Hello, beautiful - and welcome back to Haley Marie Blog for another installment of my Blogmas series!
As college girls, we're torn between two goals: perfect hair and a perfect GPA (among a million other big dreams, of course!). Usually, the number one thing standing between me and these goals is a lack of time.
That's why I'm here to teach you all the lazy girl hair hacks I've learned for getting a beautiful hair in the nick of time - because why spend hours blow-drying and heat-styling your hair when you could get the same results in under 10 minutes? (Yes, for real!)
1. How to Get Rid of Split Ends Naturally
Quite frankly, split ends suck - and the only way to get rid of them (or so we've been told) is to cut them off. Haircuts, however, can be expensive for a college gal on a limited budget....so, here's a little hair mask you can do to get rid of them at home:
Whisk together one egg yolk, three tablespoons of olive oil and one tablespoon of honey in a bowl. Then, liberally apply this mixture to the ends of your hair and allow it to sit for one hour before washing. Repeat this every two weeks and I promise you'll never have to chop off your hair just because of some split ends again!
2. How to Nix Frizz Overnight (Really!)
Don't believe me? Here's how: switch out your regular cotton pillowcase for one made from satin. It's that simple!
Satin protects your hair from frizz by locking in the natural oils and moisture that keep your hair shiny and smooth. You can get a satin pillowcase for cheap at your local beauty or department store - this one is $12 from American Eagle. Pull it onto your favorite pillow and get ready for the best beauty rest of your life!
3. How to Wake Up With Perfect Curls
Curling your hair isn't just time-consuming - it's also incredibly damaging for your hair. Trust me when I say that no one wants dry, lifeless locks as a result of over-processing! So, what's the alternative, you ask? Here's the simple how-to on getting perfect curls without the heat:
Take your shower at night so you go to bed with wet hair. Add a little bit of light product, such as a sea salt spray, to your locks. Then, twist your hair into a loose bun on the top of your head and secure with mini claw clips...and voila! Tomorrow morning, you should wake up with the gorgeous curls your heart's been dreaming of.
4. How to Perfectly Air Dry Your Hair
I often find myself wanting to shower between classes, but not wanting to go to class with soaking wet hair. Solution? Perfectly prep your hair so you can air dry it beautifully with no effort at all!
Before heading out of the house, work a little bit of mousse into your wet hair with a wide tooth comb. Scrunch the product into your hair to let it set, then gently dry your hair with an old t-shirt (to prevent frizz). Flip your head upside down one time to add a little bit of volume - and there you have it! Gorgeous hair, zero effort and all on-the-go.
5. How to Grow Your Hair Faster
Many girls cut their hair off in an impulse decision before college, wanting to try out a new version of themselves than who they were in high school. At the same time, lots of girls end up regretting that decision and wishing they had their long, luxurious locks back! Some people would say it just takes time - but there's actually a better (and quicker!) way to grow long hair in a flash.
You can follow a few simple steps to strengthen and lengthen your hair over time. First thing's first, you'll want to make sure you're trimming your hair regularly to remove the dead ends (or use my split end mask to repair it). Secondly, take biotin vitamins to give your hair the nutrients it needs to grow long and strong. Finally, wash your hair with a shampoo containing a natural oil like argan or coconut to repair your hair and stimulate growth. Follow all those steps to a T and you should see a difference in little time at all!
6. How to Get Beachy Waves in Five Minutes Flat
Beachy, effortless waves have been all the rage for a few years now. If you're a fan of gals like Karlie Kloss and Taylor Swift, you've probably been envying their "I-don't-care" hair for a long time now. Unlike Karlie and Taylor, you probably also don't have an entire hair team following you around wherever you go...but there's still a way! (And it takes less than five minutes flat.)
All you need to do is heat up your straightening iron on as high a temp as your hair can comfortably handle and spray it with heat protectant. Next, divide your hair into a few braids - the thicker your hair, the more braids you should use - and secure with an elastic. Then, all you need to do is run the flat iron along the braid and let your hair loose. If you'd like, you can scrunch with a little bit of sea salt spray - and that's it. Beach waves for days, headed your way! (Sorry, I like to rhyme.)
7. How to Brush Your Hair Without Breakage
If I had to sum up the experience of brushing my hair in three words, I'd choose tangles, tangles and more tangles. Most people just use whatever silly old hairbrush they find at their local CVS - but did you know there's a right brush and a wrong brush for your hair type? Here's how to know what kind of bristle brush is best suited for your unique mane:
- If your hair is fine...use a boar-bristle brush to create sleek, polished tresses.
- If your hair is coarse or natural...use a nylon brush for a little extra push and pull.
- If your hair is thick...use a mixed-bristle brush to detangle your tresses without compromising shine.
- If your hair is curly...use a wooden-bristle brush to keep coils intact.
- If your hair is short (or you have bangs)...use a mini round brush with boar bristles to smooth out short strands.
8. How to Give Yourself a Mini Highlight At Home
The last thing a broke college girl wants to do is choose between a salon highlight or groceries for a month - but with skyrocketing prices, it can easily begin to feel desperate. But believe it or not, you can learn to give yourself baby highlighters on a budget for an upgrade to your look that costs less than $20.
For around $15, you can buy a reputable bleach kit like Manic Panic's and a pack of spoolie brushes. Then throw on an old t-shirt (in place of a protective salon cape) and get down to business! Follow this tutorial from The Beauty Department for the step-by-step instructions, and you'll have gorgeous at-home highlights in no time...and all without shelling out a Hamilton.