Cut The Grease: Oily Hair Tips and Styling Tricks
Oily hair is like a clingy lover. It kills your vibe and you can’t get away from it no matter how hard you try.
It also has many causes, ranging from internal issues to topical things you can control. Situations, such as a fierce workout or a sweaty commute on the subway, can cause oily hair. Thick, fine or very straight hair will also get oily faster than other types.
Below are some real remedies and style cues to mask any greasy hair days.
OILY HAIR REMEDIES
- Switch up your hair products.
Adjusting the amount of shampoo and conditioner you use can go a long way. If that doesn't work, switch them out seasonally.
Swap your shampoo and conditioner to products that include fewer moisturizing ingredients. Save those heavy hitters for fall and winter!
But avoid going off the other end. Stay away from overly stripping hair products, which might irritate your scalp and induce it to overproduce oils.
- Clarify to fight buildup.
Too much product can build up on the scalp and make your hair feel heavy and oily. Use a clarifying shampoo–no more than weekly–to eliminate residue without stripping your hair of all its nourishing oils.
- Think like Goldilocks: use just the right amount of (dry) shampoo.
A temporary and easy solution is to reach for the dry shampoo. It’ll help, but it might cause some problems down the line. Same with daily shampooing.
Stretch the time between washings to at least every other day. While you find your sweet spot, just know it’ll get worse before it gets better. Stick to your schedule and you’ll see results!
- Brush it.
If you don't have one already, invest in a good boar bristle brush. The brush will give you a scalp massage and distribute your hair's oils evenly to the tips.
Make sure to clean your brush frequently of hair and give it a good scrub. It'll ensure that you're just distributing oils from your scalp, not adding them from your brush to your already oily hair.
STYLING SOLUTIONS FOR OILY HAIR
- Accessorize it.
A straw hat is probably not going to pass muster at your office job. With that said, stick to silk scarves or headbands on weekdays. Either option will skillfully mask greasy roots without taking too much time in the morning.
- Curl it.
Beachy waves or curls can mask a greasy hair day. Grab your favourite texture or sea salt spray and spritz on damp hair. Scrunch and repeat to get your desired look.
Curls work better on hair that isn’t freshly washed. Use some heat protectant and our curling wand to create anything from a glam look to something more casual.
- Style it.
Braids or sleek ponytails and buns are great options that are work appropriate. Use some hairspray, some pins and our touch-up wireless styler to get stubborn strands to stay in place.
