Taking care of your hair in Malaysia can be soooooo sien, especially when you’ve been to the rest of the world. The “why” can be easily broken down to the Big 3: humidity, heat, and haze. With that in mind, as long as you deal with this trio head-on, you may not need to overspend on expensive hair products anymore.
Instead, try out these simple daily hacks; they could be the hair solutions you sorely need to combat the Big 3.
1. For the straight-haired people
Most Malaysians would be blessed with this type of sleek, shiny hair type, though the downside is that it gets oilier more quickly than other types. Straight hair tends to lack volume or texture, leaving it looking flat instead of silky.
- Tip #1: Fight the oil with dry shampoo
- Dry shampooing your hair before leaving the house creates a preventative moisture barrier against oil buildup, leaving your hair looking fresh for late meetings or classes.
- Tip #2: “Volume-ise” with the “Claw Clip” hack
- As you’re picking your fit and/or setting your makeup to get ready for the day, use a hair clip to lift your roots upward to “set” them with some volume before heading out — it only takes 10 minutes AND minimal effort.
2. For the waves and curls
Whether your hair is wavy like a cascading waterfall or curly with loose curls or tight ringlets, both types are generally more prone to frizz and dryness than their straight counterpart, more so for the curlier latter. Avoiding friction and maintaining your natural curls are key to maximising your hair’s aura.
- Tip #3: “Plopping” your hair with a T-shirt
- Swap your rough hair-drying towel for an old cotton T-shirt, microfiber towel, or even pillowcase to minimise friction, which could cause frizziness in your hair. This gentle method also boosts root volume and encourages natural texture.
- Tip #4: The Sleeping “Pineapple” Method
- Especially if you’re sleeping in an air-conditioned room, tie your hair up in a very high, very loose bun to keep your curls naturally intact for the next morning. For an even “easier” method, simply pile your hair up on the pillow above your head to let it rest, though tying it up with a silk or satin scrunchie may work better.
3. Keeping the colours in your dyed hair
Getting impeccably dyed hair is already an undertaking of its own, but making sure the colours in your hair stay? That’s the fun part! The main culprits: harsh sunlight and heat, which we get plenty of in this tropical country. Here’s how you can keep your new hair colour to stay vibrant:
- Tip #5: Apply ‘sunscreen’ to protect against sun damage
- Keep your hair safe from harsh sunlight by spraying a UV-protectant hair mist or a watered-down leave-in conditioner before heading out to shield against oxidation, lest your hair colour fades into obscurity. If you’re going to the beach or pool, coat your hair in coconut oil beforehand to block chlorine/salt absorption.
- Tip #6: Finish with cold water every time
- Showering with hot water opens up your hair cuticle, resulting in your expensive dye getting washed down the drain (noooo~). To counter that, always end your shower with room cold (or room temperature) water to seal your cuticle, lock in pigment, and add a natural shine to your hair colour.
3. Not forgetting hijab hair
For the hijab-wearers, it’s a different ball game altogether when it comes to hair maintenance. Sweat and friction are your opponents, which may lead to sweat odour, scalp itchiness, and traction breakage. The trick: keep your scalp cool amidst the hot weather and minimise breakage or tangles.
- Tip #7: Keep your scalp cool with a tonic
- Wearing a hijab for 8–10 hours in 32°C heat can lead to a “steamed” scalp, causing itchiness and hair fall. To prevent that, apply a cooling scalp tonic (opt for ingredients like menthol, peppermint, or ginger) every morning to keep your scalp refreshed and reduce the urge to scratch.
- Tip #8: Opt for silk or satin inners
- Swap out your cotton inners for silk or satin ones to prevent them from absorbing your hair oil, allowing your hair to glide rather than rub against the fabric and reducing “tudung hair”.
Master the art of salon-grade haircare at home
That’s just a handful of hair care hacks to help you get started on your daily hair care journey! If you’re on the lookout for even more useful hairstyling tips like these, then you wouldn’t want to miss Philips’ Masterclass:
Learn how you can better care and style your hair in Philips’ Masterclass episodic web series, with episodes available to watch now on YouTube.
Philips’ Masterclass Episode 1 features Malaysian internet personality Mekyun, who picks up tips on styling her straight hair better while managing dryness and frizz, with the help of the salon-grade Philips Hair Dryer 8000 Series for fast hair drying under 3 minutes to maintain hair health.
Anyone reading this who has wavy or curly hair can also check out the already-released Episode 2, which sees local actress Elisya Sandha revamping her hair look and how she can reduce frizziness with Philips Hair Dryer 8000 Series’ ThermoShield Advanced technology.
Visit Philips Malaysia’s YouTube channel to watch all episodes of Philips’ Masterclass.
Want to get the most out of Philips’ Masterclass series? Check out Philips Hair Dryer 8000 Series with ThermoShield Advanced, which delivers professional, ‘fresh-from-the-salon’ hair results from the comfort of your own home.
Philips’ most compact high-speed ionic hair dryer yet is designed to protect hair against heat damage with ThermoShield Advanced temperature sensors, resulting in strong, shiny, moisture-rich hair in a jiffy.
Here’s why it’s worth adding to your haircare arsenal:
- Fast Drying: Wet to dry in 3 minutes for some extra peace of mind on a busy day.
- Salon-Grade Performance: Walk out the door looking good every time with professional quality results at home.
- Bladeless Safety: Safe and durable design that puts your mind at ease.
- Scalp Protection: Gentle on the scalp because your hair deserves self-care, too.
- Frizz Elimination: Emits negative ions for smooth, frizz-free hair, creating shiny and smooth hair effortlessly.
Interested in bringing your hair care game to the next level? Watch full episodes of Philips’ Masterclass on Philips Malaysia YouTube channel, or find out more about Philips Hair Dryer 8000 Series with ThermoShield Advanced here.
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