04/20

Molly’s Hairstylist Gives The Scoop On Her DIY Cocktail For Quarantine Hair

We are all in the same boat right now. (A boat that looks an awful lot like the inside of our respective homes.) The boat of sheltering in place has a stowaway on board. It’s called neglect. We’re—okay, I’ll speak for myself—I’ve been neglecting my hair. These days, a half-hearted swipe of conditioner is what passes for an intensely moisturizing mask, and “brushing” is now the same thing as “styling.” My hair is revolting against me—and I can’t blame it.

So I reached out to my close friend and hairstyling genius (whom I trust with every hair follicle on my head) Jen Rachel. Jen is here to tell us how to make hair soft, healthy, and look less caveman-y. Her approach also involves a hair cocktail that will make you especially excited to get up in the morning. Even if it is Groundhogs Day all over again.

Cheers!

Jen, what are your top tricks to keeping hair healthy and shiny during this quarantine? Ex: masks, products, etc.

Most of us are using some type of chemical enhancement to achieve the desired color/ texture we want. This is a strange time where we are required to stay at home and protect ourselves, our loved ones and some we haven’t had the privilege of meeting. Let’s take advantage of it! For our hairs’ sake!

Starting with a simple, organic, basic, and easy to find COCONUT OIL!

All hair types can benefit from more moisture and protein! However, a coconut oil hair mask is more beneficial if your hair tends to be:

· Dry

· Frizzy

· Prone to breakage

· Curly

Also, a personal must-have in my home is my silk pillowcase! Here are the benefits:

· Naturally hypoallergenic

· Beneficial for your hair and skin

· Reduced bed head and split ends

· Wrinkle prevention via little friction

· Anti-aging

· Low maintenance- easy to care for

What are some easy at-home hairstyles I can rock at home?

My top three:

The perfect method for beachy waves and large voluminous curls (without a hot tool)

You Will Need:

· Headband

· Blow Dryer (optional)

· Sea-salt Spray

1. While your hair is slightly damp, wrap a headband around your head.

2. Section your hair into two halves and start wrapping it around the headband.

3. Once you get to the end of your hair, pin it to secure in place.

4. Repeat this with the second section and pin it in place.

5. You can use a blow dryer on the cool setting to speed up the drying process, or you can go to bed with your hair wrapped around the headband.

6. Once your hair is completely dry, unpin it and let it down.

7. Comb your hair with your fingers and finish by scrunching your hair with a sea-salt spray to hold the volume.

MESSY BUN! An over-all favorite in my book!

STEP 1: First, flip your head upside down and pull your hair into a loose ponytail, as high or as low as you’d like it. Don’t use a comb or worry about your strands being perfectly slicked back — some bumps are ok.

STEP 2: Twist the hair, and spin it around the base of the ponytail, continuing to wrap below the bun. Be sure to leave the tail out at the end.

STEP 3: Secure it with a hair elastic and bobby pins.

I can’t help but give Ariana Grande credit for my next at-home style… the high pony!

Step 1: If your hair is freshly washed and a little too smooth, add some texturizing spray or dry shampoo to your hair for some texture. This will allow your ponytail to stay in place all day long.

Step 2: Pull your hair up towards the crown of your head. Make sure you’re pulling your hair up, not back and don’t be afraid to go higher than you would normally!

Step 3: Holding the ponytail in place with one hand, brush out any bumps with the other hand to ensure a super sleek ponytail!

Step 4: Once you have found the perfect ponytail placement (center of your head, visible from the front), it’s time to take your hair elastic and secure the pony into place.

Step 5: Spray a toothbrush with hairspray and brush down any flyaways. This way, you tame your hair without making it completely flat.

What are the best at-home hair treatments and vitamins?

Nutrafol

My sweet Molly told me about this gem, and I am forever grateful! It improves hair growth, strength, and thickness. Truly a miracle product. Check it out for yourself!

Shop Nutrafol here.

Olaplex #3

No. 3 Hair Perfector is not a conditioner, it’s an at-home treatment that contains the same active ingredient found in all professional Olaplex products. A concentrated treatment that strengthens the hair.

– Addresses damaged and compromised hair

– Strengthens and protects hair structure

– Restores healthy appearance and texture

Shop Olaplaex here.

If I decide to cut my own hair, is there any helpful tips you could give me?

Let’s start this off with – ABSOLUTELY NOT! I am giving you tons of fabulous recommendations to keep your hair completely nourished and full of protein! We can wait this one out… PLEASE!

What are your favorite styling tools? With all this time on my hands, I may as well learn some new ways to style my hair.

Bio Ionics 1″ StyleWinder curling iron is an easy at-home styling tool. The easy swivel clamp is great for beginners! Video to come on beach waves and voluminous bouncy curls!

Dyson AirWrap! A little on the pricey side but if you give it a try and put the effort in … it’s worth every penny! Say goodbye to Drybar!

-6 steps to curl retention-

1. Start with damp, towel-dried hair.

2. Use the 1.2-inch barrel for a defined curl.

3. Use high heat and airflow.

4. Make sure the curl is completely dry before you turn the machine off.

5. End with a cool shot to set style.

6. Add styling products such as hairspray to maximize curl longevity.

Is it good to wash your hair every day? How many days a week do you recommend?

It depends on the hair, our main concerns are:

1. It causes product build-up

2. Dirty hair is easier to style

3. Dulls your hair

4. It gets expensive!!

5. Fades your color

6. Strips your natural oils

7. Dries out your scalp (which is why you feel you need to wash it!)

If You Have Fine, Straight and/or Thin Hair:

This hair type tends to get oily and greasy pretty quickly, as the oils at your root gravitate down the hair shaft. It would help to find a shampoo and conditioner that will better suit your hair. I recommend

If You Have Curly, Coarse, Thick and/or Dry Hair:

You can definitely wash less often in between shampoos. Once or twice a week work better for those with this hair type. And I know you will all appreciate a great moisturizing hair wash regiment to add to your routine!

What is the best way to maintain extensions during quarantine?

Extensions are probably the toughest part of the quarantine hair care. We all love (including me) the thick locks we get from our added extensions. Let’s remember that we aren’t seeing anyone and it’s ok to take them out and let our natural hair breathe for a few more weeks! I’m happy to chat and help with the process of getting them out! As much as we love our confidence-boosting hair additives, this is one we need to leave to the licensed professionals. We don’t know when the social distancing will lift, but I’m ready when that happens to get you back to your hair goals!