Well, looks like we may have some time on our hands here….so let’s talk healthier hair. Who doesn’t love a good hair day? When that happens, we walk taller don’t we?! I have a few tips for healthier hair, that have been working for me for the past few years, so I thought I’d share!
TIP 1 FOR HEALTHIER HAIR
Don’t wash it every day. Now, I know this may not be an option for all hair types; but not washing your hair every time you shower is a great way to let the natural oils stay on your scalp and in your hair. Even if you use the very best products, it can still dry out your hair, causing it to be brittle, break and also have split ends. If you’ve never jumped on the dry shampoo bus, maybe consider it! It’s an awesome, and easy way to skip a wash or two.
As I write this, we are in quarantine for COVID19, so the other bonus for not washing every day, is your color will last longer. The more often you wash you hair, the faster the color can fade, and who KNOWS when we will get to the salon next! Clearly this won’t help you with that root growth (can you even IMAGINE the wait time for a hair cut and color after this is over?!); but the rest of your hair can look great for longer!
TIP 2 FOR HEALTHIER HAIR
Let it air dry. I used to use a hair dryer on my hair every single time I washed it; but a few years ago, I started to just leave it. Obviously, it may not be an option if you have to be somewhere; but if you’ve got a loose schedule for the day, maybe give this a try. I have found that while my hair may look WILD when I air dry, it sure is a lot softer, shinier and awesome to style the next day! Again, this may not work for all hair types, so if you have a great leave in conditioner you love, or a frizz control product you can’t live without, then absolutely go with that.
Hair dryers are amazing; but they can run SO hot and that can cause your hair to become dry and break off. If you can’t stand the thought of a fully wet head of hair for any length of time, do what I do. Gently towel dry, comb through, use a hair dryer on LOW setting to get most of the moisture away at the roots, and then air dry from there. I also put mine in a loose braid so its out of my face; but not in a tight ponytail or bun, as this can also lead to breakage.
TIP 3 FOR HEALTHIER HAIR
Not so many products. I know, there are so many fabulous products, masks and potions to give us healthier hair, and make it look like it should have it’s own Instagram account; BUT, sometimes less is more. If you have something that works for you, and you love it, then girl, go for it! But if it is not in your budget to have anything other than shampoo and conditioner, and the basics, that’s ok! What I have found in the last couple of years, is my hair actually responds better than I expected to styling, when it’s not weighted down with product. I have thick, heavy hair as it is, so adding anything to it just seems to drag my style down.
When you scale back on the products, you also make it easier to wash your hair and get it nice and clean! Using multiple products over 4-5 days between washing can be tough to wash out completely, and not to mention, potentially make your hair look slick and greasy. Not cute, right?
BONUS TIP
“They say” (they meaning the Google search machine ), you should sleep on a satin pillowcase to smooth frizz, and it will also help limit the static in your hair! Not only that, since it’s sooo soft, it will eliminate friction when you sleep, so there will be less hair breakage. The same is said for a silk pillowcase. And while I share that with you, I do NOT have either, so I will go ahead and blame my major bed head on that! HA!
OTHER BONUS TIP
Since living in Dubai, I’ve noticed that the water here is super hard on my hair. We’ve installed a filter in all of our showerheads and it has made such a huge difference! I can tell when it needs changing because my hair seems heavy, almost greasy and coated. almost feels like it isn’t rinsed out well, and I have more breakage. Desalinated water isn’t so great for good hair days. A filter in your showerhead is a cheaper option than getting a water filtration system for the whole house. If you are wondering what is the deal with your locks, maybe consider giving that a try instead of buying really expensive products!