If you've got buildup from chlorine or styling products, or perhaps your hair is looking a little lackluster, I've got a few solutions. Just head to the pantry, grab a few ingredients, and stir up your own homemade brew.
Do you need some clarity? Then perhaps it's time for a little DIY action. Keep in mind that for color-treated hair, it's probably best to use a clarifying shampoo specifically formulated to protect your color from stripping out. Check out three of my tips after the jump.
Some — but not all — low-priced products give your hair that silky feeling and light-reflecting gloss by coating the shaft with a wax, which doesn't always wash off completely. The result is a buildup that can keep hair from absorbing color or holding styles, dandruff, and breakage. During this time of year, piling on serum, spray, gel, cream, and mousse to protect hair from the wind and dry air can actually make it even drier.
According to New York City stylist Antonio Prieto, a common cause is using a larger quantity of styling products than recommended, especially if the product has alcohol high on its ingredient list. His solution? Use a clarifying shampoo and higher-quality stylers, especially ones with water soluble ingredients. Try washing hair with Bumble & bumble Sunday Shampoo ($18 for eight ounces), which removes residue, hard water minerals (another cause of dullness), and pollutants, or Frederic Fekkai Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo ($23 for eight ounces), which rinses out buildup while nourishing with apple, verbena, rosemary, and kukui nut oil. Those with color-treated hair might stick to an even more natural shampoo, since it probably won't include stripping sulfates, like EO Clarifying French Lavender Shampoo ($6.59 for eight ounces).
Last week I asked you to suggest your favorite cleansing shampoos, and you definitely found some good ones!
Marcella loves Lush's Big shampoo: "It's by far the best cleansing shampoo for people who use a ton of styling products (like me)!" I agree—this stuff lathers like crazy, smells amazing and leaves hair looking shiny and bouncy.
Then there's Rachelattack, who suggests using good old-fashioned baking soda! She says that adding a bit to a regular shampoo transforms it into a cleansing shampoo. I might have to try this.
Leeluvfashion and Bigestivediscuit both rave about Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo, which takes me back to junior high. Come to think of it, my hair did look good and shiny back then—aside from the (gulp) spiral perm.
I've assembled everyone's suggestions in this handy widget. Browse through it and get some great ideas!
Fruit flavored shampoos can instantly turn your shower experience into an aromatherapy pleasure zone! Clarifying shampoos are intended to remove dirt, residue and unwanted oily waxy buildup that has been left in your hair from the use of daily styling products. They are safe for chemically treated or color treated hair since they have been carefully pH balanced to neutralize your hair and scalp. Combine the two and you get these yummy clarifying shampoos:
Fresh Soda Shampoo, $24, bubbles up and fizzes just like soda does! It feels really cool and invigorating on your scalp as you work it into a frothy lather. This shampoo adds volume to your hair while removing residue.
Made from mint, lavender, and grapefruit your hair will be revitalized, vibrant and oil free! Great for all hair types. It is also available in a travel size for $10.
Frederic Fekkai Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo, $19.50, is made from an old french recipe with an apple cider base. This shampoo smells deee-licious. It will remove nasty product buildup that's been weighing down your hair and will leave you with unbelievable shine and bounce.
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