There’s nothing quite like the confidence boost that comes with strutting out of the hair salon post-treatment, safe in the knowledge your latest cut and blow-dry has left your hair healthy, vibrant and full of bounce.
Cut to a few weeks later, and your hair may be starting to lose some of the lustre you worked (and paid) hard for. Your colour is fading and you haven’t quite figured out how to recreate the way your hairdresser dries each strand just so. Don’t lose hope – there are plenty of ways to elevate your home hair-care and styling routine to a salon-worthy standard.
The hairstyle
Say goodbye to artfully undone and tousled locks; ultra-polished, voluminous hair is back. Think sleek curls and waves that emulate the Nineties catwalk blow-outs of Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer or Veronica Webb. But don’t panic, a supermodel budget and glam team on speed dial aren't necessary to recreate this look.
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‘The trick here is to keep your hair in very good condition,’ explains Adam Reed, editorial ambassador for L'Oréal Professionnel. ‘Really healthy-looking hair will reflect light in a way that makes it look expensive.’
Although regular trims at the hairdresser are important, the rest really comes down to using a targeted blow-dryer brush to build volume at the roots. And, of course, a good finishing oil too; it’ll help to emulate that glass-like supermodel finish (read on for our product suggestions).
The protective treatment
If your salon-fresh colour begins to lose vibrancy within weeks, it may actually be down to your water. Though harmless to health, our tap water contains copper microparticles that penetrate and accumulate inside the fibres of your hair, causing colour fade and breakage.
The solution? ‘Glicoamine, a tiny molecule that is able to penetrate individual hair fibres,’ explains Reed, who is also an experienced colourist. ‘It targets copper particles, using its chelating properties to bind with and neutralise them.’
L’Oréal Professional’s Metal Detox range heroes glicoamine to prevent this copper build-up. The Anti-Metal Cleansing Cream Shampoo will neutralise any copper within the hair, while the Anti-Deposit Protector Mask and Concentrated Oil protect against further build-up, nourish with moisture and prevent damage.
L'Oréal Professionnel L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Anti-Metal Cleansing Cream Shampoo
L'Oréal Professionnel L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Anti-Deposit Protector Mask
L'Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Anti-deposit Protector Concentrated Hair Oil
The next-gen tech
Gone are the days of clunky hairdryers, straighteners and tongs. These days, there are styling tools out there that can do it all. L’Oréal Professionnel’s SteamPod4, for example, is an ‘all in one’ steam styler that straightens, adds waves or gives bouncy curls, thanks to three combs.
In general, steam styling is gentler on your hair, which makes it an excellent option for maintaining that salon-fresh healthiness. Steam allows moisture to penetrate the hair cuticle, so your hair retains hydration as you style it. The results? A smoother, shinier finish free of frizz and excessive heat damage.
The styling kit
While you certainly don’t need an excessive arsenal of hair-care tools at your disposal, there are a few pieces of kit we’d recommend to give locks some pro-level love. Start by swapping out hair bands with metal fastenings for snag-free alternatives (Invisibobble’s range is excellent). If you sleep with your hair tied up at night, opt for a silk scrunchie or hair scarf to keep hair in place instead. You’ll find countless options on Etsy. Even better, pair these with a silk pillowcase.
Don’t forget about your hairbrush, either – look for one that suits your hair texture and style. If you’re prone to knots, or your hair is particularly thick, a Tangle Teezer will detangle without breakage. For wavy, curly and coily hair, a Denman brush will help define texture.
Protect your hair with L’Oréal Professionnel’s Metal Detox range
