HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR HAIR DURING QUARANTINE

LOCKDOWN. PANDEMIC. QUARANTINE.

Our world has been placed on hold – without an idea of when the playlist called life is going to start up again. But of course, the thing on most women’s minds… what am I going to do with my hair????

Part of keeping a healthy emotional mindset, for many, has been keeping our bodies and our looks up to our own personal level of basic care.  Our skin, our weight, and our physical looks are still an important way for us to practice Self-Care.

For me, my hair has always been a way for me to stand out. And I enjoy when it looks bright, well-shaped and SHORT. It’s a positive emotional necessity that may sound self-serving but is a connection for me with a positive mood. 

I have a color of red that is not found in nature. As the severity of our situation has unfolded, I began to think – well, I’m doing what I can to keep it as bright and styled as I can for my Zoom calls and my daily style challenge on social media. As of now, I can look in the mirror without saying “Woof!” But it’s become apparent that we could be going a longer time than expected originally.

So, what can we all do to help us through our hair stylist hiatus?

RELATED: How to Grow Long, Healthy Hair

STEP AWAY FROM THE BOX DYE

One of the first words of advice I was given by my stylist was how to wash my freshly dyed locks. Because red fades quicker than most, it’s important to stay away from hot water. The heat opens the hair’s cuticle, allowing the color to leak out. What a bummer. But after 13 years, I’ve learned the amount of backbend I have to do to keep the cold water off my back! That being said, it’s probably in everyone best interest to keep the water cooler on your hair for the next few weeks.

There is a quick fix for roots that does not require color goop and brush messily squishing all over your scalp. Oribe has an Airbrush Root Touch Up Spray for just this very occasion – spray it on your hairline to cover the grays while you wait somewhat patiently for your stylist to reinvigorate your color.

There are other ways of hiding those roots through basic styling. I’ve lucked out that my specific look hides 99% of my roots. The messy and pushed forward style has saved me many times when I have had to push out my appointment. That being said, not everyone’s style allows for this little cheat.

Adding volume to your hair can take away the sore spots you’re trying to hide. Maybe it’s the time to start experimenting with messy hair!

HELP! I CAN’T SEE THROUGH MY HAIR!

My bangs are getting a little crazy – I am pretty sure I won’t be able to see through them in another week! 

Is there a way to style bangs to keep them out of your eyes?

I know when I use too much product on my bangs, they look long and greasy. YUCK. When they start covering my eyes, I blow dry them with a round brush to shorten them – the power of illusion. I put a very minimal amount of styling paste to manipulate them to the side a bit, but not enough to make them tortured with over styling. 

There’s always the choice to pull out a barrette – now, I haven’t used a barrette in probably 25 years (yes, I am in my 40s) so I begrudgingly mention this option. But, actually, there are some amazing choices out there! You can absolutely get some adorable barrettes online that don’t look childish.

I AM NOT A SCARECROW

When I was in college, one of my very best friends had a lot of hair – and it was long. I remember watching her raking through waves while cutting dead ends off with a dull pair of scissors. Yeah, don’t do that.

Along with the additional growth, many people have a problem with keeping their hair hydrated, especially the ends. What to do to keep the ends from fraying?

You can’t undo split ends. But you can take care of them so as not to make them worse. Try to stay away from heat tools. They aren’t doing you any good as your hair grows longer and needs more hydration. When you wash your hair, don’t handle it roughly – don’t drag a brush through or rub it hard with a towel – patting dry takes a longer time, but don’t we have the time?!? Consider adding a weekly deep conditioning treatment – even if you have to DIY-It – and, most importantly and not just for your hair but for your entire being – drink plenty of water.

Remember – this is NOT going to be forever

We WILL be leaving the confines of our homes – eventually. By waiting for your stylist to do their thing, you are saving yourself the time and pain of botching your hair – whether it’s box dye or grabbing a pair of kitchen shears to slice away at your bangs. Also, you are supporting your stylist and your local salon, which is the best thing you can possibly do for them right now. The next time you think about how much you miss them, give them a call to make an appointment for farther out and purchase a gift card to pay for that appointment when it comes.

Stylishly Yours!

Jen

Jennifer Ginty is a certified image consultant and personal stylist with years of experience helping women and men define their own style with wardrobe organization and personal shopping. Jen has consulted with everything from casual wear such as jeans and tops to styling for the corporate world.

“I love what I do. Some may see my career as a luxury for other people, or maybe as “extra.” But it’s so much more than what you see on the outside. For my clients and for me.”

Style is a form of self care – a way to express yourself without even speaking. Through self-introspection and just having fun, you can bring out your true self effortlessly.

It’s about dressing for the way you live and feeling great about it.

Ever feel like you just need to make a few changes in your wardrobe or maybe you feel lost when it comes to what to wear? Jen is a certified image consultant and personal stylist with years of experience helping women and men define their own style with wardrobe organization and personal shopping.

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