Unlock Luscious Locks: A step by Step guide on keeping your hair healthy and thriving💆🏼‍♀️

That's why her hair's so big, because It's full of NYK1 secrets!

Healthy and shiny hair is universally admired and a goal many strive for. The path can often seem rocky and confusing, filled with a plethora of products, home remedies and contradictions. Questions may arise like, "What is the best shampoo for my hair type?" or "How do I maintain salon-quality colour or extensions?" The answer: Salt and Sulphate Free Shampoo and Conditioner!

Welcome to the NYK1 Step-by-Step guide. We're here to demystify the process of achieving and maintaining healthy hair. All you need is NYK1 Salt and Sulphate Free Shampoo and Conditioner, a shower or bath and a daily routine that requires no more than an hour of your time. Here, we aim for a good hair day, every day.

Step 1

Understand your hair type

Recognising your specific hair type is the cornerstone of a successful hair care routine, yet it's a step many of us often bypass. When it comes to categorising hair types, we generally break it down into several distinct categories:

• Straight Hair: This type of hair has a smooth texture that runs straight from root to tip. It's often shiny because the natural oils from the scalp can easily travel down the hair. 
• Wavy Hair: This hair type boasts a gentle, wavy pattern. Sometimes it's misconceived as merely frizzy hair that needs straightening. However, when treated properly, wavy hair can exhibit a beautiful, natural bounce.
• Curly Hair: Those with curly hair have a pronounced curl or looping pattern. The defining characteristic of this type often emerges when the hair is wet, showcasing its springy curls.
• Fine Hair: Fine hair refers to strands that are thin in diameter, but you can have a lot of them. While each individual strand may be slender, when combined, it can give the appearance of fullness.

Understanding your hair type is pivotal, as it influences the products you choose, the styles you adopt, and the care routines you follow. Once you've pinpointed your hair category, you're better equipped to provide it with the nourishment and care it truly deserves.

Step 2

Make the Switch to Salt and Sulphate Free Shampoo

Sulphates present in many shampoos can rob your hair of its natural oils and consequently its colour, resulting in brittle strands and an irritated scalp. They're especially harmful to hair types that are naturally dry and fragile, like curly hair.

Why has salt and sulphate-free shampoo been gaining popularity in the hair care world, and should you adopt this trend? Absolutely!

Traditional shampoos often contain salts and sulphates as thickening agents, which can be overly harsh. Over time, they strip your hair and scalp of their natural oils, leading to symptoms such as dryness, itchiness, and irritation. Moreover, they adversely affect colour and keratin treatments. By switching to NYK1 salt and sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner, you're essentially rejuvenating your costly hair treatments with each wash, ensuring your tresses remain vibrant for an extended period. This switch is also a boon for individuals with sensitive scalps.

Sulphate-free formulas are less likely to instigate allergic reactions and inflammation. If you constantly struggle with dandruff and itching, NYK1's salt and sulphate-free shampoo could be your solution!

Moreover, it's an environmentally conscious choice. Sulphates are typically non-biodegradable, meaning they persist in the environment for longer than desired. By opting for a sulphate-free shampoo, you're not only caring for your hair but also doing your part for the planet.

Step 3 

Weekly Hair Care Routine 

1. Strategise Your Wash Schedule

Overwashing the hair isn't just a faux pas in hair care, it is the primary culprit behind dry and lifeless locks. No matter the conditioner and shampoo you use, over washing the hair can further strip its natural oils. We advise washing your hair 2-3 times a week - by setting up a routine round these wash days, you ensure consistent care.

If you have naturally oily hair, you may be tempted to wash daily. Resist this urge, stick to your schedule, and opt for dry shampoos between washes (talc-powder also works wonders when running low on dry shampoo). This helps prevent over-stripping and helps maintain a natural balance.
For dry or curly hair, abstaining from washing frequently is even more beneficial. Instead, try Moisturising hair masks and deep conditioners, they will be your new best friends

2. The secret to effective hair washing lies in the temperature

Use lukewarm water for washing and cold water for the final rinse. This is because the warm water promotes the opening of your hair cuticles, which therefore allows the shampoo and conditioner to absorb effectively. The switch the cold water then promotes these cuticles to seal, locking in the moisture from your conditioner - leaving your hair frizzy free AND hydrated!
For Chemically-treated Hair, cold rinses help maintain the vibrancy of colour and the longevity of Keratin for longer (saving you more money in the future).

2a. Embrace the purple

If you have bleached hair, you should also introduce NYK1 Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner to your regimen, once a week. Purple shampoo neutralises the brassy and yellow tones that can develop in the hair. The magic of our Purple Shampoo and Conditioner lies in the colour wheel - purple sits opposite of yellow on the colour wheel. And guess what? Our Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner are also Salt and Sulphate free, perfect for colour-treated hair ;)

3. Dry with Care

Vigorous towel drying can cause breakage, let's not undo all our hard work! Pat your hair dry gently instead. Always use a heat protectant when employing heat tools like hairdryers, straighteners, or curlers. For a natural look, try out some HeatLess Curlers for that perfect bouncy blowout. 
For Fine hair, avoid high heat settings on your hair tools, as fine hair is particularly susceptible to heat damage.

4. Detangle and Brush

Take a few minutes every day for a little "me-time" – detangle your hair using a wide-tooth comb and brush for dry hair. This not only keeps your hair knot-free but also distributes natural oils throughout your strands, promoting shine.
For Wavy hair, start from the tips and work your way up to the roots. This method ensures there is minimal breakage, and allows for easier movement through the hair - Starting at the top and brushing down will create a build up of tangled hair making it difficult to brush through smoothly (and probably quite a tearful affair).
For Straight hair, regular brushing helps evenly distribute your hair's natural oils, imparting a natural shine✨.

Bonus Step

Andrea's Top Hair Care Tips

Rosemary Oil Radiance

Want to add some shine to your locks? Incorporate rosemary oil into your regimen. Especially beneficial for those with fine hair, rosemary oil promotes growth and strengthens hair follicles.

Silky Sleep

Upgrade your bedtime routine with a silk pillowcase or silk bonnet. Why? They prevent your hair from rubbing against abrasive materials like pillowcases and hair ties, reducing frizz and the occurrence of split ends (which leads us to our next top tip)

Timely Trims

Give your hair a fresh start every 6 to 8 weeks with a trim. This eliminates the frizzy ends and gives your locks a vibrant shine, showcasing your diligent hair care efforts.

Sunny Safeguards 😎

Sunshine is delightful, but not always to your hair. Prolonged exposure can be damaging. Before stepping out, consider applying a UV leave-in conditioner to shield your hair from those potent rays.

Dietary Discipline

Your hair tells a story - of your health, travels, emotions, and if you're Regina George, all of your secrets 🤫. A balanced diet rich in iron, vitamins, and omega-3 ensures your hair is as vibrant as your spirit.

For Curly Care Try out the Bowl Method

1. Fill a bowl with water and immerse your hair to saturate it thoroughly
2. Apply your choice of leave-in conditioner or curl cream generously.
3. Immerse your hair again, scrunching it from tip to root.
4. Repeat with your preferred gel or mousse. This technique ensures your curls retain moisture and form beautifully without devolving into frizz.
5. Dry using a microfiber towel or, for an eco-friendly option, an old t-shirt

Step 4 

Work your Hair Around Your Lifestyle!

We understand not everyone has the time to spend on hair care. Balancing work, ensuring the kids are school-ready, and maintaining an active social life – sometimes there just aren't enough hours in the day to prioritise an elaborate hair care routine. This is why we are here to help!

Incorporation of NYK1 products into your regimen simplifies the journey to healthy hair. Incorporating NYK1 products into your regimen simplifies the journey to healthy hair. Without stripping natural oils, you won't feel the need to constantly replenish them or schedule frequent trips to the salon for colour touch-ups. Embrace the efficiency of NYK1, and enjoy salon-quality hair every day of the week!

Lots of Love, 

NYK1 xx