If there is one thing that scares people away from heat styling, it is, without a doubt, the damage it can incur. This is a very valid reason, given the level of damage most heat styling products can (and do) inflict on the hair. But what happens when we have no other means of achieving the look we so desire? Here are some of the best ways to achieve gorgeous, heat styled hair with minimal damage.
Tip 1: Learn to Love Your Natural Hair
This might seem totally counter-productive, but hear me out: heat styling causes the least amount of damage the less you use it. Seems logical, right? Learning to love your natural hair is essential in this aspect, and in keeping your hair healthy, because it will allow you to enjoy more days without heat styling than days that you do.
So say you choose two days out of the week to heat style your hair; you will be doing far less damage than if you were to heat style on a daily basis.
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Tip 2: Invest in Quality Products
Many hot tools state that they have some sort of technology that helps to ensure hair health. And while many products do, in fact, utilize technology that does indeed help to minimize damage and increase shine, most do not live up to the hype.
Bio Ionic Conditioning Freestyle Iron is a fantastic example of a quality product that will style your hair and add shine, while doing less damage than traditional metal or ceramic plated styling irons. An added bonus, this beauty tool can be used to straighten and curl your hair, giving you the benefits of two devices in one!
Tip 3: Use a Heat Protection Spray
It can take a lot of trial and error before you find your perfect heat protection spray, which is a huge reason as to why many people choose not to use them. Instead of going through the frustrating process of trying to find the right one for you, ask your hair stylist!
One of the most common complaints I have heard in regards to heat protection sprays is that they leave the hair feeling dry and crunchy, which are two things you never want to feel when it comes to your hair.
Specify this to your hair stylist and ask for something that will instead help to promote softness and shine while layering your hair with vital protection.
Trust me, products like this do exist; you just need to find a friend or stylist who can recommend them to you. Once you have gotten the recommendation, as if they have any on-hand to try on your hair (everyone is different, after all) and go home and evaluate if you like the way it makes your hair feel. Once it has passed the feel-good test, and you are sure you will love and use the product, then go ahead and purchase to your hearts content!
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Tip 4: Nourish Your Hair
No matter how quality, shine-inducing, or conditioning your styling iron may be, you will need to be sure to nourish your hair.
Heat styling does remove moisture from your hair, which can typically be seen in the long-term. Even those who use quality hot tools will eventually have a “fried” look to their hair if they skip this essential step.
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