7 ways to eliminate bad hair days

Don’t you wish you could have a good hair day, every day? We’re with you. And the good news is, it’s not completely out of reach. Get gorgeous hair 24/7 by kicking all of those confidence killers like split ends, straw-like strands and lack of shine to the kerb. The good news is you don’t have to go it alone – we’ve got your back. Here’s how to keep your mane healthy and oh-so-happy.

THE KILLER: FRIZZ
THE FIX: CONTROL IT

When the humidity skyrockets, so too does the water inside your strands, causing the cuticle to expand and fluff out. Not. Cute. Tame your mane by using a boar bristle brush (especially when you blow-dry) to really seal the cuticles and make them stay put. To keep any flyaways from escaping, use a lightweight hairspray. Spray some onto your palms, run your hands over the outside of the can, and then use it like a rolling pin over your hair to smooth out your style.

1. Moroccanoil Boar Bristle Paddle Brush
2. Sebastian Professional Shaper Zero Gravity
3. ghd Final Fix Hairspray
4. TONI&GUY Hair Care Flexible Hold Hairspray

THE KILLER: FLAT STRANDS

THE FIX: PLUMP IT

Healthy hair looks light and bouncy, so if you’ve been sporting heavy, lank strands lately, it’s time to sort that out. Go straight to the root (pun intended) of the problem and work a buildable, texturising spray or mousse into your roots to get that volume going. Just make sure to use it on damp hair before blow-drying to create the lift it lacks. A word to the wise: Don’t overdo it on the product. Too much is just going to weigh your mane down again. If you’re unsure of how much to use, don’t freak: here’s a guide.

1. Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Texturising Spray
2. Kiehl’s Volumiser
3. Clairol Professi onal Flat Ban Strong Root Mousse

THE KILLER: SPLIT ENDS

THE FIX: CUT IT

Fun fact: there are 16 types of split ends, and the most common culprit of damaged hair is waiting too long between haircuts. When the hair is split, it will continue to tear up the strand, ultimately causing more damage. Stop it in its tracks with a protein-based treatment, as this will act as a temporary bandage until your next cut.

1. Fudge Ends
2. evo mane attention protein treatment
3. De Lorenzo Protein Complex strengthening treatment

THE KILLER: PRODUCT OVERLOAD

THE FIX: CLEANSE IT

Our hair, like our skin, needs a breather from product now and then. Product build-up is a massive contributor to thinning hair and baldness (especially for guys) so it’s really important to, as the Fudge Detox packaging says, “wash away your sins”. So what are you waiting for? Get in there, wash it all out, and let your strands bask in all of their naked, very clean glory. Assign one day a week to let your hair down and go prod-free. Your strands will thank you for it.

1. Fudge Detox
2. Redken Hair Cleansing Cream
3. Chaz Dean Cleansing Conditioner

THE KILLER: SCALP ISSUES

THE FIX: TREAT IT

If flakes are falling, you know your scalp needs some TLC. A dry scalp can cause irritation, redness and serious discomfort. Soothe the issue with a product that’s going to regenerate the scalp and keep the flakes at bay. Similarly, if your scalp’s oil production has gone into overdrive, apply a treatment that’s going to increase circulation and regulate it.

1. Moroccanoil Oily Scalp Treatment
2. Moroccanoil Dry Scalp Treatment

THE KILLER: HEAT DAMAGE

THE FIX: SHIELD IT

Let’s be real for a minute here. Asking a woman to give up her straightener would be like asking a man to give up his sword. And then sending him into battle. It’s going to end badly. So given that going tool-free is just NOT an option for some, learn to shield your strands from the scorching temps by applying a hydrating cream before picking up your hot, hot tool. Switching to heat stylers that have various heat settings isn’t a bad idea, either.

bh tip: When using a hairdryer, blow-dry in sections rather than all at once to avoid going over the same spot and causing further damage. The same goes for a straightener – the smaller the sections, the happier the hair.

1. Philips Pro Dryer
2. Remington Keratin & Argan Nourish Straightener
3. L’OCCITANE Aromachologie Heat-Protective Control Mist

THE KILLER: DRY, DAMAGED STRANDS

THE FIX: REPAIR IT

Parched hair can be caused by over-bleaching, over-styling and neglect, and is a bit of a dilemma during the winter months. Why winter? As the cold weather hits and the indoor heat gets turned up, moisture is literally sucked right out of our hair. So, if the air is dry, your hair is bound to be, too. Quench your strands with a treatment and give back some much-needed hydration.