Save this story Save Story Save this story We all know that French girls have that special je ne sais quoi (so much so that it’s inspired countless essays on this very site). When it comes to their hair, the style is nonchalant—and yet, somehow also skillfully cultivated. It’s hair that’s air-dries, falls just right, and retains that slightly tousled movement that gives no hint of effort or styling. So how exactly do Jeanne Damas , Brigitte Bardot , Jane Birkin, and more do it?
Hairstylist and French girl herself Daphné Narcy has an idea: It all starts how you wash your hair. “You may be damaging your hair without even realizing it while in the shower,” Narcy says. “When you’re hair is wet, it’s at its most fragile. But habits like washing hair too quickly, scrubbing too hard, or using water that’s too hot may be causing breakage and frizz.”
She offers up eight simple shower-time adjustments to turn your hair into a French girl dream.
The first—and by far the most common—mistake: People wash their hair instead of their scalp. “We rub the lengths against each other, which damages them, and we neglect the roots, where sebum, pollution, and residue accumulate,” says Narcy. Her philosophy can be summed up in one sentence: A healthy scalp is the foundation of healthy hair. It’s also what determines how light the roots feel once the hair is dry.
The heat from a scalding shower lifts the hair cuticle, which can be bad for shine. “The hair loses moisture, becomes more porous and duller, and the color fades faster,” Narcy says. Hot water hurts the scalp, too, making it drier and more irritated. “Water that’s too hot also softens the hair follicles, which can lead to hair loss.” Your new rule of thumb here is disarmingly simple: “If the water feels pleasant on your wrist, without feeling hot, it’s the right temperature for your hair.”
Use your fingertips in small circular motions, without ever scrubbing. “It’s meant to be an invigorating massage, not a scrub,” insists Narcy. It’s also a moment of pleasantness. When you enjoy it, washing your hair becomes a ritual rather than a chore.
If you’ve ever read the back of a shampoo bottle, you know the instructions: Lather, rinse, repeat. And Narcy says that isn’t just to get you to use more product; but instead the double-shampoo is key to keeping hair clean—though only use a walnut-sized amount each time.
“When you use too much shampoo, residue can remain on the scalp, weighing it down, potentially irritating it, and making your hair look dirty faster The result: you end up washing your hair more often, and you get caught in a vicious cycle.”
The lengths should only be lightly touched when it comes to shampooing. “Press your hands together and slide them down, using very light and gentle friction, all the way to the ends. While rinsing, the lather that runs down finishes cleansing the lengths.” Less friction means fewer tangles, less breakage, and mid-lengths that not only stay hydrated but also dry smooth.
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Source: Lifestyle
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