Add Volume To Hair | Long Blonde

Dry Hair | Expert Tips and Advice

How to Moisturise Dry Hair

Dry Hair | The 5 Telltale Signs

Moisture Boost | How to Add Moisture to Hair

Dry Hair | What Makes Hair Dry?

How to Moisturise Dry Hair | Takeaways

About the Author

 

Bob Hairstyles | Brown Hair Angled Bob to one side

Dry hair can be frustrating. It impacts the look and feel of your hair. Plus, it affects the hair’s flexibility and elasticity. 

Hair flexibility and elasticity are essential for styling. Dry hair loses flexibility make it difficult to style. That means knowing how to moisturise dry hair is not only vital for getting your hair in the best shape. Adding moisture will make it easier to style. Plus, it will hold the style for longer. 

I’ve been working with hair for over 35 years, and I can tell you adding moisture to dry hair is not as difficult as you might think.

I’ve worked with many hair types and different products over the years. In my experience, the best way to hydrate dry hair is to build a routine of cleansing and moisturising with good quality dry hair products. Not dissimilar to your skin.

In this blog, I share the telltale signs of dry hair. You’ll discover the best products for dry hair and how to build a good hair care routine as I share my tips on how to moisturise dry hair.

Dry Hair | The 5 Telltale Signs of Dry Hair

Dry, Brittle Hair Treatment | Natural Hair
Dry Hair | Add Moisture

Before we talk about how to moisturise dry hair, its worth a quick heads up on how to spot dry hair. There are telltale signs of dry hair. If you recognise these signs in your own hair, it’s time to get proactive with adding moisture.

1. Your Hair has Lost its Shine

When hair becomes dull, it’s because the cuticle, the outer layer of the hair, has lifted. This is a sign of dry hair. When the hair has sufficient moisture, the cuticle lies flat, giving the hair an even surface that feels smooth and reflects light making the hair shiny.

2. You have Split Ends

Split ends are a sure sign of dry hair. Hair is older at the ends and more prone to breakage. Feeding moisture into the mid lengths and ends with a good quality deep conditioner will reduce split ends.

Brittle Hair - how to fix brittle hair

3. Rough Texture

If your hair feels rough, it’s dry. When you know how to moisturise dry hair and the cuticle becomes hydrated, locking in moisture, hair feels soft and silky. 

4. Breakage

 If the hair is breaking, it is seriously dehydrated and has lost elasticity. Getting moisture back into the hair is vital and a routine of deep conditioning will help the process of bringing balance back to the hair.

Frizzy Hair Causes Dyed

5. Your Hair is Difficult to Style

If you find your hair has lost its manageability and responsiveness when styling, it’s dry. Hair that has the right levels of moisture has some stretch that enables styling and hold.

Ogario Restore and Shine Hair Mask on white background
Dry Hair Treatment
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Oh my goodness! After one use, I didn’t recognise the feel of my hair as that of my own! The reviews are all accurate – this product is mind blowing! So much so that after only one use, I’ve ordered another two – one for each of my beloved sisters!
Rashpal
Was a little skeptical about this product but so glad I ordered it. It definitely lives up to what it says on the website. No frizz, soft silky hair with a great shine. I was suffering from very dry frizz hair due to dehydrated ends – I’ve only had it for three weeks and used it once a week and every time I use it I get asked what I use to get a great shine!
Karen
Beautiful product, smells great, I’ve been using it twice a week for a few weeks now and can see the difference already (as can my hairdresser), my hair is really shiny and in great condition.
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This is the most amazing hair masque. I have used it for years and it makes the condition of my hair lovely, and smells wonderful.
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Moisture Boost | How to Add Moisture to Hair

11
Boost your Hair's Moisture with Deep Conditioner

1. Do shampoo and condition hair regularly.

For most people, that means 2-3 times a week.

2. Don't skip conditioner.

Hair and skin are both proteins. A simple routine of cleansing and conditioning will help build moisture.

Hair Mask for Dry Hair
Deep Condition to Boost Moisture

3. Do use a weekly hair mask treatment.

A deep conditioning hair mask gives hair extra moisture. I recommend a weekly treatment.

If  your hair is excessively dry, you can use Restore and Shine Hair Masque twice a week for the first two weeks. After that, use weekly as part of your hair care routine. You can leave Restore and Shine Hair Masque on for 10 minutes and then rinse. Alternatively, try leaving the Restore and Shine Masque on for a few hours or even overnight to help boost moisture.

Below is my guide by hair type showing how long to leave Restore and Shine Hair Masque on your hair. The timings aren’t fixed but they give you my recommendations and I suggest you see what works best for your hair. If you are using another manufacturer’s deep conditioner, you should follow their instructions.

  • Fine, dry hair – a maximum of 2 hours
  • Coarse, dry hair – you can leave it on from 2 hours to overnight.
  • Grey, dry hair – hair tends to be finer as we age, so unless your hair is very coarse, I recommend no more than 2 hours.
  • Dry, curly hair – if your hair is curly and thick, over night will be fine. For fine curls, I recommend a couple of hours.
  • Dry, colour treated hair -overnight if your hair is thick/coarse. Otherwise, from 2 to 4 hours. Try a plastic cap to add heat intensity to the treatment.

4. Do turn down the heat.

 Choose a cooler setting on your hairdryer making it less drying for the hair.

Dry Hair | Use less heat

4. Do use moisture-boosting styling products

Use my moisture-boosting styling products to add moisture to your hair as you style.

5. Do give your hair a break.

Air dry hair once a week. Why not combine this with deep conditioning hair treatment?

6. Don't overdry your hair.

A common mistake is to dry the hair for too long. Reduce drying time by at least one minute and see how your hair responds.

6. Do choose a natural styling product that conditions hair as you style.

Styling products have moved on. There’s no need to use products with harsh chemicals. My styling products that condition hair as you style.

7. Do make sure you have a balanced diet.

Eat plenty of nutrient-rich fruit and veg.

8. Don't let your body become dehydrated.

Drink water. What’s good for the body is good for the hair.

9. Do sleep on a satin or silk pillow.

The slippery texture of a satin or silk pillow will help avoid knots and breakage.

10. Do squeeze out excess water.

Use a towel to gently blot the hair before applying a conditioner or a hair mask. Conditioner slides off wet hair. Make sure you get the full benefits.

11. Don't get into hot water.

Washing hair in warm water is less drying for hair.

12. Do see your stylist for regular trims.

Keeping on top of dry ends will prevent splitting.

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Best Leave in Conditioner for Dry Hair
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Dry Hair | What Makes Hair Dry?

Dry Hair Treatment | Styling Long Brown Hair

Understanding the structure of the hair helps in understanding how to add moisture to dry hair.

Every strand of hair comprises multiple layers; the cuticle, the outer layer, is made of keratin, and it protects the inner layer of the hair, the cortex. The cuticle, a protective layer, comprises tiny scales, almost like tiles on a roof. Over time the cuticle naturally lifts and breaks. 

What is Frizzy Hair?

Breakage is made worse by external factors such as sunshine and heated styling.

The cortex is a protein and holds water at the centre of the follicle. When the cuticle lifts, the cortex loses moisture. That results in hair losing its shine, breaking or splitting and becoming dry. When you think about it, there are lots of external factors that can damage the outer layer of the hair. 

Heat contributes to moisture loss in hair. Always use the hairdryer on a cooler setting and look at options such as partially drying your hair with the hairdryer and then leaving to air dry. However you dry your hair, it’s vital not to over do it. I recommend experimenting with different options and seeing what works best for your hair.

Our hair can also become drier due to internal changes in our bodies. From hormones to ageing, they all have an impact on hair hydration.

Dry Hair| Tips and Take Aways

Natural Hair Care

1. Deep Conditioning Smooths the Hair

Each strand of hair comprises multiple layers. If the cuticle (outer layer) lifts, the inner layer loses moisture, making hair dry. Deep Conditioning added moisture to the inner layers and smooths the outer layer of the hair to retain moisture.

2. Where's my Hair Shine?

You can tell hair is dry when it’s lost its shine, has split ends or breakage, is difficult to style, or the texture feels rough. Adding moisture to your hair with a deep conditioner will tackle the symptoms of dry hair.

3. Dry Hair can be a Result of External and Internal Factors

Many things can lift the cuticle to make our hair dry; environment, colour treatments, heated styling, ageing, hormonal changes, diet can all play a part.

4. A Weekly Deep Conditioning Hair Mask Treatment is Essential

Hydrating hair is simple. Build a routine of shampooing, conditioning and treating your hair with a weekly hair mask treatment. Hair loves routine. Remember, moisturising dry hair isn’t a quick, one-off fix. It takes time. But it’s worth it, and your dry hair can become healthy, shiny hair.

5. Add Moisture with your Styling Products

Keep heated styling to a minimum, use styling products that add moisture and turn down the heat on your hairdryer and in your shower. Avoid heavy oils, waxes and hairsprays.

6. Stay Hydrated

Treat your hair like your skin. Eat a balanced, nutrient-rich diet and drink plenty of water.

7. Deep Condition your Hair for Longer

Keep your hair mask on for longer to get more moisture, don’t use more product.

I know how to moisturise dry hair from many years in the hair business. I believe that the deep conditioning hair mask is the most vital product in any hair care routine. But it’s not only about what you use it’s also how you use it. I recommend regular weekly applications. Little and often works best. For example, Restore and Shine Hair Masque comes in a 200ml jar. Each application should be around 10ml, slightly less for short or fine hair. That means each jar gives you 20 applications.

Leave Restore and Shine Hair Masque on for 10 mins and rinse. If you want to increase the moisture in dry hair, there’s no need to use more product. Leave it on for longer. 

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Dry Hair | About the Author

Picture of Norris Ogario

Norris Ogario

Norris Ogario is founder and Creative Director of Ogario London. Developed in his London salon, the Ogario London haircare products reflect his belief that hydration is the key to fixing most hair problems. Hydrated hair can be styled with ease. Plus, hydration leaves hair shiny and healthy. Norris has over 35 years of hair know-how. With expertise in all hair types; from dry hair to fine or grey hair, from frizzy hair to damaged or bleached hair, curly hair and afro hair, Norris has created a healthy hair blog to share his expert advice.

Healthy Hair Care Blog

I write about all aspects of healthy, shiny hair. From preventing frizzy hair to stopping split ends and styling bob hairstyles I share my experience of how to get the best from hair.

Whether I’m working with hair, writing about hair or developing hair care products I stay true to 3 principles.

1. Less is More

This is a principle I have adhered to all my hairdressing career and it gets the best results. I like to minimise the heat stress to hair from heated styling tools and take a simpler approach to styling. Over working the hair can leave it dry, damaged and flat. A simple approach is the best way to add volume to hair and keep hair looking and feeling smooth and shiny.

2. Hair needs Moisture

Moisture is the foundation of good hair care. Hair needs a routine of deep conditioning to stay frizz free and retain flexibility and strength. When it has moisture, hair elasticity is maintained, making hair easier to style.

3. Great Hair Care is Holistic

Holistic in the context of hair care is about making sure we eat a healthy, balanced diet and that we feed our hair with nourishing products. Maintaining hydration in the body contributes to good quality hair growth. Using nourishing hair products ensures our hair can retain moisture.

You’ll see these principles threaded through my blogs. My goal is to share the simplest tools and techniques to give you easy ways to care for and style your hair at home.

Ogario London is a salon developed range of natural hair care products. Because we are passionate about our products, delivering the best results is at the heart of what we do.

If you have a question, please get in touch at info@ogariolondon.com.

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