The essential guide to low-maintenance hair care
Spending a ton of time on your hair can often feel unrealistic - especially in the middle of packed schedules, meetings, errands, and everything in between. But just because you may not want to carve out a large amount of time for your hair care, doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style or looking (and feeling) your best. With the right cut, simple hair routines, and a few strategic products, heaving great hair every day really is possible, even for the busiest of us.
Here’s your guide to a low-maintenance hair care routine that keeps you looking fresh with minimal effort.
Choose the right haircut & colour
The secret to looking put together with minimal styling? A strategic haircut & colour. Ask your stylist for a cut that maintains its shape as it grows and for a low-maintenance colour that doesn’t need constant appointments to maintain.
For your cut, think soft layers, blunt bows, long shags, and texture lobs. These styles don’t require frequent trims and can look intentional even weeks past your maintenance window. Be sure to avoid anything that needs constant rehaping, like very short bangs or cuts with precise lines, if you don’t have time for regular salon visits.
For your hair colour, we always recommend telling your stylist that you want something that looks “lived-in.” This means that you’re going for soft and more natural-looking tones, face-framing highlights that look sun-kissed, blended roots, and effortless dimension. Lived-in colour means that your hair still looks beautiful even when it’s growing out. The most maintenance you may need with lived-in colour is toning appointments to ensure that your lightened hair isn’t turning too brassy. Your other option is to entirely embrace your natural colour! And if you’re greying? Grey-blending is a fantastic option for you.
A low-maintenance hair cut + lived-in colour is the ultimate combination to ask for at your next salon visit.
Master a few go-to hairstyles
You don’t need to be a hair styling expert to have a few easy hairstyles ready to go in your back pocket. With the right styles (and even the right hair accessories) you’ll always look put-together. Here are some of our favourites that also don’t damage your strands:
The low bun or low ponytail - this style is sleek, chic, and takes under 2 minutes. You’ll need styling gel or creme to keep the flyaways at bay and your favourite silk scrunchie to really elevate this low-maintenance look.
Claw clip twist - this is a throwback hairstyle that’s back in style! It’s gentle on your hair and prevents your strands from breaking + it looks elegant.
Dry shampoo refresh + quick blowout - dry shampoo is really your best friend when you’re looking to live the low maintenance life. On non-wash days, a good dry shampoo can bring your hair back to life. And if you want your hair to look freshly styled, a quick round-brush blowout at the front can fake a full restyle. Want to learn how to do a full blowout on wash day so you can keep your hair looking fresh for longer? You can book a class at Clique!
Stick to a simple haircare routine
When you’re busy, your products need to work hard for you, and a good routine doesn’t need to be complicated.
Start with a shampoo and conditioner that’s formulated to address your specific hair concerns. Whether your need to focus on hydrating your hair, de-frizzing it, or anything specific, the right products will go a long way.
Treat your hair with specific and targeted treatments, like leave-in conditioners, scalp oils, and styling products. Less is more, but choosing quality and useful products is key. Speak to your hair stylist about what they recommend for you.
Regular in-salon treatments will also help you maintain your hair for longer. From strengthening to targeted hydrating treatments, the in-salon experience will really help to elevate your hair for the longterm. Incorporating these into your schedule will mean less work on your hair at home! You can browse all of our hair services to find the right one for you.
Low-maintenance hair doesn’t mean boring hair. With the right cut, a few time-saving styles, and simple products that actually work, you can look and feel polished without the daily styling stress. Want personalized, low-effort hair tips? Book a consultation and we’ll find the best routine that works for your lifestyle.