Just like we switch up our wardrobes and skincare as the seasons change, we should absolutely be taking a look at our haircare routine too!
After all, we want to keep our hair looking healthy, glossy, manageable and fabulous all year round, don’t we?
And whilst I LOVE autumn (hello chunky knits, cosy nights and hot choccie!), the change in weather isn’t always quite so lovely for our hair.
So, here are a few of my top tips to keep your locks looking their best this season.
1. Give Your Hair Some Much-Needed Moisture
After a summer of fun, sun, sea and sand, our hair can often be feeling a little on the dry side.
Sun exposure, swimming, holidays and all that extra styling can leave our lovely locks looking dull, feeling rough and generally in need of a little TLC.
So, autumn is the perfect time to introduce some extra hydration into your haircare routine.
I’d recommend switching to a lovely moisturising shampoo and conditioner to help replenish that lost softness and shine.
My personal favourite? Eufora’s Hydrating Shampoo and Moisture Solution Conditioner. I absolutely LOVE this combination for hair that’s feeling thirsty and in need of some extra moisture.
And if your hair has had a particularly wild summer (we’re talking sunshine, swimming pools and plenty of heat styling!), it might need something a little stronger.
In that case, a repairing treatment could be just the thing to help strengthen damaged hair and improve its condition.
2. Give Your Hair a Fresh Start With a Detox
Now, this is one I really recommend after the summer months!
Over time, our hair can collect a build-up of styling products, minerals from water and other impurities, which can leave it feeling heavy, dull and not quite itself.
At The Strand, we use Malibu C Crystal Gel, a professional hair detox treatment designed to help remove mineral deposits and product build-up from the hair.
Think of it as a fresh start for your lovely locks!
It’s particularly worth considering if you’ve been spending lots of time in swimming pools, have hard water at home (like we absolutely do in Hull) or feel like your usual haircare products just aren’t working quite as well as they used to.
Once we’ve removed that unwanted build-up, we can assess what your hair needs next, whether that’s hydration, repair or a little bit of both.
3. Don’t Forget Your Hair Oil!
Autumn brings with it plenty of wet, windy weather, and let’s face it, that’s not always a recipe for a fabulous hair day!
One of my favourite little haircare tricks is using a good-quality hair oil or serum.
Applied to the mid-lengths and ends, it can help smooth the hair, reduce frizz and give it that lovely silky, glossy finish.
I particularly recommend Eufora beautifying serum. (I love the stuff, and even use a bit on my face under my moisturiser) use a small amount after washing your hair, focusing on the ends where hair tends to be driest.
And remember, a little goes a long way! We want gorgeous, glossy locks, not hair that looks like it needs another wash.
4. Turn Down the Heat (Just a Little!)
As the weather gets colder, we’re naturally less inclined to leave the house with damp hair, so the hairdryer tends to get a little more use.
And that’s absolutely fine, but it’s worth being mindful of how much heat we’re putting on our hair.
My top tips?
- Always use a good heat protector before blow-drying or styling.
- Avoid using your straighteners or curling tongs on unnecessarily high temperatures.
- Make sure your hair is completely dry before using heated irons.
- Give your hair a little break from heat styling when you can.
And here’s a little bonus tip: if you love a big, bouncy blowout, try using Velcro rollers to help create volume and movement without having to keep going over your hair with hot tools.
I’m a big fan!
5. Show Your Scalp Some Love Too!
We spend so much time thinking about our hair that it’s easy to forget about the skin underneath it.
But a happy, healthy scalp is an important part of looking after your hair.
As the weather changes and the central heating goes on, some of us may notice our scalps feeling a little drier or more uncomfortable than usual.
Using a gentle shampoo suited to your scalp, avoiding excessively hot water and making sure you’re thoroughly rinsing your products can all help.
If you’re experiencing persistent itching, flaking or irritation, it’s worth getting some advice rather than just piling on more products.
6. Treat Your Hair to a Little Autumn TLC
Sometimes our hair needs a little more than our usual shampoo and conditioner can offer.
And that’s where a lovely professional salon treatment comes in!
At The Strand, we offer a range of treatments that can be tailored to what your hair actually needs, whether that’s extra hydration, repair, smoothing or a good old detox.
Our Healthy Hair Upgrade is a fabulous addition to your appointment if your hair is feeling a little tired after the summer.
And the best bit? You can relax and enjoy a little pampering while we do all the hard work.
What’s not to love?
So, Does Your Haircare Routine Need an Autumn Update?
My biggest piece of advice is that you don’t need a bathroom cabinet full of products to have gorgeous hair.
You just need the RIGHT products for YOUR hair.
What works beautifully for your best friend might not be what your own hair needs, and that’s why getting a little professional advice can make such a difference.
Next time you’re in the salon, have a chat with your stylist about your current routine. We’re always happy to recommend a few little tweaks to help keep your hair looking its absolute best.
And if your hair is crying out for some TLC after the summer, why not treat yourself to a lovely autumn hair refresh?
Here’s to glossy hair, cosy evenings and fabulous autumn hair days!
Abbie