Ever since I chopped my hair off, I’ve been desperately wanting my long hair back. Mermaid hair is what it’s all about right now, but so are beachy waves that require a bit of heat styling, and damage to your hard-earned growth.
So when my stylist recommended a trim every 6-8 weeks, I got kind of sad. Scheduling and shelling out for a trim can often add up on your schedule and bank account.
My stylist tells me that I should be getting a little trim every 6-8 weeks. He told me to picture a young girl with hair down to her waist, who maybe cuts her hair once a year. From far away it looks fine, but once she starts walking closer to you, you notice a “halo” of splits that ride all the way up to her roots. Frequent trims get rid of those splits that make their way north so you an avoid the halo effect, and your hair looks healthier.
BUT I am a defiant individual and I want my hair to be as long as Rapunzel’s…protracted like the princess bride’s, languorous like princess Jasmine’s. So I sneak and try to prolong the time between cuts by doing things to seal in my ends.
Use A Heat Protectant
Using a heat protectant truly helps delay/minimize damage. The technology that’s out there is really astounding. My favorite right now is the Amika Bombshell Blowout Spray, because it adds the volume I lack, too. It almost feels like your hair is laminated, in the best way. I also really like the Tresemme Thermal Creations Spray for $5.
Hair Oil Is Your Friend
You know when you look at your ends and they look literally fried? Once I started using hair oil, I saw a huge difference in my ends. They looked less like…straw…so I didn’t want to cut them off immediately. I’m loving the Elyse Marie Botanicals – N°79 Hair Repair because it is multi-functional. A couple of drops on your ends seals the cuticle (makes it look less frizzy) and doesn’t weigh down your hair like other oils do. You can use it in two ways: apply some on your ends and halfway up the hair length before you shower. Shampoo like usual! But you can also apply it as leave in conditioner or styling serum, which is what I like to do.
Use Hot Tools Sparingly
For some reason I used to have really thick long hair that hardly showed any damage. My hair texture has changed to much in my 20’s, from super curly, to just wavy, and now it is basically straight (that could have something to do with a Brazilian blowout I had recently).
Let’s just say my hair didn’t like the Brazilian Blowout. It started falling out and breaking off. It is now much thinner than it used to be, and I thought about just chopping it off entirely. I wouldn’t write-off the blowout entirely because I know girls who get them and LOVE the results, but it didn’t jive with my hair chemistry. I think Jennifer Aniston had the same problem.
So I’m bringing this up because the less you do to your hair, the better it will look between trims that are few and far between. I try to only blow dry and style it 2-3 times a week to minimize the heat damage. Less heat damage means less looks in the mirror where you think “ew I need a cut to start fresh.” I’ve started to let my hair air dry more, then curling the next morning so cut down the time my hair is blasted by fiery appliances.
My favorite tool is a 450 degree wand on which the heat is not adjustable. That’s pretty hot. So sometimes I switch to this curling iron on which the heat is adjustable, just to give my hair a break.
Invest In Hairbands That Are Better For Your Hair
I found something revolutionary when I was in the Birchbox store in Soho called InvisiBobbles. They look like curly hair rings. They don’t leave any dents, won’t snag, and do a really good job of keeping your hair in place. I put my hair in a bun with one when I go to sleep. The bun maintains the curls I worked so hard to put in, while minimizing any hair breakage from rubbing on my pillow. So there’s triple duty: 1. no snags 2. no breakage on pillow 3. less heat styling because you are maintaining the curls you already put in. Voilá – healthier looking hair and less of an urge to trim!
Also, you’re protecting your face against all the products you put in your hair, so you will have less breakouts and clearer pores. But that’s another story.
Get An At-Home Glossing Treatment
A gloss treatment is the best kept hair secret. You can get a gloss treatment at the salon, or you can apply one yourself at home. Madison Reed carries some tinted glosses (they washe out after a few washes, don’t worry) or a clear one to make your hair look and feel shinier and healthier between trims. I just got some glosses try at home and I can’t wait to show you how I they work.
Shop the post:
Want more hair tips?
- My recent hair routine for stronger healthier hair
- Four dry shampoos that rock, and one that kinda sucks
- Hair tools I love
–Roxanne
Currently Sipping: Truly Spiked & Sparkling Blood Orange
Photography by Dave Mentzer
Every time I cut my hair, I regret it. You are so right though, hair care is essential to having healthy hair. I think I am going to try some of that hair oil. Great post Roxanne!
xx, Elise
http://www.sparkleandslippers.blogspot.com
You have such gorgeous hair! Whatever you’re doing is right!
Your hair looks pretty! Good Hair Advice!
Thank you momma!
I too am regretting getting the big chop a few months ago. I was just tired of all the damage I was seeing and straight up told my hairdresser to cut it all off. I do my best to avoid styling too often as I know this creates damage so I skip as many shampoos as I possibly can. I have found that this helps my hair look better in between trims, which I avoid like the plague because I desperately want my long hair back! 😀 I’ve used glosses in the past and totally forgot about them, thanks for the reminder! xx Rox-Anne