Celebrity hairstylist Sam McKnight’s extensive clientele includes the likes of Jodie Comer, Adele and Gigi Hadid, and chances are if you saw a supermodel in the ’90s strutting down a catwalk with amazing hair, he probably did their hair, too! He was even responsible for Princess Diana’s royally trendy chop.
WATCH: Gigi Hadid breaks down her comfort-first style. Article continues after video.
After five decades in the industry, undoubtedly the man has gained some indispensable wisdom when it comes to styling hair, and he recently divulged his five-step secret to healthy hair…
1. Wash less frequently with a soap-free shampoo
According to McKnight, healthy hair starts with your hair washing routine. He recommends against “shampooing too often” and to use “a soap-free, high-quality wash when you do.” Why? Well, sulphate-free formulas help to maintain “your hair’s natural oils without stripping them away.” Makes sense.
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, $54 at Adore Beauty
2. Leave-in conditioner
With the clean-girl aesthetic keeping us all firmly in a chokehold and subsequently our hair slicked back into tight buns, Sam advises using leave-in conditioners for the job.
“Good quality leave-in conditioners are great if you’re slicking your hair, instead of using harsh, and drying gels or waxes,” he explained.
Ouai Leave In Conditioner, $43 at Sephora
3. Heat protectant
This one seems like a no-brainer to us, but apparently folks are still out here heat styling sans a heat protectant.
Listen to McKnight’s advice: “Using a heat protectant is a must if you’re styling with direct heat, as this is when most damage occurs.”
Kérastase Chroma Absolu Thermique Treatment, $54 at Adore Beauty
4. Water-based sunscreen
Heat damage isn’t the only thing you need to worry about when you’re styling your hair.
McKnight has also advised applying “SPF lotion on your hair when you’re out in the sunshine, especially at the beach or around the pool. You can literally use any water-based sunscreen lotion on your hair.”
Sun Bum Protecting Scalp & Hair Mist SPF 30 Sunscreen, $21.99 at Oz Hair & Beauty
5. Lightweight hair oil
McKnight loves using a lightweight hair oil “before styling as a smoother and after styling for additional shine and silkiness – or even before bed for nocturnal nourishment.”
JVN Complete Nourishing Hair Oil Shine Drops, $37 at Sephora
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