Ready To Take the Two-week Challenge?
From: PureWow
Swap your shampoo and conditioner
First things first: You need to make sure you’re using the right cleansing and conditioning products. can help you find the best formula for your strands—whether they’re curly (ugh, frizzy), fine (a little limp) or color treated (could benefit from some TLC). Make a pledge to use them every time you wash for the next 14 days. OK, now that we have that settled, let’s move on.
Replace Your Towels with T-Shirts
Drying your tresses with a regular towel can rough up the cuticles, leading to frizz and even breakage. By using a more supple fabric, like an old cotton T-shirt or microfiber towel, you’ll get a smoother finish, while still absorbing excess water. To make sure you’re sopping up the most moisture, wrap the T-shirt around your hand and scrunch your strands from the bottom up, working your way around your head.
Show Your Scalp Some Love
Newsflash: Your scalp is skin too, and it needs special care from time to time. If yours is ever sensitive or itchy, today is the day to wash with . It infuses your scalp with the moisture it needs to stay flake- and itch-free (which is always crucial when the seasons change and hot, dry air blows rampant).
Put Down the Bristle Brush
Hair is weakest when it’s wet. That means you should put a hard stop on detangling with prickly brushes meant for styling. Instead, use a wide-tooth comb that’s designed to work out knots and kinks while eliminating breakage. We’re big fans of this gorgeous ivory version from Aerin Lauder.
Make Today Your No-Heat Day
Three months of summer sun can bake your strands, so if the thought of adding even more heat is almost torturous, then you should adopt a no-heat style that works with your hair’s texture, not against it. One of our favorite tricks is the overnight curl. Wet your hair and place a stretchy headband horizontally around your head. Take a two-inch section of hair and loop it over and through the headband. Continue to loop sections around the band until all of your hair is up. (Here’s a video in case you’re stumped.) Wait for it to dry, remove the headband and shake out the waves Baywatch style.
Get Yourself a Reusable Water Bottle
Staying hydrated does a body good—including your hair. Our best tip for staying on top of your water consumption is to get a reusable bottle you can tote around everywhere. S’wells are lightweight enough to throw into your purse, and the stainless steel keeps germs at bay. Sip, refill and sip again. Trust, it will eventually become a habit.
Fight the (Sun) Power
Checking in: Are you still using your Pantene Shampoo and Conditioner? Good, because even in the fall, strong UV rays can be a doozy on your strands—especially if they’re color treated. and have antioxidants that help defend against sun-induced damage. So while we wouldn’t dare tell you to stay inside (we’re all for soaking up every last bit of the lingering sunshine), we do suggest a protective wash and a trendy wide-brim hat today.
Extend Yesterday’s Wash
Yep, we’re talking . Direct it toward your roots, use your fingertips to work it in, then brush through your hair to evenly distribute the product. To get the most out of it, we suggest a quick blast at two key times: 1) right before bed, so it can soak up oil while you sleep, and 2) the morning of the second day to refresh and revive your locks.
Take Beauty Rest Seriously
Did you know that when you sleep on a cotton pillowcase, the fibers grab onto your hair, pulling out strands every time you toss and turn? Yikes. Tonight, try switching things up and sleeping on a luxurious silk pillowcase, like this one from Slip. It’s much gentler on your hair, it cuts down on bedhead and you’ll feel like the queen herself. If you’re sleeping away from home, wrap your hair in a silk scarf before bed for the same effect.
Find Your Ideal Duo
A lot of formulas can work in tandem for an enhanced final effect, so today, try using two complementary products for the hair day of your dreams. For example, if you’re looking for serious volume and shine for fine hair, we recommend using for a volume boost and then setting the look with after a quick blow-dry.
Work Out in a Loose Braid
A tight ponytail can lead to loads of breakage, especially around your hairline. For a style that will keep your hair up and away from your face, try a loose braid. The hair will be secure since it’s all weaved together (use bobby pins for shorter pieces), but it won’t be tight enough to do any damage.
Use Your Hot Tools on Low
A big misconception is that hot tools only work if we crank them up as high as they can go. And doing this is also a big mistake—it zaps those healthy proteins, just like the UV rays we talked about. When you style your hair today, wait until your locks are barely damp, then use your blow-dryer on low. You’ll get the same (no, better) results because it’ll be styled and healthy.
Give Yourself an Extra Dose of Moisture
Revive dry, fine strands today with a few spritzes of a hydrating spray, like , to lock in moisture. And curly girls, listen up: It’s common for your hair to get extra dry because natural scalp oils have a hard time getting down to the tips. So for you, a light touch of will do the trick. Color treated? Work in some while your hair is damp, then style as usual for a healthy, smooth finish.
Treat Yourself to an Acai Bowl
Not just because you’ve completed the entire 14-day challenge (bravo, BTW!), but also because a bowl with ingredients like dates and almonds provides a solid mixture of iron, vitamin B3 and omega-3 fatty acids—all of which work together to keep your hair strong and resilient from the inside out.
See more at: PureWow
