Are you fighting a never-ending battle with your hair? It can be hard to achieve salon-perfect results at home, but with a few hair hacks, you're sure to be on the right path.
Today we're sharing 19 of the best tips and tricks. They're so easy, anyone can give them a go! From cleaning your brushes to achieving effortless waves, we've got something for you.
1. How to use hair pins
Think you know how to use hair grips? Think again! Most of us pop them in with the wavy side facing outward, but the wavy part should actually go next to your scalp. This helps them to stick better in your hair.
2. DIY beach wave spray
If you want beachy waves all year round, you don't need to bring the ocean with you! You can make your own waving spray with ingredients from your kitchen cupboard. All you need is:
- A plastic spray bottle
- 1 tbsp of salt
- 1 tbsp of coconut oil
- 1 tbsp of hair gel
- 1 cup of warm water
Start by mixing the warm water and salt together inside the spray bottle. Combine the coconut oil and hair gel together and then add to the solution in the bottle. Shake well and apply to damp hair.
3. Air drying hair
This one might not be groundbreaking, but we thought we'd include it just in case you hadn't thought of it. Instead of rushing to get your hair dry after getting out of the shower, leave it to the last minute.
Go about all of your other daily tasks first and leave the hair drying to the last minute. Most of the moisture will evaporate, meaning that you'll only need to blast it for a short amount of time with the hairdryer. This means less heat damage, and more time to get on with everything else.
4. Beautiful updos
Sometimes hairgrips just aren't enough to keep a fancy updo in place. Next time you put some in your hair, lay down a sheet of kitchen roll and place the pins on top. Give them a generous coating with hairspray and wait about 30 seconds before use. You want them to be slightly sticky but not dripping wet.
5. How to stop static hair
Does your hair sometimes stick out on end? If you ever find yourself experiencing static, take a dryer sheet and smooth it over the lengths of your hair. If you find this happens on a regular basis, you could even stretch the sheet over your hairbrush - the bristles should poke through with ease.
6. How to cut your own split ends
This is one of our favourite hair hacks! Split ends can stop our hair from growing as quickly as we'd like. For that reason, it's important that we keep on top of them by learning how to cut your own hair at home. If you can't afford or don't have time to make an appointment with your hairdressers, then this easy hack will help you to get rid of your split ends at home.
Take a small section of your hair and, holding it at the end of the hair shaft, twist it tightly round. If you have layers, this might be a little tricky to achieve, so try to work in sections by the length of your hair. The split ends should poke out and then you can easily take a pair of scissors and snip them away.
7. Turn your curling iron into a curling wand
If you want to upgrade your curling iron to a curling wand, you don't have to buy a brand new one. They can be costly, but we know the results are much prettier and more natural looking.
To achieve the same results as a curling wand, take a screwdriver and unscrew the clip part of the curling tongs. You'll now be able to use the tongs in the same way you would use a wand. You might want to purchase a heat-proof glove to protect your hands from burns.
8. DIY leave-in conditioner
Save a few pennies by making your own leave in conditioner. All you need to do is mix together 1 part conditioner and 3 parts water. Mix it well in a spray bottle and generously apply to your hair after washing. It's that easy!
9. How to get rid of dandruff fast
Are you suffering from dandruff? Aspirin could be the answer! It contains salicylic acid, which will soothe your scalp. Crush two tablets and add to your favourite shampoo.
10. How to dry your hair fast - without a hair dryer
Have you heard of plopping? That's the technical term for this new craze! Instead of drying your hair with a towel, take a large t-shirt and wind your hair up in it. It should look very similar to a towel turban.
Not only does this technique give your hair bounce, but the t-shirt fabric will also reduce frizz and cut down on damage. You'll be amazed by the change in hair growth.
11. Benefits of a silk pillowcase
If you're prone to frizzy hair, you need to invest in a silk pillowcase. The fibres are much kinder to your hair than cotton, so you'll wake up with smooth, frizz-free hair.
12. Quick wavy hair
If you want to create waves quickly, we've got the answer for you! Braid your hair in medium-sized sections. Take your hair straightener and carefully press along each braid to set them. Undo the braids to reveal beautiful waves.
For a damage-free alternative, braid your hair when it's still damp. Wait until it's completely dry and then remove the braids. Brush through to loosen up the style.
13. How to make your ponytail look longer
Does your ponytail look a little limp? Backcombing your hair can cause a lot of damage, so why not try this hairstyling technique and give it a boost? Take the top section of your hair and hold it out of place with a clip. Make a ponytail slightly above your neckline. Using the upper section of hair, tie another ponytail higher up.
If you would like, you can add a few curls to the ponytails with a curling wand to give it some added volume. These will also help to disguise the two different ponytail bases if you strategically pin some pieces of hair down.
14. How to get rid of baby hair flyaways
Have you got annoying baby hairs or flyaways? Take a spare, clean toothbrush, and spritz some hair spray onto it. Working quickly, use the toothbrush to smooth down any hairs that are out of place. It's that easy!
15. Get a thicker hairline
Thin hair can make your hairline really stand out. Give the illusion of thicker, natural hair by applying a small amount of eyeshadow to the scalp. Try to find a colour that is as close to your roots as possible.
16. Reshape an Invisibobble
If you haven't heard of invisibobbles, you need to check them out. These hair ties leave absolutely no marks in your hair and are super comfortable. The only trouble is, they can stretch out if you wear them often.
Get yours back to its original size by placing it in a mug of boiling water. You'll notice it snap back into place in an instant.
17. Coconut oil hair treatment
Looking for a natural hair treatment? Coconut oil is a miracle worker! Apply directly to the tips of your hair and leave on for at least 30 minutes. Wash your hair as normal for beautiful, glossy lengths.
18. Dry shampoo hack
Looking for a greasy hair hack? Dry shampoo is a saviour for those in-between days, but have you ever found the white powder a little bit difficult to work into your hair? For best results, spray onto your scalp the night before.
Overnight, the powder will be absorbed by your hair and all whiteness will be gone. It'll also save you some time in the morning so you grab those few extra minutes in bed.
19. How to clean your hairbrush
Have you ever cleaned your hairbrush? You might want to. Not only are they covered in germs, but the build-up of hair, dandruff, fluff and hair products can ruin your hair every day that you use the brush. Here's how to clean it:
- Start by removing as much hair as possible. Most of it should pull away easily, but you can use an old fork to get under and pull out any stubborn hairs. A pair of nail scissors will also come in handy for freeing hairs from round brushes. Make sure to dispose of the hair properly. Find out how in our article on whether or not you should flush hair down the toilet.
- Fill your sink with hot water and add half a cup of baking soda. Swish the water about to dissolve the powder.
- Pop your brushes into the sink and leave to soak for 15 minutes.
- Rinse the brush off and use an old toothbrush to scrub at the bristles.
- Leave to air dry on a towel.
More hair hacks!
If you loved the tips in this article, check out our video on hair growth! If you found our tips helpful, don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more exclusive advice!
Do you know any handy hair hacks? Share them with us in the comments below!
This is quite interesting to read. I do cut my own hair now as I can't go out to hairdressers. This is going to help me do it better. Thank you.
We're glad we could help, Sharon!
Some great tips here. Keep up the good work as you regularly come up with the goods on just about everything. Many thanks!
Hi Jenny! Thanks for your lovely feedback.
Good read thank you , I do few of what on list .
We're glad you found it useful, Patricia!
hi. I've not tried this but I read recently that people with brown hair or darker can use cocoa as a dry shampoo. I have used talcum powder to good effect though.
How interesting! I've never heard of using cocoa powder as a dry shampoo, but it does make sense! I can imagine it's a bit of a messy process.
About your tip on washing brushes, I just fill the sink half way with warm water and put a tiny bit of shampoo in, swish the water to dissolve it and put the brush in, then I scrub the brush with my fingers to get the shampoo on it, then I take it out of the water and empty the sink, re-fill it with clean water and swish the brush again to rinse it off, then dry with a towel.
That sounds like a great method, Lisa!
I use cocoa for my dark hair as a dry shampoo. Yes, it is messy, but it works beautifully. However, I use cornstarch on the bottom sections of my hair if I’m wearing it down, so I don’t get cocoa on my clothes.
It's a wonderful way to save money and avoid using toxic aerosols! Have you tried using a powder brush to apply the powder? This might help you to reduce the amount of mess.
The T-shirt hairdrying turban instead of a towel? This is most intriguing. Since towels are cotton, I presume the t-shirt ought to be some other fabric? If so, what fabric please?
T-shirt hair-drying turbans are often made from microfiber, a synthetic fabric that dries quickly and is gentle on the hair and scalp. Microfiber is also lightweight and absorbent, making it ideal for use as a hair-drying turban. Some T-shirt hair-drying turbans may also be made from a blend of microfiber and cotton, which can provide a good balance of absorbency and softness.