My hair is out of control. It’s like the one thing you can guarantee about my hair. And if you thought it was bad in general, then you’d hate to see it on a normal day. Seriously. So what do I do to attempt to keep this not exactly curly not straight, long and wild, dyed copper hair under control? I do these things and keep my fingers crossed it doesn’t all go the heck as soon as I leave the house.
Which it almost always does.
That’s why this isn’t a definitive post about how I maintain a mane of silky, perfect hair. I could never write that post. I know that. YOU know that. But I do have some tips for controlling out of control hair plus I’ve thrown in some more about maintaining the copper shade {after a few false starts}. So if you have wild out of control hair, this post is for you. And if copper/red is your aim, then it’ll work for you too. Everyone else, better luck tomorrow. Haha.
So are you ready? Let’s get to work with my top five tips for maintaining your hair, a list of the products I use and things I try to avoid so that I have some semblance of a chance of a good hair day. Like ever. Long or short, colour treated or natural. There will be something here for you. After all I’ve had almost every haircut known to man and woman. Don’t EVEN start me on the hairdresser who almost burnt ALL my hair off. Haha.
FAB TIPS
Most people wouldn’t look at me and immediately assume that I’m doing things to make my hair look the way it does. I don’t know how to do a home blow dry, I barely ever turn my straightener on. I like to keep it and simple and save time in the morning. Because I like to sleep in mostly. This is a lazy girls guide. You’re welcome.
One of the best tips I’ve ever received for long hair is if you are washing it at night, and are trying to avoid heat tools, then wash it, and put it in a plait. Loose for loose waves, tights for real crinkled waves and head to bed. You might have to deal with any fringe in the morning but the rest you can just shake it out and you’re done. Most times. Haha.
Get your hair trimmed regularly. I read somewhere lately that this is a bit of a myth when it comes to growing your hair faster but as far as making your hair look good, it’s so effective. A good cut will not only emphasise the good bits but it will get rid of those straggly ends. I don’t know about you but my hair LOVES to create flyaway and crispy ends. A regular cut will keep this under control.
Don’t forget the power of a good hair mask. Even though my hair is prone to being super oily at the roots, the ends are dry and brittle. I use a good treatment on the ends once a fortnight. Sometimes I do it all over and add copper shampoo when my colour REALLY needs a top up. It works a charm. I find that I will need to wash my hair the next day though as I get excess oil at the scalp.
Speaking of excess oil at the scalp, you know what someone way smarter than me told me to do about that? They said before you wash your hair give it a good solid brushing. The oil will come out then and can be washed away when you wash your hair. This gives me at least another day before I need to shampoo again and to be honest, the condition of my hair has improved in general since starting to do this. I’m thinking maybe I wasn’t actually brushing my hair enough.
FAB FIVE PRODUCTS
Full disclosure and all I first tried the mousse, mask and Goldwell set because they were PR samples. These are not those samples, since then I’ve replaced them at my own expense because I like them. Okie dokie? Let’s roll. Ladies and gentlemen {are there any gentlemen?} meet the fab five, the a-team, the products I use to keep my hair under control and fabulous. Errr, sometimes. From left to right they are a hair mask, shampoo and conditioner for hair repair, the mousse of awesome for creating curls where there is only mess and my love, my favourite, my copper shampoo. Here are the links.
Wella Salon Professional Hair Mask
Goldwell Rich Repair Shampoo and Conditioner
Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Mousse
De Lorenzo Copper Titian Shampoo
Do you have any fab products? I know for me when my hair is lighter and I’m looking to avoid as much build up as possible I swear by an Organics shampoo you can buy for something like $3 a pop from the supermarket. It kept my hair clean and bouncy and didn’t turn my hair a golden blonde like other shampoos. Worth a look. Horses for courses, right? These are what are working for me now.
Good luck folks. I hope that helps.
Hi! I’m Melissa Walker Horn. Around here, they call me Suger. I’m the Chief Blogger and doer of all the things here at Suger Coat It. Blogging since 1901; I love a casual ootd, taking photos, and writing about things that irk or inspire me. I love wine and cheese, long days at the beach and spending time with my family. I make stuff for the internet over at Chalkboard Digital. You know, living the sweet life.
Realise I’m really late in joining this conversation, but have you tried an organic clear henna wax? Scoop a handful, smoosh it through wet hair cover with a shower cap while you clean the bathroom, shave your legs or something. Rinse it out when you are ready and it will leave your hair soft, silky, shiny and strong. Use it as a masque once a week or whenever you have time. Ultra Organics Clear Henna Wax 500g is $7 at Chemist Warehouse and will last months.
I’m fine with late when you come baring tips! Thanks for this, I might just give that a go.
great post, I have the same hair as you and really appreciate the advice! 🙂
You’re welcome. Go team weirdo hair! 😉
Oooh I too am of the dry ender oily rooter variety…err, that came out weird but you know what I mean! 😛 Will have to remember the brush before washing tip.
Give it a good brush. A nice hard one. Works a treat.
No product no brush no comb no styling no heated instuments, just a good hairdresser who knows how to cut think curly copper hair and the wake and shake styling method. Been on doing this since 1990.
Genuine copper hair? Jealous. And genuine curls not messy waves!? Even more so. Nice one.
I found the Organics Care range also great for my hair but have stopped using it recently as I found out they use Palm Oil which can have devastating effects for Orangutans.
OMG. I hate when that happens. Hopefully they make a better choice of ingredients soon.
I envy people with out of control hair because mine is so fine! My biggest issues is getting dandruff when I’ve got coloured hair – nothing strips hair colour like dandruff but my hairdresser recommended a good one.
Oh really!? That’s so interesting. Glad you found something that works!
I haven’t brushed my hair since the 80’s. I have very curly hair and it’s a whole other world. My hairdressers have always said to only shampoo once a week and never brush it dry. Curly hair is way too dry to brush and will just snap off. Every other day I just use conditioner and no shampoo. I use conditioner in the shower and leave in conditioner as well and once a week (if I can find the time) a moisture treatment (sometimes I use straight warmed oil, not fancy $50 a bottle stuff, coconut or olive oil). I use products without sulphates and silicone. I also use mousse and a soft wax for styling. I don’t think any of the products I use could not be swapped out for some other similar product, there is so much out there to choose from. It’s taken many years to find a routine that works for me and I still change things up to see if there isn’t some different method or product that might have a different result. And then I have to allow for weather…
And then there’s the weather! Haha. Love that. Thank you SO much for sharing. I love this. All great tips, especially for those with genuine curly hair.