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If you’re like me and you have dry, fine, thick or bleached hair, you know how tricky it can be to maintain softness, strength, and moisture while preventing damage. Bleaching can leave your hair feeling like straw, and finding the right products and routine to give your hair the love it needs is essential. Over time, I’ve developed a hair care regimen that has helped me keep my hair healthy, hydrated, and bouncy despite the bleaching process. Here’s a peek at my routine for maintaining my bleached hair—keeping it moisturized and shiny, and giving it the best chance at recovery and strength.
The first thing I do before washing my hair is oil treatment. I use Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil. This oil deeply nourishes my scalp and the hair follicles. It’s packed with essential oils like rosemary and mint, which promote circulation and healthy hair growth.
I apply the oil to my scalp and hair, massaging it in for about 5 minutes. This not only helps with moisture but also boosts circulation, which is great for healthy hair growth. Plus, it feels amazing, and I love the fresh minty smell!
After oiling my hair, I wet it with warm water. Next, I apply the Dove Intensive Repair Bond Strengthening Treatment Mask to my hair. I then wrap my hair in a plastic bag and a towel to lock in warmth and moisture, leaving it on for about 2 hours.
This mask is an absolute game-changer. It’s packed with nourishing ingredients that help strengthen my hair and add moisture. It’s perfect for my dry ends, and I love how soft my hair feels after rinsing it out.
Now that my hair has had time to soak up all that moisture, it’s time to shampoo. First, I shampoo with Pantene Pro-V Full & Strong Shampoo to give my hair a bit of volume and the best clarifying wash. This shampoo is lightweight, so it doesn’t weigh my hair down, which is important because I have fine hair. Your hair will feel so clean and won’t get greasy as fast after using!
After the first shampoo, I go in with a second wash, this time using L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Repair Shampoo. This shampoo is a clarifying shampoo that helps remove any build-up while protecting the hair’s bonds. I find that it gives my hair a nice, fresh start without stripping away too much moisture.
Depending on whether it’s a K18 day or not, my routine changes slightly. Let me explain!
I use K18 Molecular Repair Hair Mask every 3-4 washes as part of my deep conditioning treatment. I also use K18 right after bleach to help restore my hair’s natural strength and elasticity. After I rinse out the shampoo, I wring out excess water and then apply K18 to my damp hair. I emulsify it in my hands and apply 1 pump of K18 on each side of my head. I wait about 4 minutes before using any other products. This gives the K18 time to fully bond to the hair and repair it from within. Also note i do not rinse the K18 or use conditioner after!
K18 works wonders for my bleached hair, especially after I’ve done a fresh round of bleaching. It strengthens the hair’s internal structure and helps it recover from damage, making it feel smoother and less brittle.
On non-K18 days, I still want to give my hair some TLC, so I opt for L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Repair Concentrate. This concentrate is a deep conditioning treatment that helps repair and reinforce the hair bonds. I leave it on for about 5 minutes, and then I follow up with the L’Oréal EverPure Bond Repair Conditioner, making sure to rinse with cold water. The cold water helps seal the hair cuticle, making my hair shinier and smoother.
After rinsing, I wring out the excess water and apply either Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate 24/7 Night & Day Serum or K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil. These oils provide an extra layer of moisture and help lock in hydration. I’ve been loving these products for keeping my hair soft, shiny, and protected from further damage.
The Redken Acidic Bonding Serum is amazing for repairing hair and giving it a glossy finish, while the K18 Hair Oil provides an intense dose of hydration to my hair, keeping it healthy and vibrant.
For leave-in conditioning, I have two go-to products. On most days, I use It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In. It’s a lightweight spray that detangles, adds moisture, and protects against heat damage. I love that it also offers some light shine and doesn’t weigh my hair down.
On days when I want something a bit more hydrating for my fine hair, I reach for Pureology 21-in-1 Color Fanatic Leave-In Conditioner. It’s a great option if you have fine hair like me, as it provides moisture without making your hair greasy or heavy. It’s perfect for keeping my hair hydrated throughout the day.
Once my hair is fully treated, I let it air dry for the most part. I prefer letting my hair dry naturally to avoid heat damage, and the air-dried texture helps me get those beautiful natural waves. However, once it’s mostly dry, I go in with a Eternal Muse Jumbo Curler to define my waves and add volume.
Before bed, I use Satin Bonnets to keep my curls intact and minimize friction, which can cause breakage. These bonnets are great for preserving your hair while you sleep, and they’re especially useful if you have delicate, bleached hair.
On a non hair wash day theres a few things I do to maintain moisture in my dry hair. Each morning I apply the Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil to minimize frizz. The nightly before I use my Eternal Muse Jumbo Curler I will apply the KÉRASTASE Nutritive 8H Magic Night Hair Serum to wake up to the softest hair imaginable.
I typically wash my hair every few days, depending on how oily it gets.
For hair tips and inspiration, I highly recommend checking out Abbey Yung’s and Kayli Boyle’s YouTube channels. They both provide incredible content about hair care
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