The Best Products for Dry and Brittle Hair

An honest review of Moroccan Oil and hydrating brittle hair in dry climates.

Pueblo, Colorado is known for its dry climate, which can have a significant impact on our hair. Dry climates are notorious for causing a range of hair problems, such as frizz, split ends, and even hair loss. However, one of the most common issues I see my clients face is brittle hair.

Brittle hair is characterized by dry, weak strands that are prone to breaking easily. If you live in Pueblo, you may have experienced this issue and wondered why you can't keep your hair healthy.

In this blog, we'll explore the science behind why hair gets brittle in dry climates and more importantly, how to keep your hair hydrated even in our driest seasons.

Why is your hair brittle?

To understand why hair becomes brittle, it's crucial to first comprehend the hair's structure. Each strand of hair is composed of three layers: the cuticle, cortex, and medulla. The cuticle is the outermost layer and protects the hair from damage. The cortex is the middle layer and gives the hair its strength and elasticity, while the medulla is the innermost layer and is responsible for the hair's overall thickness.

Lack of humidity in the air can cause the cuticle layer to become dry and brittle. This means that it doesn't lie flat and instead stands up, causing the hair to lose its shine and smoothness. Additionally, the dry air can cause the hair's cortex to lose moisture, leading to a lack of elasticity and flexibility. This lack of flexibility makes the hair more susceptible to breaking, resulting in split ends and overall hair damage.

Furthermore, our climate can lead to a lack of sebum production, which is the natural oil that our scalp produces to moisturize the hair. When our hair lacks moisture and natural oils...well by now I'm sure you can guess what I'm going to say - you experience lots of hair damage.

How do you treat brittle hair?

It's essential to take care of your hair by using the right products and treatments. Investing in a good-quality shampoo and conditioner that is specifically designed for dry hair, as well as a hair mask that can deeply moisturize your hair, can help keep your hair healthy and hydrated. You can also try using a leave-in conditioner or hair oil to keep your hair hydrated throughout the day.

You might also want to prevent breakage by taking it easy on your hair.

Firstly, avoid brushing wet hair. Wet hair is more vulnerable to breakage, as it is more elastic and prone to stretching. Instead, use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush to gently detangle your hair.

Secondly, I highly recommend using a silk or satin pillowcase. Cotton pillowcases can cause friction and tugging on your hair, which can lead to breakage. Silk or satin pillowcases are gentler on your hair and can help prevent breakage while you sleep.

Thirdly, use a heat protectant to protect your hair from heat-styling tools such as flat irons and curling wands, which can damage your hair and cause breakage. A heat protectant spray or serum can help prevent breakage caused by heat styling.

Fourthly, avoid tight hairstyles that put stress on your hair and cause breakage. Try replacing hair ties with scrunchies or claw clips.

Lastly, in my experience, regular trims are crucial to preventing split ends, which can lead to breakage. Aim to get a trim every six to eight weeks to keep your hair healthy and strong.

Best Products

While I'm not an expert on every product on the market, I do have a few favorites. Here's a little overview and feel free to stop by the salon to try them out for yourself!

#1 Hydrating Styling Cream

This leave-in cream works wonders for achieving a soft, natural look that will leave your hair looking healthy and shiny.

One of the things I love most about this styling cream is that it doesn't just tame frizz - it also hydrates and conditions your hair. Whether you're blow-drying or refreshing yesterday's style, Moroccanoil® Hydrating Styling Cream is the perfect choice for those of us who want to achieve a soft, healthy look without any pesky flyaways.

The argan oil-infused formula of this styling cream adds shine and definition to your locks with a soft hold that won't weigh you down. And the best part? It doesn't contain any harmful chemicals or harsh ingredients that could damage your hair over time.

If you'd like to sample it, stop by the salon and experience it before making any purchases!

#2 Lanza Healing Oil

The treatment is enriched with Next Generation Keratin and wildcrafted botanicals that combine with the keratin found naturally in hair to deliver incredible volume and shine.

One of the best things about this treatment is that it absorbs easily into the scalp and hair, helping to prevent moisture loss and hair breakage. Its rich antioxidant content provides natural UV and pollution protection while delivering softness and shine. So far this may seem very similar to the Moroccan Oil treatment, and to some degree, it is - but it has a few added benefits.

It delivers UV and thermal protection while reducing blow-dry time.

This ultra-healing blend of Keratin Protein and Phyto IV Complex reconstructs hair's inner layers and restores hair's velvety-soft and silky-smooth texture. The treatment quickly restores strength, elasticity, and smoothness, making it the ideal prescription for severely stressed hair. It is specially formulated to heal hair that has been excessively damaged by daily aggressors and chemical services, making it perfect for use as a hair healing treatment after color and lightening services.

#3 REF's Intense Hydrate Conditioner

Finally, while oils can help you sustain hydration throughout the day, a good conditioner is key to setting healthy foundations for your hair.

This conditioner is specially formulated to penetrate quickly, saturating your hair with abundant moisture and shine. It deeply hydrates and smooths out all hair types, especially dry and dull hair, leaving it with a radiant shine.

If you're looking for a conditioner that can transform your hair, I highly recommend trying the Intense Hydrate Conditioner. This luxurious formula is specially crafted with botanical extracts to hydrate, strengthen, and protect your hair while preserving your hair color.

One of the standout ingredients is coconut oil, which is rich in fatty acids that deeply hydrate and smooth out your hair, making it soft and manageable. The addition of bergamot oil also contributes to the radiant shine of your hair.

This conditioner works wonders on all hair types, including curly hair, leaving it with a radiant shine and increasing smoothness and manageability. To use, simply apply a small amount to your hair after shampooing and leave it in for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly. You'll immediately notice the difference in the texture and appearance of your hair.

Conclusion

Brittle hair is natural and there are MANY products that can help you revitalize your hair despite the Pueblo climate.

If you ever want to test one of the recommended products before buying it, please stop by the salon and we can test a product out before committing to a purchase.

For a free product consultation, call 719-369-8854