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Hair Care

20 Low-Maintenance Haircuts for Every Texture

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You get the perfect haircut. You leave the salon feeling (and looking) like a supermodel. Then, you wash and try to style it for the first time, but it looks nothing like it did the day you left the salon (sigh). The sad fact is that not all haircuts are wash-and-go. Some of the best-looking styles are also the most time-intensive. But who has the time to spend an hour in the bathroom straightening and curling every morning?

We don’t. To help you avoid a repeat of the above scenario, we consulted expert stylists to round up 20 low-maintenance styles that won’t add precious minutes to your morning routine. The following cuts will afford you minimal if no styling commitment, no matter your texture.

Scroll through to find the right low-maintenance haircut for your hair type, bring the photo to your stylist, and prepare to save a lot of time.

MEET THE EXPERT

To read the full article, click here.

Credit to: Devon Hopp for Byrdie.com

5 Non-Negotiable Hot Tool Rules Stylists Are Begging You To Follow for the Health of Your Hair

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We know that hot tools aren’t good for our hair. But if you love silking out your hair with a flat iron or adding bouncy curls with a wand, that inconvenient fact likely won’t stop you from achieving the look you desire. And that’s okay! As long as you’re extra healthy when applying heat to keep your hair healthy in the long run.

“Heat can dry the hair and make it brittle and easily breakable if the hair is overexposed,” says Gina Rivera, hair artist and CEO of Phenix Salon Suites. “It’s important to keep in mind intense indoor heat [from tools] can be just a damaging as overexposure to outdoor heat and elements.”

To make sure we’re causing the least amount of damage, hair experts say there are a few hot tool rules we should all be following.

5 hot tool rules to follow, according to hairstylists

1. Use a heat protectant

“Never use any heat tools without putting protectant on your strands beforehand,” says Dominic Burg, PhD, a chief scientist, hair biologist, and trichologist at Évolis Professional. “Water is the enemy here, so look for treatments rich in oils. Our Promote Treatment Mask ($40) doubles as a heat protectant due to the levels of Baobab and flaxseed oils that hydrate and protects strands.”

2. Keep the temperatures low

“Commonly enough, we all put our hot tools on the highest heat setting,” says Nicolette Rauchut, a hairstylist at Lrn Beauty in New York City. “All heat tools are not created equal. Some hair textures can not handle high heat settings causing breakage and dryness. Start with a lower setting especially if you have fine or fragile hair chemical services like keratins, relaxers, and color.”

3. Make sure your hair is fully dry before styling with heat

“The high heat in flat irons and curlers can instantly vaporize any trapped water in the hair, aka flash drying, causing significant damage to both the internal structures, hair proteins, and cuticles,” says Dr. Burg. So before going in with any sort of iron, make sure all the moisture has been blowdried or airdried away.

4. Don’t overdo it on the hair spray

For curls that last, it’s recommended to spray the hair with hair spray before curling—but make sure you’re not using too much. “Keep in mind that hairspray is a sticky product,” says Rauchut, noting that higher-hold products tend to be stickier than their lighter counterparts. “If you overspray a spot, the iron can accumulate more heat in that section, causing it to burn the hair. Instead, you should use a flexible hairspray when you curl and stronger hold hairsprays when you’re setting.”

5. Be gentle around your hairline

“Flat iron curls have become the new at-home style trend, however, I have seen many front pieces burnt off,” says Rauchut. “This can be absolutely traumatizing for someone that hates bangs. Sometimes people have more fragile hair in the front than the back, which is entirely normal, especially if you pull your hair back or twist it. Between the tension and high heat, the hair is over manipulated and snaps. The way we fix this is to lower the heat setting when styling the front pieces. Also, keep in mind how long you are in one spot of the hair when styling so the heat doesn’t accumulate too fast.”

Credit to: Kara Jilian Brown for WELL+GOOD.

Introducing the Calligraphy Haircut—the Easiest Way to Add Texture and Body to Fine Hair

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Haircutting trends come and go but haircutting techniques are far less common. When we heard about the calligraphy cut, we were instantly intrigued and conjured images of 19th-century calligraphers in full palatial garb hacking away at our manes. Turns out, we weren’t terribly off. Here’s how the technique is done and what you need to know before asking for it or trying it out yourself… if you’re feeling bold.

“A calligraphy haircut is a form of haircutting that utilizes a cutting knife, referred to as a calligraphy pen, rather than a pair of shears,” explains salon owner and pro stylist Gina Rivera.

What Is the Calligraphy Haircut?

The technique skews on the difficult side because it requires mastery of a whole new tool. “While my father and my uncle were both highly experienced in razor cuts, it’s always exciting to see the tools of the trade increased and expanded. The calligraphy cut technique utilizes a specialized calligraph cutting knife that uniquely cuts hair at a 21-degree angle by slicing it. The technique does not utilize shears,” says Gina.

“The calligraphy haircut is a cool and unique way to add texture to the hair while also adding body and movement,” says Ramon Garcia, celeb stylist (and my stylist, shout out!) at Ramirez Tran salon.

Who Should Try a Calligraphy Cut?

As it adds so much movement, it’s a game-changer for ladies with thin manes. “This cut is fabulous for creating volume and works especially well for those that wear a bob, big waves, or even a sleek look,” explains Gina.

The reason it maximizes sleekness boils down to how the technique is carried out. “The calligraphy cut eliminates split ends because the cutting surface is very smooth. This can contribute to strength and shine as well.”

If this cut sounds too good to be true, it gets even better. “Some that wear this look even report that it can make the hair appear longer,” Gina continues.

How to Get the Calligraphy Cut

As it’s not reached the saturation point, you should be discerning about who does the cut. “It’s very important to have a professional administer this cut because this is not a look that you want just anyone to create. It should be someone who has strong knowledge of the technique and professional experience. There are different levels of calligraphy pens denoted by the finish—black, silver, or gold. The colors indicate the level of experience the professional has achieved with the cutting technique with gold being the highest.”

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a calligraphy haircut? If your hairdresser swaps out their scissors for a cutting pen, they’re likely sculpting your strands  into a calligraphy cut. The idea is to help the hair absorb more moisture and conditioner so it’s fuller and bouncier. It’s great if you’re embarking on a growout, but still need to clean up your ends without losing length. 
  • Is a calligraphy cut worth it? Calligraphy cuts are particularly impactful for straight and wavy hair. If you’re looking to add volume and the appearance of length, this is the service you want to book.
  • Is a calligraphy cut good for curly hair? Though calligraphy cuts work for most hair types, there are better techniques to showcase your thick or curly hair. 

What is a hairdressing Calligraphy Pen? The tool looks like a small, angled knife which slices your on a diagonal.

Credit to: Emilie Branch for maneaddicts.com

4 Life-Changing Tips For Stronger, Healthier Hair, According To A Stylist

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A good hair day can realistically have a major impact on your mood and self esteem, but achieving these days is about so much more than luck, and it actually takes effort to ensure the strength and health of your hair so it can look its best. If you struggle with hair loss or weak and brittle strands you know the frustration of attempting to style your locks to hide these issues, so we spoke with Gina Rivera, professional hair stylist and creator of “By Gina” to get her best tips on achieving a better head of hair through your diet and the way you style your strands. In focusing on scalp help and everything in between, you’ll be on your way to flawless hair in no time.

Following a Balanced Diet

It may come as a surprise that a healthy and nutrient dense diet is one of the most valuable facets of strong hair growth. “Maintaining a good diet is one of the most important things you can do if you want to have healthy and strong hair. A diet regimen that is sufficient in protein and rich in vitamins and nutrients is best to support hair health,” explains Rivera. Your strands are made up of protein as it is, so including this nutrient in your diet will help to reinforce your hair, enhancing the strength and reducing risk of breakage.

Credit to: Merrell Readman on shefinds.com

Pros Say Blow-Drying Your Hair Causes Less Damage Than Air Drying—But Only if You Do It Like This

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In the latest article featured by WELL + GOOD, Gina is featured for giving her expert advice on the frequency of blow drying your hair. She states, “Drying your hair too many times per week is another challenge that many people have. This means you shouldn’t be washing your hair too often so there isn’t a need to blow-dry it repeatedly throughout the week.”

To get read the full article and get more expert advice on hair care, click here.

Credit to: Kara Jillian Brown

Ask a Beauty Editor: I’m Not Even 30, Why Is My Hair Graying?

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In the latest post on Real Simple, Gina gives her advice on how to help keep your hair from prematurely going grey. She adds that in addition to ingestion, topical application of these ingredients are also beneficial. “Using products rich in biotin, collagen, and B vitamins are terrific for ensuring that you have a healthy scalp,” she says. “Its restoration properties that can contribute to maintaining hair health that is needed to maintain your natural hair color longer. ” She adds that iron, in particular, can help boost the production of melanin in your hair.