The Ultimate Self-Care Hair Routine | Hair.com By L'Oréal

The Ultimate Editor-Approved Self-Care Routine for Your Hair

Looking for a good self-care routine that puts an emphasis on your hair? We've got you covered with editor-approved tips for your next self-care Sunday.

By Jelani Addams Rosa

Update Date: 05 Aug 2024

Is Getting Your Hair Done Self-Care?

There's a reason so many women see their salon appointments as therapeutic. Taking time out of your day to switch up your hair color, try a new haircut, or enjoy an in-salon hair treatment can be a relaxing form of self-care.

Indulge a bit further by scheduling your hair appointment on the same day as a trip to the nail salon for a full day of pampering. While you’re at it, throw in a massage for good measure. Trying out a trending style like bottleneck bangs will make you feel like a star.

What Is a Good Self-Care Routine?

A good self-care routine makes you look and feel like your most relaxed self. For some, that means indulging in a luxurious bubble bath or booking a massage. We encourage you to find ways to incorporate self-care into your everyday routine, like burning your favorite candle while you get ready in the morning.

If you’re trying to apply self-care practices to your haircare routine, it’s all about relaxing and giving your mane much-needed TLC. Below, we’re revealing some of our favorite ways to upgrade your self-care hair routine.

Take a hot shower

Fact: There’s nothing more therapeutic than taking a hot shower after a long day. While we don’t recommend rinsing your strands with scorching hot water, throw your hair into a bun and give yourself a few minutes to unwind and de-stress before finishing the rest of your shower routine. Once it’s time to wash your hair, turn the shower nozzle so the water is lukewarm.

Invest in a shower filter

If your hair is often left feeling dry and brittle, you may have hard water in your pipes. Water is described as “hard” when there is a high concentration of minerals such as calcium and magnesium present, which can cause dryness and damage. A shower filter can help eliminate such minerals, and some even come scented to help you truly relax during your self-care routine.

Editor’s Tip: Detoxifying haircare products can also help minimize the effects of hard water damage. Invest in a system like L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Metox Detox which features its new Anti-Porosity Filler Pre-Shampoo Treatment.

Wash your hair

Washing your hair may not seem like a luxury, but freshly washed hair will give you the clean slate you need to create any hairstyle. We recommend picking one based on your hair’s needs for the best results.

Give yourself a scalp massage

No shampoo routine is complete without a scalp massage. Use your fingertips to gently massage your scalp in a circular motion for 60 seconds.

Exfoliate your scalp

Try exfoliating your scalp to remove buildup that can lead to dryness or irritation. This can be done with both physical and chemical exfoliation.

Treat your mane to a hair mask

Consider using a hair mask for more extreme repair. A bond-repairing mask like Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate 5-Min Liquid Mask offers 72 hours of deep hydration.

Detangle gently

Detangling your hair carefully can mean the difference between smooth strands and damage. Invest in a detangling brush suited for your hair type and detangle in sections.

Apply a hair oil

Consider using a hair oil to rejuvenate your mane and give it an extra bit of shine. A popular choice is Kérastase Elixir Ultime L’Huile Original Hair Oil.

Use an overnight serum

An overnight serum nourishes your mane while you sleep. We recommend Shu Uemura Art of Hair's Ultimate Reset Overnight Hair Serum.

Style your hair

Every salon-goer knows there’s nothing like walking out of the salon with freshly styled hair. Whether you prefer a bouncy blowout or a braid, there are plenty of easy-to-follow tutorials available.

What Is the Best Daily Haircare Routine?

Making the time for an indulgent haircare routine is important, but your daily routine is key to having healthy-looking hair every day. Consider incorporating these tips:

Getting regular haircuts

Your haircut can make or break your daily styling. Maintaining your haircut schedule helps ensure your hair always looks polished.

Embracing heat-free hairstyles

Heat-free hairstyles create the same bounce and body with less damage. Heat-free hairstyles are kinder on your hair.

Protecting your hair at night

Protect your hair from tangles and dryness by wrapping it in a satin bonnet or scarf. A satin or silk pillowcase is also a good option for hair protection.

Stay up to date on the latest hair trends

Header photo credits: @shuuemura_artofhair and @georgepapanikolas