The Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is all about honoring those who have passed and celebrating life. But what about that hair of yours that’s feeling more muerto than vivo? "Dead hair," or damaged hair, can be caused by a variety of factors (and we'll get into them). But if It’s time for you to resurrect those tired, damaged hair strands and give them new life with some haircare magic, then we're happy to help you celebrate your very own Día de los Cabellos Vivos—a fun, rejuvenating ritual for your stressed out tresses. No skull makeup required (but highly encouraged if you're feeling festive!).
The Most Common Causes of Hair Damage
Before we address how to fix dead hair, let's talk about what you're doing to kill it! Spoiler alert: it's all the usual suspects that lead to hair damage.
1. Too Much Heat Styling
Whether it’s a blow-dryer, straightener, or curling iron, hot tools can strip your hair of its natural moisture and weaken the bonds that keep it strong. Avoid heat damage as much as possible if you want to revive dead hair.
2. Overwashing
Even if you have the gentlest hair products in the world, you can still wash your hair too much, leading to dry damaged hair. Too much shampoo strips away the natural oils that keep your strands moisturized, which can turn your hair brittle and frizzy. How much is too much? You'll have to find what works for your hair, but two to three times per week is generally considered ideal.
3. Brushing Wet Hair
Did you know wet and damp hair is much more fragile than dry hair? Brushing when it's soaked can lead to hair breakage, split ends, and general sadness. Pro tip: use a wide-tooth comb or a wet brush to gently detangle after a shower.
4. Chemical Treatments
Hair color, bleach, perms, and relaxers can do a lot of chemical damage to your locks. The chemicals used in these treatments can weaken the hair cuticle, leading to breakage, dryness, and even that dreaded rubber band texture when things go really south.
5. Towel-Drying Your Hair to Death
Rubbing your hair vigorously with a poor-quality towel is a fast-pass to frizz and breakage. Be gentle, and use a microfiber towel or an old T-shirt to dry your hair.
6. Tight Hairstyles
We love a good high ponytail or slick bun, but wearing your hair in tight hairstyles can really strain your strands. Constantly pulling your hair back can also stress out your scalp.
The Five-Step Plan to Reviving Dead Hair
Now that we've covered the causes, let's get to the good stuff: how to fix it!
Step 1: Rescue Your Hair With A Cleansing Ritual
Just like Día de los Muertos is a time to cleanse and prepare for a new beginning, your locks need a fresh start, too. And for damaged hair, that includes incorporating Lu's Rescue Collection into your haircare routine for stronger, healthy hair from the first wash. This complete care system of shampoo, conditioner, and "intense therapy" leave-in cream was designed to nourish the cuticle, creating a protective barrier that maintains your hair's moisture and glow. Rescue goes to work immediately to revive even the driest, dullest, deadest hair.
Step 2: Moisture is Life – Hydrate Your Strands from the Beyond
Dry, brittle hair is the ultimate sign that your locks need a serious resurrection. Just as Día de los Muertos altars are filled with offerings of water and food for the spirits, your hair needs an offering of deep hydration. Enter some of our favorite natural moisturizers: Murumuru butter, moringa seed oil, and Shatavari-infused glycerin. They're the hydrating superfoods that power our Control, Freedom, and Rescue line of hair care products.
Beyond shampoos, consider natural oils and hydrating masks. Coconut oil is a popular savior for damaged hair, as it penetrates deep into the hair shaft and helps to repair from within. To create a simple at-home treatment, warm up a small amount of coconut oil and apply it from your scalp to your ends. Leave it on for 30 minutes to an hour (or even overnight if you're feeling committed), then shampoo as usual. Your hair will be soft, shiny, and full of life again.
Aloe vera is another of abuela's favorite home remedies. It's packed with moisture and full of vitamins that nourish your scalp and hair. Massage a bit of aloe gel into your scalp and work it through your hair as a pre-shampoo treatment to help seal in moisture and smooth your hair’s surface.
Step 3: Break the Curse of Split Ends – Trim the Dead Weight
Let’s be real—some hair just needs to be cut off to be revived! Split ends are like the ghosts of bad hair decisions past, making your hair look worse for wear. Lu's Control Shampoo, Conditioner and Styling Cream work together to tame those pesky split ends, but you can also prevent them from getting worse by giving your hair regular trims. Think of it as severing the ties with your hair’s past life.
Step 4: Wear Your (Hair) Masks
Hair masks are like those beautiful sugar skulls and tamales left on the Día de los Muertos altars—they’re rich, nourishing, and a true gift. A household ingredient abuela loves for this is avocado, which is loaded with healthy fats and vitamins that can repair damage and deeply moisturize your hair. Try this easy DIY avocado hair mask for yourself and see how it brings the shine back to your strands.
Another must-try: banana and honey hair masks. Bananas are rich in potassium, which strengthens and repairs damaged hair, while honey is a natural humectant that helps your hair retain moisture.
Step 5: Protect Your Strands
Once you’ve brought your hair back from the dead, you need to make sure it stays in the land of the living! Protecting your hair from future damage is key to maintaining its new life. Heat protection is key to your hair's health.
Heat styling tools are some of the biggest culprits behind dead, lifeless hair. By using a heat protectant spray before applying any heat, you can greatly minimize the harmful effects of high temperatures. If you prefer more natural options, use lightweight oils like argan oil or grapeseed oil, both of which have a natural heat protectant quality while also adding shine and softness.
In addition to heat protection, consider how often you style your hair. If your hair has just come back to life, it’s okay to let it rest for a while. Try some heatless styling techniques, like braids for overnight waves or twists for soft curls. This will keep your hair healthier in the long run.
Honor the Dead, Revive the Dead Hair
