Hair Cycling Is an Easy Way to Get Healthier Strands
Learn more about the buzzy term you keep hearing about, and the best products to help you achieve your best hair ever.
The viral TikTok beauty trend is definitely worth the hype.
We’ve already talked about the benefits of skin cycling and body cycling. But can the method apply to hair, too? First, a refresher: While the idea of alternating between a few key beauty products has been a derm-approved method for years, dermatologist Whitney Bowe, MD, perfected the practice in a now viral TikTok video, smartly coining it “skin cycling.” The technique involves rotating your skincare products on a four-day cycle, so you use active ingredients (like retinol or alpha hydroxy acids) some days and only hydrating ingredients on “rest days” to reduce irritation.
Now beauty lovers have started to apply the skin cycling method to other areas of the body, including hair. Hair cycling focuses on rotating the products used on your hair and scalp based on its specific needs, says Alex Brown, a Chicago-based celebrity hairstylist and salon owner. It’s a cheat sheet that helps you care for your scalp and hair correctly and takes the guesswork out of common questions, like how often you should exfoliate your scalp or use a hair mask. Ahead, learn more about the buzzy topic with the help of hair experts.
What is hair cycling?
Similar to skin cycling, hair cycling has you alternate shampoos, conditioners, and stylers. Stress, the environment, the foods we eat, our workouts, even the water we wash with impact our scalp’s pH level and sebum production, as well as the strength, elasticity, shine, bounce, and overall performance of our hair strands, says Philip Berkovitz, founder of Philip B haircare. Because of this, hair changes—our products should, too.
What are the benefits?
Hair cycling helps you avoid overusing your products. Applying a powerful active ingredient daily can cause irritation or damage, Brown says. For example, detoxifying shampoos and treatments are necessary, but they shouldn’t be used every wash day, because they can dry out your strands.
Hair cycling also allows you to target multiple concerns: For example, one day you can use a shampoo that's all about smoothing frizz, and the next, you can use one that repairs damage with bond-building technology.
How to Do It
Every routine will vary—you want it to be specific to your hair type as well as its quality, condition, and needs, says Berkovitz—but overall you want to alternate between detoxifying, hydrating, and repairing products, says hairstylist Jonathan Colombini, creative director of style and color for L’Oréal Paris. Of course, how often you use these products depends on how often you wash your hair. Ideally, Colombini recommends washing every third day: For the first wash, use a clarifying shampoo to get a deep clean and remove buildup. (Colombini recommends L'Oréal Paris Scalp Care + Detox Shampoo.)
Kick start the cycle with a sulfate-free Scalp Care & Detoxifying cleanse
On your next wash day, switch to a moisturizing or reparative formula to prevent your strands from drying out. (We like Vegamour HYDR-8 Hydrate and Repair Shampoo for damaged and frizzy hair types; Erenzia Nourish Shampoo is ideal for wavy, curly, and coily hair.) For your third wash day, repair damage with the Olaplex Bond Maintenance shampoo.
You can use the same conditioner after each of these washes, except for one of them. “That’s when you want to swap in a hair mask to restore moisture,” says Berkovitz. He likes his Russian Amber Imperial Gold Masque, which helps restore dry, thinning hair. We love the Oribe Hair Alchemy Strengthening Mask because it repairs and prevents split ends and breakage while deeply conditioning hair.
To style: You can stick to the same formulas as long as they’re working for you. Otherwise, switch out styling products based on your hair’s needs. If you have fine hair, apply Paul Mitchell Volumizing Liquid; it’s a leave-in treatment that boosts and protects flat hair with flax seed and ferulic acid. When frizz is a struggle, Living Proof No Frizz Smooth Styling Serum is light but hydrating—apply it anytime you want a smoother look. Those with thinning hair concerns can benefit from a daily hair serum like Briogeo Destined for Density Peptide Hair Serum.
No matter what you choose or what your rotation of products is, the most important thing to remember about hair cycling is it’s supposed to be fluid and adjustable. “Cycling is all about delivering what your hair needs when it needs it most,” says Berkovitz.
Gemini Hair Is the Bold Hair Color Trend You’ve Been Waiting For
Gemini hair, as it’s called, is a colorful, astrology-inspired look that consists of dyeing your hair two different contrasting colors. Expert hair colorists Jonathan Colombini and Nikki Lee break down the two-toned trend that’s expected to be everywhere.
Shades of blonde and brunette go in and out of style all the time, but one of the hottest hair color trends of the new year so far is all about embracing bold colors. Gemini hair, as it’s called, is a colorful, astrology-inspired look that consists of dyeing your hair two different contrasting colors. We tapped two expert hair colorists to break down the two-toned trend that’s expected to be everywhere.
What Is Gemini Hair?
Named for the twins of the Zodiac, gemini hair is a two-toned hair color look in which one half of your head is one color (often your natural color or close to it) and the other half is a bright, contrasting shade like red, blue or pink. The key to nailing the striking look is to split the two colors along the part of your hair. Duality is the whole point.
According to Jonathan Colombini, Celebrity Hairstylist & Creative Director of Style & Color for L’Oreal Paris,
“This hair color trend has been popular for decades — now, the ’90s grunge presence is still prevalent, but with an elevated look.”
He credits celebrities with bringing the look back in recent months.
“I think Gemini hair is becoming popular because it’s a fun change and allows you to try out two different colors at the same time,” says Nikki Lee, co-owner of Nine Zero One Salon, “almost like if you were wearing different wigs with different outfits and moods.”
How to Try the Gemini Hair Trend
Since this statement look is a bit of a long-term commitment, it’s important to know exactly what you want when you head to the salon, says Colombini. “If you have never dyed your hair a bright color before, I would start with something on the more natural side and ease into it,” recommends Lee.
When it comes to choosing your colors, you can really have fun with it and try whatever you want. However, Lee advises that you think about how dark your natural hair color is when making your decision. “If you have super dark natural hair, to avoid damage from bleaching prior to the color, I would go with a darker or warm-toned bright color,” she says. “If you have light natural hair, it’s easier to do light and bright tones because your hair can easily be bleached to white before applying the color.”
Otherwise, the choice is yours. If you’re not sure where to start, Colombini likes neons paired with black hair and copper shades for brown or brunette hair. With platinum hair,
“any color is going to be contrasting, which is the vibe,”
he notes. “From black to pink, you can’t go wrong.” If you want to test the look at home before taking the plunge, the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color collection has great pink options.
As far as post-salon maintenance, Colombini warns that it’s common for hair colors to bleed together. Since the key to the Gemini hair look is clean contrast, he recommends sectioning off your hair by color when you wash it and washing each color separately.
To combat any damage from the dye process, check out the Garnier Whole Blends Hair Honey Repairing Serum.
It reduces split ends and breakage while infusing your hair with moisture.
How to Create a Hair Cycling Routine Popularized By TikTok
Skin cycling has been a huge trend over the past year—as has focus on hair care in the same manner as skin care—so it’s no surprise hair cycling has now come into the picture. Jonathan Colombini weighs in with tricks to master the healthy trend.
Create a healthier hair routine.
Skin cycling has been a huge trend over the past year—as has focus on hair care in the same manner as skin care—so it’s no surprise hair cycling has now come into the picture. While TikTok has made the technique trend, scalp expert and founder of Philip B Hair Care, Philip B, says it’s been around for years.
Celebrity hairstylist Glenn Ellis says there’s been a rise in the creation of set routines in beauty and hair care. With skin cycling trending, he says it was only a matter of time before that methodology was broadly applied to hair care. Ellis notes that having a routine simplifies the process and helps foster a habit that ends up becoming second nature. If you want to try the new trend, we have expert tips to get you started.
What is hair cycling?
Similar to skin cycling, hair cycling involves alternating hair-care products to promote the best results for your hair type. “Hair cycling integrates multiple sets of different types of hair care into your daily routine,” explains L’Oréal Paris celebrity hairstylist and colorist Jonathan Colombini.
“For example, using a clarifying shampoo followed by a hydrating mask on a Monday, and a moisture-driven shampoo followed by an anti-frizz conditioner on a Wednesday.”
Professional hair and makeup artist Allison Kaye notes that incorporating periods of rest with no products is also key to hair-cycling success.
“Hair and skin change with seasonality, stress, environment, nutrition and other lifestyle factors that alter its pH, sebum production, reaction to products, strength, elasticity, shine, bounce and overall performance,” explains Philip B. “It’s never one shampoo that fits all. Changing the routine and understanding your individual needs is key.”
Hair cycling benefits
“Hair cycling or any type of rotation—from a daily shampoo to a deep clarifying shampoo or from a lightweight conditioner to a hair mask—can help to improve the health of your scalp and hair,” says Philip B. “As hair cycling involves giving the hair a much-needed rest period or break from some products, it also benefits from extending additional nourishment as needed,” he adds. Philip B notes that benefits include lowering the risk of inflammation and combating breakage, damage and irritation.
Ellis says another benefit of hair cycling is minimizing product build-up. “The overuse of a product can cause build-up on the hair as well as irritation to the scalp,” says Ellis. “This is typically why stylists recommend washing your hair, at max, two to three times a week and switching out your shampoo every couple of months,” he adds. Kaye notes that, as with most things in life, our bodies can start to reject something if we overuse it. Hair cycling helps “keep our hair follicles from getting fatigued,” she explains.
If you have a specific concern with your hair, hair cycling makes it easy to tackle. Colombini says you can create a routine that addresses a specific issue. However, if you want to just go for overall hair health, Colombini says the technique can benefit all hair types.
How to hair cycle
A simple way to think about hair cycling is using varied shampoos, conditioners, hair masks and other products at different times. Different schedules and products work for different hair. Kaye suggests doing four to five days on and one two days off to give your hair some rest. Meanwhile, Colombini likes to apply the three days on three days off rule that’s often used in skin-care cycling.
“Listen to your hair and scalp. Generally, hair dryness or even oiliness can fluctuate during each season.
”
Due to this, Colombini notes that products may shift throughout the year. When building your hair-cycling regimen, Colombini suggests having varied products to avoid overdoing something. Too much moisture or too much detoxifying can be a bad thing.
To build your routine, first monitor your hair. Philip B suggests keeping an eye on if your hair loses its elasticity, is breaking often or becomes flat, heavy, dull, dehydrated or lackluster. While the routine may shift a bit with your hair’s needs, in general, Philip B’s ongoing advice “is to alternate clarifying, moisturizing/hydrating and repairing methods.” Additionally, once a week, or as needed, “focus on detoxing or clarifying your hair, roots and scalp.”
Ellis says most of his clients wash their hair twice a week. He agrees with Philip B that a clarifying shampoo should come into the picture once a week to break up any build-up. Then follow this with your normal shampoo, conditioner and a hair serum. The other wash of the week should “consist of double shampooing with your normal shampoo,” says Ellis. “This ensures your hair is clean and the scalp is purified. Then, follow with a hair mask in lieu of conditioner and then a leave-in conditioner once you are out of the shower.”
Expert-approved products for hair cycling
“The climate you live in and your hair texture will determine specific products and brands you should use,” says Ellis. Experts shared some of their favorite options to choose from. Colombini recommends using L’Oréal Paris EverPure Collection’s Scalp Care + Detox Shampoo ($10). It will help “remove build-up and address any scalp irritants,” he says. If you have color-treated hair or simply want shiny, glossy hair, fold in the Signature Masque ($13). For some strengthening assistance, Colombini suggests Bond Strengthening Concentrate ($13) ”to repair and rebuild weak hair bonds from chemical services.”
Philip B says a great pre-treatment or scalp scrub should be in the hair-cycling lineup. For this he recommends his Peppermint Avocado Scalp Scrub ($78). “Look for natural exfoliants—salicylic acid or salt can work well,” he adds. “Double down by adding a light citrus-based clarifying shampoo like Everyday Beautiful Shampoo ($48) to lift at the root and gently clean away product buildup and any environmental pollutants.” He explains that ingredients like neroli, orange peel and other citrus oils are gentle ways to add clarifying benefits to your cycle. Philip B also notes that witch hazel water is a notable ingredient. It helps balance oil production and reduce inflammation, so if those are your concerns, look for products with the ingredient.
For a more intensive deep cleanse, Philip B suggests the best-selling Peppermint Avocado Shampoo ($36). Peppermint is a great clarifying agent, and plant extracts like “nettle, rosemary, jojoba, geranium, lavender, olive and walnut support and refresh scalp and strands,” he adds. A mask is a must in the cycle. Philip B recommends the luxe Russian Amber Imperial Gold Masque ($225).
Drybar Crown Tonic: Pre-Shampoo Scalp Balancing Cleanser ($36) is another stylist favorite. It provides a more gentle exfoliation to help cancel out excess oil and flakes while promoting a long-lasting blowout. It’s a 10 recently launched a scalp-care collection featuring shampoo, conditioner, a leave-in product and a calming spray. The standout product is the Scalp Restore Miracle Scalp Serum ($32), which is a treatment and relief product in one. Toss this on when your scalp is off balance with itching, burning, dryness on the scalp, and dull, lifeless hair. It will help rebalance oily skin and reduce discomfort with a soothing creamy treatment.
9 Best Hair Dyes for Dark Hair, Tested and Reviewed for 2023
Ask any colorist, and they’ll tell you that lightening your hair at home is risky. Hell, tell a colorist you want to dye your dark hair at home, period, and they’ll try to ward you off it altogether. But that’s not to say it can’t be done, especially true if you have dark hair.
Don't DIY your hair color without one of these picks.
Ask any colorist, and they’ll tell you that lightening your hair at home is risky. Hell, tell a colorist you want to dye your dark hair at home, period, and they’ll try to ward you off it altogether. But that’s not to say it can’t be done, especially true if you have dark hair. I'm a natural brunette, and while I would never bleach or highlight my hair at home, I've definitely gone a few shades darker and played around with tints and tones, thanks to the abundance of hair dyes for dark hair on the market now.
And to help you narrow down all the best hair dyes for dark hair, I reached out to hairstylist Jenny Balding and colorist Jonathan Colombini to round up the best at-home hair dyes for dark hair of 2023, based on real testing and reviews.
Top picks for the best hair dyes for dark hair of 2023:
Keep reading for the entire list of dark hair dye picks, plus helpful tips from hair pros to streamline and simplify the at-home hair dye process.
1
Best Overall Hair Dye for Dark Hair
IGK Permanent Color Kit
PROS
• It doesn’t have a strong smell from ammonia
• Color looks realistic
CONS
• Some reviewers felt there was not enough hair dye to cover all their hair
One of my biggest issues with DIY hair dye is the lack of dimension in the color; many can feel like they fall flat, which makes hair look kind of blah—especially if you have darker hair like me. To the rescue: this color kit, formulated by the brilliant colorists behind IGK salon. They made it their mission to create salon-level dimensionality at home. Additionally, this permanent formula also conditions the hair with hydrating squalane and strengthening bamboo extract.
THE REVIEWS: “This is my new favorite hair dye," writes a reviewer. "The brown color is gorgeous and my hair came out softer and more healthy than it was before I colored it. "I definitely won’t go back to any other hair dye after using this," writes another tester, adding that "the results are incredible."
2
Best Dark Hair Dye for Touch-Ups
dpHUE Color Boosting Gloss + Deep Conditioning Treatment
PROS
• Helps buy you time between hair color appointments
CONS
• The darker colors can stain your hands or shower walls
Nothing cramps my style more than when my hair color starts to fade. Like, when it becomes dull and lackluster but it’s not quite time for a full color touch-up. This in-shower hair gloss is the answer. It’s basically a conditioning mask, but infused with color pigments to enhance your color for that fresh from the salon look (without the fresh from the salon price tag). I shampoo first and then leave this on for about ten minutes to reveal smoother, shinier hair for up to four weeks.
THE REVIEWS: “This deep conditioning treatment is the best," writes a tester. "It gave my hair an amazing color boost and made it feel very soft and look very shiny too—I would 10/10 recommend this product.”
3
Best Bright Hair Dye for Dark Hair
Overtone For Brown Hair Coloring Conditioner
PROS
• Temporary formula allows you to play around with trendy colors sans commitment
CONS
• Some reviewers mentioned the color bleeding during application
Newsflash: You don't need to bleach your hair before experimenting with a fun, vibrant hair color like rose gold or bright blue. I love using Overtone for playing around with trendy shades without lifting my natural color. Their pigmented conditioners (they're crafted specifically for brown hair) come in seven shades, from rose gold to green, and alter the tone of your hair for up to ten washes.
THE REVIEWS: “This stuff is the best," one reviewer writes. "I mixed the purple and pink for brown hair in equal parts and it turned out amazing!”
4
Best Dark Hair Dye for Sensitive Skin
Clairol Nice'n Easy Permanent Hair Dye
PROS
• Budget-friendly option
• Good for those with reactive skin
CONS
• Some shades can be hard to find in-stock
This one's for all you guys with allergies or super sensitive skin. It took Clairol twenty years of research, but they crafted a molecule called Me+ that reduces the risk of allergies significantly, and this formula touts that very molecule. This is a good reminder that no matter what hair dye you choose, you should always do a small patch test first to make sure you don’t have a reaction.
THE REVIEWS: “So far I am really impressed by this hair color—and that is saying a lot for box color," one review reads. "This is easy to apply and the color is nice for my hair—plus the scent is quite pleasant too," another tester writes.
5
Best Dark Hair Dye for Covering Grays
Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit
PROS
• The color kit is delivered to your home
CONS
• Some reviewers wished their color lasted longer
This brand could not keep their products in stock during the pandemic and with good reason. Madison Reed offers you live access to professional colorists, either by phone, message, or on video. This kind of service is essential if you’re a newbie, or you’re just in need of a little extra help on your at-home hair coloring journey. Plus, their permanent formula packs super-pigmented color that covers even the most stubborn of grays. And it’s eight-free, so it’s formulated without certain ingredients like ammonia, but with nourishing ones like keratin and argan oil.
THE REVIEWS: “This is the only hair dye I'll use at home," writes a tester. "I use the black dye and it seamlessly covers my grays and looks very natural too."
6
Best Long-Lasting Hair Dye for Dark
Hair
L'Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color
PROS
• Excellent shade range for dark hair colors
CONS
• Some reviewers didn’t like the reformulation
With over 50 shades to choose from, this collection from L’Oréal Paris has been a mainstay for the brand since 1973. There is a wide selection of shades within the dark color family so you can find your exact tone and level of warmth—and the color lasts a good six to eight weeks too. If you want a sneak peek of what your hair will look like, the L’Oréal website offers a virtual try-on tool.
THE REVIEWS: “I have been using this box dye for 10 years," reads one review. "People are always shocked when I tell them it’s not my true color because it looks so natural—and you can't beat the price!"
7
Best Wash-Out Hair Dye for Dark Hair
Good Dye Young Poser Paste Temporary Hair Makeup
PROS
• Temporary color can be easily washed out
CONS
• Some reviewers didn’t like the waxy texture or thickness
If you’re following your ex’s lead and not tryna commit, this is the temporary hair color for you. It’s a paste texture that offers both hold and color and is perfect for achieving peek-a-boo strands or an ombre effect You can always layer on for more vibrancy, but be mindful as you apply because the formula dries quickly and has a thick consistency. When you’re over it, just wash it out!
THE REVIEWS: “I used Poser Paste on my dark brown hair and was amazed at the level of coverage," reads one tester review. "I recommend this to anyone wanting to make a statement with their hair or experiment with color that isn't permanent," reads another tester's review.
8
Best Dark Hair Dye for Damaged Hair
Garnier Olia Ammonia-Free Brilliant Color Oil-Rich Permanent Hair Dye
PROS
• Helps improve hair health and boost moisture levels
CONS
• Some reviewers had trouble with color distribution
If your hair is on the drier side or frequently style it using a curling iron or flat iron, show it some love with this nourishing formula that functions as hair dye and an an oil treatment in one. It's made with plant-based oils to help boost shine while delivering pigment deep within the hair shaft sans damage.
THE REVIEWS: “I really loved the clean, natural feel and smell of this hair color," says a tester, adding that "when I applied it I didn't feel like I was damaging my hair like I have with some other hair color I've used."
9
Best Dark Hair Dye for Targeted Application
Hally Hair Shade Stix
PROS
• Easy to apply and rinse out
CONS
• The spoolie can get caught in thick, curly hair
The unique spoolie applicator allows you to brush on color sans mess. Give yourself bold highlights in orange, purple, pink, blue or red. The tube also has a handy compartment on the bottom where there’s a hidden comb that you can use to sheer out the pigment or to distribute the color through the length of your strands. The spoolie is great for smoothing down flyaways, too, if you want to keep baby hairs out of your face with a little pop of color.
THE REVIEWS: “I love how easy this color is to use and how quickly it washes out," one reviewer says. "The hot pink color payoff on my super dark hair was incredibly impressive," writes another tester.
Can you dye dark hair at home?
Yes, you can dye your dark hair at home—but there are a few rules to keep in mind. The first? "Don’t attempt to bleach or highlight your hair at home because you don't know what color it will lift, or lighten, to,” says Balding. There's a ton of science and skill behind hair bleaching and it should absolutely be left to the pros.
The second? Don’t bother using a semi or demi-permanent dye in a lighter shade than what you have because it’s not going to do anything—except maybe tint your roots if they’re lighter or gray.
What hair dye works best on dark hair?
“If you want to stay dark and just add a little shine and warmth, opt for a semi or demi-permanent hair dye,” says hair colorist Johnathan Colombini. “This will prevent any brassy undertones from peeking through and will keep your hair healthy and damage to a minimum.” And make sure to read instructions because depending on the color you want (like some of the real vibrant ones), the site or packaging may say that it’s best to use it on pre-lightened hair.
What hair dye shows up on dark brown hair?
“Permanent hair color is going to be your heavy hitter in giving the most visible results,” says Colombini. That said, there are plenty of temporary options that will show up on your dark hair, like if you're going a shade or two darker or adding in a deep pop of color, like burgundy or midnight blue, to your hair.
Which hair dye is least damaging?
As a rule, any hair dye with words like "moisturizing“ or "nourishing" will be gentler on your hair, says Balding. In general, semi or demi permanent hair dyes with low ammonia and peroxide as well as gloss formulas are usually the least damaging, says Colombini.
How to choose the best hair dye for dark hair:
Keep it in the (color) family.
If you already have dark hair, there are plenty of options for you to try in terms of color. There is always the opportunity to go darker. Just realize that the color on the box may come out even darker than expected, so if your hair is medium brown, you don’t necessarily need to go for the darkest shade to see a dramatic result. Instead, try playing with tone. You can try a more blue-based shade for something cooler and ashier or a more red-based one for something warmer and brassier.
Try out something temporary.
The easiest way to skip bleaching is to try some of the temporary colors that are intended for use on dark hair. Since they’re not permanent, you don’t have to worry about causing any long-term damage to your hair, so they’re good for experimenting. If you decide you do like a brighter shade, I highly recommend going to a salon and leaving the lightening to a professional before committing to a more permanent pastel or vivid color.
Know your color quantity.
Many reviewers for boxed dyes complain that they didn’t have enough color for even shoulder-length hair, which is why Colombini recommends buying two boxes of the same hair dye when coloring the your entire head.
As for application, you should always start with the roots first because that hair is the healthiest and won’t soak up the dye as quickly– it’s also likely the part of your hair that needs the most color. Save your lengths and ends for last because they tend to be drier and more damaged, which causes them to absorb the color much quicker. Doing your whole head at once is an easy way to wind up with a line of demarcation from where your grown out hair was previously colored.
Meet the experts:
Jenny Balding is a hairstylist and co-owner of Cutler Salon Arlo Soho in New York, NY.
Jonathan Colombini is a celebrity hair colorist and owner of John Henry Salon in Malibu, CA. Colombini is the creative director of style & color for L’Oréal Paris and has worked with celebs like Faith Hill and Christie Brinkley.
Lisa DeSantis is a beauty writer at Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience writing about hair, makeup, nails, and skin, including cleansing conditioners and protein treatments. She chatted with hairstylists and tested dyes on her own hair to find the best hair dyes for dark hair.
Lisa DeSantis is a freelance writer who has been in the beauty industry for nearly ten years.
You May Never Recover From Seeing Zendaya’s Impossibly Bouncy Blowout
Learn how to recapture Zendaya’s gravity-defying ultra blowout with Jonathan Comlombini’s expert tips and all the products to shop to get it just right.
She *is* the moment.
She *is* the moment.
Originally published @ TZR |
Ever since their relationship became official, Zendaya and Tom Holland always seem to cause a stir when they step out together. Whether it’s an unexpected hand placement or sneaky kisses in the car, fans truly cannot get enough of their interactions, most likely because of how undeniably stunning they are together. Their most recent date night, however, was perhaps the best they’ve ever looked — and Zendaya’s bouncy ‘90s blowout is certainly pulling most of the weight (sorry, Tom).
On Wednesday night Feb.16, the couple was spotted in New York City on their way to a screening for Holland’s new film, Uncharted. Presumably because of the occasion, the pair were a little more dressed up than their typical outings; Holland wore a light gray suit with a black turtleneck while Zendaya channeled a ‘90s supermodel look in a belted black shirt dress and black sheer tights, her gloriously glossy hair bouncing with each step.
Her shoulder-length auburn locks are so voluminous they practically defy gravity, leaving fans on social media buzzing as the paparazzi photos continue to circulate. Jonathan Colombini, L’Oréal Paris celebrity hairstylist and colorist, dubs Zendaya’s hair “the ultimate ‘90s supermodel off-duty blowout.”
Gotham/GC Images/Getty Images
In a press email, Colombini shares his best tips for recreating the look.
“This style is best achieved with a classic round brush blow-dry, using a blow-dry primer with fantastic memory like L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyles Blow Dry Primer.
Keeping the hair’s elasticity and not using a curling iron will give the bounce and volume. Hair color always looks its best when it’s styled at its best. For a color refresh, I recommend using the EverPure Glossing Collection with the glaze for ultimate shine and seal, followed by the Le Color Gloss for high conditioning and effortless color toning.
”
Below, shop Colombini's picks and have a go at one of Zendaya’s most jaw-dropping hair moments to date; Spiderman boyfriend not included.
EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Shampoo
Sulfate-Free Glossing In Shower Acidic Glaze
Sulfate-Free Glossing Conditioner
Le Color Gloss
Soin Acide Chroma Gloss Hair Gloss
Jonathan Colombini Explains How To Recreate Meghan Markle’s Tousled Hairstyle With a $13 Hairspray
2021 may have been the year that Meghan Markle landed a spot on Time Magazine's list of "100 Most Influential People," but her beauty routine has been influencing us for nearly half a decade. In 2017, her Charlotte Tilbury wedding lipstick caused nude lipstick sales to soar.
Originally published @ Well & Good | by Zoe Weiner・
2021 may have been the year that Meghan Markle landed a spot on Time Magazine's list of "100 Most Influential People," but her beauty routine has been influencing us for nearly half a decade. In 2017, her Charlotte Tilbury wedding lipstick caused nude lipstick sales to soar. According to an analytical report by the beauty experts at RY, to date, there have been 88.5 million articles written about her hair, makeup, and skin-care secrets (which, it's worth noting, is 10 million more than Kim Kardashian), making hers the most widely covered regimen in the world. So it's no surprise that I took one look at the elegant waves she's wearing on the Time cover and just had to know: How did she get her hair to look like that.
L’Oreal Paris Elnett Hairspray runs about $13.00
How to recreate Markle's hairstyle
To find out, I asked L'Oréal Paris celebrity hairstylist Jonathan Colombini, who told me that copying her tousled, textured look is easier than you might expect. "This style requires some texture and grit," he says, which means you may not want to try it on the day that you wash your hair.
1. Start with a boar bristle round brush, and use it to blow dry your hair out without any volumizing products, which Colombini says will help "recreate movement."
2. Next section your hair in quadrants—two in the back from the center of your hairline down to the nape of your neck, and two in the front from your crown toward each ear—then break those quadrants down into smaller sections.
3. Wrap these individual sections around a 2-inch curling barrel, allowing the ends to stick out, and continue rotating the iron in the same direction that the hair is wrapped.
4. To finish things off, use a strong-hold, shine-inducing hairspray, like L’Oreal Paris Elnett Hairspray ($13), to lock in the look.
5. Et voila—with a few twists of an iron and a $13 spritz, your hair can be cover-ready, too.
Beauty Q&A: What Is My Hair’s Porosity and Why Is It Important?
Does your hair take forever to air dry? Do products seem to sit on top of its surface creating buildup, or do they sink right in leaving very little moisture behind? Your answers to these questions have to do with your hair’s porosity. Knowing your hair’s porosity will help you achieve healthier, more moisturized hair and luckily, it’s easy to determine at home. Below, we consulted Jonathon Colombini, the creative director of style and color at L'Oréal Paris…
Originally published @ Makeup.com by L'Oréal | November 09, 2021 by Ariel Wodarcyk
Does your hair take forever to air dry? Do products seem to sit on top of its surface creating buildup, or do they sink right in leaving very little moisture behind? Your answers to these questions have to do with your hair’s porosity. Knowing your hair’s porosity will help you achieve healthier, more moisturized hair and luckily, it’s easy to determine at home. Below, we consulted Jonathan Colombini, the creative director of style and color at L'Oréal Paris, and Bridgette Hill, certified trichologist and founder of Root Cause Scalp Analysis, to find out how to test your hair’s porosity and care for your hair type accordingly.
What Is Hair Porosity?
Porosity is the hair fiber’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. Hair can have high, low, or medium porosity.
How Do I Find Out My Hair’s Porosity?
To determine your hair’s porosity, all you need to do is place a strand of hair in a glass of water and watch how quickly it sinks (or doesn’t!). “If it floats, you have low porosity hair,” Colombini says. “If it sinks slowly, you have normal porosity and if it sinks immediately, then you have high porosity. It’s an old trick we did in beauty school that’s still effective.”
How to Care for Low Porosity Hair
If you have low-porosity hair, “there isn’t any space between the hair cuticles, making it harder for water, as well as products like oils and conditioners, to deliver moisture to the hair shaft,” Colombini says. It’s not typically the result of damage or overprocessing, he says, but it can lead to product buildup. According to Hill, this hair type can also be highly proteinized, making it prone to breakage.
“It is important for people with low-porosity hair to use conditioners and leave-ins that are water-based or light lotions, so they do not sit on the hair shaft,” Hill says. She recommends using a lightweight product such as Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Leave-In Conditioner to strengthen and soften low porosity hair.
How to Care for High Porosity Hair
“High porosity hair means that the cuticle has large gaps allowing moisture to enter seamlessly,” Hill says. “However, the hair is unable to retain the moisture.” High-porosity hair can be a result of either genetics or frequent heat damage and overprocessing.
Unlike low-porosity hair, high-porosity hair types require more than a lightweight leave-in. Colombini suggests using nourishing masks and treatments, such as the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths No Haircut Cream Leave-In Conditioner. “Look for products with fatty acids, like shea butter,” Hill adds. “Cream-based humectants fill and seal the hair fiber to lock in moisture for this type of hair texture.”
Photography: Chaunte Vaughn, Associate Creative Director: Melissa San Vicente-Landestoy, Art Director: Hannah Packer, Associate Director, Creative Production: Alex Friedlander, Associate Creative Producer: Becca Solovay, Associate Content Director: Sarah Ferguson, Makeup Artist: Jonet Williamson, Hair Stylist: Akihisa Yamaguchi, Wardrobe Stylist: Dominick Barcelona, Digital Tech: Erik Dalzen, Photo Assistant: Matt Licari, Model: Sanzeda
The Best Texturizing Product, According to Kendall Jenner's Stylist
There's a handful of highly-coveted hairstylists in the world, and John Henry Salon owner Jonathan Colombini is one of them. From Kendall to Kylie, and a whole bunch of editorial work in between, Colombini has certainly done the rounds when it comes to high-profile styling.
Article originally published by Byrdie
There's a handful of highly-coveted hairstylists in the world, and Jonathan Colombini is one of them. From Kendall to Kylie, and a whole bunch of editorial work in between, Colombini has certainly done the rounds when it comes to high-profile styling. Which is exactly why we took the opportunity to ask him a barrage of questions on a recent trip to Sydney.
What's the number one hair trend going to be this year?
Flat iron waves. Loose, effortless, and super easy.
And the one trend that's over?
The beach wave. Also, ombre. The recession is over—get your roots touched up!
What are your current favorite styling products?
I'm a texture guy, so my top five would be the Sachajuan Ocean Mist ($31), David Mallet Lê Volume Spray ($40), Evo Casual Act Moulding Paste ($22), Oribe Dry Shampoo ($46), and Sachajuan Strong and Flexible Hairspray ($35).
And the single best product you've ever used?
That’s like asking a parent to choose their favorite child—it’s impossible. But if I HAD to choose Sachajuan Ocean Mist. It’s truly, exactly what your hair would do at the beach.
When you're working with a celebrity, do you collaborate on the look, or do they give you free rein?
I always pull my inspiration from the wardrobe. There will always be a piece that stands out to me, and I’ll know just what direction to go. So absolutely it's a collaboration.
What about Kendall's hair. Any tips on how to emulate her texture?
Kendall loves easy, natural, lived-in hair. I literally put some bends in with the tongs, use a texturizing mousse, and either a dry shampoo or some sort of paste on the ends.
How do you usually prep hair before styling?
For me, being into natural texture and not wanting to disturb that, I usually start with a volume or texture spray. I’ll rough dry it into the hair and really focus on smoothing out ends. I like a boar bristle brush. Once texture and structure are established, then my prep work is done.
What's your go-to wet weather style?
Hair and rain just don’t mix. You’re fooling yourself if you think any hairstyle can withstand a wet, miserable day. Make those days a hat day. I love a chic fedora on a woman.
What about bangs? What are your best styling tips?
It depends on the length, but fringes are best when they're clean and rough-dried by hand. If you have longer, Bridgette Bardot-style fringe, then the small round brush is best. Roll the fringe onto the brush, and blow dry from underneath. Smooth and continue to roll the brush through until it's dry. Once done, roll the fringe onto the brush, and set with a blast of cool air.
What's your blow-drier of choice?
Parlux Advance Light Dryer ($150) because it's super lightweight, gets hot enough, and is not too noisy (so I can keep a conversation with my clients).
Where do you look for inspo?
The runway. Paris and London fashion week have me shook this year!
Jonathan Colombini On Wearing His Pride And His Undying Love For The ‘90s
You likely know Jonathan Colombini through his work with countless celebrities or through his multimedia site showcasing the red carpet and editorial looks he’s created. If you're one of his 154K Instagram followers then you also know that he’s an entrepreneur, a family man, an advocate for women, and proud to be part of the LGBTQ+ community.
You likely know Jonathan Colombini through his work with countless celebrities or through his multimedia site showcasing the red carpet and editorial looks he’s created. If you're one of his 154K Instagram followers then you also know that he’s an entrepreneur, a family man, an advocate for women, and proud to be part of the LGBTQ+ community. The L’Oréal Paris celebrity hairstylist and colorist can trace his love for hair back to his early interactions with the brand; sitting in his grandmother’s bathroom watching her style her own hair. One day she handed him a brush and a can of L’Oréal Paris Elnett Hairspray and encouraged him to try. It was destiny for him to change women’s lives and also be part of a company that continues to champion their worth every day.
“This year marks 21 years that I have been living as an openly gay man, 20 of those years have been as a hairstylist,” he wrote in a recent Instagram post. “The amount of support, acceptance, love, and pride that I have been shown within my #lgbt and beauty industry communities would be unmeasurable.”
And the positive influence that Colombini has had on those same communities is just as immense. He shared with us his thoughts about the idea of “wearing” pride, the advice he would give his younger self, and why the ‘90s—a decade when being out wasn’t always met with acceptance and love—will always have a special place in his heart.
What was the most unexpected reaction you received when you came out to different people in your life?
Finally!... I think everyone else knew before I did.
We see a lot of rainbow flag homages around this time but what is your go-to beauty look that you put on when you want to show off your pride?
For me, pride comes from within. It’s not an accessory you take off or put on. For me it’s a part of my soul and a piece I always want to represent and also share.
When was the first time you saw yourself reflected in pop culture and what effect did that have on you and your career development?
It’s interesting now that I am at an age to start seeing trends of pop culture come back. I was born in the ‘80s growing up in the ‘90s. For me, music is and will always be powerful. When you hear “that song” you instantly remember exactly where you were when you heard it for the first time and usually what your style at the time was. I am thrilled to see the ‘90s surface in such an influential way. I could do a bedraggled and slightly scruff Kurt Cobain haircut or a polished one-length bob and bangs Uma Thurman pulled [off] in Pulp Fiction. It would be a huge misstep for me to not pay attention to the current pop culture but more importantly the past trends that impact the present.
What would you tell your younger self about individuality?
Continue being you! The world would be so boring if we all were the same.
Come up with a cool saying or tagline that would describe who you are and what being queer means to you.
Trust the Process, nothing happens overnight—nor do we want it to!
This Pride month, L’Oréal Paris will be running a series of Q&A interviews with ambassadors from the brand, sharing their personal stories of identity and how they celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
Article originally appeared in Loréal Paris USA
Photo Courtesy of L’Oréal Paris
Expert-Approved Tips to Achieve Your Longer-Hair Goals
We tapped top dermatologists and hairstylists for their best tips (like meditation...whaaa?) to support your specific goals on the way to getting your swishy-shiny dream hair.
Originally published @ Cosmopolitan |
Good News: It's easier than you think.
Growing long, strong, and beautiful hair (think: the manes of your favorite K-pop girl group, or a Lady Godiva-inspired style), starts with setting the right goals. Maybe your mission is to finally kiss breakage goodbye. Or you’re focused on growing out a bad haircut—like yesterday. So we tapped top dermatologists and hairstylists for their best tips (like meditation...whaaa?) to support your specific goals on the way to getting your swishy-shiny dream hair.
HAIR GOAL #1
Say *Bye* to Breakage
Always fantasizing about mermaid-length hair, only for it to snap into a million split ends before even grazing past your shoulders? (Ugh, same.) The unfair reality is, growing longer hair comes with the risk of more breakage. Preventing this comes down to the right hair care routine, and trichologist (or hair-issues and scalp specialist) Bridgette Hill of Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa, celeb hairstylist Jonathan Colombini, and L’Oréal VP of scientific communications Rocio Rivera, PhD are here to explain exactly how to find yours.
Gently Detangle in the Shower
First, Colombini emphasizes the importance of in-shower techniques to help combat breakage from the first step of your hair-care routine.
“Your hair is most vulnerable when it’s wet, so you want to make sure you’re not putting any tight tension on it.
”
Start by cleansing with a moisturizing shampoo like Loréal Elvive Dream Lengths Restoring Shampoo, which—along with the rest of the Dream Lengths collection—is made with nourishing ingredients like castor oil and B vitamins. (Together, the collection helps smooth ends and strengthen hair.) To bypass wet tangles, Dr. Rivera says to use a conditioner formulated to prevent knots, such as the same Loréal Dream Lengths brand. She recommends keeping a wide-tooth comb in the shower to gently work the silky stuff through your hair
“Start at the ends and work your way to the top,” she says, explaining that by starting where the most tangles are and working your way up, your brush won’t get stuck like it would from running it from the top down.
Use a Microfiber Towel
Once you step out of the shower, Colombini suggests ditching your terrycloth towel and wrapping your hair in one made of microfiber to help maintain your hair’s smooth cuticles from the root to the tip. His favorites are ones that are designed to wrap around hair and secure in place once twisted and tucked in.
Prep Your Style With a Leave-In
To keep the TLC going, Hill recommends coating damp hair with a leave-in conditioning product like. Once applied evenly across hair, use a boar-bristle brush with wide-set bristles—this is key!—to detangle strands from the ends up. Too-close bristles will cause unwanted friction, and Colombini warns that this can cause breakage especially if you have fine, tangle-prone hair.
Color and Style With Care
Seasonal color changes, hitting the heat tools and throwing your hair into tight ponies and top knots are all part of your hair rotation, and Hill says that’s okay—so long as you’re giving your strands long breaks and taking measures to protect them. She suggests giving hair some relief with heatless styles made with tension-free accessories, like saturating loose braids with a leave-in to create beach waves.
If you must reach for your wand/iron—we get it!— Hill emphasizes prepping hair with a heat protector (like L'Oreal’s Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Protein Recharge which is formulated to protect hair from temperatures up to 450°F.) When it comes to color, she recommends a look that can go longer between touch-ups, like balayage— which often looks even better with time.
Coddle Your Strands Overnight
Whether you’re the type to sleep pretty still or toss and turn until the first time you hit snooze (then hit it again, and again), swap your cotton or flannel pillowcases in favor of silk or satin ones. The smooth materials are gentler on hair’s cuticles than other fabrics that can ruffle ’em up, leading to big bad breakage. You’ll actually wake up with softer, shinier strands. Pretty dreamy, huh?
Hair Goal #2
Skip Your Next Salon Appointment
Moisturize Your Split Ends
We’ve ALL been there: You chop your ends into the bob trend of the day, only to flip TF out at your first peek in the mirror. There’s no magic technique to growing inches back overnight, but there are ways to help prevent another trip to the salon and focus on maintaining your length.
One way to do so is to consistently use a leave-in conditioner that nourishes split ends via its moisturizing ingredients. Again we recommend multitasking —which adds shine and smooths split ends, giving you the appearance of fresher, no-fraying strands.
Make Scalp Care a Priority
Another way to prolong the period before your next haircut is by paying attention to how you care for your scalp. Celebrity hairstylist Kendall Dorsey explains that the number of products you use can impact your scalp health. If your oils, serums, hairsprays, and dry shampoos are like your bbs, Colombini says to cut back.
“Think of your scalp as an extension of your skin from your face,” he says. “If you put too much makeup or products on your face, it doesn’t allow the skin to breathe; the same is true of hair follicles.” When you overwhelm your hair and scalp with products, it might not only weigh hair down but in some cases can even clog follicles.
HAIR GOAL #3
Strengthen Hair From the Inside Out
Eat the Right Nutrients
You’re eating clean(ish), kind of getting into crystals (?!), and now you’re ready to make getting long, healthy hair part of your ~lifestyle~. Cosmetic dermatologist Michele Green says, and recent research suggests, that eating foods rich in certain nutrients can be a low-effort way to promote stronger and healthier strands.
Try eggs for protein, salmon for omega-3 fatty acids, leafy greens like spinach for iron, and a variety of fruits and veggies for vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. Also check labels for zinc and fiber, which may be beneficial as well, and learn more about foods for healthier hair here.
Practice Self Care
If your hair growth is stunted by profuse fall-out, we get the frustration. After checking with your dermatologist or trichologist as to why your mane might be thinning (it’s possible it’s genetic), you might want to try out a few different methods of mellowing your mind. According to Dr. Green (and this 2017 study), heavy stress shifts the immune response to specific growth factors, potentially leading to thinning and fallout. Yikes.
To lessen the chances of this scary sitch, you might find it’s worth booking that yoga class, spending an hour in an infrared sauna, or tapping into your meditation app for a dose of concentrated relaxation. Because hey, we’re about any excuse for self-care that’s also hair-care.
Rebecca Norris is a full-time freelance writer living in the DC metro area.