Are You Stuck In Hair Care Rut? It’s Time To Make A Fresh Start With Help From McGills Hairdressing in Edinburgh
You may be a fan of Mrs Hinch or Marie Kondo but, when it comes to spring cleaning, it’s easy to overlook refreshing your self care. To keep your locks in top condition it’s time to smarten up your hair care. At our Edinburgh hair salon we’ve got all the home hair care advice you need. Read our latest article then book an appointment for a spring hairstyle transformation by calling 0131 228 8882.
Clear Out Your Old Products & Find Some New Favourites
Don’t worry, most of us are guilty of holding onto a collection of half used or out of date hair and beauty products! It’s important to check the expiry dates on your product packaging, and ditch those which are out of date.
Many of us keep products a lot longer than we should, which can cause skin irritation and even burning on your scalp! Hair products which are past their expiry date won’t perform as well as they should.
The average life span of unopened professional haircare is usually around three years. Once opened, it’s about 12 to 18 months or sometimes 24 months, although this does depend on the brand that you use. So, take a good look at your beauty cabinet and clear out all those expired haircare products. If you have anything unwanted that’s unopened, a local charity may be happy to receive it.
Now that you've freed up some space, it’s a great opportunity to restock your favourite products, or to find something new. Head over to our online shop for inspiration, or pop into our Edinburgh salon and our team will be happy to advise you.
Deep Clean Your Hairbrushes
We all know that dirty make-up brushes can harbour germs, but we often forget that the same is true for our hair brushes. Hair, dead skin cells, hair products and oil can all build up in the bristles of hairbrushes, creating the ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. You don't want to be putting all of that dirt back onto your freshly washed hair, so it’s important to get into the habit of cleaning your brushes regularly (not just when you are spring cleaning!)
We recommend removing built-up hair weekly, then using a deep-cleansing shampoo to get your hairbrushes properly clean. If you use a wooden or paddle brush, you should check your manufacturers guidelines before washing, as water can get trapped inside and result in the wooden finish getting spoilt. A quick swish should be sufficient to keep it clean.
Spring Clean Your Styling Tools
If you use your electrical styling tools often, they can suffer from the same build up of products, grease and germs as your hairbrushes. Curlers, straighteners and wands should be cleaned regularly, as many get covered in serums, sprays and oils.
To clean your tools, first make sure they are unplugged and never, ever, submerge them in water. Use a damp soft cloth, rubbing alcohol or baby wipe to clean the styling plates. Never use a scourer on them as this could damage the plates and surfaces. Be sure to dry your styling tools completely before using them.
An often over-looked area of dust and dirt build up is your hairdryer filter. This can affect how well your dryer operates over time, so it’s well worth keeping it clean. Check your manufacturer’s instructions first and make sure your dryer is unplugged. Then you should be able to twist off the filter on the back or, on some models, unclip it. Simply wipe with a warm, damp hand towel to remove the dust, lint and other build up, then dry thoroughly.
Upgrade Your Pillowcase
No matter how soundly you sleep, the truth is you spend hours each night with your hair moving around on your pillow. The friction against a cotton pillowcase can cause an interesting hairstyle the next morning that’s not only difficult to style but leaves your hair frizzy and prone to breakage. We'd recommend investing in a silk pillowcase to avoid a frustrating bed head. Dermatologists advise that sleeping on a silky surface can help to prevent wrinkles too, so it's definitely worth a try!
We know that silk pillowcases can be pretty pricey, so you could look out for one with a cotton underside. Failing that, simply make sure you wash your pillowcase regularly to avoid transferring grease and bacteria build up onto your hair and skin.
Hair Care For Each Season
Most of us adapt our skin care routine as the seasons change, adding SPF or a heavier moisturiser as necessary, but do you adapt your hair care for the season?
As the weather brightens up, your hair colour may start to fade in the sun, so you’ll need to protect it from the UV rays with an SPF spray. It would also benefit from a deep conditioning treatment at our Edinburgh salon. You may find your scalp and hair become greasy in hot, humid weather so you may need to adjust your hair care routine.
If you aren’t sure which products are right for you this season, speak to your McGills stylist and we’ll be happy to recommend the perfect ones from our range of Davines vegan hair care products.
Give Your Hair Love From Within
Your products, brushes and the way you treat your hair are all important but to really get the best out of your locks, you need to look further. The condition of your hair is a reflection of your overall health and vitality, so it’s important to maintain a healthy diet and drink lots of water to keep it looking its best.
By following a healthy, balanced diet packed with proteins, vitamins and minerals, you can achieve hair that is shiny, strong and healthy.
Book An Appointment at McGills Hairdressing in Edinburgh
Spring is a great time for a fresh start with a new hair style or colour. A really good cut from a McGills expert is the perfect antidote to months of lockdown hair neglect which left many of us with split ends and overgrown tresses. Call us now on 0131 228 8882 to book.
