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So, what exactly has my hair been missing since I’ve been skipping my hair-steaming treatments? What happens to our hair when we steam it and how does it promote scalp and hair health? “When we steam the hair and scalp the moist heat from the steam will open the cuticle to allow the moisture to enter the cortex, (protein fibre) of the hair,” explained consultant trichologist, Eva Proudman, a hair and scalp specialist with over 20 years’ experience.“The hair is made up of 10% water and it is often dehydration that causes dry dull brittle hair so, as such, the steam is a great way to counteract this. Steaming will also really help to ‘decongest’ the scalp,” she added. Proudman explained to Unbothered that hair steaming when used in conjunction with a deep conditioning mask or therapy ointment has the potential to help give hair added hydration and cleansing. Rose Ovensehi, Textured Hair Specialist and founder of natural hair brand Flora & Curl also extolled the virtues of hair steaming and explained, “[Hair steaming] allows for better absorption of treatments, oils, and masks and helps them to penetrate deeper into the hair fibre for maximum hydration and moisturisation. The process causes the cuticle to gently swell and lift to then become deeply infused with water and treatments.”
While the incredibly catchy “slugging” term has only been in the beauty sphere for a few years, thanks to the K-beauty community and various skincare subreddits, the concept of using Vaseline to seal in moisture in the skin isn’t anything new. After all, Vaseline is an old-school product that can be found in almost any medicine cabinet. It has a variety of uses, from healing burns and scrapes to treating diaper rash, preventing chafing and moisturising dry skin. Marilyn Monroe swore by Vaseline in order to keep it soft and glowy. (She reportedly applied it every morning before going into a three-hour bath.)
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you’ll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
From what we’ve seen, designers agree. Every brand is putting its mark on this cold-weather accessory. From luxe cashmere options to colorful, playful patterns and minimalistic tinted blanket scarves, there are zero excuses for your neck to get cold and to be fashionably decked out. So next time you think about spending $10 on your fifth pair of black “tech-friendly” gloves that you already own or a looks-like-every-other-beanie, opt for an oversized scarf that’s just as much of an accessory as it is a necessity. Plus, since it’s extra long, it can also double as a chic balaclava.
