5 Ways to Fall In Love with Your Hair Again

When was the last time you really felt confident about your hair where you just don’t want to go home?

Tired of the same hairstyle? Want to take your style up a notch for this special season? Yes — we’ve all got our preferred haircuts and hair colors. I really like the idea of frosty tones, such as blue and violet undertones. I’m not telling you to go blue or purple — unless that’s your heart’s desire. What I mean is that we should all be intentional about our looks. Keeping your hair healthy and gorgeous all depends on how well you treat and take care of your hair.

Nobody wants to have that crunchy unhealthy hair so, we have to treat our hair with love and care. In this season of love, let's give your hair the attention it deserves. You want to find out how to fall in love with your hair again??? Then keep reading!

Know Your Hair

Do you know what your hair type is?

 Wait… do you know the different hair types that you can explore? If you don't, no worries. Most of us are guilty of not knowing. But if you long for gorgeous hair, knowing your hair type is essential for finding the right products.

Before anything else, let’s get this out of the way:

Your hair is beautiful.

In this season of love, we encourage you to embrace your hair no matter the texture or structure. BECAUSE we all have texture in our hair even though some people don’t want to admit it. Even people with straight hair have texture.

You'll need to find the right products and learn to care for your hair type correctly. Different factors play into your hair type, such as porosity and density. Below are our tips and tricks that can elevate your hair care routine for the for that special date:

Hair Texture

First up, we’ve got hair texture, which is the natural shape or pattern of your strands

 It can be fine, medium, or coarse. While there are a few more subcategories, the four basic hair types are:

  • Straight hair — If your hair falls flat from the root to the tips, then that means you have straight hair. Since it tends to be oily and flat, dry shampoos and texture sprays will be great for your hair. On the other hand, it’s best to avoid serums and butters.

  • Wavy hair — No, it’s not curly, but it’s getting there. Wavy hair has a slight curl pattern at the end of your strands. Using gels can help define those waves.

  • Curly hair — Curly hair has an "S" pattern and is usually prone to frizz and tangles. In order to retain the natural curl, don't brush harshly. Instead, use moisturizing products.

  • Coily hair — If curly hair has an “S” pattern, then coily hair tends to be a rougher and coarser “Z” pattern. Its tight curls are usually prone to breakage. Use butters and creams to keep those strands moisturized.

But Remember All Hair Has Texture

Hair Texture

Hair structure is all about the thickness of your strands — whether fine, medium, or coarse. Here's the quickest method to finding out your hair structure: Pull a hair out and rub it between your fingers. If you can barely feel it, then you have fine hair. Coarse hair will feel stiff and thick, like a hard piece of string. Medium hair is anywhere in between. I don't know what you’re waiting for but try it out now so you can figure out your hair. Times ticking for that date tonight!

Your hair structure will determine how well your hair holds styles and reacts to products. For example: fine hair usually can't maintain curls well because of how delicate it is. On the other hand, coarse hair holds curls well but is generally difficult to style.

Hair Porosity

High porosity hair absorbs moisture due to gaps or tears around the cuticle, making it dry and brittle.

Porosity is your hair's ability to absorb moisture and product. Knowing how porous your hair is will help in choosing the right products. The easiest way to assess your hair porosity is to take a single strand of hair and place it in a bowl of water. 

Sinking to the bottom means your hair has high porosity. If it lingers in the middle of the bowl, that would be normal porosity. Finally, your hair has low porosity if it floats on the surface of the water.

So what does this all mean?

High porosity hair absorbs moisture due to gaps or tears around the cuticle, making it dry and brittle. That said, it would be best to avoid heat styling and harsh chemical treatments. Instead, try nourishing hair masks and oil to bring moisture.

On the other hand, hair with low porosity has cuticles that block water or moisture from being absorbed into the hair strands. The biggest concern for these hair types is product buildup; it's best to apply products while your hair is still damp. Doing so enables product to be easily absorbed and distributed.

Scalp Moisture

If your scalp isn't in good shape, your strands won't be either. But determining the condition of your scalp can be tricky.

Try to inspect your hair after washing. If your roots feel greasy, you’re more likely dealing with an oily scalp. Flaking on the scalp indicates dryness which requires gentle hydrating products. But if your scalp is a combination of oily and dry, you’ll need to choose products that will limit excessive oil and calm scalp irritation.

Keeping your hair healthy and beautiful requires consideration and experimentation with products. It might take some time to get there, but there are always products out there that are a perfect fit for you.

What Do I Do When My Scalp Is Oily?

Don’t feel bad when your hair produces oil. That’s actually a good thing! That might ruin it for you if the oil gets a little bit much, especially if you’re getting ready for your Valentine’s date. Here are some pro tips for you:

  1. Don’t use conditioner on your scalp. It actually makes your hair greasy and worse — it promotes bacterial growth.

  2. Try the no-heat method for hairstyling to protect your tresses from more damage.

  3. Rinse your hair well to remove any signs of buildups.

  4. Powdering your roots is a good trick to absorb any excess oil.

Find The right haircut

Our hair makes a statement. Getting a haircut — not just a trim but a different hairstyle altogether — is an empowering experience. But getting the right haircut… Well, it doesn’t always go as planned, does it?

You probably already know that choosing the right hairstyle depends on your face shape. While it’s definitely fun to shake things up and go for something unexpected, not knowing what suits your hair type and face shape might lead to dashed expectations. Remember that a haircut is something you’ll have to live with for an appreciable amount of time before you can change it.

Here are the six main face shapes and the ideal cut for each of them:

  • Oval. Your face is longer than it is wide, with the forehead being the widest part. Any style fits this face shape. But the most flattering hairdos would be: long layers, a layered bob, full fringe, or a side-swept pixie cut.

  • Square. The length to width is nearly one-to-one with a strong, angled jaw and minimal curve at the chin. Soft side-swept bangs and long layers with fringe work best for this.

  • Round. This face shape is defined by soft and rounded features which flatter the cheekbones. Long bobs, long straight hair, and shaggy bobs could elongate the face.

  • Heart. Wider forehead with a slimmer, pointed chin. It works well with blunt bangs, wavy layers, or a chin-length bob. Soft angles will help balance out the longer forehead.

  • Oblong. Here, the width of the forehead, cheeks, and jawline are nearly symmetrical. You can soften the edges with long layers and side-swept, or a feathered fringe.

  • Diamond. High cheekbones, a pointy chin, and a narrower forehead are hallmarks of those with diamond faces. Short, cropped hair will show off cheekbones while added bangs could accentuate the shape.

It’s certainly not illegal to try different hairstyles. Even I have cut all my hair off at one point. The key is finding the right balance and style that fits well into your lifestyle. Consider the products that you use as well as styling and maintenance. As long as you’re happy with your hairstyle and it makes you feel confident, don’t let differing opinions tell you otherwise. After all, loving your hair should be your primary regiment in this season of love.

Now for that special date tonight here are 5 Easy Hairstyles You Can Try 

You may be wondering what hairstyle should you wear to impress your date. Think about your outfit and what hair goes with your vibe. Give your hair some love with these five romantic and gorgeous looks AND don’t forget those pictures!

Sleek Ponytail

Here’s a pro tip: if you need more volume and length, grab a clip-in extension and clip it around your original ponytail.

Fresh Blowout

There are countless tutorials on how to perfect your blowout technique. Personally, I would recommend you to watch Chris Appleton’s video on how you can volumize your hair. 

the Curly Up Do

Perfect if you want to emphasize your make up look. Take your look to another level with a red lip and a warm bronzer.

Braids

Casual and effortless — this hair style is perfect if you’re doing something more active on your date.

The Messy Bun

An easy but fun way to highlight your beautiful features to your date. Top your look off with a beautiful backless dress and sparkly pins around your hairline. 

Discover the Right Products

It takes time and effort to maintain your hair. From browsing quality products to visiting your hairdresser for Valentine’s day, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to hair upkeep.

Since you already know your hair type, you’re already on the right track to choosing the right products that will meet your hair care needs. Here are the suitable products depending on different factors:

Texture

For fine hair, you’ll want to make it seem thicker. Finding the right shampoo, weightless conditioner, and hair mask suited for fine hair should do the trick. Go for clear gel textures instead of creamy and rich ones. Search for terms such as “fine”, “volume”, “weightless”, and “light” on the packages. It’s also encouraged to reduce styling products and choose light firming products.

Medium hair is relatively easy to manage. Shampoo and conditioner for normal hair would suffice. In addition, you could also indulge in an intensive treatment or a hair mask.

Lastly, hydrate coarse strands and ward off frizz using hydrating shampoos, nourishing masks and conditioners, hair oils, and products containing shea butter or cocoa. You could also search for smoothing, anti-frizz products.

Scalp Moisture

Dry scalps should be hydrated using moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, and deep treatment moisturizing masks could also do wonders for your hair. Try to reduce heat styling products and deep cleansing shampoos. On top of that, you can manage an oily scalp with shampoo, conditioner, and tonics for oily hair. Dry shampoos are especially effective especially when you’re running out of time to get ready for your date in Valentine’s.

Porosity

High porosity hair should steer clear of heat as that may further dry out your strands. Creamy or oily products, shampoo for damaged hair, cleansing or smoothing conditioners, and hair oils would be best. Low porosity hair, on the other hand, must use deeply cleansing shampoos and peelings to get rid of product buildup. Choose lighter products similar to those for fine hair, and avoid creamy and oily consistencies.

Special Hair Types

For those with colored hair, using products designed for chemically treated hair — such as shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks for colored hair — would be extremely beneficial. If you're a platinum blonde, you should use violet or silver shampoo to prevent undesirable yellow tones.

If you're dealing with dandruff, using dandruff shampoo or products designed for sensitive scalps is helpful. If you're dealing with hair loss, stimulating serums and tonics will work well for your hair. Shampoos and conditioners to address hair thinning are also highly effective.

Try Out Something New

Want to try out a daring new hairstyle for Valentine’s day? Tired of your natural hair color?

People usually get haircuts or dye their hair during big moments in their lives: moving on from a breakup, celebrating a milestone, prepping for an important event. Or maybe you just want to try out something new — and that’s a big moment in itself!

Don't let anyone stop you. If you want to get rainbow hair, then by all means do it. Want to try out a certain hairstyle but your hairdresser feels a little bit iffy about it? Well, if that doesn't bother you and your heart's set on it, don't feel bad to commit to your choice. Sometimes, going drastic can make you feel better. Similarly, trying something new can make you feel confident and fresh.

Care For Your Hair

The bottom line is that your hair deserves only the best care — and so do you.

That’s why we take such pains to discover the right products catering to your hair type. Aside from the things already mentioned — such as knowing your hair and carefully choosing products — here are some additional hair care tips you’ll love for this Valentine’s season:

  1. Wash your hair regularly.

  2. Avoid hot showers.

  3. Use chemical-free hair care products.

  4. Only apply conditioner on the tips of your strands, not on the scalp.

  5. Comb wet hair gently with a broad toothed comb to prevent breakage.

  6. As much as possible, let your hair dry naturally.

  7. Trim your hair every few weeks to get rid of split ends.

  8. Hydrate properly.

  9. Eat foods rich in protein and amino acids for healthy hair.

  10. Sleep on cotton or silk pillows to avoid unnecessary hair damage.

What Do I Do When I Have Dry Hair?

Your hair can get dry for different reasons. Damaged and bad weather — both of which are manageable if you treat your hair right for this Valentine. 

  1. Olive oil, coconut, almond, corn oil are rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants that revitalize your hair and restore its moisture.

  2. Fix your hair from the inside. Incorporate omega-3s and antioxidants in your diet to keep your hair naturally thick and glossy

  3. Apply a hair serum that protects your hair from heat when styling it.

  4. Search for a shampoo that specifically targets dry hair that contains less drying detergents.

With the right care, you'll definitely be able to fall in love with your hair again in this month of Valentine's. Having healthy hair will surely boost your confidence. Feel free to have fun and express yourself!

the Lab-lounge