So, you’ve had a little too much fun with heat tools, pushed “blonde” one step too far, or maybe just binged on DIY color during a long weekend. Whatever your style story, you look in the mirror and… yikes. Dry, frazzled, breakage everywhere, ends like straw—professional or not, fried hair happens to the best of us.
Kenna Kennor, celebrity hairstylist and Britt Lower’s husband, has worked backstage at runways, styled Hollywood’s A-list, and—fun fact—helped plenty of us mere mortals bounce back from crispy ends. Here’s his playbook for getting that frazzled hair back to flipping, swishing, healthy glory.
Just Stop—Put the Tools and Box Dye Down
Kenna’s first rule is simple: give your hair real time off. Even the pros who rely on curling irons daily press pause when ends start looking rough. Set a baseline—no straighteners, no color touch-ups, and especially no bleach—until you see real improvement. Every time you skip heat or dye, you give your hair a real chance to bounce back.
Hydrate Like It’s Your Job
You’ve heard it before, but Kenna swears that slathering hair in moisture is the difference between brittle and beautiful. That means weekly deep-conditioning masks—think ones with shea butter, coconut oil, or argan oil. Apply after shampooing, wrap your hair up, and let it soak while you chill with your favorite show. Kenna’s go-to trick? Add a shower cap or a warm towel to lock in heat and help the mask penetrate deep.
Trim—Don’t Fear the Shears
The biggest mistake? Waiting forever to cut fried ends. The dead stuff’s not coming back. Snip those splits and you stop the damage from traveling further up. Scared of losing length? Do a micro-trim once a month. You’ll actually grow more in the long run.
Switch to the Gentler Routine
Blasting hair with hot water is one of Kenna’s pet peeves—lukewarm is your friend. Use sulfate-free, hydrating shampoos and conditioners. Ditch aggressive detangling, and always use a wide-tooth comb instead of ripping through knots with a brush.
When towel-drying, never rub. Microfiber towels or even a soft T-shirt keep moisture in, unlike rough terrycloth.
Oil, Cream, and Protein—But Find Your Balance
Leave-ins are your lifeline. For damaged hair, Kenna loves smoothing oils (argan or jojoba) and nourishing leave-in conditioners. But balance is key. If your hair’s limp, alternate with a light protein treatment every few washes to rebuild bonds. Too much protein will make it brittle, so listen to how your hair reacts.
Protect—Even From Yourself
When you do heat style again (eventually!), dial the temp way down. Never skip a heat-protectant spray and avoid daily sessions. Kenna swears by air-drying whenever possible or letting hair mostly air dry before even thinking about the blow dryer.
Your hair is talking to you—listen to what it needs, and don’t rush it. All it takes is patience, a bit of pampering, and a new respect for what those tools can do!
