BEAUTY

Here’s What Your Nightly Hair Routine Should Look Like

According to Rosie Huntington Whiteley's hair stylist

We have a rather serious obsession with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley‘s hair. So serious, in fact, that any strand strategies we can employ to close the gap between her levels of sleekness, smoothness and shine and our own, we will put into practice immediately.

So, when the man behind the mane—Huntington-Whiteley’s longtime hair stylist Christian Wood—informed us that our evenings should in fact play host to a designated nightly hair routine, our ears pricked up.
Because we live by a simple hair-related rule: if Wood advises it, we embrace it. Here, his guide to the simple albeit effective pre-slumber regimen to ensure silky strands in the A.M.

Why do we need an evening hair routine?

“Self-care is the biggest topic right now on social media, and I think it’s safe to say that most women will have an amazing skincare routine at nighttime—but then the hair gets dragged into a ponytail and you wake up in the morning and it’s a bird’s-nest,” says Wood.

“I think a nighttime hair routine is the most important [regimen to embrace] if you want high quality hair at the moment. Looking after your hair in terms of damage while you’re sleeping affects everything from the condition of your hair, to the colour, [all the way] to the amount of split ends, [so it’s especially vital] while everyone’s desperate for a haircut right now,” he shares. “The more time you take caring for it, the better it will serve you over the next few months in terms of holding onto what you already have.”

What does an evening hair routine entail?

“This [routine] is [applicable] if you have dyed hair or maybe hair longer than a bob,” says Wood—the vast majority of us fit into at least one of those sectors.

“You have to brush your hair at nighttime, maybe add a little dry oil, and then put your hair into like a loose braid and tie it with a silk scrunchie,” he says. Uncomplicated yet fruitful.

As for the type of scrunchie, fabric is everything. “I would never recommend anyone to tie their hair with a normal hair band again, as they always snag the hair,” says Wood. “A silk or velvet scrunchie is 100 per cent the way to go, and it’s a little glamorous and a little fun. They’re also so easy to use,” he shares.

If you’re someone that loves a blowdry after washing, then a heat-protectant spray is negotiable. John Frieda’s Detox & Repair Care & Protect Spray works wonders to keep heat-styled hair healthy. 
maison pearson brush
Mason Pearson Bristle & Nylon Brush, $195; sydneysalonsupplies.com.au
Nuxe oil
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil, $42.99; adorebeauty.com.au
silk scrunchies
Slip Large Silk Scrunchies Mixed 3 Pack, $50; mecca.com.au
john frieda
John Frieda Detox & Repair Care & Protect Spray, $17.99; chemistwarehouse.com.au

Once complete, what else can we do?

“My number one tip for everyone, and I get mad if any of my friends don’t use them, is a silk pillowcase,” Wood reveals.

“It’s because it stops the drag of hair as usual on the pillowcase, [and so] it stops all the split ends and it stops all the friction. You’re not going to wake up the next morning with a bird’s-nest; it’s going to be sleeker and smoother,” he says. “You’ll be able to actually just brush your hair and not have to think about styling it all day. Then if you want to add in an accessory to sort of twist it up, everything is going to be a little easier.”

silk pillowcase
Shhh Silk Pink Queen Silk Pillowcase, $95; shhhsilk.com.au

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