Which Online Trends Are Good For Your Hair?

Whether it's damage, dryness, flakes, frizz or fading, everyone runs into hair issues, and it's easy to get lost in a whirlwind of online trends promising miraculous hair transformations. From DIY concoctions to innovative styling techniques, the internet offers endless options to nurture and enhance your hair. However, with so much to choose from, it's important to work out which trends are genuinely good for your hair and which ones might lead you down a path of damage and despair. From the resurgence of age-old natural remedies to the latest advancements in hair technology, we'll look at a range of online hair trends that are worth bringing into your haircare routine, and the ones to stay away from.

ONLINE HOME HAIR HACKS

From DIY hair masks made up of store cupboard ingredients to tried-and-tested tips passed down the generations, there’s lots of options for homemade haircare – and many of these are shared online. Below, we take a look at the ones closest to home:

Washing hair in cold water

It’s true that a blast of cold water at the end of a warm shower can do wonders for your hair. Warm water opens the hair cuticles, helping to remove buildup and allowing hair fibres to absorb the nourishing ingredients in hair products. Once clean, a quick douse of cold water closes the hair cuticles to make detangling easier, leaving it shiny and less frizzy. So, if you can stand a few seconds of cold water at the end of a shower, the shine could be worth it.

Coffee for growth and colour

It’s been scientifically proven that the antioxidants in coffee can have various benefits for hair, such as boosting hair growth, preventing hair loss, and improving scalp health. Coffee can even enrich your hair colour temporarily. From hair spritzes and soaks to using ground coffee as a scalp exfoliator, there’s several different ways to use coffee as a growth and colour boost. 

T-shirt drying

Opting for a T-shirt for drying hair can reduce friction and damage to hair strands, reducing split ends. For best results, squeeze excess water out by hand, then reach for a clean, dry T-shirt. Turn the T-shirt upside down and enter your head and hair through the neckline, wrapping the body of the T-shirt around your hair. Then give your hair a gentle squeeze and unwrap after 15-20 minutes and style as usual. Despite the benefits of using a t-shirt for drying your hair, a normal cotton towel is absolutely fine for drying your hair as long as you’re gentle as possible and avoid squeezing or pulling on your hair. 

Rice water soak

Soaking hair in rice water is an ancient beauty regime in some Asian cultures, and is believed to offer various benefits, including detangling, smoothing, strengthening, and boosting hair growth. However, as with all hair hacks, this is one to approach with caution, as the starch in rice can irritate the scalp or leave a flaky residue – which is probably not the look you are going for. 

Lemon juice for lightening

Salon highlights can be expensive and time-consuming, so lemon juice could provide a low-cost, quicker alternative. Lemon juice contains a natural bleaching agent, and when coupled with sunshine, it can help to lighten hair. However, this home hair hack has a downside, as lemon juice can be dehydrating and leave your hair with a strong citrus aroma. To combat this, we recommend washing the hair as soon as the lemon juice has dried and be wary if you have a sensitive scalp. 

Excessive brushing  

Brushing your hair too much can lead to friction damage. For curly hair, it’s best to brush hair when wet, or even in the shower, to avoid separating curls and creating frizz. For thicker, straight hair, brushing in sections can help detangle without causing damage from overbrushing. Go for a brush with soft nylon bristles like our Luxury Dressing Brush for maximum shine.

Mayonnaise hair mask 

Mayonnaise often divides opinion: some people love it while others can’t stand it. The mayonnaise hair mask debate is no different. Mayo contains oils, vitamins and fatty acids, which simulate the body’s natural sebum – an oily substance produced by your body to protect and nourish your hair. Egg yolks are another key ingredient, which are packed with amino acids and may promote hair growth. 

But if you’d rather save your mayo for your BLT, there’s plenty of other more ‘traditional’ haircare ingredients in our pantries such as coconut, honey or avocado that could be worth a try instead. Or, if you’re wanting to use an expertly-designed hair product as a moisturising hair mask, try applying a small amount of Magical Remedy after shampooing and leaving for 15 minutes before rinsing. It’s packed full of nourishing ingredients to leave your hair smooth and shiny.

ONLINE HAIR TRENDS

From the latest heated styling tools to game-changing haircare products, there’s lots being celebrated online. To help separate hype from fact, we’ll give the lowdown about the most talked about trends here:

Hair growth serums

It seems like everyone online is raving about hair growth serums, claiming they hold the secret to luscious, thick hair. But do they really work, or is it just another trend that will fizzle out?

Hair growth serums can work, but their effectiveness isn't a one-size-fits-all solution to hair thinning or loss. The success of these serums largely depends on the underlying cause of your hair loss. Hair loss can be triggered by a variety of factors such as genetics, hormonal imbalances, or even stress. If you're dealing with hereditary hair loss, a serum might help, but it can’t compete with genetics. Similarly, if your hair loss is stress-related, it’s best to address the root cause of stress for any serum to be truly effective.

Many hair growth serums boast a mix of clinically proven ingredients such as minoxidil, biotin and peptides that can promote hair health and growth. But while these ingredients sound promising, it's important to remember that no serum can perform miracles overnight. Consistency is key, and results often take several months – and a balanced diet and proper scalp care – to become noticeable. 

For more in-depth insights into hair loss and the role of nutrition in hair health, check out our guide to nutrition and its impact on hair loss.

If you're worried about hair loss, it's always a good idea to chat to your hairdresser or stylist, who can help work out the underlying causes and recommend the best course of action.

Salon-worthy blow-dry

If you've been scrolling through social media lately, you may have been mesmerised by all those gorgeous, bouncy blow-dries filling your feed. It seems like everyone is flaunting perfectly voluminous hair that looks straight out of a salon. But with the right tools and a few expert tips, you can achieve that salon-worthy blow-dry look at home.

• Step 1: Start by spritzing damp hair with a heat protectant like our Magical Potion. This little wonder is your first step to a perfect blow-dry, protecting your hair against heat styling, adding shine and taming frizz.
• Step 2: Using a round barrel brush, dry your hair straight with a concentrator nozzle attached to your hairdryer. The Airshot hairdryer has a long barrel that’s perfect for creating volume and adding curves to your hair. Start by rough drying your hair until it's about 80% dry. This will give you a good foundation to work with without over-drying your strands.
• Step 3: For extra bounce, focus on the ends of your hair. Roll the brush under the ends and keep the hairdryer moving to evenly distribute the heat around your hair. If you want to add even more volume, you can flip your head upside down and give your roots a quick blast of warm air.
• Step 4: Once your hair is dry and looking gorgeous, finish with a blast of cool air to set your style and add shine – our Airshot hairdryer has a Cool Shot button for this step in the process. A light mist of hairspray can also help to hold everything in place without weighing your hair down.

Head to our styling guides for more hairdryer tips and tricks. 

Using a hot brush as a second-day styler

Hot brushes have become a staple in many hair care routines, thanks to their ability to quickly refresh and style hair with minimal effort. You've probably seen countless videos of people using hot brushes on the go, even in cars, showcasing how convenient they can be. However, it's essential to understand both the benefits and limitations of these tools to make the most of them.

Hot brushes are fantastic for second-day styling, especially if you styled your hair with straighteners the day before. Enter the CLOUD NINE Original Hot Brush – this tool is perfect for refreshing your look, adding volume, and smoothing out any kinks that may have appeared overnight or after wearing your hair up in a hair bobble. While the Original Hot Brush isn't cordless, it heats up quickly and is incredibly efficient, making it a go-to for those rushed mornings when you need to look your best in no time.

However, hot brushes should be used on dry hair only. For best results, start with a spritz of a heat protectant like our Magical Potion to protect your hair from heat and add some shine. Check out our innovative Temperature Calculator to work out the optimum heat setting for your hair type, and make sure you turn down the heat on your hot brush to ensure healthier hair.

Using a diffuser to define waves and curls

The diffuser trend is all over social media, and for good reason. A diffuser is a game-changer for anyone with curly or wavy hair, helping to create beautiful, defined curls without the frizz.

The secret to the diffuser’s popularity lies in its unique design and gentle approach to drying hair. Unlike traditional hairdryers, a diffuser disperses the air more evenly around your curls. This gentle drying process helps maintain the natural shape and pattern of your curls, resulting in more definition and less frizz. Try our Airshot Pro, with its magnetic diffuser attachment, designed to optimise air flow and ensure your curls are dried evenly and gently for healthier-looking, frizz-free curls. 

For more styling tips, head to our guide on how to use a diffuser.

Heatless curls 

Heatless curls have taken the internet by storm, promising beautiful, bouncy curls with minimal effort. While the idea of achieving gorgeous curls without using heat sounds appealing, it’s important to understand that heatless curling methods can sometimes do more harm than good.

One of the main issues with heatless curls is the potential for hair breakage. Many popular heatless curling techniques involve wrapping the hair tightly around various tools or even fabric strips, creating friction that can stress the hair shaft. This friction, combined with the tension required to hold the curls in place, can lead to breakage and split ends, especially if your hair is already fragile or damaged. The tightness of these curls can also put extra stress on your hair follicles, potentially leading to hair loss over time.

For a safer alternative, consider CLOUD NINE’s Curling Wand. Its mineral-infused barrel helps seal the hair cuticle, reducing friction and protecting your hair’s shine and health. With complete control over curl size and shape, it ensures consistent results, unlike the unpredictable outcomes that can come with heatless methods. The Curling Wand’s Variable Temperature Control lets you style at a safe temperature, tailored to your hair type. Find out your hair type’s ideal heat setting using our Temperature Calculator, then adjust your wand’s temperature to match.

Wigs and clip-in hair extensions

Wigs and clip-in hair extensions are enjoying a moment in the spotlight. For many women, especially those with naturally thinner hair or those experiencing hair loss, they have become their go-to solution for achieving luscious, voluminous hair. Even Adjoa, our second of Frankie’s NINE, regularly shares her wig styling tips on social media, showcasing just how transformative and fun these accessories can be and inspiring others to try them.

Whether you're looking to add length, volume, or simply change up your style, wigs and clip-in hair extensions provide endless possibilities. Make sure you choose quality extensions, secure them properly, and use a heat protectant spray like our Magical Potion for human hair extensions or synthetic hair extensions that can be heat styled (some can’t). To prevent tugging on the roots of your hair, avoid overloading your hair with too many extensions or sleeping in them. For styling longer, thicker hair and extensions, try our Wide Iron Pro as its wide plates and Variable Temperature Control make it a quick and kind styling tool – perfect for delicate extensions.

Head to our blog on caring for and styling wigs and hair extensions for more tips.

When it comes to online hair trends, there's always something new to try and love. From DIY hair masks to clip-in extensions, these trends offer fun ways to switch up your look. However, always be cautious when applying new products or trying different methods – make sure they're safe for your hair type or try something new on a small discreet area first. 

We’d love to hear from you on our socials. Head to TikTok, Instagram or Facebook for more tips, expert advice and inspiration for how to get the best from your hair.