At-Home Hair Care Tips During a Pandemic

Some states have already loosened restrictions on barber shops and hair salons, and some will reopen shortly. But, regardless of whether your state is allowing in-person hair services or not right now, you may not feel comfortable visiting face to face, and that’s OK.

You may not have the skill to cut or color your hair at home as your stylist would, but there are lots of things you can do on your own, from home, to keep it healthy and beautiful.

How to Keep Your Hair Healthy During a Pandemic

#1. Don’t wash your hair more than you have to.

Washing your hair every single day is a recipe for frizzy, dried-out tresses. Shampoos contain detergent, which strips hair of its natural oils, which actually contain the essential nutrients your hair needs to be healthy. And, unfortunately, it’s a vicious cycle, because the more you wash your hair and strip it of its natural oils, the more oil it will produce and the greasier your hair will look between washings.

Luckily, though, you can train your hair to be washed less often by gradually increasing the number of days you go between washing it. And, since most of us are stuck at home anyway because of the pandemic, it is a great time to start training your hair.

It’s not just the shampoo that’s a problem when you wash your hair; it’s also the water, itself. When your hair is wet, it swells from the inside, which forces the cuticle up and can lead to frizz and breakage. If you can’t stand the idea of letting nature take its course with your hair between washings, using a dry shampoo is a better alternative than giving in and doing a full wash.

#2. Wash and condition correctly.

When you do wash your hair, make sure that you do so correctly. Since your scalp is what actually produces oil, the root system is where it builds up and where the shampoo should be focused when washing your hair. The ends, on the other hand, are the weakest and most brittle part of the hair shaft, and should be avoided when washing.

Stick with shampooing only the roots of your hair to avoid overdrying the ends. As you rinse the shampoo out of your roots, it will pass through the ends. That’s plenty of detergent for the ends of your hair.

When you condition your hair, concentrate on the ends of your hair, starting at about chin-level. If you condition your scalp, it can clog up the hair follicles and disrupt its natural oil production. Plus, as the ends are the driest, most brittle part of your hair, they need the extra protection and moisture most of all.

#3. Take a break from the heat.

Heat can do serious damage to your hair, and that’s true whether you’re talking about letting the sun beat down on your hair, styling your hair with heat, blow drying your hair, or using hot water to wash and condition your hair.

Heat can damage your hair in many different ways. It dehydrates hair, which can make your hair look less bouncy and leave it more prone to splitting and breakage. Protein damage is another effect of excessive heat on hair, and it can damage the shine, elasticity, and texture of your hair. Last but not least, too much heat can affect the pigmentation of your hair, causing it to fade.

To protect your hair from heat damage, wash and rinse your hair with cold or luke-warm water instead of hot water. Also, if there’s ever a time to forego styling with heat in favor of protecting your hair, it’s during the midst of a pandemic when you’re quarantined at home. And, when you’re out in the sun, keep your hair covered.

#4. Avoid brushing your hair when it’s wet.

When your hair is wet, it’s weaker, more fragile, and more prone to breakage. In other words, when your hair is wet, it’s at its most vulnerable. Furthermore, when you brush wet hair, there’s more tension, which means you have to pull harder and your hair will be more likely to get damaged during the process.

So how do you safely smooth out your hair after washing it? The first step is to carefully squeeze the water out of it with an old t-shirt, which is actually gentler on your hair than a towel. Then, let it air dry naturally, and comb it using a wide-tooth comb.

If you don’t want to wait for it to dry fully naturally, make sure to protect before blow drying with a heat protection spray. And, keep in mind that allowing it to air dry, for even a few minutes, will help to save it from damage, so delay just a little before you reach for your blow dryer.

#5. Treat yourself to a scalp massage.

A little self-care can go a long way these days, and a good old-fashioned scalp massage is a great option because it’s both relaxing and great for your hair, in many different ways.

Massaging your scalp every once in a while stimulates blood circulation, which boosts growth. It strengthens the roots systems and transfers the natural oils that keep hair healthy and vibrant. It also strengthens hair, making it more resilient to damage caused by brushing and styling.

Throughout the day, give yourself a quick scalp massage using your fingertips. For more conditioning power, massage a little coconut or argan oil into your scalp before washing your hair.


Find a barber shop or beauty salon near you with Top Rated Local® for an online consultation or an in-person appointment, whatever you feel most comfortable with.

10 Hair Salons in Seattle That Will Help You Look Your Best

Are you due for a new look?

Do you feel like, no matter what you do with your hair, it always looks kind of blah? Are you lacking the self-esteem that normally helps you to feel confident and in control of your life? Have you been through a major life change, like a divorce or a move, and are ready to put yourself out there romantically again? If you can say yes to any of these questions, it might be time to consider getting a new look.

Most adults aren’t shallow enough to believe that their own self-worth has much — or really anything at all – to do with how they look. But, here’s the thing, as shallow as it might sound, when you look better, you also feel better. That doesn’t mean that your looks need to meet anyone else’s standards of beauty, but when you feel beautiful, it gives you confidence and helps you hold your head up high.

But, you don’t have to totally reinvent yourself, either. If you’re already digging your look and you’re just due for a little refresh, that’s OK, too! Whether you’re going for a whole new you or you just want to freshen up your existing look, there are so many great beauty salons to turn to in the Seattle area.

The Top 10 Best Salons Near You in Seattle

#1. Madison Avenue Salon

Address: 2701 East Madison Street Seattle, WA 98112

Phone Number: (206) 328-5628

Want the kind of salon experience that celebrities enjoy? If so, look no further than Madison Avenue Salon. Head Stylist Kay Matthews has done hair and makeup on both the small screen and the big screen. She’s also worked with Christina Aguilera and done makeup for models at the Spring Fashion Show.

#2. Radar Hair & Records

Address: 2724 1st Avenue South Suite A Seattle, WA 98134

Phone Number: (206) 402-4549

What could be more Seattle than a beauty salon that’s part record store? I can say with confidence that, if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind beauty salon experience, Radar Hair & Records is a great option. Not only is it an incredible place for a haircut, but when you’re done, you can peruse their selection of tapes, records, amplifiers, and turntables. They also have live performances on occasion!

#3. Beehive Salon

Address: 2101 N 55th Street Ste. 120 Seattle, WA 98103

Phone Number: (206) 547-1510

Beehive Salon is an Aveda Lifestyle salon that opened its Tangletown location almost 20 years ago. What started with just five chairs have grown to 12 chairs and a full spa room. It’s a comfortable and fun salon with professionals who will take care of you from head to toe.

#4. Coupe Rokei

Address: 1923 First Avenue Seattle, WA 98101

Phone Number: (206) 443-4646

When you want a next-level salon and spa experience, you want Coupe Rokei. This one-of-a-kind beauty salon offers a range of services to help you look and feel your best. From haircuts, blowouts, and color to facials, microdermabrasion, and facial waxing, Coupe Rokei is your one-stop shop for beauty.

#5. Flourish Beauty

Address: 5962 Fauntleroy Way SW Seattle WA, 98136

Phone Number: (206) 420.7664

Flourish Beauty is a woman-owned beauty salon and spa located in West Seattle. Its experienced beauty professionals offer salon-quality hair care services, as well as a wide range of organic skincare services, including sugaring hair removal, microblading, and waxing.

#6. Stylus Salon

Address: 2321 2nd ave, Seattle, WA 98121

Phone Number: (206) 789-5871

Stylus Salon can be found in the heart of Belltown. It’s a two-story salon that features a minimalist, modern design, and its unique in that it hosts bi-annual art installations. Stylus Salon offers a variety of beauty services, including eyelash extensions, blowouts, waxing and more.

#7. Salon Joseph

Address: 600 West McGraw St. Seattle, WA 98119

Phone Number: (206) 285-1113

Salon Joseph has been a staple in the community since 1985, when it opened its doors. They offer haircuts for the whole family, as well as specialty services, like straightening, blowouts, updos, and conditioning treatments.

#8. Amanda Touch Of Color Salon

Address: 3713 NE 45th Street Seattle, WA 98105

Phone Number: (206) 522-1900

Located in the Laurelhurst neighborhood, Amanda Touch of Color Salon proves that the American dream is still alive and well. After moving her family to the United States seeking a better life, Founder Amanda Saephan opened Amanda Touch of Color Salon in 2006 and has built a reputation for providing next-level salon services.

#9. Salon Metro

Address: 1714 N. 45th Street Seattle, WA 98103

Phone Number: (206) 545-6905

If you’re looking for a salon that utilizes earth-friendly products to help you take your look to the next level, look no further than Salon Metro. Salon Metro is located in the Wallingford neighborhood, and it offers an intimate space where you can relax and unwind.

#10. AFH Salon

Address: 1005 E. Miller Street Seattle, WA 98102

Phone Number: (206) 329-2719

Located in the North Capitol Hill Neighborhood, AFH Salon offers a wide range of services. Whether you’re looking for something simple, like a basic haircut, or you’d love to amp up your look with something a little more complicated, like balayage, AFH Salon is the way to go.

Find a beauty salon near you with Top Rated Local®!

Wherever you decide to go, make sure you start your local business search with Top Rated Local. With us, you can read a local beauty salon’s reviews from across the web, and the Rating Score™ will give you a quick snapshot of a salon’s overall online reputation. Find a beauty salon near you today!