Those of who don’t have it, want it. For those of you who do have it—hair so thick you can barely wrap your ponytail-holder around it (damn you and your big hair!)—the grass is always greener. Since by now y’all are painfully aware of my long, fine locks, I’ve commissioned Megan From Minneapolis to divulge everything she knows about learning to love and tame your voluminous tresses:
1. Find an expert stylist. The thicker the hair, the more high the maintenance. Ensuring your stylist knows her way around handfuls of hair is priority number one. Also, she can give great advice, like this tip my stylist Cheryl, at Jon Charles Salon in Uptown, gave me:
2. Keep it moisturized. Thick hair can dry out easier and faster than thin hair, so it’s important to use a moisturizing shampoo—I’ve always had good luck with Pantene’s. Cheryl also recommends a deep conditioning treatment like Kerastase Nutritive Masquintense once a week.
3. Give it a good brushing. Thick hair can knot and matte up within minutes, but the right brush can help keep snarls away. I recommend a strong, wooden paddle brush, like this one from Aveda, which I have used my entire life!
4. Keep it long (or short). Thick hair cut above the chin but below the ear can have a poofy effect.
5. Thin it out. When all else fails, ask your stylist to thin out your locks. It can be one of the best, most miraculous ways to deal with unruly and heavy hair.
Does this story sound familiar? How do you manage YOUR massive mane?
Filed Under: aveda wooden paddle brush, jon charles salon, kerastase nutrive masquintense, leave-in conditioner, megan from minneapolis, megan hanson, pantene moisturizing shampoo
As someone who once had a perm that required 265 rollers and two bottles of perm solution, here are my top three tips for managing the massive mane.
1. Washing my hair every four days, sometimes even five (I would like to clarify that this does not mean showering every four to five days!).
2. Consistent visits to the stylist for an Edward Scissorhands-esque thinning out.
3. Mason Pearson Extra-Large Boar Bristle Hairbrush.
@Sonja, I totally can’t picture you and your gorgeous locks with a perm! We might need a pic at some point – been there, done that.
Yay! :-)
I’m thick and wavy/curly, which basically means my hair does whatever it wants and I’ve learned to stop fighting. To combat the dryness, I shampoo maybe once a week (whenever I notice I’m getting a little too greasy) but condition every single day. I never brush my dry hair and only comb conditioner through it, I don’t comb it again after my shower.
My amazing hairstylist cuts my hair dry which has been a lifesaver! Also, I’ve learned it’s not a crisis to leave the house with half dry hair. No one can tell that the underneath part is still wet except for me anyway. Also, Aveda Be Curly = Amazing.
Josie and Sonja pretty much covered it! I think the biggest help for me has been having the right haircut and keeping my hair long. I am able to let it air dry and it looks great, I don’t have to put much product in it. I like to use shiny products like Aveda Brilliant Shine Spray when my hair is done drying and it looks gorgeous! When I straighten it (not often in the summer) of course I use more heat protectants to keep it from drying out.
Hey there thanks for writing this article i found it very informative. Keep up the good work.