By Emma Line

It looks like the latest lockdown is here to stay for a while.  And that means another stretch without visiting our favourite salons to get our hair taken care of.  This being lockdown 3.0, most of us have already been through the cut-your-own-fringe phase, dyed our hair every colour under the sun and witnessed the disastrous results of playing hairdresser with the kitchen scissors…  We’re ready to start taking proper care of our hair.  And what better time to begin than when we’re spending all our time at home? 

This is the perfect opportunity to really get to know your hair as well as giving it a bit of a break.  Maybe you’ve been a bit heavy-handed lately with the straighteners?  Or perhaps after that fifth hair dye, your strands are feeling a little worse for wear?  It’s time to show our hair some proper TLC.  Here are our top tips for getting started:

Nutrition and Hydration 

Before even picking up a single hair product, something to really be aware of is the impact our diet has on the condition of our hair. Getting enough protein, iron and zinc is incredibly important for keeping our strands strong. If our diet doesn’t provide enough of these, hair can become weaker, break more easily and in extreme cases, fall out. Keeping our diet as balanced as possible throughout lockdown will help maintain hair health, improving overall condition and growth.

Similarly, staying hydrated is a must – something which may be slipping our minds more easily during lockdown.  Just as hydration keeps our skin glowing, it keeps our hair happy too.  So make sure you’re refilling your water glass regularly throughout the day. 

Don’t forget your scalp! 

Scalp care is essential for achieving effortlessly healthy hair.  Over-washing, or using a harsh shampoo can strip the scalp of its natural oils.  Reducing the frequency you wash your hair, or swapping in a more gentle shampoo – especially a sulphate-free option – is less likely to disrupt the balance and leave your scalp happier and healthier.  And don’t skip the scalp massage!  Gently kneading your scalp whilst shampooing increases circulation and promotes hair growth.  It’s also a great relaxation tool for reducing stress – something we can all benefit from right now.  Check out these amazing conditioners: 

Hair Masks 

If your hair could really use some extra special care and attention, try incorporating a hair mask into your routine. Why not make it part of a full-on pamper evening to treat yourself after a busy week of WFH? Or make it a regular step in your weekly hair care routine . Masks give hair an extra boost – many are deep-conditioning, whilst others contain key nutrients and antioxidants – and, best of all, they smell great too! 

Down tools

Putting your heat styling tools into their own little lockdown will also help your hair bounce back faster. Regular styling without proper care dries out hair, leaving it weak and brittle. Treatments and masks are a great way to repair distressed locks but it’s equally important to give them a break from heat exposure when you can . Try skipping on the blow dry and let hair dry naturally when you have the time. 

However, if lounging around with wet hair sounds like your worst nightmare (you’re not alone!), then make sure you use a heat protection product such as Beauty Works Heat Protection Spray, £11.99 before blow drying and turn down the heat on your hairdryer if this is an option. 

We might be waiting a while until we can put our hair back in the safe hands of the professionals, but we can still achieve some pretty luscious lockdown locks at home. Show your hair some extra love and nourishment, sit back, and wait for the compliments to come flooding in on your next Zoom call. You’ll thank us later.