The Mane Upgrade: 8 Hair Resolutions For 2021

A new year marks another opportunity to be a better version of yourself and your hair-care routine is the perfect place to start. Whether you’ve been overusing your heat-styling tools or opt for high-tension hairstyles that can wreak havoc on your mane, now is the time to make some resolutions for better-looking hair. We actually have a few ideas (well, more than a few) up our sleeve, from washing with lukewarm water to embracing your natural texture, that you won’t ditch by the end of January. Make your hair mistakes yesterday’s news and dive into our hair-care, hair color, and hairstyle resolutions you can easily make in the new year.

HAIR CARE RESOLUTION #1: STICK WITH ONE SYSTEM OF SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER

Mixing and matching is often a must for curating the perfect beauty routine, but that doesn’t necessarily hold true for your shampoo and conditioner. It may seem wise to pick a shampoo from one line, a conditioner from another, and a hair mask from another—getting the benefits of all three—but it’s not the best idea. Products that are part of a hair-care system are typically formulated to be used together, so you’ll see the best results by doing just that. Save playing mix master for your makeup and stick to using a hair-care system that suits your hair type. Pick your potion below.

If you have oily roots…try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Conditioner.

For those with dry hair…try the L’Oréal Paris EverCreme Deep Nourish Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverCreme Deep Nourish Conditioner.

If you’re working with fine hair…try the L’Oréal Paris EverStrong Thickening Shampoo,  L’Oréal Paris EverStrong Thickening Conditioner, and L’Oréal Paris EverStrong Break Proof Lotion.

For blonde-haired baddies…try the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Blonde Shampoo, L’Oréal Paris EverPure Blonde Conditioner, and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Blonde Shade Reviving Treatment.

If you have color-treated hair…try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Protecting Shampoo, L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Protecting Conditioner, and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Repair and Protect Balm.

HAIR CARE RESOLUTION #2: TURN DOWN THE TEMP IN THE SHOWER

Steaming hot showers can feel like the ultimate delight, but they’re not the best option for your mane. Super-hot H2O can strip your hair of natural moisture, leaving you with dry hair. Next time you hop into the shower, dial the water down to lukewarm. (For more shower-related tips, check out our article, 5 Ways To Improve Your Shower Routine.)

HAIR CARE RESOLUTION #3: TRY A SCALP SCRUB

Scalp scrubs may be the last hair-care product on your mind, but they come in handy if you find that your hair tends to appear weighed-down. They work to exfoliate your scalp to keep product buildup, excess oils, and dirt away, leaving you with healthy-looking roots. Try the L'Oréal Paris EverFresh Micro-Exfoliating Scrub, which is a sulfate-free offering formulated with apricot seeds that gently removes impurities from your scalp. After rinsing, be sure to follow up with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Scalp Care + Detox Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Scalp Care + Detox Conditioner. This duo is formulated with menthol and neem leaf extract and works to refresh and moisturize your mane.

HAIR CARE RESOLUTION #4: USE A DEEP CONDITIONING TREATMENT REGULARLY

If you make it a point to regularly use heat in your hair or have color-treated your strands, it’s always important to add a deep conditioner to your regimen. This shower staple gives your locks a more thorough conditioning to address various hair-care concerns. Not to mention, it doesn’t take a ton of time or energy to show your strands some extra TLC. Try the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Rapid Reviver Deep Conditioner, which is formulated with a conditioning serum and camellia and sunflower oil. It helps to hydrate each strand for silkier, softer hair. The deep conditioner also works to strengthen and repair strands in just one minute. Apply onto your lengths and ends right after shampooing and rinse off after one minute.

It’s even more important to stick with this resolution if you have color-treated strands, since it’s easy for your colored hair to fade. Pick up the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Rapid Reviver Deep Conditioner, which contains a conditioning serum, antioxidants, and pomegranate. It helps to hydrate each strand for hair that’s shiny and silky.

HAIR CARE RESOLUTION #5: STICK TO LOW TENSION STYLES

High ponytails and sleek ballerina buns may be your go-to look, but these tight hairstyles can put stress on your mane and lead to hair breakage. Not cute. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to leave updos behind. Instead, opt for low ponies and buns to keep your strands stylishly tucked away without any tension.

HAIR CARE RESOLUTION #6: TRY TEMPORARY HAIR COLORS

Getting a mane makeover via hair color can be a daunting thought, but that doesn’t have to stop you from dyeing your hair. Instead of having to possibly deal with seriously damaged hair, temporary hair color sprays make the process oh-so-easy. Leave permanent at-home hair color kits behind and update your hue with the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup Temporary 1-Day Hair Color Sprays or the L'Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup Temporary 1-Day Hair Colors. Each offering washes out in one shampoo, so you can play with color without the full commitment.

HAIR CARE RESOLUTION #7: EMBRACE YOUR NATURAL HAIR TEXTURE

Understandably, heat tools and specific hairstyles go hand in hand, but they’re not always kind to your hair. Overusing hot tools can cause hair damage over time. Instead of heat-styling your hair regularly, embrace your natural texture with heat-free products that encourage air drying, like the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle CURVE IT Elastic Curl Mousse, that helps you achieve soft and bouncy curls.

For the days when you just can’t resist the lure of a heat tool, be sure to use a heat protectant before styling, like the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle SLEEK IT Iron Straight Heatspray. Aside from providing 450-degree heat protection, this heat-styling essential calms frizz, seals in shine, and blocks humidity.

HAIR CARE RESOLUTION #8: TRY A HOT OIL TREATMENT

There’s no denying that dry hair can take a toll on the look and feel of your strands— that’s why you should seek out a hot oil treatment. This treatment works wonders to saturate your roots and strands with hot oil to boost your mane with moisture. It also helps those with natural hair  reduce damage and it's super-easy to use. Place the oil treatment in a cup or bowl of hot water. Wet your hair and apply the hot oil treatment over your locks and roots. Massage it onto your scalp and through the length of your hair. Put on a shower cap and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Once time is up, rinse your hair with lukewarm water and continue your hair-care routine. It’s that simple.

Next up: If you're up to start 2021 rocking a trendy hair color, check out our article, Trend Alert: Blue-Grey Hair Is The Color Of Winter 2020-21.