How to fix dry, damaged hair in a day.

Jan 2, 2013

Stephanie D.

I see this question on here a lot, so I'm contributing my hair TLC method for anyone that's overdone it (we all have - cough - dye - cough - bleach - cough - heat tools - cough cough).

Take my word for it. I have long years of bitter experience with waist-length+, dyed hair. It's easy to do, if a little time-consuming. I'm just being wordy to fully explain what to do.

Feel free to comment on this thread if you have any questions or to give feedback if you decide to give it a go.

You need:

+ An open calendar day. Ha.
+ Clarifying shampoo (may be optional)
+ Scalp treating shampoo
+ Olive oil (or coconut, or jojoba, or almond)
+ John Frieda Luminous Color Glaze in Clear Shine (YES. This exact product. It's $10 at walgreen's. I've tried other glosses, but this is the easiest and most forgiving to use)
+ Moisturizing conditioner
+ A wide-tooth comb
+ 2 towels. 1 small hand towel and whatever you use to dry your hair.

HOW TO:

1. If you use a lot of product, you need to take all that stuff off first with a clarifying shampoo. Don't condition if you'll still be able to comb your hair after, but it won't kill the process if you do. If you don't use a ton of hairsprays/mouses/stuff, go ahead and skip to step 2.

2. Start the process with clean (see point 1), DRY hair. Get a bowl of your chosen oil and heat it up in the microwave until it's just warm to the touch. Comb the oil through ALL of your hair until it's COMPLETELY saturated (looks wet).

3. If it's long enough, pile your hair in a loose bun on top of your head. Wet the hand towel and wring it out, then microwave it for about a minute until it's steaming nicely. Of course, not so hot that you burn yourself, so be careful. Wrap the warm towel around your head and leave that on your head for 2 - count it, TWO hours at the very least. Go for 3 if you're very patient or very serious. Your towel will get cold and you'll have to reheat it about every 15 or so minutes. I know it's involved, but just trust me.

4. Go wash your hair with the SCALP treatment shampoo. A lot of problems start at the root. If you're uncertain, just go for the Clear Scalp Therapy stuff or plain ol' Head and Shoulders. Personally, I use Fructis Fall Fight that has caffeine and biotin. Do NOT condition at this point.

5. Towel dry your hair and comb it out. Apply the John Frieda glosser. Careful, because it has a really odd slimy texture so it's easy to lose the stuff down the sink. Either way, comb it into your damp hair and repeat the towel process from step 3. This time, only do it for 30 minutes.

6. Rinse the gloss out of your hair really well. You don't have to shampoo, just rinse thoroughly, because that stuff gets crunchy if you don't. Follow with a nice, moisturizing conditioner and leave it on for a good 5 minutes. Again, rinse thoroughly.

7. Please don't go straight to frying your hair with heat at this point. I like to give my hair a break after I do this by just twisting it into ropes and letting it air dry - or maybe a tiny bit of my blowdrying on LOW heat to make the roots dry a little faster. Either way. Leave it alone for a couple of days after you do this.

That's it! Hope it works for you. I've seriously screwed up my hair at various junctures and this is my swear-by method to get it looking nice again after that "oops" moment.

Jan 2, 2013

Pixie T.

Thanks Stephanie! It sounds promising. I'm going to try it as soon as I get some down time. 

Jan 2, 2013

Heather H.

Your hair is gorgeous. I'm definitely going to try this!!!! Thank you!!

Jan 2, 2013

Monique B.

get a trim first and try pro naturals moroccan argan oil hair treatment kit which is a complete treatment that will help you to restore your hair, leaving it soft and healthy again. :D