Life-Changing Facts I Learned From Mary Kate and Ashley's Hairstylist

First, coconut oil should never be underestimated.
When you're in the same room as the man who has created some of the most iconic hairstyles for Reese Witherspoon, the Olsen twins, Dakota Johnson, Rachel McAdams, and J. Law (but, BTW, the list goes on), you ask as many hair questions as you possibly can.
And that's exactly what I did last week when I had the chance to sit down and chat with Celebrity Hairstylist Mark Townsend to talk about Dove's newest product line for damaged hair, Dove Regenerative Nourishment, plus a ton of other trending topics in hair care. Here's what I learned.

1. Shiny Hair Means Healthy Hair

While the trend in hair has definitely been dominated by a matte finish, Mark tells me he thinks that shiny hair is on the way back. "We're seeing a real return to shine again," he said. "The only way to make shine is a reflection of light. And if you don't have a closed cuticle, it's not going to reflect the light and feel healthy and shiny." So basically, getting shiny hair starts with taking care of it.

2. Coconut Oil Is Vastly Underrated.

Turns out, Mark uses it for literally everything. He even said he sent Mary Kate Olsen to the Met Gala with basically half a jar of coconut oil on her hair for sheen instead of hairspray. "A week later she was like, 'My hair has never felt this good in my entire life.' So, that's when I started making a coconut oil-based conditioner for her," he told me.
To make his famous conditioner, he adds in other health store ingredients like jojoba seed oil, almond oil, macadamia oil, and vitamin E.

3. Use a Conditioning Treatment Before You Shampoo

About once every two weeks, Mark says that you can put his DIY conditioner on from mid-lengths to the ends before you shampoo to stop the shampoo from stripping the moisture from your hair.

3. Your Hair Needs a Moisturzier

Mark tells me it's what keeps the cuticle in tact, cuts down on frizz, and helps repair the damage from frequent blowouts and adding in highlights. Dove's latest product, the Serem-in-Oil ($6; target.com), is a good example. He says the oil penetrates the cuticle while the serum then locks in it. And as someone who uses a curling wand far too often (oops), this will be game-changing for me.

4. You Should Treat Your Hair Like You Treat Your Skin

Basically, Mark told me the only way to get that soft, touchable, shiny hair is to make sure it's healthy. That means paying extra attention to the products we put on it — just like what you do with your skin. For example, he says if you have damage, use a shampoo that will help rebuild the bond and then follow-up with a conditioner to seal the cuticle. 

5. Natural Texture Is Having a Moment

Um, it's about time! This is one of the hair trends that Mark is the most excited about, and all us here at MIMI totally agree. His example? Model Mica Arganaraz's curly shag and bangs. "I love that we're seeing girls with really wavy hair cutting bangs. They would always be terrified. I would have to blow them out. Now, we're really working with real, natural texture," he says.

6. The Key to Air-Drying Is Moisture

As an avid air-dryer, I soak up tips on how to skip the blow-dryer and still have my hair look good. According to Mark, who also told me no one does an air-dry like Ashley Olsen, the key to getting it right is making sure the cuticle is sealed to prevent frizz. So don't skip the conditioner — or do it like Ashley and use oils and serums. Mark says she's learned to use these products for beautiful, air-dried hair. 

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