For many people, hair is the most important element of their appearance. Hair can frame our face, enhance our most beautiful features or simply make us stand out. While it may seem superficial and frivolous, many people's self-esteem and confidence can be damaged if they don't feel good about their appearance; in this case, it is the hair. Serious mistakes, wrong colors, masses of frizz or knots, can affect positive thinking. But fear not: even if a bad haircut or lackluster locks may seem like the end of the world, the sun will rise again tomorrow. If you don't want to be seen in daylight with your current hair color or style, then this is the ultimate guide that will lead you on the path to perfection.
Steps
Step 1. Identify why you don't like your hair
Is it for the new cut or color? Are you tired of your current style? Has your hair become unmanageable or damaged? Knowing why you hate your hair will make it easier to fix it. Some very common natural problems that people have when it comes to hair can include:
- Frizzy hair. Wet hair becomes so dry that you can feel it crackle, and then it puffs up into masses of frizz that takes you as far away as possible from having soft, curly, silky hair.
- Weighted / dull, lifeless hair that always looks flat.
- Oily hair that requires daily washing or ends up looking hideous.
- Too thick or thin. The two extreme situations that can become very annoying.
Step 2. Any other problem people may encounter could be a bad haircut - classic dye mistakes or just a change in the current style
Establish the things that bother you about your hair.
Step 3. Correct what you don't like
If there is something immediate that can be done about your hair, do it, don't beat yourself up. Find your solution!
- If you don't like the new cut or color, which was done by professionals, go talk to the salon manager. He will often offer you a free or heavily discounted service for a bad job, or give you some tips on how to improve your look.
- When deciding on a type of hairstyle, try to browse through the many style articles on the internet. WikiHow has a collection of articles on new styles for you to try. You could try a whole new look, or just add new accessories to enhance your hair!
- Damaged hair due to dye stress, straightening / curling straighteners or just daily wear are quite a nuisance to deal with. Minor damage can be healed by a professional conditioner (sometimes up to 15 euros per bottle). A pharmacy conditioner covers your hair with a wax that slightly enhances it, but doesn't actually repair it. If the damage to your hair is very serious, go to a professional for advice before doing anything.
Step 4. Buy new products
If you're using an inexpensive shampoo or treatment, don't expect Hollywood locks of hair. When it comes to hair products, it's worth paying a little more. Evaluate the condition of your hair and what type of shampoo could improve it. For example, dyed hair will last longer and look better using a color-enhancing shampoo and conditioner. Frizzy / dry hair can be tamed with serum and anti-frizz shampoo, flattened hair can be treated with a volumizing shampoo, and dull hair can shine with products that enhance shine. Look around, search and see what's available. You don't have to be rich, or go shopping sprees to invest in the right things. There are plenty of products that are good quality but also well priced, which is why it's important to shop around. Try the most trusted brands first: professional shampoo, or big names like Pantene or Head & Shoulders. Cheaper and lesser-known shampoo brands may turn out to be good, but most of the time they're not worth the risk.
Step 5. Avoid making the problem worse
Don't try to fix big problems on your own. If you can't afford to go to the hairdresser, recruit your friends and seek advice on the internet or at local salons. Treat your hair like a silk carpet - do not burn it with the constant and unprotected use of straighteners / curls, and with cheap products.
Step 6. Hide your hair
This can be done in many ways. Color can be hidden with thick scarves, bandanas and hats. Even a wrong cut can be disguised this way, but you can also use cute headbands, elastic bands, ribbons, clips, and bow headbands to make your not-so-pretty cut disappear.
Step 7. Be natural
Forget expensive salon products and treat your hair with those natural, non-aggressive remedies that actually work. For example, olive oil works very well for dry or frizzy hair, adding natural moisture and enhancing the shine. Dip your hair in milk or egg yolk (even if it looks disgusting) to improve its softness and shine. Maintain a healthy diet, don't use tight rubber bands that break your hair, and don't brush too frequently. After some time, you will see your hair becoming healthier, no matter how inappropriate it is cut / color / style.
Advice
- If you're using a straightener, invest in a protective serum and apply it to your hair before using it.
- Try going to hairdressers you know you can trust, rather than simply choosing based on cheap prices. In the world of hair, you get what you pay for.
- Choose your brushes and combs carefully. Invest in a wide-toothed comb, which is great for use on wet hair. A brush is fine for a short brush, but in general, gentle combing works best for getting rid of knots.
- Thin hair can look better by using a volumizing shampoo, which increases the natural thickness as much as possible. Double hair can be professionally "thinned" by a hairdresser.
- Try to enhance your other features by shifting the focus away from your hair, if all else fails. Do the "hide your hair" step and then try to play with your makeup or clothes, so that the other qualities are more enhanced.
- Don't like the new color? If you've gotten darker, a drugstore product like Color Oops might help you get rid of it.
Warnings
- Never try to cut your hair yourself unless you have practiced. If you are inexperienced and decide to give it a tick, chances are you will screw it up and regret it.
- Think carefully before doing something like dyeing your hair with a strong color, or doing a permanent straightening that could damage your hair, especially if it is a radical change.
- Washing your hair daily robs them of their natural oils. Hair reacts to dryness by producing extra oils, which only makes it fatter. If you have naturally oily hair, consider the causes: it could also be just a hormonal problem, or a wrong product. Try using a shampoo that enriches or improves hydration, or wash your hair with warm water.
