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Get to know your hair type and build your own tailored colour and care routine with Naturtint!
July 21 2022 by: Jo M
It’s true what they say, our hair is our crowning glory and when it looks good we feel great. Unfortunately, getting your hair looking good often means weeks spent trying out different products to find the ones that work for you and your hair. Understanding what kind of hair you have and it’s unique characteristics however, can take out some of the guess work and move you one step closer to the ultimate haircare regime.
So, to help make sure every day is a good hair day, we’re going to run through the main types of hair and how to build the perfect care routine for each one.
There are essentially three categories of hair – oily, dry and normal – based on the texture, quality and feel of the hair. But, added to that, your hair can also have more specific care needs, especially when it’s damaged, coloured or you have fine/thinning hair.
GREASY HAIR
Given that the scalp generally has the same skin type or characteristics as the face, if you tend to have oily skin, chances are that you also have an oily scalp.
And, of all the hair problems, having an oily scalp is arguably the most aggravating. You’re looking for solutions that can address the excessive oil production on your scalp, but most products try to hydrate and nourish your hair by adding moisture.
A greasy scalp results from your sebaceous gland creating more oil than is necessary to keep your scalp moisturised.
And, did you know that dandruff and itching doesn’t always indicate dryness? In fact, an oily scalp affects most people with itchy scalps and dandruff. So, if you believe that your itchiness is due to dryness and use items for that, you may be exacerbating your oily scalp problem.
Signs your hair is oily;
- Within a day of shampooing, your hair becomes greasy.
- Your hair appears lifeless and drab.
- You can also do the tissue test – after washing and drying your hair, blot the top of your hair with a tissue, and if you see oily marks, you have greasy hair.
DRY HAIR
Dry hair is the next most common hair type. Sometimes inefficient oil glands are to blame for the dryness of the hair, and if you have dry skin, you are very likely to also have dry hair.
Like us, hair can become dehydrated and it will come as no surprise that when your hair doesn’t retain adequate moisture, the appearance is dry and dull. Some hair types may become frizzy as a result, while others may just fall flat and lifeless.
But how do you tell if you have dry hair?
- Dry hair has a brittle texture to touch, and stray hairs and split ends are often visible when you look in the mirror.
- Because of this rougher texture, dry hair can become easily knotted and break as the fibres don’t glide over each other like they should.
- You might also find your hair has little natural shine and even a dull-looking colour – this is because the light gets reflected in different directions off the rough texture of the hairs surface.
NORMAL HAIR
Having normal hair means the pH balance of your scalp is optimal and your hair is healthy, shiny, and silky.
A smooth, flat-lying cuticle is the cause of that shiny—and desired—texture.
Our cuticles serve as a protective coating over a sponge-like shaft, which functions best when its “scales” are closely overlapped on top. And when they are, your hair looks oh-so-shiny because the cuticle will reflect light uniformly and if you’re lucky, you’ll achieve that enviable ‘line of shine’…👏
It is also simpler and easier to brush hair with a closed, healthy cuticle because of its flat surface. Hairs tend to tangle and become hooked on one another when the cuticle is raised and unhealthy, which leads to more breakage and split ends which then leads to more knotting and even more damage.
DAMAGED AND THINNING HAIR
Damaged hair is most often associated with the overuse of chemicals or hair treatments that have harmed the hair shaft. Heated appliances such as straighteners and styling wands can also cause damage to the delicate hair cuticle, meaning moisture and therefore strength is lost from the hair fibre.
Damaged hair looks brittle and straw-like. Split ends and stray, unmanageable hairs result from the hair shaft’s fragility and susceptibility to breakage. It will feel rigid and “crunchy” with little movement when touched.
Thinning hair can be a result of a number of causes – you might notice your hair no longer feels as heavy or thick as it did or you can’t style it the same as you used to.
This could be because the hair is so damaged it is breaking along it’s length and/or snapping off at the ends where the fibre has split, or it could be that you are losing full hair strands from the root – something you might notice in the shower or when you brush the hair.
Losing hair at the follicle could indicate a deficiency in your diet or an underlying health condition, or it could simply be a result of changing hormone levels. For that reason it is always advisable to speak to your GP if you are concerned about hair loss.
So, now you know what type of hair you have and some of it’s common characteristics, what products should you be using?
Greasy hair types – You’ll probably feel like you want to wash your hair more frequently, but try avoid heavy conditioners and shampoos. Instead try Naturtint Frequent Use Cleanse & Protect 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioning Bar which uses Crambe Abyssinica Oil to promote shiny, strong and youthful looking hair, with every wash. It creates a gentle lather that won’t weigh down already lank hair with excessive product, whilst rosemary and eucalyptus oils effectively freshen hair.
Dry hair types – You’ll notice that handling and styling your hair is a lot easier when you start with well-hydrated hair. Try the Naturtint Nourishing Shampoo and Naturtint Nourishing Hair Mask with carefully selected ingredients that deeply nourish and repair, restoring softness and shine. And if you plan to use heated styling products or be outdoors more than usual, add in the Naturtint Anti-Ageing CC Cream which not only helps to combat the main signs of hair ageing, but protects hair from damage, heat, UV and pollution. You can also help your hair retain moisture by keeping the hair tied up or under the hat if you are in the sun for any length of time.
Damaged hair types – To help repair and prevent further damage, you can try the Naturtint Hair Food Chia Protection Mask – specifically designed for damaged hair. It will help maintain colour and shine for healthy-looking hair, especially when it has been over-processed or exposed to external aggressors such as wind and central heating. Use weekly or fortnightly as a deep conditioning treatment and in between, if you colour your hair cleanse and condition with the Naturtint Colour Fixing Shampoo and Protective Conditioner that will help to repair and strengthen.
Thinning hair types – We have a complete regime for weak, thinning and delicate hair in the Naturtint Strengthening trio of Shampoo, Mask and Lotion. Use the shampoo and hair mask as your regular conditioner, then weekly or fortnightly add in the Strengthening Lotion – spray directly on to freshly washed hair whilst still wet and massage in before drying and styling as normal. Carefully selected ingredients including Maca Extract help increase the hair density and strengthen the root.
Coloured hair – Hair that has been coloured needs extra care to help prolong the vitality and life of the colour – the delicate cuticle structure needs extra care to keep the colour locked in and the hair hydrated. As well as the Colour Fixing Shampoo and Protective Conditioner, we have a completely plastic-free alternative in the Naturtint Colour Protecting 2 in 1 Shampoo & Conditioner Bar, specifically formulated for colour treated hair to hydrate, maintain a healthy shine and enhance a radiant colour. Great for travelling and even better for the environment. Part of one of our newest ranges, the Naturtint Hair Food Quinoa Mask has been designed to nurture hair and fix colour for a longer-lasting intensity and shine. (It’s a full size version of the mini mask found in all Permanent Hair Colour Gels, which we know you all love!)
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