Expert Tips to Treat Your Hair Right
Taking care of your hair is not just about looking good—it’s about keeping it healthy, strong, and vibrant no matter what your daily routine looks like. According to a recent survey, nearly two-thirds of women (66%) want one-on-one advice on how to care for their hair properly. This highlights a universal truth: women constantly seek expert guidance to treat their hair the right way.
Gretchen Monahan, one of the East Coast’s most influential beauty and fashion trendsetters, emphasizes the importance of personalized hair care. “Considering all the things that women do to their hair, care that targets specific levels and types of damage is essential for healthy, beautiful hair,” she explains.
This increasing demand for tailored solutions led to the creation of the Dove Hair Care Hotline, introduced on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. With Monahan’s expertise backing the service, women can receive customized, one-on-one guidance for virtually any hair concern. Below is an in-depth preview of the expert tips shared by Monahan and other specialists—tips you can apply right now.
Color Care: Understanding Your Hair’s Needs
Lightened or Highlighted Hair
Lightening the hair—whether through bleaching, balayage, or highlights—removes pigment from the strands. This process can make hair appear dry, fragile, and lackluster.
Tips:
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Use shampoos and conditioners formulated for lightened or highlighted hair, such as Dove Advanced Color Care for Lightened Hair.
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These formulas help restore moisture balance and smooth the hair cuticle, making it feel soft, luminous, and more manageable.
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Minimize heat styling to reduce further dryness and breakage.
Hair Colored Darker or Close to its Natural Shade
Darker color deposits pigment, giving hair richness and shine. Over time, however, vibrancy fades and hair may lose its smooth, freshly-colored feel.
Tips:
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Wash daily with products designed for darker-colored hair to preserve color depth and maintain softness.
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Use a sulfate-free formula to prevent color stripping.
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Incorporate a gloss or color-refreshing mask weekly for added shine.
The Key Takeaway
Lightening and darkening are not the same. Each process affects the hair differently, and the products you use should match your coloring technique.
Damage Control: Deep Hydration for Healthier Hair
More than 76% of women believe their hair is at least somewhat damaged—and they’re usually right. Damage comes from styling, sun exposure, chemical treatments, and even everyday brushing.
Signs Your Hair Needs Help
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Brittleness
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Rough texture
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Excessive frizz
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Dryness
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Split ends
If you notice these symptoms, your hair is requesting hydration.
Expert Hydration Tips
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Use a deep conditioning mask once or twice a week.
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Apply masks mid-shaft to ends to avoid weighing down the roots.
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Leave the conditioner in for the full recommended time to maximize absorption.
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Consider products with keratin, natural oils, or amino acids to repair internal damage and strengthen hair fibers.
Deep conditioning properly and consistently is one of the easiest ways to maintain healthy, strong, and shiny hair.
Styling: Work With Your Natural Texture
Instead of fighting your natural texture, experts encourage embracing it.
For Wavy or Curly Hair
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Avoid constantly straightening with flat irons. Heat damages the hair cuticle and leads to dryness.
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Minimize touching your hair while it’s drying—this reduces frizz.
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If possible, allow your hair to air-dry overnight.
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Twist hair into a loose bun secured with a soft cloth band to enhance natural waves without causing dents.
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Use a lightweight styling cream in the morning to smooth and define waves.
Why This Works
Your natural texture already has movement, shape, and beauty. By working with it rather than against it, you save time, reduce damage, and enhance your hair’s natural brilliance.
Final Thoughts
Every woman’s hair is unique, and so are its needs. Whether you color it, heat-style it, or prefer to keep it natural, using targeted, expert-backed strategies is the key to achieving healthier and more beautiful hair. With the right care routine—especially one tailored to your hair type—you can protect your strands from damage and keep them vibrant, soft, and strong.