How To Hack Your “Lazy Girl” Hair Routine

Don’t get me wrong, I love a blowout as much as the next girl. The ritualistic deep shampoo and condition. The meditative sectioning and drying, and the sleek result that makes an hour in the bathroom worth it. 

But lately, I’ve been leaning into the "lazy girl" haircare routine. This routine is about doing less for your mane while still feeling good about yourself. Whether you call it being lazy or staging a mini protest against the patriarchal structures that reward beauty maintenance in women, I’ve recently been wearing my hair in its natural state. Air-dried, wavy, sometimes even unbrushed. It’s a way to tap into my inner self, save some hours, and give my strands a much-needed break from heat tools. 

While I’ve been loving going au naturel, there is a difference between low effort and low standards. Because the most important part of beauty care is that you feel your best, right? If you’re looking to save some hours in the bathroom or just want a break from a high-level styling routine, here’s how to master the lazy girl haircare routine. 

If I spend one hour washing and styling my hair every two days, that’s roughly three hours per week spent preening and working out my biceps by lifting my hairdryer above my head. While I love the result it gives me, the lazy girl hair routine means you can take back some spare hours in your week. 

The first step is to either drop the tools altogether or, if your hair won’t cooperate without them, push your washes out by a couple of days. It might feel odd at first (and have you reaching for the dry shampoo), but soon you’ll be glad to have some time back in your self-care routine. 

If your routine is minimal, your products need to work harder. The right haircare products can extend the life of your style and protect both your time and your hair follicles from heat damage. 

ELEVEN Australia has recently launched its new Miracle Hair Treatment Oil Elixir, designed to reduce frizz, prevent split ends, and offer heat protection up to 230°C. The lightweight elixir is made with Marula and Argan oil, which nourish your hair strands, keeping them strong, shiny and soft. The treatment is also created with peptides, short chains of amino acids that help signal biological processes. When it comes to haircare, peptides can help support hair follicles and fibres, which, in turn, promote hair growth, volume and shine. 

Smooth the product through damp hair after washing, then air-dry or rough-dry to give your hair some extra nourishment. You can also use it as a mask and apply it overnight so the elixir can work its magic while you sleep (the ultimate lazy girl hack).

When I don’t blow out my hair, I use techniques that help bolster its natural state. Once my mane is 80% air dried, I pull it back into a plait and wear it overnight. In the morning, I spritz some texture or sea-salt spray through it and get a beachy boho hairstyle that can last a couple of days. Using silk scrunchies and sleeping on a silk pillowcase can also keep your natural hair frizz-free and sleek, without the heat. It also helps maintain your styled hair for longer if you want to extend the life of your styling. Plus, throwing it up in a plait or braid takes way less effort than a full styling session. 

Similar to the way investing in your wardrobe can make your outfits work harder with less effort, choosing the best cut for your hair can help you save time in your day-to-day styling routine. If your current cut only looks good when heat-styled, sorry to say, it’s not lazy girl-approved. Next time you head to the salon, speak with your stylist about cuts that work with your natural texture, not against it. 

Embrace your natural hair by styling it intentionally. It’s the difference between looking like a model-off-duty and like you just rolled out of bed. If you tie your hair in a ponytail, pull out a couple of face-framing pieces. If you have a fringe, ensure that it’s styled properly so the rest of your hair can be tucked or pulled into a two-minute braid or bun. These styles signal that you care about looking and feeling good, but you’re far too busy with your life to spend more than five minutes on your ‘do. Chic. 

The lazy girl hair routine isn’t about neglecting your hair health or appearance. Instead, it’s about strategically using products and adding styles to your arsenal that give you time back in your week. So you can still feel your best while focusing on what matters to you.