One comment remained constant in my years of working at Sephora: How do I make my hair better? It seemed to stick out more than any other complexion question: You can mask imperfections with concealer, smell better with cologne, hydrate your skin with moisturizer, but haircare always felt like the final frontier of the “uncharted” beauty path. I was always reminded of a simple truth: our skin doesn’t have boundaries. Skincare doesn’t just stop at the hairline. Got dry skin? You most likely have a dry scalp, too. Here are some helpful tips to achieve the perfect, blowout balance for even our most knotty of hair days.
The concept is simple. Oily skin? Oily hair. You should treat your scalp with the same intentionality as your face, tackling issues based on these unique characteristics. The question at hand remains: How does one start? With serums, oils, shampoos, treatments, masks, and everything else that couldn’t fit in a Mary Poppins bag, the first step can be intimidating. As your virtual big sister, here is my playbook:
Before we go reaching for our favorite shampoos, we have to clear the canvas first. Just as we double cleanse to remove the day’s pollution, SPF, and drama, our hair also needs that same princess treatment. A clarifying shampoo will help you reset to neutral, no additional work needed. This product normally works by utilizing high concentrations of surfactants, which strip away stubborn product residue, excess oil, environmental pollutants, and even mineral deposits. This results in a deeper clean, allowing for your other products to work better—think leave-in conditioners and serums that then absorb better after clarifying. It’s important not to overdo it, however, as it can strip your hair to excess—once a week is ideal for combination skin, while 2x a week for oily hair may be more appropriate, and even more sparingly for those with drier hair. Some of my tried and true include: The Ouai Detox Clarifying Shampoo is always my first recommendation since it tackles all issues and beyond.
However, if you’re looking for something a little more affordable, the L’Oreal Paris EverPure Clarifying Shampoo does wonders, especially at such a low price point. We use serums to target fine lines and dullness on our faces, so why ignore the skin that grows our hair?
Unfamiliar with products targeting the scalp? Meet The Virtue Topical Scalp Supplement. This product is infused with Alpha Keratin, which works to resurface the scalp and provide a boost of nutrients directly to the root, cultivating a wonderful output of beautiful, luscious locks. The formula is lightweight, non-greasy, and ensures that the new hair growing in is stronger and shines brighter than what came before it.
Next, if you’ve been wanting something to help you refresh, look no further than the OUAI Scalp Serum. This serum is infused with skincare-grade adaptogens that work to foster a balanced and hydrated environment where hair can actually thrive. It’s incredibly lightweight—this won’t ruin your blowout or leave you greasy in the slightest— and features its signature ‘Cape Town’ scent: think Spearmint and crisp ginger. This is perfect for those wanting to add to their daily self-care ritual for those working towards thicker, fuller-looking strands over time. Speaking of routines, my favorite part of them is that you can romanticize them.
This hydrating mask is a sensory dream, with scents of rose petals and lavender that’ll leave you feeling like you just left the salon. Most masks are designed for the ends of the hair, but this formula is specifically designed to be massaged into the scalp. The Aesop Rose Hair and Scalp Moisturising Masque is rich in Vitamin E and botanical extracts that intensely hydrate the skin
without leaving it feeling heavy.
This magic in a tube is the perfect last step in this glamorized shower lineup. Now that we’ve discussed products, the only thing left is tools. To achieve healthy skin and luxurious hair, you must stimulate the blood flow to your scalp. Crown Affair reminds us that the physical act of brushing your hair is a form of lymphatic drainage for the head. They have a wonderful kit that includes a boar bristle brush, able to distribute your hair’s natural oils from your scalp to the ends, ensuring a highly hydrated look. Using a high-quality boar bristle brush or a silicone scalp massager during your wash also helps distribute those natural oils and invigorates the follicles. It’s the final touch in your routine that values ceremony over speed and convenience.
The Takeaway? Relying on the salon for a ‘quick fix’ is like expecting a once-a-year facial to fix a lifetime of skipping out on skincare. The true secret to the coveted blowout bounce is found in those quiet, cherished moments of your daily ritual. By shifting the focus from the ends of our hair to the roots of our skin, we embrace the more intuitive, holistic form of beauty. Your hair is your own personal crown— make sure the foundation it sits on is just as polished.
Images: Brands respectively
