5 Celebrity Hair Care Secrets Every Woman Needs to Know
Have you ever wondered how celebrities get such perfect looking locks in spite of the potential damage done by constantly restyling and dying their hair? Well, for one thing, they usually have a professional stylist at hand, but if that seems like an unaffordable luxury, never fear! There are also plenty of thrifty tricks you can try at home to get your own red-carpet-worthy locks, without breaking the bank.
Here are our top five celebrity hair care secrets from stars with enviable hair and some of their favourite stylists:
Take Your Vitamins
Good nutrition is essential for strong, shiny hair and many celebrities are advocates of taking vitamins and minerals to boost their health and beauty. Katy Perry, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston are a few examples of celebs who swear by taking their vitamins and also just happen to have amazing hair.
One of the most important vitamins for healthy hair and skin is biotin, also known as vitamin B7. The best way to ensure you are getting enough biotin is by eating a healthy, balanced diet. Celebrity stylist Richard Collins recommends foods such as milk and nuts as a top source, but if you feel your diet is lacking this essential nutrient, you could always try a supplement.
Biotin and its hair benefits have been explored by various research studies, confirming that it is one of the most useful vitamins for improving hair health. Like other B vitamins, biotin plays an important role in the synthesis of proteins. This includes keratin, a major component of hair. It helps to strengthen hair the shaft, reduces thinning hair and improves texture as well as moisturising the skin and strengthening the nails.
Some other important vitamins and minerals for hair care are vitamin B3, zinc, selenium and iron.
Always Use Protection
Repeated blow-drying and styling can really take its toll on your hair, leading to dry, brittle strands and increased breakage. So how do celebrities like Cara Delevingne get away with changing their styles so frequently and still have great looking hair?
Firstly, it is important to use a protective oil or serum when blow-drying or heat styling. This will help you to avoid hair damage and keep your colour looking fresher for longer. There are hundreds of products on the market, but one of the best kept celeb hair care secrets is that you may not need a Hollywood salary to afford them. Many celebrities choose products which can be picked up cheaply and easily at any high street store or supermarket as part of their hair care routine.
Actress Emma Watson is a big fan of naturally moisturising products such as argan oil and coconut oil to combat dry ends, while Elizabeth Hurley likes to sleep with a blend of conditioner and olive oil in her hair once every few months.
Another top celebrity hair care secret comes from Victoria Beckham, whose hair has been in the limelight since the Spice Girls formed in 1994. Since moving across the pond, she always wears a hat during the summer months to protect her famous bob from the hot LA sun.
Ditch the Curling Tongs
Curling tongs are a great way to get perfect waves or curls, but such intense heat in close contact with your hair can increase breakage and leave it looking less than luscious over time.
Many celebrities prefer to use good, old-fashioned rollers instead, including the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton. Other celebs who have been snapped wearing rollers include Oprah, Fergie and Emma Stone.
This popular celebrity hair care routine is affordable and easy to try at home too. Simply separate hair which has just been washed and dried into at least four sections. Wind your rollers into position, secure with hair pins and quickly blow-dry before leaving to cool fully and set (preferably for a few hours). Then unwind your rollers and shake out your hair using your fingers. Never use a brush as this will ruin your curls. Finally, use a generous amount of hairspray to keep your waves in place for longer.
Take Extra Care with Long or Curly Hair
Long hair may be feminine and sexy, but it is also more prone to tangles and damage, which is definitely not the look you want!
Cesar Ramirez is a stylist with some high calibre clientele including Ciara, Rita Ora and Kim Kardashian. He has a few fantastic celebrity hair care secrets up his sleeve, especially when it comes to looking after longer hair.
He recommends that you avoid tangles in the mornings by sleeping with your hair separated into either one or two braids. Sleep on a silk pillowcase or use a scarf tied around your head to protect the fine hairs around your hairline and prevent damage. Finally, mist your hair and brush it out. Start at the ends using a paddle brush with soft bristles, and then gently comb through the roots.
If you have naturally curly hair like Keira Knightley, be sure to use the right products and condition regularly. She recommends two to three times weekly. Twist each curl using your fingers and a wide tooth comb while your hair is still wet to give definition without using heat. And if things get really frizzy, simply tie your hair back in a loose ponytail.
Fake It
If you’ve ever thought that a celebrity’s hair looks too good to be real, it probably is! Many celebs are big fans of using wigs and hairpieces to change their style without causing unnecessary damage to their hair.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell ruined her natural hair by using extensions as part of her celebrity hair care routine for years. Since then, she has become far more cautious and makes an effort to take better care of her hair. And she is not embarrassed to admit that she is open to wearing wigs too.
As well as preventing or hiding damage, wigs allow you to change your style regularly without the commitment of a drastic cut or dye-job. Just ask hairstyle chameleons Rihanna and Lady Gaga!
So if you have damaged or thinning hair, or simply want to change your style more often without causing problems, just fake it. You will definitely be in good company.
Take Home
If you want the hair of an A-lister but without the price tag of a professional stylist, there are plenty of different solutions to try. From vitamins to natural products to wigs, these celebrities’ hair care secrets are an easy and affordable way for anyone to look and feel glamorous every single day.