I cancelled my January haircut and did this instead
New Year’s resolutions turned to new month resolutions.
This post is sponsored by Dove Hair, because they love Gee Thanks! and believe in our community. Thank you for being a partner, Dove! I love working together.
Hi Geezers,
I am not a “new year, new me” kind of person. I used to be, and it was so overwhelming that I had to force myself into a new New Year’s routine. It meant avoiding resolution chatter (especially about ~weight~ or ~fitness~), and it meant treating New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day like any other day. It was seriously a big boost to my mental health. I already get struck down in January with seasonal depression.
And let’s face it, this past January was extremely January…and I am so glad it’s over.
Here’s what I did last month instead: Instead of treating January like a reset button for my entire life, I treated it more like a soft assessment of what December did to me—my sleep, my bank account, and my hair—and figuring out what needed a little TLC. (All of it, turns out.)
My hair especially saw a lot of life and living in December. I was washing, heat styling, using insane amounts of product (not to mention trying lots of new things for gift guides and such). And I’ve been growing out what I lovingly refer to as my f*ck-ass bob. I love that haircut, and it will be back this summer. But it’s great in theory and high-maintenance in practice. Maintaining a bob meant seeing my hairstylist every two months like clockwork, which adds up quickly. I haven’t been back since September.
Growing it out has meant fewer haircuts, less precision, and a lot more figuring it out as I go. It’s also forced me to rely on the products I already have in my bathroom to keep my hair looking right and tight without the structure of a fresh cut. And since two things needed a big Q1 reset last month (hair, finances) I pushed my $200 haircut another five weeks and did some due diligence around repair. Heat, heavy washing, cold weather, friction from hats and scarves, dryness, styling. None of it dramatic on its own, but together? It shows. (And it was SHOWING.)
So I saved my two hundo and kept it simple. Two low-effort repair steps that actually fit into my real routine (and trying to only wash my hair 3x a week, which is a dramatic cutdown for me).
Now that it’s February, I can say confidently: after a full month of this, my hair looks really good, despite no haircut. Shinier, calmer, healthier.
Step one: a 60-second reset (no hyperbole)
The Dove Intensive Repair 10-in-1 Serum Mask works in one minute, which is honestly the main reason I stuck with it all January. I don’t want a long, elaborate treatment that requires planning, motivation, or a free evening. I want something I’ll actually do.
I used this whenever my hair felt dry, dull, or just generally tired, which happened more often while stretching time between haircuts. It made my hair smooth and shiny and manageable, so it felt like hitting a reset button without turning hair care into a project. One minute before getting into the shower, rinse, done.
Step two: daily repair without weighing things down
The other product I added (and kept reaching for all month) is the Dove Intensive Repair Bi-Phase Serum + Oil, even though most oils and serums have historically been big fails for my thick, wavy hair that gets very oily by day two. Most serums make my hair feel heavy, weighed down, or weirdly slimy, which immediately sends me running for the shower. Hard pass.
This one was different on me. There are two parts: one, a lightweight serum and a nourishing oil that stay separated in the bottle until you shake to activate. That shake blends into a mist that’s light on the hair, not greasy or thick.
Here’s what I noticed after using it consistently through January:
Lightweight, not greasy: I could feel the difference immediately; it doesn’t coat my hair the way heavier oils do.
Works on damp or dry hair: I used it post-shower to lock in moisture and tame early frizz, and also mid-day on dry hair to smooth flyaways without that gross, slick feeling. Loved the versatility.
Really good for texture and frizz: My waves still have movement even after a few days of not washing.
Hat weather approved: I kept it in my bag because January = constantly in a hat.
The price is for the drugstore, not the luxury counter.
I usually spray a couple pumps into my hands, rub them together, and smooth through the mid-lengths and ends, avoiding my roots. It gives me a polished look without making me feel like I dumped a bottle of oil on my head. And honestly, the consistently-not-greasy part is the whole reason this stuck. That’s the thing that kept me coming back to it all month.
The Takeaway
January didn’t need to be about becoming a different person. For me, it was about maintaining what I already have and choosing routines that feel calm, realistic, and sustainable. A month later, that approach paid off, especially where my hair is concerned.
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