So, you ruined your hair in lockdown; what should you do?

With so many of us emerging from lockdown, there's one thought at the front of most people’s minds...
"Time to get my hair done!" 

It's an experience that makes you feel good, both inside and out. And lockdown just didn’t cut it when we desperately needed our trusty Stylists to freshen up our locks. 
Managing your hair without salon trips and expert advice from your usual Stylist can be a minefield, especially for those of us with styles that need regular upkeep.
But what if you've already taken hair matters into your own hands and are now filled with regret?

Here, we share our expert strand-saving tips to help you get back to enjoying a good hair day.

Cut it out! 
The worst thing you can do when cutting hair is taking too much off. But what if that's just what you've done? You have two options: take more off to balance the cut or grow it out. 

If you can't help yourself and MUST take to the scissors, you need the right tools. Invest in scissors that have been designed specifically for hair (please don't use a pair from the kitchen!), and don't cut your hair when dry! When hair is 100 per cent dry, the hair will jump up and be shorter than you initially wanted it to be. 



And at the first sign, the snip is going south; you should put the scissors down and walk away. Don't panic in the moment and cut more and more off.

If you accidentally take it too far, it's better to embrace the shorter style. It could be an exciting way to come out of lockdown, even if it wasn't planned!

So, if you feel as if you have the confidence to be your own Stylist, then go for it. But if you've never done it before, don't.

To hide the fact that your hair needs a Style Cut, try styling it in different ways. 
Scrunch the hair to encourage the natural wave. Use heated tools to style it in different ways. 
Braid / plait the hair or apply a nice bun / top knot. 
Or grab your thermal styling tools + JUSTICE Professional Silver Styling Mousse and start creating different looks each day! Tong your hair to create the full-on curly look or use straightening irons to create flicks and texture! All these styling looks can be achieved by researching online (easy) tutorials. 



Treat it right.

So many of us have had to rely on our own abilities, or lack thereof, to keep our locks looking luscious during lockdown. As a result, many of us have turned to hair masks, treatments, and oils at home and throwing whatever we can at our hair. 

And while lockdown is the perfect time to put your hair into rehab… or PRE-hab, prepping it for the ultimate transformation when lockdown is over... if your locks don't feel better after using an at-home treatment, stop! A treatment should improve your hair quality each time you use it. If it isn't, then it isn't the right choice for your hair.

It can be overwhelming with so many choices on the market, so our biggest tip is to avoid treatments with silicones (commonly labelled dimethicone) as they coat the surface and mask underlying damage; instead, look for products that contain:

• Proteins: A process called keratinisation allows proteins such as wheat and soy to add moisture and repair damage.
• Panthenol: Also known as vitamin B5, this increases moisture and works with proteins to improve hair elasticity.
• Natural oils: Ingredients such as jojoba and argan oils condition and add shine.

Our go-to Hair Treatment is JUSTICE Professional Treatment Mask, containing actives of Soy Protein, Panthenol and Jojoba Oil to strengthen hair and prevent any breakage.

Here's a fun idea… put a shower cap on and a steamed towel over the top to elevate the treatment to a salon experience! 

Treating the hair doesn't always have to be an intensive treatment mask that has to develop and be rinsed out. Daily wearable treatments can be applied to the hair and left in, even if you haven't cleaned the hair that day! You can choose a treatment system that suits your lifestyle!

Lastly, if a treatment process has left a residue in your hair or left it feeling oily, then you need to use a clarifying shampoo. Clarifying shampoos are designed to be 'cleansing' to the hair, but not to the point that it would strip colour or create other hair health issues. We recommend the powerful duo of JUSTICE Professional Cool Mint Shampoo and Conditioner to clarify the hair thoroughly. Trust us; this is a fresh start you will LOVE!

So, there you have it! While it can be tempting to play Stylist when you're stuck at home during lockdown, it can all go very wrong! But don't worry if you have had a hair mishap. Just Cuts have got you covered! 

This blog post is an adaptation of an article that first appeared in Body + Soul Online.
Title: If you've ruined your hair in lockdown, read this before you try to fix it
Author/s: Cassandra Green & Francesca Parison
Link: https://bit.ly/3BNYebZ