ATH Reveals the Secrets to Getting Smooth, Soft Hair
Seeking smooth tresses? You've come to the right place.
Here at ATH, we’re constantly in pursuit of two seemingly impossible things: fat-free chocolate that actually tastes like the real thing – and perfectly soft hair.
While (sadly) our chocolate dreams may still be out of reach, we’re happy to report that silky, smooth strands are very much attainable.
Want to know our secrets? We reveal exactly how to make your hair soft…
How to get soft hair: ATH’s top tips
1. Use the right wash and care products
Silky, shiny strands start with the right shampoo and conditioner combo. Your first port of call should be to check out our guide to the best shampoos for soft hair and pick the pairing that’s right for your hair type.
If in doubt, we suggest using a formula like the TONI&GUY Intense Softness Shampoo. It will not only reduce frizz, but also give hair a smooth, moisturised feel.
Follow this step with the TONI&GUY Intense Softness Conditioner and leave it on wet hair for 1-2 minutes before washing out.
2. Protect your strands from future frizz
Soft hair shouldn’t look frizzy or damaged in any way, so, in order to prevent these hair woes in the future, make sure you’re using a hard-working heat protectant or primer before styling.
We suggest spritzing the VO5 Damage Protect Primer Spray onto towel-dried tresses to help protect the hair and prime it for any heated tools.
Depending on what styling product you’re using and the texture of your hair, you may need to choose a specific formula that fits your mane needs.
3. Repair any visible damage
Healthy-looking hair = soft hair. Damaged tresses can appear frizzy, coarse and harbour split ends; three symptoms you definitely don’t want if you’re on the quest for silky soft strands.
To help repair signs of damage and leave you with silky strands, we recommend updating your beauty arsenal with products from the TRESemmé Biotin+ Repair 7 range.
Looking for quick results? Formulated with a Biotin & Pro-Bond Complex, the TRESEmmé Biotin+ Repair 7 Shampoo visibly repairs your locks in just one use. Penetrating inside each hair to restore broken bonds caused by hair damage, it will leave you with perceptibly softer strands.
4. Add a nourishing mask to your routine
Often hailed as the secret to healthy-looking locks, hair masks are a great way to give parched tresses an added boost of hydration. Helping your strands go from looking fried to fabulous in an instant.
See which hydrating masks the ATH editors have picked as their hard-working favourites and learn more about the formulas we recommend to combat the appearance of coarse tresses.
Editor’s tip: Not sure which one to pick? You can’t go wrong with the Nexxus Oil Infinite Mask. This formula works really well with all frizzy, unruly hair to give you silky, strong tresses.
5. Make hair oils your new BFF
Even if your strands look and feel in good condition, you can still benefit from a hair oil. Added to wet hair or used as a finishing touch to any style, oils add a visible (but natural) sheen to your hair, leaving it looking healthy, supple and soft.
Use our handy guide to help decipher which formula would be best for your particular needs and then add it to your hair care routine. Pronto.
Editor’s tip: Boasting both added shine and frizz control, the Dove Advanced Hair Series Pure Care Dry Oil Nourishing Treatment is a multi-tasking mane essential.
6. Address any split ends
A common hair complaint for women with all hair lengths and textures, split ends are an easy giveaway that your hair may be damaged or porous. Both of which will leave it feeling (and looking) more on the rough than silky spectrum.
Need to address yours? Our guide to preventing and curing split ends will have your tresses snapped back in shape in no time.
Soft hair top tips for curly/natural hair
Looking for soft, silky spirals? We don’t blame you. If your curls are feeling more coarse than glossy, follow these simple steps for smooth, curly hair…
First things first, use our expert cheat sheet to decipher exactly what your curly hair type is before you can start thinking about how best to take care of it.
As all curl patterns and textures are different, they need a slightly altered grooming routine to keep them looking their best. But, no matter what texture your hair is, moisture is the key to maintaining the softest, healthiest strands possible.
- Use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner range to make sure your locks are getting the right amount of moisture.
- Try drying your hair using the hair plopping technique to get a frizz-free hair surface.
- Use a hard-working hair serum on the mid-lengths and ends for a glossy, satin finish.
Editor’s tip: Add products that are deeply moisturising to your washing routine. We heart the TRESemmé Botanique Nourish & Replenish Shampoo and Conditioner which boasts a gentle yet nourishing formula to keep your hair feeling silky and soft.
PS: If you’ve relaxed your natural hair, taking steps like investing in a moisturising hair care routine will help to ensure your mane stays looking and feeling as soft and healthy as possible.
