerchief or ribbon can be used to tie up your low bun or pony. Because of the soft, slippy material, there will be no tension on your hair, bonus to using a satin or silk ribbon is that it will be gentler on your hair's moisture content.
Loosely braiding your hair can make a difference. For a more unique look, make your braid more boho by softly twisting the plaits as you braid, and tie it off with a scrunchie. If done on damp hair, second day hair can then become a loose mermaid wave.
The half up, half down allows your nape hairline some reprieve while still keeping the hair out of your face. This is also a great style for those who are always on the fence with what to do with their hair!
How to keep your hair healthy:
As with any other advice about hair care, regularly trimming your hair is one of the best ways to keep it healthy if you wear it up in a ponytail frequently. Trimming your ends will get rid of split ends and other damage that can work its way up the hair shaft. This will also help prevent tangles and the struggle of brushing knots out.
Hair strengthening products to use:
Hair damage shows on the outside but starts from within. Using quality products to strengthen your hair will make it more resilient to the stress of styling your hair. We asked our experts to weigh in on the best hair strengthening products that guarantee results.
Designed for those with inherently weak hair, this nourishing treatment masque is formulated with a curative blend of plant-based protein, and bio-fermented bamboo leaf, along with a moisture-charged hyaluronic acid complex. These ingredients transform weak, brittle hair into strong, resilient, healthier-looking locks.
How to use: Shampoo and condition as normal, allow the conditioner to sit for 3-5 minutes for best results, and rinse well. Work a small amount of the Fortifying Serum into damp or dry hair for strengthening. Style as usual. This can also be used as an overnight treatment.
This mask is specially formulated with collagen to help restore damaged hair and give it the boost of strength, elasticity and softness it needs. Whether the damage comes from excessive colour processing, heat styling or simply the environment you live in. This deep conditioning blend of botanicals and proteins nourishes damaged and delicate hair to help it feel new again.
How to use: After cleansing with shampoo, massage a small amount through damp hair, from mid-lengths to ends. Leave in for 3-5 minutes to restore shine, elasticity, and supple texture. Rinse thoroughly.
Powered by natural ingredients, extracts and conditioners and innovative fortifiers, this leave-in moisturizes, prevents breakage and detangles for incredible manageability and shine. Perfectly pH balanced with natural ingredients like orange extracts to promote cuticle health and strength.
How to use: Spray all over damp hair from the eye line down, and gently comb through. Do not rinse.
Olaplex No3 Strengthening Treatment
This weekly pre-shampoo treatment repairs and prevents damage for more robust, healthier-looking hair after just one use. An innovative bond builder to repair and prevent damage where it starts, on a molecular level.
How to use: Before shampooing, dampen hair and apply Nº3 Hair Perfector from roots to ends. Leave it on for 10 minutes for maximum effects. Rinse well, then shampoo and condition and usual. Treatment can be done 1-3x a week depending on damage.
This lightweight oil penetrates the hair shaft to restore, strengthen and condition damaged locks while providing heat protection. Absorbs instantly and imparts intense nourishment and incredible shine.
How to use: Can be used all over as a pre-shampoo or overnight treatment. Use on damp hair before heat styling, or to dry hair for extra lustre, frizz control, and sun protection.