Don't let the weather hijack your hair days! Our Hong Kong hair care routine packs pro tips for slaying frizz and styling lush locks.
Let’s be honest: who has time for bi-weekly hair salon appointments when you’re hustling in Hong Kong? Between work, maintaining a social life, and the ever-changing weather, keeping your strands in tip-top shape can be a struggle. But fret not – we’ve tried all the latest hair products, clean beauty treatments, and techniques to create the perfect routine for luscious locks to withstand the local weather. From daily solutions for frizz and dryness, to weekly remedies for breakage, we’re bringing you the ultimate hair care tricks in Hong Kong to take your strands from stressed to blessed.
Hair care in Hong Kong: Daily routine for luscious hair
1. Shampoo or dry shampoo
Maintaining beautiful hair in Hong Kong requires a strategic approach to shampooing, ensuring you don’t over-wash and damage your hair. For straight hair, aim to wash daily or every other day, while those with curly hair can get away with shampooing once or twice per week. Steer clear of harsh sulphates and chemicals that can strip away natural oils, and instead opt for gentle, clarifying natural shampoos like the sulphate-free range from Ouai, which helps retain essential moisture.
On days when you skip shampooing, revive second-day hair by reaching for dry shampoo. Focus on applying it to the roots to absorb oil and sweat. Also, give your hair a light massage to distribute the product, before brushing through it to add texture and volume. By finding the right balance in your shampoo schedule and incorporating dry shampoo to optimise the days between washes, your hair will stay frizz-free and fabulously fresh.
2. Conditioner
Keep your strands soft and frizz-free, even in Hong Kong’s challenging weather, by using the right conditioner. Conditioner is the key to sealing in moisture, taming flyaways, and protecting your hair from environmental stressors. After shampooing, simply apply a palm-full of conditioner, making sure to avoid the roots. Focus on nourishing the mid-lengths to ends, where split ends tend to appear. Our top pick is Olaplex No 5, a fantastic choice for reversing damage and detangling all hair types. Whether your hair is dyed, bleached, or natural, this bond-repairing formula works wonders while providing much-needed hydration. Just remember to rinse thoroughly to prevent any greasiness at the roots!
3. Drying
Some say that the third step of your daily hair care routine in Hong Kong is where the real magic happens: drying. After stepping out of the shower, reach for a soft microfibre cloth to gently dry your strands. Microfibre is ultra-absorbent and much gentler on your hair, helping to remove moisture without causing unnecessary friction. Once you’ve towel-dried, it’s time to tackle any tangles with a wet brush or tangle tweezer, being extra gentle to avoid damage. Next, it’s time to decide how to dry your hair – you have two options: air dry or heat dry. Air drying can be beneficial as it gives your hair a break, allowing it to rest and reducing the risk of heat damage. For those short for time, opt for heat drying – but bear in mind to choose a hair dryer that’s designed to use less extreme heat. One beloved choice among hair enthusiasts is the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, a true game-changer. With intelligent heat control technology and air multiplier technology, it protects your hair while drying it faster than traditional dryers.
Shop Tangle Teezer at Zalora.
Shop Dyson online or at various retailers across Hong Kong.
4. Styling
It’s time to focus on protecting your precious strands from the effects of heat styling. Before reaching for that curling iron or straightener, make sure to coat your hair strands with a generous amount of heat protectant. These miracle products create a protective barrier between your hair and the hot styling tool, preventing your strands from drying out, getting fried, and losing their lustre.
When it comes to styling tools, quality matters. GHD is renowned for its high-quality styling tools, including hot brushes, hair straighteners, and stylers. If you’re looking for a versatile tool that can create sleek straight looks or bouncy curls, the GHD styler is a must-have in your Hong Kong hair care arsenal. With the right heat protectant and top-notch tools, you can confidently style your hair without worrying about damage.
Shop GHD online or at Lane Crawford.
Hair care in Hong Kong: Weekly routine
5. Hair masks
Incorporating a hair mask into your weekly hair care routine in Hong Kong can be a game-changer. These deep conditioning treatments are like superheroes for your hair, packed with proteins and nutrients that give you that fresh-from-the-salon look. Using a hair mask once a week will leave your tresses ultra-soft, shiny, bouncy, and oh-so-healthy. Look for a deep conditioning treatment specially formulated for your hair type, so to ensure your locks receive the nourishment they need. Let the mask work its magic by leaving it on for at least 3 to 5 minutes, or even longer for rough or dehydrated hair. (Standing in the shower for those extra few minutes may seem like a hassle, but trust us, it’s worth it!)
One standout option is Amika’s The Kure Intense Bond Repair Mask, ideal for heat-damaged or overly processed hair. Derived from mango and shea butter, and combined with antioxidant-rich sea buckthorn, the conditioning oils work together to intensely smooth and soften dry or damaged hair, leaving you with a mane that’s nothing short of fabulous.
Shop Amika online.
6. Hair oils and serums
Hair oils and serums are little wonders, packed with vitamins and fatty acids that breathe new life into your hair by delivering maximum hydration and nourishment from root to tip. Once a week, gently massage the oil onto your scalp and roots, allowing the goodness to penetrate. When it comes to hair serums, it’s important to avoid applying them directly to the roots, as this can weigh down your hair and leave the roots looking greasy. Instead, focus on applying the serum from the midshafts to the ends, where the hair tends to be drier and in need of extra nourishment. Be sure to leave them on for an ample amount of time to allow your hair to fully absorb their benefits.
If you’re looking to target hair growth and density, we recommend The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density. This powerful serum features a blend of Redensyl, Procapil, and Baicapil, all designed to stimulate hair growth, invigorate dormant follicles, and promote overall hair health.
Shop The Ordinary online or at various stockists across Hong Kong.