Raise your hand if you've never dreamed of Blake Lively's, Penelope Cruz's, or Olivia Wilde's flawless hair. Luscious locks are a universal obsession—with over 3.8 million Google search results—whether yours is fine, frizzy, red, gray, short, long, colored, or natural. But repeated brushing, coloring, and UV exposure take a toll. To assess if your hair needs extra care, try this straightforward test from PureWow.
All you need is a glass of water and a single strand of hair. Fill the glass three-quarters full and drop in the strand. If it floats, great news—your hair is healthy. If it sinks, it may be damaged. Why? It's due to hair porosity. The cuticle layer protecting the hair shaft is compromised, allowing water to seep in and weigh it down. Key insight: Weakened cuticles also cause faster color fading and more frizz.
Be real: Severely damaged, straw-like, unmanageable hair can't be fully revived—it's time for a cut. For mildly weakened strands, amp up your routine: Apply conditioner or a mask with every wash, do a weekly oil treatment, use leave-in products on lengths and ends, air-dry whenever possible, apply heat protectants before styling, and use UV shields. Pamper your hair, and it'll thank you!
