Caitlin Richardson reveals the number one tip for making sure your hair looks good on Zoom

Hair care is one of the many luxuries people have had to do without during the coronavirus pandemic, but just because it’s harder to get to a salon doesn’t mean anyone should have to sacrifice their locks.

Caitlin Richardson, celebrity colorist and the owner of LA’s first and only blonde-only coloring salon, Blonde Blond, exclusively chatted with DailyMailTV to dish on her favorite at-home hair treatments.

Plus, she revealed her no-fail secret to making sure your hair will look perfect on Zoom meetings, FaceTime calls and all those upcoming virtual holiday parties.

Generally speaking, Caitlin says it’s best to leave your hair care to the experts, particularly when it comes to color.

However, since people are stuck in-doors, the beauty guru strongly suggests adapting your routine to incorporate new hair treatments as a form of self care. 

‘First and foremost, taking care of your hair in general is going to make you feel better and more normal,’ the blonde beauty explained. ‘It brings like a regular-ness to the day that you wouldn’t usually have.’

Many people have decided to forgo their usual cuts, color and heat styling since hunkering down at home, but Richardson insists on still doing what you can to maintain the health of your hair.

She stresses that taking time off from using curling irons or bleach is one thing but completely abandoning your cleansing routine can actually do a lot of damage.

‘If one more person tells me they’re giving their hair a break from washing it anymore,’ she said with an exasperated sigh. ‘You need to wash your hair! Please wash your hair.’ 

Going a week – or weeks on end – without shampooing can wreak havoc on the scalp and clog the oil glands. 

‘The dirty, oily hair that you have is not making it healthier,’ she warned.  

Not being able to get to the salon or skipping washes is one thing but, according to Caitlin, the pandemic has impacted people and their hair in more significant ways. 

‘The stress of everything also affects everyone’s hair and just the daily things you’re allowed to do, like go to the salon,’ she said. 

Adding: ‘Not having that as an option is really – it’s just like a little bit unnerving. It just adds the laundry list of things that are hard to deal with.’  

As COVID-19 cases are on the rise around the country, the CDC is recommending that people stay home throughout the holiday season and mask up.

While you’re trapped indoors, Caitlin echoed the call for masks but for a totally different kind … hair masks. 

There are a zillion different kinds and Richardson recommends putting in a little work to find the product designed for your hair type, your budget and the time you’re willing to put into the regime. 

‘You have to remember that before you spend the money and before you have these ideas of treating your hair at home and trying to give yourself that salon luxury … to just be realistic about what you’re going to do,’ Caitlin explained. 

Adding: ‘The most important thing about it is actually following through and making it part of your regimen.’ 

Richardson, who’s worked on the likes of Paris Jackson, loves a pre-shampoo treatment that you can do before a shower. 

She also recommends nourishing over-night masks, but is careful to remind people to make sure they follow the manufacturers recommendations because it’s possible to over-do it and end up damaging the hair. 

‘As much as everybody loves to announce that they have left their deep conditioning in all night, if it’s not made for that, we don’t usually recommend it,’ she revealed.

If you’re on a serious budget or just prefer something all natural, Caitlin says to look no further than your kitchen.

Her go-to DIY mask uses just three easy-to-find ingredients (banana, honey and olive oil) and will leave hair looking extra shiny.  

Another big question the expert has been getting lately is about how to style tresses so they look picture perfect on camera.

With work, play and everything in between being done virtually (and no real ability to get a professional to help) it’s up to individuals to do it themselves.  

‘My number one tip would be to practice doing your hair ahead of time. You will not do it right the first time,’ she revealed. 

Adding: ‘Practice the day before. Don’t practice that morning or right before you have to be on the computer.’

Caitlin suggests that people find celebrities with hair that they like and look for photos of their everyday looks – not their super glam styles. 

Trying to replicate a red carpet style might be tricky for someone at home but a tousled curl or simple chignon is definitely achievable with some practice. 

‘I can tell you that no one goes up for a recital to play the violin without practicing. You know what I mean?’ Richardson quipped. ‘You just you have to get your hands in there and just try. ‘