My hair journey & hair care routine

I have only been having my hair coloured for just over a year now but I thought I would share my hair journey with all of you and my hair care routine as I have picked up a few tips and I have learnt over time what works well for certain hair types.

WHY & WHEN I STARTED DYING MY HAIR:

I always thought I would never be interested in dying my hair up until I was a couple of months out of high school. I had started thinking about it for at least two months before I had decided to go and have my hair done. I had also started earning my own money by then and thought it would be a great idea and that was how my process to dying my hair lighter started. My hair type is: brown with natural highlights, very straight and flat/no volume, my roots get oily quickly, my hair is of a normal thickness and I have quite long hair. My goal has always been to achieve an icy/white or platinum ash blonde colour, but I have never been keen on having my hair dyed light to the root, so I wanted my highlights well blended to look more natural and so that there was no noticeable regrowth (the term for the blended highlight look is a balayage). If you are looking to go lighter and you naturally have darker hair, it won't take one session to get you hair exactly to the shade you would like it to be because it all depends on how your hair lightens under the foils once the lightener is applied. Always remember to be honest with your hairdresser and tell them if you have used box dye on your hair before because it can interfere with the lightening process and bring out orange and yellow tones once it is coloured. Below is a picture of my natural colour.

The first time I had my hair coloured (February 2019), it did not come out as light as I had wanted it as the hairdresser had put very few and fine highlights in and he had put a brown dye on over my roots to blend the highlights in so there would not be a noticeable regrowth. I wasn't a fan of having such dark roots and having darker hair around my face so I decided to go and have my hair fixed 2 months later. The brown dye that was put on my roots started to grow out and I could see the difference between that brown and my natural colour, which I did not like, and as my hair grew out the brown started to turn slightly orange toned - the more I looked at it the more I knew I needed to go and have my hair fixed. Below is a picture of how my hair came out the first time. I don't have a lot of good pictures of my hair when it was like this so you can't see a huge difference between this and my natural hair but in person my hair did look a lot lighter.

The second time I had my hair dyed I had more blonde highlights put in and I was honestly so pleased with how my hair turned out. My hair was much lighter but I also knew, and I was told, that it was going to take a few sessions to get my hair to the light, platinum blonde I was after so that my hair would not be super damaged. Below are pictures of my hair after my second session of having my highlights done (May 2019).

The third time I had my hair done (October 2019) I had just had my highlights moved up and my hair was toned as well.

The fourth time I had my hair done, which was very recent (January 2020), I decided to have a balayage done instead of highlights as I felt that highlights were way more maintenance and the regrowth did not look great. I decided to go to a balayage colour specialist salon, Glow Hair Design in Claremont. I had done my research on their work for a good couple of months and I was looking forward to having my hair done by them so I booked my appointment. As I briefly explained in the beginning of my post, a balayage is essentially a colour melt/ombre which means that the colour or highlights are blended with the root to give it a more natural appearance. While I was having my hair done I noticed how interesting the balayage technique was, the hairdresser would section and part the piece she was going to colour, she would then tease the root slightly and apply the colour making it blend because the teasing would create a fine and uneven line. My hair lifted (became lighter) very quickly whiile it was in the foils, as it had been lightened previously, so the whole process did not take as long as it would have had I started with my natural hair colour and my hair was not as damaged afterwards. The toner is the key to getting the specific blonde shade you are wanting to achieve, I wanted an ashy/platinum blonde which the toner helped give it that appearance, the toner does fade out after a few washes but if you use a good quality silver/purple shampoo (I will show you what I use later on in this post) your hair will stay looking toned. Overall I was so so happy with how my hair turned out, I definitely got the exact shade of blonde that I wanted and the blend of the colour was done so amazingly and looks so natural. At the moment I don't really notice any regrowth so I will most likely only need to book a session in the next few months. Below are some pictures and a video (taken by Glow) of how my hair looks now and a before picture of my hair taken at the hair salon.

Every time I have had my hair done I have had a treatment put in to keep it healthy and I usually also have it trimmed. My hair has stayed quite healthy considering I try to maintain it as best I can and I am also considering going in for a botox hair treatment (which basically rejuvenates your hair if it is slightly damaged from colour to help prevent further damage) which my hairdresser has recommended to me. This is my full hair journey up until now and I am actually so obsessed with my hair at the moment and I can't wait to carry on changing my hair up.

MY HAIR CARE ROUTINE

My hair has obviously become slightly damaged from dying it but maintenance is key. I will share all of the products and methods I am currently using to look after my hair since I have gone lighter. The lighter you colour your hair the weaker your hair can become so it is essential to put back in and treat your hair as much as you can to keep your length and keep it shiny and healthy.

MILKSHAKE SILVER SHINE SHAMPOO:

After I dyed my hair blonde the first time I went out and bought a purple shampoo from Clicks, this ended up being such a waste as the shampoo did not even work and I noticed how it made my hair dry after using it so i just stopped using it completely. When I had my hair done at Glow, my hairdresser had recommended the Milkshake silver shampoo (which I had also had my eye on), and I knew it was quite pricey. I was also reassured by my hairdresser that it would definitely work as she had told me it is the best silver shampoo on the market. This is one purchase that I will say was so worth it! This shampoo is the best shampoo for any blonde or grey hair and I feel it was worth every cent I spent on it. Hair salon products are quite pricey but they honestly do work really well and I have learnt my lesson by trying to take shortcuts with cheaper products that do not give you any results - you just end up wasting more money in the long run. Invest in quality products if you want quality results. A little really goes a long way with this purple shampoo, and I only leave it on my hair for about 3-5 minutes. I start off by combing out my hair after wetting it (my hair becomes very knotty when it is wet) and then I apply the shampoo all over and get it to lather a bit, I then clip it up and wait. Once I have washed it out, I do wash my scalp with normal shampoo as I find that the purple shampoo works mostly for toning and my roots tend to become very oily and need to be washed with regular shampoo. I only use it to tone my hair once a week or once every two weeks depending on if I want to tone my hair back to a more grey/ashy cool toned colour, using a purple shampoo too often can lead to excessive damage. Since dying my hair platinum I never thought I would, but I definitely prefer the cool tone blonde colour more than a warm tone, I find it easier to keep it looking grey which then fades to a white as the toner wares off, whereas when my hair was warm toned blonde it was easier for it to turn yellow again. Another amazing quality about this shampoo that I noticed is that it does not make my hair feel dry or brittle, it leaves my hair still feeling soft after using it and smells like fruits. I purchased my Milkshake silver shampoo from Glow Hair Design for R310 (300ml bottle). You will most likely be able to find it at most hair salons or you can order it off of a website called RetailBox (https://www.retailbox.co.za/milkshake-silver-shampoo-300ml.html). I highly recommend this shampoo if you struggle with those pesky brassy tones in your hair and you are looking for a purple shampoo that gets the job done.

SCHWARZKOPF GLISS ULTIMATE REPAIR SHAMPOO:

I have been using Schwarzkopf Gliss hair products for a long time. Their hair products give you amazing results, they also just smell great and they are affordable. This keratin serum shampoo and the omegaplex shampoo (purple bottle) are my absolute favourite because they are for dry and damaged hair from colouring or using heat. I highly recommend this shampoo if you suffer from dry hair as well as a dry scalp (which I usually have) because this really does help and I can genuinely see a difference in my hair when I don't use it. You can purchase this shampoo as well as the conditioner that goes with it from most grocery stores or from a Clicks or Dischem for R39.95.

SCHWARZKOPF GLISS INTENSE THERAPY HAIR MASK:

I have been using this hair mask since the end of 2018 and I am still obsessed with it. Quite a few people have asked me what I use on my hair to keep it looking shiny and healthy and I usually recommend this hair mask to them, it really has kept my hair looking and feeling amazing. This mask works as a conditioning treatment to help repair and protect hair damaged from colouring and heat styling, and it contains keratin serum (like the shampoo) as well as omegaplex. My large tub has lasted me since 2018 and I use it at least once or twice a week, especially after toning my hair. Schwarzkopf Gliss has a few ranges to suit your hair needs and I really feel that their products are really worth it and they are very easily accessible. You can purchase this hair mask at most grocery stores or at a Clicks and Dischem, it retails for R89.95.

PANETENE DEEP MOISTURE SOUFFLE HAIR MOUSSE:

I never used to use mousse on my hair because I did not know that it was basically a leave-in conditioner for your hair (I found this out when my hairdresser used mousse on my hair which I had never used before). Since I started using mousse I became obsessed with it. It really helps protect and nourish my hair, and keeps it looking shiny and feeling soft as well. I apply my mousse after washing my hair while it is still damp and then I blow dry my hair. I have started running out of this mousse so I am looking to get another one, preferably one from Milkshake as I know now that their products are amazing. This mousse from Pantene is so good and I am on my second bottle now. I am so sad that they discontinued this line and I purchased this mousse quite a while ago when it was on sale. I highly recommend using a mousse on your hair if you are looking to add more moisture back into your hair, I just don't use any mousse on my hair after using a hair mask as I have found that if I over condition my hair it tends to feel slightly sticky, especially because I use other hair care products. I don't know the price of this mousse but I found that most hair mousse costs around R80-R100 from a Clicks or Dischem and obviously more if you are purchasing one from a hair salon.

INDOLA INNOVA REPAIR INSTANT KERATIN FILLER SPRAY:

I use this spray after almost every wash and I use some of it after applying my mousse before drying my. It can be applied to dry or damp hair but I prefer using it on damp hair with my mousse as the heat from the hairdryer seems to help lock the product into the hair instead of leaving it to sit on top. I have used it on dry hair and I have left my hair to air dry with it on along with the hair mousse and my hair was a little sticky, so now I make sure to always blow dry my hair. This spray helps replace the keratin that my hair has lost in conjunction with my shampoo and hair mask which also both contain keratin. The keratin helps keep your hair healthy and strong, especially if your hair is slightly on the more dry side from heat styling or dying it. This spray was purchased from my hairdresser at the salon, but you can also find on RetailBox (https://www.retailbox.co.za/indola-innova-repair-keratin-filler-250ml.html). This hair spray retails for R278 for a 250ml bottle.

MATRIX OIL WONDERS INDIAN AMLA HAIR OIL:

I always use this hair oil after blow drying or styling my hair and I swear by this product. I have mentioned this product in one of my previous monthly favourites, it really is amazing and I have been using it for nearly two years now. It is perfect for after styling to eliminate frizz, it protects and it strengthens your hair. I only use one full pump on all of my hair, I work it into the ends of my hair and the mid-section of my hair. You only need a small amount of this oil and the bottle lasts me up to a year and sometimes slightly longer. I purchased this hair oil from a hair salon but it is also available on RetailBox for R300 for a 125ml bottle (https://www.retailbox.co.za/matrix-oil-wonders-indian-oil-125ml.html).

TRESEMME HEAT DEFENCE SPRAY:

I have always used a heat defence spray on my hair before styling it with heat. I love curling my hair every now and again and this helps protect my hair. If you are using heat appliances to style your hair, then you need to use a heat defence spray - even if you have really healthy, undamaged hair. Over time heat damages your hair if it is not protected and this is essential if you have dry or already damaged hair from colouring it. You can purchase any heat defence spray but I do recommend this one because it is affordable, it has really helped protect my hair and it doesn't make my hair sticky or knotty from using it. Tresemme hair products are available in most supermarket stores, Clicks and Dischem, the heat defence spray goes for R89.95 (there is a travel sized spray which is cheaper).

GIRLZ ONLY DRY SHAMPOO:

I have mentioned this brand of dry shampoo before in one of my blog posts. I usually use Batiste dry shampoo, but this one is way more affordable and I have found that it works just as well on my hair as Batiste. I have very oily roots (my hair becomes oily two days after washing it) and I also have very flat, straight hair so I usually use dry shampoo for volume and to keep my hair from looking dirty. They discontinued this range from Clicks stores but it is still available at Dischem for the really low price of R30!

Another tip to taking care of your hair is making sure you get a good hair brush, a good quality hair dryer and hair appliances like straighteners and curling tongs. I use the Sorbet drybar paddle brush (from Clicks for R60) and it is one of the best hair brushes I have ever had - it does not pull my hair and it removes all of my unwanted knots. The hair dryer I have been using for years is a Parlux hair dryer (purchased from the hair salon and they are available on RetailBox), they are pricey but they last a really long time and they don't damage or burn your hair. There are lots of other more affordable good quality hair dryers out there as well. When you use good quality brushes and heat appliances on your hair they are less likely to damage your hair, and it does not necessarily mean they have to be expensive because there are lots of affordable products on the market that are amazing quality as well.

-Jo xo.