The Post-Pandemic Beauty Boom Is Happening—Here’s How To Embrace It

Whether you’re itching to reconnect with your stylist or slowly easing back into your beauty routine, we’re breaking down everything you need to know. 

Returning To Salon Color

Reached for box dye during the salon shutdown? We don’t judge. If you want to get your hue back in check after a few too many DIY color sessions, however, the good news is that salons across the country are open. Here’s how you can embrace salon color again (no matter what level of maintenance you’re willing to commit to). 

Good hair day by @michaelkellycolourist.

If you want a subtle change:

Hoping to keep your hue as low-maintenance as possible? Opt for face-framing highlights. Your colorist will create bright pieces around your face frame only, so touching up your color every few months will be a breeze. 

If you opt for a blonde face frame, you can even keep your hue toned at home with a purple shampoo and conditioner. We recommend Matrix Total Results So Silver Shampoo and Conditioner. This purple, color-depositing system eliminates yellow undertones on blonde and gray hair. 

Good hair day by @themaneartistry.

If you want to stay on-trend:

When it comes to 2021 hair color trends, warm-toned hues are in. If you want to go warm, opt for honey highlights. 

Good hair day by @beautybybrittanymcentire.

If you want to embrace the beauty boom completely:

After a year indoors, it’s understandable that you’d want to make a statement with your first post-pandemic color change. If that’s the case, opt for a fiery red hair color. Not only is red hair super on-trend (peep so many celebrities’ Instagram feeds), but your colorist can tweak the color to flatter your skin tone. 

Pro tip: Ask your colorist for a hair gloss service to give your hue serious shine before you leave the salon. Or, try a clear color-depositing conditioner like Biolage ColorBalm Clear Color Depositing Conditioner. This formula conditions hair while giving it a major shine boost in just five minutes. 

Returning To Professional Haircuts

Ready to head back to the salon for a haircut but don’t know where to begin? Here are a few haircut ideas to save and show your stylist. 

Good hair day by @jaye_edwards.

Curtain Bangs

Whether you opt for long curtain bangs or a shorter variation of curtain fringe, these ‘70s-inspired bangs are sure to refresh your look. 

Good hair day by @cutlerbrooklyn.

Long Layers

Long layers add instant movement and volume to your mane. Not to mention: This cut will get rid of any split ends you’ve been trying to mend at home. 

Good hair day by @max_rokitskiy_stylist.

Bob Haircuts

Take the plunge into very short hair with a bob haircut. From chin-length bobs to lobs, your stylist can customize the length of your bob based on what best fits your face shape. 

Good hair day by @therealhairbender.

Pixie Cuts

Want to upgrade your post-lockdown mane with a major hair transformation? Ask your stylist to chop your hair into a stylish pixie cut. 

Returning To Styling

While the beauty boom is underway, we’re also returning to weddings, graduations, birthdays, and other special occasions. Need some style inspiration? Here are some of the hottest looks of 2021 so far. 

Good hair day by @biancacolour.

Bouncy Blowout

Missing that in-salon blowout that only your stylist can create? It’s officially time to book an appointment. 

Good hair day by @shellycakess.

Claw Clips

The world is slowly returning to normal, but that doesn’t mean that your styling routine needs to get super complicated. If you’re committed to keeping your styling routine easy, pick up a few claw clips. This super trendy accessory is one of our top picks for 2021. 

Half-Up Ponytail 

Speaking of easy hairstyles: This half-up ponytail tutorial is one of our favorite ways to create a simple look. 

Messy Bun

Watch the tutorial above to learn how to achieve the perfect messy bun with no hair elastic. 

Good hair day by @mariactmtx.

Smooth Strands

Not into messy, textured looks? Opt for polished, frizz-free hair. If you want to create smooth hair without damage, try L'Oréal Professionnel’s Steampod. This innovative flat iron creates straight or wavy hair on any hair type two times faster, two times smoother*, and with 91 percent less breakage**. Click here to learn more about how to use the L'Oréal Professionnel Steampod. 

*Compared to Steampod without steam and comb (heating plates only)

**After 15 uses with steam and integrated comb vs. Steampod heating plates alone.

Good hair day by @tylauren.

Box Braids

Head to the salon for a new protective hairstyle (we’re seriously loving box braids right now). 

Good hair day by @rosibelhair.

Natural Curls

We’ve been all about learning to embrace our natural hair textures this year—and if you have natural curls, it’s time to show them off. Be sure to use a styling product like Mizani True Textures Curl Enhancing Lotion to add definition to your ringlets and enhance their natural shape. 

Good hair day by @barbararabelo_.

Undone Updos

Wedding season is back, baby! If you’re searching for a hairstyle to wear to your next big event, opt for an undone updo. This textured, braided ‘do is easy enough to try at home. All you’ll need is a few bobby pins and texturizing spray like Redken Triple Dry 15 Dry Texture Finishing Spray. 

Good hair day by @tayloranise.

Keep Prioritizing Hair Care

Our hair care routines were a form of self-care over the past year, and that doesn’t have to change now that we’re spending more time outdoors. While your schedule may be filling up, you should still make hair care a priority. After all, there’s still nothing like treating yourself to an at-home (or in-salon) spa day. Here’s how. 

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Make time for a weekly hair mask. 

Maintain your mane’s healthy look and feel with a weekly hair mask. We recommend trying a formula like Matrix Total Results Miracle Creator Nourishing Strengthening Mask. The mask intensely nourishes hair in just 60 seconds. 

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Pay special attention to your scalp. 

Rule number one of hair care: Don’t neglect your scalp. A healthy scalp is key to achieving (and maintaining) healthy strands. Give yourself a scalp massage and exfoliate it once or twice per week with a scalp scrub like Kérastase Scrub Energisant Deep Cleaning Fusio Dose Scrub. This scrub deeply cleanses and purifies your scalp and hair, scrubbing away impurities, excess oil, and product build-up. 

Treat yourself to an in-salon service. 

As much as we love pampering ourselves at home, there’s nothing like the in-salon experience. Head to your local salon for a hair treatment (click here to find a salon near you).