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Well + Good | Why Stylists Say ‘Hair Shocking’ Is the Secret To Reviving Dull, Lifeless Strands

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Any time your hair starts feeling blah, chances are, it’s trying to tell you something. The message it’s trying to send when it looks lackluster? It’s time to reboot your routine, which is why stylists recommend “shocking” your hair to get things back on track.

According to Phenix Founder and Celebrity Stylist Gina Rivera, “hair shocking” involves changing up your routine to give your scalp and strands a jolt to stimulate growth and get your hair health trending in the right direction. Then, when you go back to using your regular products, your hair will be better prepped to reap all of their benefits. Just keep in mind that this process works best on hair that isn’t past the point of severe damage—so if you’re dealing with issues beyond general dullness and dryness, you’ll probably need a more intensive routine overhaul instead of a one-time shock.

With that, keep reading to find out how stylists recommend kick-starting your journey back to healthy hair!

Byrdie | 22 Hairstyles for Dirty Hair (Because Washing Isn’t Always an Option)

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We’re all for adding an extra day or two in between shampooing. It frees up our mornings, adds a cool second-day grit to our hair, and even helps hold certain styles in place better than clean hair. The only issue is, after a day too many (depending on your hair), things start to look a little less effortless and a little more, well, greasy. But here’s the silver lining: There are cool, on-trend styles that look better with dirty hair and disguise the fact that you’ve forgone a wash entirely. Lazy girls, rejoice.

“I never say disguise your hair; I say optimize your look,” says Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites. “The second day of wear is a great time to use hair accessories such as scarfs, hats, barrettes, and yes, even wigs. Wigs can be super fun if you want to really get out of your box!” Gina shared that with the right tools, accessories, and inspiration up your sleeve, you can create an elevated look that complements your unwashed hair.

And for future record: Second-day hair doesn’t have to be a problem. If you struggle to go a day without washing your hair, it may be time to break that habit. If you wash your hair more frequently your scalp will produce more sebum (oil) because it is being stripped of its natural oils. Cutting back on washing frequency can help your scalp relax into a more natural sebum-producing cycle. Try switching to an every-other-day washing schedule for happier, healthier hair. This will make day-two hair less of a problem in the future.

Keep reading to find the 22 most covetable styles and why they’re perfect for second (or third-day) hair.

SheFinds | Professional Colourists Say These Are The Most Unflattering Hair Colours For Women Over 40

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Finding the best hair colours for your skin tone can be exciting, as is a trip to the salon for a fresh turn-of-the-season style. With that said, we checked in with a professional hair stylist and expert for tips on what hair colours and dyes to avoid over 40 for a more youthful look, and other helpful tips to keep in mind before heading to the salon. Read on for insight and advice from Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and Founder of Phenix Salon Suites.

Prose | Claw Clip Hairstyles for Thick Hair

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Whoever said those with thick hair can’t use claw clips have never met the right claw clip hairstyles for thick hair. The hairstyling staple can tame any mane—most notably fuller, thicker hair types—with a simple gather and grasp. But there are a few things to keep in mind when reaching for the accessory, so we enlisted the help of Gina Rivera, Phenix founder and celebrity stylist, for a few claw clip lessons, including a trio of easy-to-follow tutorials to achieve the look at home. Read on here for a crash course on your new favorite hair clips!

Gina Rivera’s Tip of the Week: How to Style Using a Claw Clip

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Accessories are great for summer and one of my favorites is the Claw Clip. Here’s my recommendation for using a Claw Clip when getting ready for your next outing:⁠
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  • Try different styles with the Claw Clip by pulling the hair back in sections. A favorite of mine is half up and half down.⁠
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  • Consider creating a French twist and securing with a Claw Clip. Allow the hair at the top of the clip to cascade over the clip creating a fun and messy look.⁠
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  • Pony tails can be a great option for the claw clip. Just pull the hair together at the nape of the neck and twist twice. Then, cover the twist and allow the ponytail to flow out of the top of the claw clip⁠
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  • Never pull the hair overly tight when using a Claw Clip because the stress placed on the hair may result in breakage.⁠
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  • Always use a good wet line to ensure the hair is hydrated when using accessories.