BOYFRIEND LOVES… AT HOME HAIR CARE PART II

Vitaclean featured in Boyfriend magazine on Home Hair Care by  | May 2020

We’ve covered what to do at home to help maintain your hair colour, but that is not the only thing we’re asked about. So we’ve asked our expert collaborators the best ways to maintain your cut and style while at home.

How best to maintain a cut while on lock down?

This has easily been the biggest debate between hairdressers and clients on lock down.

Says Jonathan Andrew, Fudge Professional’s Global Brand Ambassador and Hair Stylist.

From my perspective I can’t say it’s something I recommend attempting, I promise you dealing with an extra inch of hair is much more manageable than a haircut you make up. The other reason I don’t suggest it is that everyone’s mental health will be put to the test during this time and 9 times out of 10 cutting and colouring your own hair will only amplify this when it doesn’t go as planned.

We suggest root stimulating products that will aid growth and strengthen the hair fibre. Since you have to let it grow out anyways, at least make sure it grows strong and healthy.

Vitaclean Vitamin C Aromatherapy Filtered Shower Head

 

Antibacterial at-home spa essential, which is ideal for the home during this time!
Loved by hairstylists including Justine Marjan & Danielle Priano who have worked with the Kardashians, Victoria’s Secret Angels and Hollywood A-listers, Vitaclean works by removing shower water impurities and toxins to restore skin and hair to their natural lustre. They’re the solution to the UK’s hard water, acting as a quick, easy and effective way to neutralise chlorine, limescale and bacteria build-up from your shower.

Various scents available including citrus, coconut & vanilla, jasmine and more.
Washing your hair is not a problem and won’t affect your hair, as long as you are using the right conditioners, try to avoid shampoos and conditioners with sulphates and parabens. Let it air dry after, apply your favourite serums to ease frizz and embrace your natural hair texture.”  Inanch Emir, Creative Director Inanch London and Celebrity Stylist
Grow Gorgeous Intense Hair Growth Serum

Daniel Campbell, Lush Product Inventor and Cosmetic Scientist tells us:
The free time that we have at home (at the moment) is a great opportunity to break out of our regular routines and try some things we wouldn’t normally try.
When it comes to cutting your hair, please don’t do it to yourself. If you want to experiment with products and new styling techniques, try using the diffuser that’s sitting at the bottom of your wardrobe. Changing the products you use, how you apply them, the order you apply them in as well as how you use heat on your hair can give dramatic changes that will give you that new hair fix whilst on lock down.

If you’ve got a good hairdresser or barber the cut should maintain itself, however if you notice anything you’re not happy with, take a photo and bring that to your next appointment.
Inanch Emir, Creative Director Inanch London and Celebrity Stylist advice is:
If you can our best advice would be let your hair grow, however, we understand this could be tricky with fringes, therefore we’ve put together this short “how to” clip. 

Step 1: Section away the hair that you don’ want to cut.
Step 2: Clean up the section you want to cut.
Step 3: Comb your fringe straight down.
Step 4: Hold your fringe in between your 2 fingers, slide down and twist.
Step 5: Using sharp scissors, cut straight across just below where you want the hair to sit. Remember that the hair will spring up.

Video available here.

Should we keep up the Blow-dry or let it air-dry?
This is the time to listen to your hair, everyone will know what they put their hair through on a daily basis so if you are using lots of heat every day, now is the perfect time to lay off and give your hair some time to repair and heal. I suggest you use more conditioner, try a masque every couple of days, moisture and conditioner will be your friend.” – Fudge Professional’s Global Brand Ambassador and Hair Stylist, Jonathan Andrew 
Bondi Boost Miracle Mask

HAIR WASHING
When wearing extensions, although 100% human hair you do need to apply a little more attention when you wash your hair. Pick a shampoo that works with your hair type, Great Lengths have the NEW Silver Shine Shampoo for blondes, a Structure Repair, Daily Moisture and Ultimate Colour shampoo that have all been specially formulated to work in harmony with your Great Lengths Extensions. Be gentle and be patient, avoid encouraging matting by lathering up your shampoo on top of your head, instead gently and slowly massage shampoo from root to tip applying special care when you are washing near your bonds or GL Tapes.
Any conditioners, ensure you don’t apply at the root/application area. Conditioners can affect the bonds or GL Tapes and cause extensions to detach prematurely
.” – Nyree Robinson – Sales Executive

INTENSIVE TREATMENT
This is the perfect time to dedicate yourself to some well deserved pamper time. Sometimes amongst our busy lifestyles we forget to give ourselves and our hair that extra little bit of attention but whilst you have the time, use it wisely to look after your Great Lengths. Great Lengths have a NEW High Performance Hair Mask that nourishes and moisturises your hair, it’s particularly good for those who are wearing long extensions and doesn’t take long to get to work. Apply to wet hair for 10-15 minutes for an intensive hair treatment.” – Louise Jenkins – Creative & Education Manager

BRUSHING
A question we receive a lot is how do I brush my Great Lengths? Again with our busy lifestyles we don’t always show as much attention as we should in this area, but use this time to ensure your Great Lengths are maintained and looked after well to increase longevity between your visit to salons. Use a soft bristle brush, Great Lengths offer these in many sizes to suit all hair types and sweep through the hair from root to tips ensuring you brush over the bonds. For thick and long hair, it’s recommended to separate your hair into sections and brush gradually to ensure minimal pulling on your bonds or GL Tapes. Before brushing also insure you take the time to separate your bonds one by one to ensure no matting or tangles.” – Nyree Robinson – Sales Executive
The Self-Clean Option
Founder of SALON64, Ricky Walters, explains everything we need to know about letting your hair self-clean during lockdown, how it differs between hair types and what to expect!

Self-cleaning your hair can be a good option during lockdown, however only for the right hair types and desired outcome. Anyone with fine, lank, soft, Caucasian hair that wishes to get volume or bounce within their hair, this is certainly not the option for you.
 
For those that find their hair is forever dry, and very often those with thick, curly coarse hair, this could be a great solution for you. The oil produced from our scalp is called sebum. Those with curly thick dry hair often find their scalp and hair need a little helping hand and apply artificial oils and serums to their hair to aid in the hairs’ condition. However, such heads of hair are then washed each week almost defeating the object. 

If you are the type of person that finds your hair looks it’s best when you wash it less, then self-cleaning could be the choice for you! 
The main rule is to strictly not wash your hair for as long as possible with the theory that your hair and scalp will balance itself out. However, this can be very tricky for those used to a squeaky-clean feeling. Therefore, I suggest going as long as you can without washing and then once you can no longer bare it (perhaps after a week or 2) start by “water washing” your hair. No shampoo! For those with extremely dry hair you can still apply your conditioner as usual. 
 
As you start this process you will be appalled with how your hair feels and even smells (although this could help with social distancing)! Power through past this point and for those with thicker curlier hair, you will find your curls are better behaved and uniform. For those that find they have a little too much volume, your hair should reduce in size. Once you are at the 3 week “water wash” phase, you will find you have fallen back in love with your hair, using less product and even have a healthier scalp. 
 
To fully achieve self-cleaning hair, I would throw yourself in for a good month or 2 to see how you really find the results. You can always return back to shampoo and then go on another self-cleaning rehabilitation for your hair and scalps sake.