If you’ve been following along with me for the past two years you girls have probably seen the lonnng and intense process of going lighter with my hair. As you could probably predict along with that process came dry and damaged hair. Needless to say, my hair was in need of a little TLC and I needed to make serious changes to my routine so I decided to take the Pantene 14 Day Challenge. I was on a mission to turn those bad hair days into great hair days so today I’m sharing what I did! Because let’s be real, we all want more great hair days, right?
I started Pantene’s 14-Day Great Hair Challenge a couple weeks ago to really boost my hair’s health, and let’s just say I’m so happy with the results! My hair was really bad after all the holiday shoots and styling sessions, and each day it looked better and better. If you girls need a boost of hair health, definitely recommend doing the challenge yourself!
So as mentioned starting out you could definitely see a lot of breakage, dullness and dryness from all the heat and constant styling. I started using the Pantene Repair and Protect shampoo and conditioner and saw a difference even after one week!
My hair was already looking noticeably shinier and hydrated.
and after 14 days you could really see a huge difference. My hair has less signs of breakage and damage and the overall shinier and healthier!
Here are 5 things I did throughout the challenge that had the biggest impact:
1. Using the right shampoo and conditioner
For years I just grabbed whatever was on sale at the salon or what smelled yummy and not necessarily what was best for my hair type and struggles. So, when Pantene asked if I wanted to find the right shampoo as part of the 14-Day Challenge, I was obviously all in! (You girls can take the same quiz right here.)
No shocker that I needed something to help deal with my dry, heat-heavy hair. They sent over their Pantene Repair and Protect Shampoo & Conditioner which I’ve been loooovin’. This collection focuses on around-the-clock protection and it can reverse 6 months of damage in 1 use which is pretty crazy and amazing! Lawwwrd knows I needed it after all the styling lately.
2. Avoid build up
I use a good amount of product in my hair (that dry shampoo life), so if you’re the same, I’ve learned that it’s important to get rid of that build up so that your hair can thrive. Pantene’s Repair and Protect Collection helps to do this so it’s a life saving multi-tasker. It not only protects from future damage and has antioxidants, but it removes build up which overtime leads to healthier hair. Yes pleaseee! If you use a lot of product, be sure to use a shampoo and conditioner that gets rid of build up specifically.
3. Condition correctly
While working with Pantene, I learned that you’re actually only supposed to rinse your conditioner for 30 seconds. More than that and you can rinse too much aka lessen the benefits of your conditioner. Good tip right? I also learned that because my hair needs lots of love, I should be conditioning from mid shaft down, not just the ends. If you girls have damaged hair, think about doing the same.
4. Comb in the shower
I actually used to do this back in the day, but somewhere between all the craziness that is life over here, I stopped. To start the 14-Day Challenge, I began bringing a wide-tooth comb into the shower and gently brush through when the Pantene conditioner is rinsing out. This helps detangle things really well and then less breakage once I’m out of the shower.
5. Air dry 75%
The Pantene Repair & Protect Shampoo and Conditioner works to guard my hair from heat but to take things up a notch, I’ve been trying really hard to air dry more. I don’t like letting it go all the way or else it doesn’t style as easily, so I’ve found a happy place of about 75% dry. Then I do my thing styling!
14 days later and I can seriously see a big difference already! Can’t recommend this challenge enough and hope you girls take part!
Thank you, Pantene, for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.