7 surprising hair care hacks and trends that really work – celebs are in love with #3!

Trends come and go – only those that truly work can withstand the test of time. Hair care hacks and trends are the same too! Here are seven that have proven to work wonders on your hair, and will definitely continue to be relevant for a long time. Check off this list and see how many have you adopted!

1. Soak your hair before you swim

Spending time in the swimming pool can have a pesky effect on our hair: the chlorine in pool water makes our hair dry, cause our salon-treated hair colour to fade faster, and leave it more easily tangled.

If you can identify with these problems, try this hack: Wet your hair thoroughly before you jump into the pool. It is more difficult for your already-soaked hair to absorb more chlorine-laden water.

Try: Wet your hair at the shower and then protect it further with a swim cap. It may feel a little “heavy” at first, but trust us – you won’t feel the difference once you get into the pool.

2. Comb your hair before washing

Our hair is most vulnerable when it is wet, and if you were to pick the tangles apart while it’s wet, chances are you’re going to break and lose quite a lot of hair. To reduce tangling, comb your hair before you wash your hair. You’ll find your hair become more manageable during wash, and after it dries.

Try: To help you be disciplined with this ritual, keep a wide-tooth comb next to where your shampoo is placed. Apply a few drops of hair oil on your hair to form a protective film against damage. (For recommendations, see #5!)

3. The “no poo” method

One of the biggest trends in the last few years,  the “no poo” method (short for “no-shampoo) is popular with Hollywood celebrities, and many of them swear by it for their beautiful, red carpet-worthy hair. Advocates of the “no poo” method have found that over-washing hair with sulfate-rich shampoo is the cause of damaged hair. The rich lather that many associate with “cleanliness” also increase friction between hair strands, damaging cuticles as you shampoo.

Try: Some celebrities skip washes while others make their own hair cleanser. These are a bit radical, and may be impractical in our hot and humid weather. Go for cleansing balms – a new way to cleanse hair without the problems of shampoo.

We like the L’Oréal Paris Hair Expertise Ever Cleansing Balms, which were one of the first in the markets to offer an affordable alternative to shampoos. Their gentle, sulfate-free formula provides no lather so it can reduce friction between your hairs, giving you healthier, smoother tresses.

On top of it being totally “no poo”, users also love how it combines multiple steps – cleanse, condition, treat, detangle, soften, and add shine – into one. Made with botanical ingredients, the product is also suitable for sensitive scalp, and offers a pleasant, natural scent.

4. The “reverse washing” hack

Shampoo first, then condition, right? Well, the “reverse washing” method challenges the conventional wisdom.

Those with fine and limp hair tend to avoid the conditioner because it seems to weigh their hair down further; Noel, leading hairstylist from Harts Salon explains that the “reverse washing” method is a good way to smoothen your hair, without suffering from the heavy feeling of conditioning.

Try: Apply conditioner only it on the ends of your hair and avoid the scalp. Then, cleanse as usual using a shampoo.

The EverPure Volume shampoo and conditioner are a great combo to try the reverse washing method with. Containing Lotus as one of its key ingredients, the products give you lasting volume right from the very first wash.

5. Argan oil is food for your hair

A product of the Moroccan argan tree, argan oil has gained prominence in recent years as “liquid gold” for hair. It contains huge amounts of nutrients such as vitamin E and fatty acids, making it a great hair treatment. The antioxidant-rich oil is known to promote healthy hair and repairing damage.

Try: Using pure argan oil on hair can be a messy, greasy experience. If you want to enjoy the benefits of argan oil without the fuss, try the L’Oréal Paris Hair Expert EverSleek Frizz Finish Oil-in-Serum.

This is formulated with a luxurious blend of argan oil and flower oil – both are great for nourishment of hair – but presented in the form of a lightweight serum so it absorbs quickly. This unique technology allows us to enjoy the best of both worlds – a nourishing formula that’s non-greasy. No wonder L’Oréal Paris is voted the No. 1 most trusted hair brand according to the Daily Vanity Survey 2017!

You’ll love that this hair treatment is able to deliver instant shine and smoothness, and smells pleasant, thanks to the botanical ingredients used.

6. Ditch the towel

The towel isn’t exactly made for our hair, but most of us use it out of convenience, since we already use it on our body after a shower.

You see, our hair is at its weakest when it’s wet – it’s more likely to break and is more susceptible to damage. Rubbing our hair with a towel creates friction that can damage hair cuticles, making our hair more frizzy.

Try: Instead of a towel, use a cotton t-shirt or a microfibre towel to dry your hair. Avoid rubbing or scrunching hair with the towel; to protect your hair, simply give your hair a gentle squeeze with the cloth to absorb excess water. Then, leave it to dry naturally.

7. Don’t pile chemicals on your hair

The “chemical-free” movement is another trend that has become more popular, because consumers are beginning to understand the bad effects that chemicals can have to their overall well-being.

In particular, sulfate and parabens are common ingredients that are found in hair care products, but are two of the most notorious “nasties” that savvy consumers are avoiding.

Sulfate (sodium laurel sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate) is the ingredient that gives your shampoo its foamy consistency and is good at removing oil and dirt from your hair. However, sulfates can harm your hair in the long run; they dry out your hair, cause unruly frizz, and even damage your scalp.

Parabens, on the other hand, are used in many products to prolong their shelf life. However, some studies have shown that parabens are present in breast tumours. While the association between parabens and cancer hasn’t been absolutely proven, many would rather be safe than sorry.

Try: There are actually sulfate-free and paraben-free options out there – in fact, you can find them easily in drugstores! The L’Oréal Paris Hair Expert EVER range is one of the best known lines that is free from nasty chemicals. It’s sulfate-free, paraben-free, colorant-free, and 100% vegan.

Because sulfates harm your hair in the long run, drying out your hair, it can be one of the reasons why your hair is frizzy. And if you’re already suffering from this pesky problem, you can fight frizziness with the EverSleek range. The EverSleek products can help tame frizz and provide long-lasting frizz control, so you can say goodbye to unruly hair finally!

Introducing L’Oréal Paris Hair Expert

L’Oréal Paris Hair Expert is the leading premium hair care brand in Singapore that is constantly helping you keep up with the latest hacks and trends from the USA. Made in the USA, the products are sulfate-free, paraben-free, and colorant-free, to make sure that you can achieve amazing hair sans chemicals -which means your hair will remain genuinely healthy!

This article is brought to you by L’Oréal Paris.