

11 Tricks for Soft and Silky Hair

Like, changing your pillowcase. (Not kidding.)

how to get soft hair

Silky strands are just so damn satisfying. A smooth, hydrated head of hair just makes you want to play with your tendrils all day long. Unfortunately, if you're addicted to your flat iron, blow dryer, hot comb, or curling wand (like me), all that heat is probably causing your hair to look a little lackluster.


That's why I took it upon myself to ask hair care experts to spill their best tips and tricks for keeping your locks touchable-soft. These are their best tips and tricks for helping your hair live up to its truest, silkiest potential.

Use a T-shirt to dry your hair

    You're probably already in the habit of rubbing your hair dry after a nice long shower, but, tbh, you should really stop doing that. The act creates friction and fluffs up the cuticle, causing knots and breakage. Instead, grab a smooth, cotton shirt to squeeze out the moisture, instead of trying to rub it out.

    Only treat your ends

    PUT. THE. CONDITIONER. DOWN. At least until you read this. The roots of your hair is new and healthy, so it doesn't really need a daily dose of conditioner. Save that action for the hair that's been on your head the longest and thus needs a little more TLC. Apply a palmful of treatment from the middle of your hair down and distribute it with a wide-tooth comb to make sure every strand is fully coated in a layer of moisturized bliss.

    Use heat to your advantage

    Dampen the inside of a terry-lined shower cap with hot water and wear it for 10 minutes, while the conditioner is in your hair. The cap will trap in steam that opens up hair follicles, so each strand will really soak in alllll the good stuff your conditioner has to offer.

    Terry Lined Shower Cap
    Betty Dain

    Don't over-rinse

    Fight the instinct to get squeaky clean. After applying conditioner, rinse with cold water until your hair is slightly slippery. Leaving a bit of conditioner on your strands allows the formula to keep working (and nourishing) throughout the day.

    Shop for your hair type

    Brittle & Dry Hair

    Keep your 'do bouncy by shopping for a deep conditioner with vitamin E, so it hydrates without adding the heavy oils that weigh hair down.

    Tinsel Smoothing Oil
    $18.75 (25% off)

    Color-Treated Hair

    Your new bubblegum pink strands look sickening, but color (especially bleach) dulls shine. Amp up gloss with an oil treatment. It will smooth out brittle ends too.

    Jojoba Oil Hair Serum

    Damaged Hair

    If your hair is in need of a little extra love, pick a formula with keratin — it adds shine and strengthens hair to prevent future breakage.

    Keratin Leave-In Conditioner Reconstructing Treatment

    Comb your hair when it's wet, brush when it's dry

    You may spend hours brushing the knots out of your hair when you get out of the shower, but you're actually doing more damage to your hair. Don't worry, there's a solution. Instead, gently comb your hair when it's wet, then switch to a brush when your hair is dry. If you're trying to get out tangles, start at the ends and then work your way up to avoid creating one big knot.

    Invest in a silk pillowcase

    Want a super easy way to smooth your strands? Switch to a silk pillowcase. Cotton absorbs moisture and will suck up all the necessary oils from your hair while you sleep. Silk, however, will maintain these oils and the gentle fabric helps to reduce friction and snagage, leading to less breakage. Plus you'll feel classy as hell sleeping on pure, supple silk.

    Trim your hair every 6-8 weeks

    Getting your hair trimmed every 6-8 weeks (depending on your hairstyle) can really help the overall look of your hair and help you retain length, if that's your thing. Your hair won't be weighed down by dull-looking dead ends and breakage, so you can keep that soft feel from root to tip.

    Heat protectant sprays are required

    Yes, you can still get that super-soft feel, even if you use hot tools every day. Just make sure to add a healthy coating of heat protectant spray before you touch it with a wand. The spray acts like a shield for your hair, so that 300 degree piece of metal will burn the product, not your hair.

    Get yourself a hair mask

    Just like your skincare routine, your haircare lineup should include a quality mask. Use once a week (twice, if your hair is really damaged) to keep your 'do fully nourished and silky soft. Oh, and you can also DIY your own if you don't feel like dropping cash.

    Use a low heat setting

    Just because your fancy flat iron brags that it can reach 400+ degree temps does NOT mean you have to use it. That kind of extreme heat will wreak havoc on your hair. You'll have that Kardashian glass strand look today, but eventually all that heat will lead to breakage, damage, and split ends. Play with your tool to find the lowest setting you can use to get your desired look.

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