National Relaxation Day is celebrated annually on August 15th, and it’s the perfect opportunity to unwind. Our strategy is pretty simple: Pamper ourselves—and our hair—without doing too much heavy lifting. From serums that do all the work for you to aromatherapy-inspired haircare products, discover our go-to ways to indulge your locks while you remain lazy at heart.
Our Favorite Ways To Pamper Our Hair on National Relaxation Day
Treat yourself to a DIY head spa
Japanese head spa treatments may be all the rage on social media, but the method is nothing new. For some quick background, a head spa refers to a specific kind of salon service that uses various methods of scalp therapy to give you healthier-looking and feeling hair.
As Shab Caspara, a trichologist based in New York City, recently told us: “Traditional Eastern remedies and practices have always believed strongly in the emphasis on treating the head and scalp to optimize hair quality and relaxation.”
To replicate the soothing benefits of a head spa at home, give yourself a 60-second head massage (either with your fingertips or a dedicated scalp massager) then use a topical scalp treatment or apply a steamy hair mask. Check out our article, Japanese Head Spa: What Is It and How to Recreate One at Home, for a full breakdown of this pampering technique.
Use an overnight serum
Achieve healthy-looking hair while doing the bare minimum? Sign us up. Overnight hair serums are formulas that help target specific hair concerns while you indulge in the ultimate relaxation ritual: sleep.
If damage repair is a top priority, consider adding Shu Uemura Art of Hair Ultimate Reset Overnight Hair Serum to your routine. This nightly hair treatment can help fight up to one year of visible surface damage on hair in just one use. If you want hydration and frizz control, on the other hand, you can’t go wrong with Shu Uemura Art of Hair Essence Absolue Nourishing Overnight Hair Serum. The red camellia oil-infused serum helps intensely nourish, smooth, and tame hair as you catch your zzz’s.
We recommend wrapping your hair in a silk or satin scarf or bonnet when using overnight serums to keep the luxurious formulas from transferring onto your pillow.
Indulge your senses
Whether your preferred scent comes from a candle, diffuser, or the great outdoors, breathing in a calming aroma may help improve your mood and lower stress levels. Here at Hair.com, it’s no surprise that using fragranced haircare products is our favorite way to bring on the calm.
For example, all of Biolage Professional’s products are formulated with the brand’s iconic fragrance. The scent features a unique blend of fruits, flowers, and spices for a memorable and uplifting experience during use and all day after. We’re partial to the All-In-One Coconut Infusion Multi-Benefit Spray, a leave-in that boasts the floral heritage Biolage scent with notes of mandarin, rose, and sandalwood.
You can also enjoy a spa-like experience in the shower on wash day. All you’ll need is Pureology’s Hydrate Shampoo or Hydrate Sheer Shampoo. Both contain a signature aromatherapy blend of lavender, bergamot, and patchouli to aid in relaxation and put your mind at ease. Pick up the former shampoo if you have medium to thick color-treated hair, and opt for the latter if your strands are on the finer side.
Head to the salon
Sometimes, the best form of self-care is sitting back and letting a pro take the reins. Now’s a great time to pencil in a salon appointment and treat your tresses to a trim, deep conditioning treatment, or Redken Shades EQ Hair Gloss. While you’re there, ask your stylist for their top at-home haircare recommendations to keep your locks looking and feeling their best between salon services. If you ask us, knowing your hair is in good hands is the ultimate way to unwind on National Relaxation Day.
Next Up: The Ultimate Self-Care Hair Routine
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