Whether you’re a cleanse, tone and moisture kinda girl or you’re dedicated to your 12-step routine, we bet your bottom dollar that you put a hell of a lot more effort into your skincare routine that you do to your hair care routine. 

But why? It’s your crowning glory, the mane event, in other words, you should be giving it just as much love as you’re giving your skin. 

Our hair boss, Maria, founder and stylist of Red Door Hair Studio, gives you the lowdown on why your haircare routine should be just as important as your skincare routine. 

Just like your skin, it ages too 

So one of the main reasons that people give for not giving their hair enough tender loving care (oh, that rhymes) is that it doesn’t age like your skin does. Well, have we got news for you. It absolutely does. 

Maria explains: “Just like your skin (and the rest of your body for that fact) how your hair ages depends on various factors such as genetics, your lifestyle, your hormones and most importantly, your hair habits. Hence, why paying attention to how you care for it should be a priority.” 

Changes in your hair as you age can include, turning grey, thinning, weakening of the follicles   and your scalp becoming drier. And whilst you can’t help what mother nature has in store for you, there are definitely things you can do to help keep your hair healthy. 

“My advice would be to make sure you choose a colourist that is experienced with a different range of hair colours, types and ages. Always choose Olaplex with your colour treatment and don’t underestimate the importance of monthly conditioning treatments. I know a lot of people think that they’re an additional expense, but they can really help to main the integrity of your hair, helping you to avoid unnecessary thinning and breakage.” 

It’s a form of self care

When you think of self care, you probably think of a long bath and a face mask. However, don’t forget about your hair. 

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, your hair is your crowning glory. It’s part of you and when it comes to your appearance, it’s almost part of your outfit - the outfit you wear everyday and night. Think of it like a designer handbag,  you wouldn’t slather it in cheap washing detergent and fry it on the daily with 210° heat, so why on earth do so many of us do the same with our hair? 

When it comes to caring for your hair, treat it as you would your silk bed sheets. Always wash them on delicate and lather them in lots of conditioner. Okay, let me translate. If you want to maintain your colour and your healthiest locks, opt for a sulphate-free shampoo and a bond-protecting conditioner. My favourites are the Moroccan Oil Moisture Repair Shampoo and the Kérastase Aura Botanica Bain Micellaire Riche for shampoos and Olaplex Bond Maintenance Conditioner and the Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Intensive Treatment.” 

Failing that and taking out the benefits for your hair, there’s just no self care like a nourishing hair mask, generous dose of olaplex and a fresh blow dry to make you feel like the best version of you. 

Read more: What is Olaplex? 

Our scalp is your skin, don’t forget to look after that too 

Possibly one of the most forgotten areas of your beauty routine, your scalp plays a vital part of your hair’s health. 

“A healthy scalp leads to healthy hair and follicles. An unhealthy scalp can lead to hair loss, dry hair, damaged, thinning hair.” 

Top tips for keeping your scalp healthy include: 

• Using a gentle, sulphate-free shampoo 

• Wash your hair less often

• Use a scalp scrub. Like an exfoliant would on your face, this helps to rid your scalp of dandruff or build up which can stop your hair from growing 

• Massage it. There’s a reason every single blow dry we do comes with a luxurious head massage (and it’s not just because it feels unreal). Massaging the scalp helps dilate the blood flow within the skin which can help support hair growth 

It also needs protecting from the sun 

You probably know that you need to protect your skin with SPF, but did you know that your hair can suffer from UVA/UVB damage too?

Maria explains: “UV rays can make hair brittle and appear frayed. Sunlight is drying and can lighten hair simply from exposure, [and] your scalp, like any other skin on the body, is susceptible to skin cancer. They’re plenty of good conditioning sprays that can protect your hair against the sun, some of my favourites are the Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil, Kérastase Soleil Crème UV Sublime and the System Professional Solar Sun Oil.”  

Don’t forget about your serum 

“Just like with your skincare routine, a high quality serum is key if you want to get your hair into its best possible condition. Just like with your skincare, the molecules in a serum are much smaller than that of a moisturiser or a conditioner, meaning they penetrate much deeper into the hair’s cuticle.  

A serum should only be rubbed into the ends of your hair, avoid the roots as this can result in heavy buildup. Try to pick serums with either avocado (for thin hair), morrocan (for thick, coarse hair) or jojoba oil (for a dry scalp) - as these are extra nourishing and replenish your hair with moisture that is often lost throughout the day. Believe it or not, your lifestyle can have a detrimental effect on your strands. Environmental aggressors such as exposure to pollution, toxins, harsh weather and smoking can have an impact on your hair health, so keeping it hydrated is essential if you want to maintain your hair’s health.” 

Want to discover your healthiest hair yet? Make your appointment with the hair boss here.