How to Save Your Hair From Your Morning Commute
Walking to work can be a great way to help you reach your daily step goal (FitBit anyone?), but it can also be a nightmare when it comes to your hair. Nothing ruins a perfectly coifed blowout quicker than the elements. From wind to rain to snow, your morning walk to work can slowly destroy that style you worked so long and hard to achieve. But with a few quick tricks from two top stylists, we’ll show you how to protect your hair from that tough morning commute.
If it’s windy
According to Ammon Carver, L’ANZA Global Creative Director and founder of L’ANZA Healing Haircare Studio in New York City, a little wind isn’t the end of the world when it comes to your strands. (As long as there’s no moisture involved, you should be good to go!) “When you get inside and out of the wind, use your fingers to settle your hair back into a basic shape,” he says. “Follow up with L’ANZA Keratin Healing Oil Lustrous Finishing Spray ($4, ulta.com) to give it the original polish and hold you began with.”
If it’s dry
Dryness is also a big downside of winter weather. Not to mention dry air plus a beanie (a winter staple) is the perfect combo for static-y hair.” A quick trick for beanie-hair or any static is to rub a little hand lotion into your hands thoroughly and then just run your hands through your hair and voila!” says Cutler/Redken Salons stylist Amy Moscowitz. Just make sure the lotion is rubbed into your hands so it doesn’t make hair sticky and greasy!
If it’s rainy or snowy
If moisture is involved, you need to act fast and address the issue while the hair is still damp, says Carver. He suggests getting to a blow dryer and applying a frizz tamer to counteract the moisture. Don’t have a blow dryer at the ready in your desk drawer? Try a side braid or twisted bun, says Moscowitz. “If you prefer your hair down, remove the style once the hair has dried and you will have some great frizz-free texture,” she adds. Finally, working with the elements is always an option. “If you have gotten too wet to dry or smooth quickly, then work with the texture,” says Carver. “Spray L‘ANZA‘s Healing Style Beach Spray all over the hair and squeeze in texture. Control pieces through the front with a braid or hair pins and let the rest of the hair have a fun, flirty texture,” he says.
Just be prepared
Lastly, you can’t always control the weather, but you can control what products you have at the ready. “Keeping a small flat iron in your purse is never a bad idea,” says Carver. “If you don’t have access to a blow dryer at work, then head into the restroom and plug in your little iron. While it heats up, use towels to remove the moisture from the hair. Run the iron over the surface layer of the hair that was affected by the rain or snow.”
But if even that is too high-tech for your office, keep a little can of dry texture spray and hair spray in your drawer. Moscowitz says Redken Windblown 05 ($19, ulta.com) is a great option for a little sprucing up and for added volume.
And of course, don’t forget the hair ties. These hair care basics are ideal for faking a ‘do in a pinch. “Pull the top half of the hair up into a tousled top knot but leave the lower half alone,” says Carver. “Slightly messy texture from rain or snow can suddenly look intentional.”
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