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A Mindful Mane: The Ultimate Self-Care Hair Routine

photo of L'Oreal Serie Expert products and woman with long blonde hair

Maybe it’s the Taurus in me or the fact that on a typical day, I’m always in a rush, but I love a good at-home spa day. Now that I have plenty of time on my hands due to working from home, I’ve turned my typical self-care Sunday routine into a daily ritual, whether it’s doing an at-home manicure or dedicating extra time to my skincare routine. 

While skincare  has always been a part of my self-care routine, I’ve never paid as quite as much attention to my mane. Now that the skinification of hair trend has taken over the beauty world, however, I’m focusing on incorporating daily skincare practices into my self-care hair routine. 

If you, like me, are trying to give your mane the attention it deserves, you’ve come to the right place! From using hair masks to caring for your scalp, I’ve created the ultimate self-care hair routine. 

Is getting your hair done self care?

Absolutely, there's a reason so many women see their salon appointments as therapeutic. Taking time out of your day to switch up your hair color, try a new haircut, or enjoy an in-salon hair treatment can be a relaxing form of self-care. 

What is a good self care routine?

If you’re trying to apply self care practices to your hair care routine, it’s all about relaxing and giving your mane much-needed TLC. Below, we’ve broken down eight ways to upgrade your self care hair routine. 



Take a hot shower.

Fact: There’s nothing more therapeutic than taking a hot shower after a long day. While we don’t recommend rinsing your strands with scorching hot water, throw your hair into a bun and give yourself a few minutes to unwind and de-stress before finishing the rest of your shower routine. Once it’s time to wash your hair, turn the shower nozzle so that the water is lukewarm. 

If your hair is dry, nourish it with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner system like Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner. This system quenches and cleanses medium to thick color-treated hair. If you have fine hair, use a lightweight alternative like Pureology Hydrate Sheer Shampoo and Conditioner

For those dealing with damage, pick up a shampoo and conditioner system like Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo and Conditioner. Formulated with citric acid and a concentrated bonding complex, this system helps rebalance your hair's natural pH levels for healthier-looking, stronger hair. When used as a full system, you can achieve 56 percent less breakage and 82 percent less visible split ends. 

Once you step out of the shower, apply a leave-in conditioner like Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave-In Conditioner

Good hair day by @mint.stories.

Give yourself a scalp massage.

No shampoo routine is complete without giving your scalp a massage. While nothing beats the massage you get at the shampoo bowl, this at-home technique can do wonders for your hair (and your stress levels). When you’re in the shower, use your fingertips to gently massage your scalp in a circular motion starting at the front of your hairline and working your way towards the back for 60 seconds. 


Scrub Energisant Deep Cleaning Fusio Dose Scrub
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Kérastase

Scrub Energisant Deep Cleaning Fusio Dose Scrub

An energizing sea salt scalp scrub to remove impurities

Old price New price $56.00
One size available
8.5 fl oz

5 MINIS FOR $35


Exfoliate your scalp.

If you really want to skinify your hair routine, take a page straight from your skin care book and exfoliate your scalp. Just like the skin on your face, an exfoliant can help to keep your scalp in tip-top shape and remove any dead skin cells, excess oil, or impurities. 

For those searching for the best ways to exfoliate your scalp at home, try a scalp scrub like  Kérastase Scrub Energisant Deep Cleaning Fusio Dose Scrub. This purifying and energizing scalp scrub cleanses away hair build-up and impurities while leaving hair shinier. 


Absolut Repair Resurfacing Golden Masque
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L'Oréal Professionnel

Absolut Repair Resurfacing Golden Masque

A hydrating mask to instantly nourish damaged and weakened hair.

Old price New price $45.00
One size available
8.4 fl oz

5 MINIS FOR $35


Treat your mane to a hair mask.

Before you complete your shower routine, give your hair the ultimate self-care gift: a hair mask. Use a formula like L'Oréal Professionnel’s Absolut Repair Resurfacing Golden Masque once a week to instantly restore, nourish, and add shine and softness to weakened hair. If you’re looking for an editor-approved mask that works for every hair type, this one’s for you! 


Elixir Ultime L’Huile Original Hair Oil
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Best Seller

Kérastase

Elixir Ultime L’Huile Original Hair Oil

Nourishing treatment and anti-frizz oil that blends Argan Oil and Marula Oil to add shine, hydration, and strength to all hair types and textures.

Old price New price $54.00
One size available
3.4 fl oz

5 MINIS FOR $35


Apply a hair oil.

If you want to take your self-care hair routine to the next level, consider investing in a hair oil. Much like applying a clear top coat to freshly painted nail polish, a hair oil can help to  strengthen your mane and is essential for giving it an extra bit of shine. From the L'Oréal portfolio, we recommend Kérastase Elixir Ultime L’Huile Original Hair Oil. This formula for all hair types creates super shiny hair, nourishes, and revives hair strength. Check out why our editor loves this hair oil


Essence Absolue Overnight Serum
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Award Winner Stylist Pick

Shu Uemura

Essence Absolue Overnight Serum

An overnight, anti-frizz hair serum for dry hair.

Old price New price $69.00
One size available
3.3 fl oz

5 MINIS FOR $35

Blond Absolu Serum Cicanuit 
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Kérastase

Blond Absolu Serum Cicanuit 

Overnight recovery serum for lightened or highlighted hair.

Old price New price $59.00
One size available
3 fl oz

5 MINIS FOR $35


Use an overnight serum.

If you love to pamper yourself but are a lazy girl at heart, you’re going to love overnight serums. These products are formulated to nourish your mane while you sleep—which means the product essentially does all of the work for you. Once you’ve gotten your eight hours, get up, wash the product out, and enjoy the results! 

Looking for an overnight serum to try? We love Shu Uemura Art Of Hair’s Essence Absolue Overnight Serum. This formula softens and nourishes mid-lengths to ends, while taming frizzy hair and unruly strands to improve manageability. 

For salon blondes, opt for a formula like Kérastase Blond Absolu Serum Cicanuit. This overnight recovery serum, formulated with hyaluronic acid, hydrates and softens lightened or highlighted hair while protecting against split ends and breakage. 


Couture Styling L'incroyable Blowdry Hair Lotion
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Stylist Pick

Kérastase

Couture Styling L'incroyable Blowdry Hair Lotion

A heat-activated styling lotion for maximum reshapability and thermal protection.

Old price New price $45.00
One size available
5 fl oz

5 MINIS FOR $35


Try an at-home blowout.

As the old saying goes: When you look good, you feel good! Every salon-goer knows that there’s nothing like walking out of the salon with a professional blowout, but what if you could mimic the results at home? It will still feel amazing to have your hair done—even if you aren’t leaving the house! Not sure how to pull off a salon-worthy blowout? Check out our complete guide. Before you begin your blowout, use a blowdry primer like Kérastase L’Incroyable Blowdry Hair Lotion. This reshapable heat lotion provides frizz control and protects against heat damage up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Good hair day by @carlybellhair.

Eat hair-friendly foods.

Sometimes, the pick-me-up your hair needs isn’t on the surface. In fact, your diet can play a major role in maintaining a healthy mane. Enhance your self-care day with a diet loaded with hair-friendly comfort foods like leafy greens and sweet potatoes. If you want to give your hair an extra boost, try adding a hair vitamin to your daily routine. 

With these steps in mind, you can create the very best at-home self-care routine for your mane.

Interested in trying a new hair color? Use our salon locator to book an appointment at a salon near you

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