Holiday movies, cuddling with hot cocoa on the couch, oversized wool sweaters—there’s a lot of good that comes with the winter season. But our hair tells a different story. In short, winter isn’t the kindest to our strands. So, we enlisted the help of Phenix Founder and Celebrity Stylist Gina Rivera for the winter haircare tips she and her clients live by. Read 6 tips for winter haircare here!
Hair Care
Makeup.com by L’Oréal | Medium Knotless Box Braids Are the Low-Maintenance Protective Style You’ve Been Looking For
Is there anything not to love about knotless box braids? They’re classic, eye-catching, low maintenance and the perfect style for giving our strands a little breather. While there’s nothing wrong with hairstyles that take 30+ minutes to perfect, there’s something satisfying about a protective hairstyle that comes in clutch.
Medium knotless box braids may look like the traditional box braids for afar, but the omission of the knot at the root just makes these showstopping plaits look even more effortless. Get the scoop on medium knotless box braids including why this size braid is a popular choice and how to make your knotless braids look flawless for longer, here!
SheFinds | 25 Hairstyles For Thin, Fine Hair: These Are The Best Ones
Whether you have naturally fine hair or are experiencing thinner tresses with age, there are luckily plenty of ways to create movement in your ‘do. We checked in with professional hair stylists and hair experts for 25 haircut ideas and celebrity reference pics to take with you to your next salon visit.
People | These Are The 9 Best Rice Water Shampoos of 2022
There’s no shortage of TikTok beauty trends, but one of the buzziest of late — using rice water on your hair — is more than just social media hype. Rice water (yes, as in the water that’s leftover from cooking rice) is rich in nutrients that can do great things for your strands. It actually has a long history of use in Asian cultures for this very reason. For starters, rice water is rich in amino acids. According to Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites, “[Rice water is] thought to aid in hair regeneration, since amino acids are well known for contributing to collagen production and increasing the strength of the hair.” The amino acids in rice water may also work to help make the hair smoother and shinier, as well as reduce tangling, she adds. You may have also heard rice water touted as a good hair growth solution. While that claim needs more research, it is good for overall scalp health, which is always imperative for healthy hair growth.
While you absolutely could cook up a batch of rice and then spray or rinse your hair with the leftover water (as TikTok suggests) there are actually shampoos fortified with rice water that are a much easier way to reap the benefits. All hair types and textures can use these shampoos, though they likely will have the best and most noticeable effects on coarse or damaged hair, points out Rivera.
Read on for nine stylist-recommended rice water shampoos here!
Glam | Can Your Shampoo And Conditioner Expire?
We’re not new to the idea of expiration dates. From cartons of milk to jars of salsa, we’re accustomed to seeing these cautionary timelines printed on products. But while expiration dates get a lot of attention in our kitchen, many of us overlook them in regard to our cosmetics and toiletries. Unfortunately, beauty products aren’t immune to the march of time. From mascara to nail polish, pretty much anything that goes on your body will have a limited lifespan. That’s why it’s important to recognize the signs of expired foundation, eyeliner, and other cosmetic products.
But what about your hair care favorites? Can shampoo and conditioner expire? Read on for the details!
Consumer Reports | How to Handle Hair Loss
Feel like your hair is just less . . . there? Male and female pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia) is incredibly common. For instance, by age 50, half of white men see visible signs, as do about the same proportion of women over age 70. Genetics and hormones may affect hair health. In women, hair loss is also more common after menopause, when estrogen levels drop, she says. Your overall health and lifestyle are part of the equation, too. Read Gina’s recommendations for how to handle hair loss here!