Next Day Hair

Ladies have it tough sometimes. Every day it's the same. Shower, make-up, blow out the hair, straighten the hair, style the hair ... goodness gracious. I can do my makeup in about 10 minutes flat, but the hair, while still quick, usually takes another 15 minutes on top of that. Plus the 10 minute shower to kick it off and then 10 (ok, 15) minutes spent getting dressed and accessorized, and I really can't get out the door in less than 45 minutes. Some days I really wish I could speed things up. But mostly, I like to just shake things up and add some variety to my morning routine. I can't skimp on the makeup or clothes (God forbid I mis-accessorize!), but my hair IS something that I can switch up here and there.

Enter next-day hair. We all have read that our hair is actually healthier when we don't strip it of natural oils by washing it every single day, and instead we should go two-plus days in between washings. For most of us, this is a really, really, really hard thing to do. Our hair is used to those frequent baths, and so it gets oily in a hot minute on that second day.

Never fear, gals. It's all about training your hair to do what you want. There will be some iffy time while your strands get used to your new action plan, but they will come around and be less and less oily.

I think that the easiest way to think about next-day hair is doing something other than your straight, blown-out style. Next day hair is never going to feel or fall the same way as it does when it is freshly-washed. Think instead of hairstyles that are up off your face, curled, pulled back or worn under a headband. You don't have to hide all of the hair - just put it into a style where you won't be touching it so much (and just adding to the grease!) and remember, it doesn't have to be perfect.

First, there are some products you will need. Dry shampoo and hair sprays are a MUST. My hair has worked fine with the Tresseme dry shampoo, but I dislike how it feels to the touch. My mom swears by the Big Sexy Hair brand, so I am picking this one up next time I need some. No need to spend big bucks on this - under $10 works just as well as the expensive brands in a pinch!

And remember when I did the updo tutorial earlier last year? I told you about Aussie Instant Freeze - my FAV hairspray for a great hold. Think of it as liquid cement. When your hair is first getting used to next-day hair, this stuff will help suck up any extra grease while keeping a style in place.

Here are some of my fav ways to wear next-day hair. Witness a brief history of photos, some of which I have shared with you here before. You just may not have known it was next-day hair ;) 

Wavy with the curling iron...

 bangs pinned to the side ...

Bangs pinned straight back (a la Snookie, according to my brother!) ...

Totally up and in a bun ...

Half up ...

Under a headband (make a statement!) ...

Totally pulled up and back, bangs included ...

And you know what? When in doubt, throw on a trendy hat and call it a day :)

Are you a next-day hair person? What is your favorite way to wear it?