You may feel like there is no coming back from the damage and dryness your hair is currently suffering, but we’re here to tell you that’s not always the case! Like a glitchy video game, there’s an easy way to reset your hair health and jump back on that bandwagon you fell from.

Here is everything you need to do for healthier hair in under 30 days.

Simplify Your Color

You don’t have to give up color appointments to get healthier strands. Instead of reverting back to pre-dye life, consider paring down your coloring routine for a few months by opting for a gloss treatment.

Colored gloss can revitalize a once vibrant and shiny color, soften grown-out highlights to give you more time before your next coloring appointment, and banish brassiness. Need more convincing? This treatment works on every hair type and texture, can be done by any colorist, and costs far less than a highlight or full color.

Ditch the Dead Weight

Check whether or not a product has expired. Anything that has dried out, separated, or past the ‘period after opening’ time indicated on the bottom of the packaging (if it has one, that is) is ready to be tossed. Why should you care? Using old products will lead to build up — and could even prevent new growth from coming in strong.

Consider ridding your bathroom of more than just the things that have gone bad. Cutting the clutter will help you pick the right products for better hair days, too.

Pick the Right Brush … and Use It!

Sometimes, the simplest thing can be the most beneficial. Regular brushing is a simple step that can help create better, healthier hair.

Why? The right brush helps to detangle, distribute oil, and eliminate residual product. That said, choosing the right brush is very important.

For those with straight or wavy hair, consider a boar bristle/nylon mixture brush. (In general, the thicker the hair, the more beneficial some added nylon bristles will be.) Have curly or textured locks? An all-nylon or plastic bristle option is best to gently detangle.

Moisturize Your Ends

During colder months, moisture is the most important thing to monitor, because it’s the hardest thing to hold on to. Differing temperatures inside and out cause your strands to shrink and expand, leaving your hair more parched than normal.

It is important to use a single drop (or more for thick or long hair) of deeply-penetrative oil each day to help seal moisture in and maintain your style. Application is also important. Apply from the ends towards the middle of the hair shaft and then just a little right on the crown.

Mask, Mask, & Mask Some More

You’ve cleansed and conditioned, but it’s important not to skip deep conditioning. Masking your hair regularly sends important ingredients deep into the hair shaft and continues to promote your hair goals.

While it can feel like the longer, the better, certain products may make your issues worse if left on for longer than the recommended time. Moral of the story? Pay very close attention to the instructions — and follow ’em!

Get A Strategic Hair Cut

In truth, there isn’t a special haircut that will give you healthier hair. However, there are a few things that will allow you to cut down on existing damage and future heat styling, both of which will equate to stronger hair.

First things first — get rid of damage. You can opt for a trim to banish split ends at the ends of hair, or get a “dusting” to eliminate broken tips throughout the lengths of hair. Then, invest in a haircut that will work with your hair texture and type — not against it — so you can air-dry more. Talk to your stylist about the chop best suited for your texture.

Use Protection

Incorporating no-heat and low-manipulation styles into your routine is important for long-term health. Think: A chic bun over head of barrel curls. Also, try adding oils and experimenting with braided styles to give your hair a break from hot tools and pulling.

Girls with natural hair can try a litany of protective styles, from faux dreads to box braids, to lock in moisture and protect delicate ends. If you can’t part ways with heat, wavy and curly girls should try a round-brush blowout for a straighter look that is gentle on the strands. To retain moisture while you snooze, we also suggest sleeping on a satin pillowcase as cotton often draws out water from your hair.

Find A Routine & Stick To It

Going to bed without slathering on your favorite night cream sounds like death to your complexion, right? To reset your hair, you must treat your tresses similarly. Everyone has a face ritual. People need to also establish a hair ritual. Spend 5-10 minutes on your hair by using a mask or oil and you’re set for the next two or three days.

We also suggest breaking down your hair ritual to help you craft a routine for your needs and goals. Determine what your hair type is and decide what you want to change or maintain. Then break it down into steps: cleanse and condition, moisturize and detangle, styling and finally a finishing product.

Choose products within each step that will help you rebuild damaged hair, control frizz, or retain and promote growth.