Hair care may seem like it’s not that important at first, but if you don’t take care of your hair, your hair will show it and will look worse than if you would have taken care of it all along. To keep your hair looking its best, follow these easy hair care tips and see how much your hair can change!
Use a Shampoo Designed for Your Type of Hair
Your hair type can be split into four main groups: curly, wavy, coily, and straight. To make sure you’re using products that are suited for your specific type of hair, you should ask a professional at a salon. The pH level in certain shampoos can either help or hinder optimal moisture retention in different types of hair. Curly/wavy hair types require moisturizing shampoos that have fewer sulfates (i.e., no more than 1 SLS ingredient). Washing curly/wavy hair with other shampoo types can be drying and result in frizz.
Experiment with Shampoos
Shampoos are among one of our most vital and basic beauty tools, but did you know that there are hundreds upon hundreds of different shampoos out there? Just head into any pharmacy or grocery store and look around—you’ll find a wide variety. You may even be surprised by how expensive some shampoos can be, but don’t let that deter you. Shopping for new shampoo doesn’t have to be stressful; in fact, it can be fun! It’s always exciting finding new products and playing with different ingredients. When choosing a shampoo, pick one with natural extracts instead of those containing synthetic dyes and fragrances. Also look for sulphate-free options because they contain fewer chemicals.
Condition Your Hair
In order to prevent frizz and flyaways, always apply a conditioner after you wash your hair. A great way to let it soak in is by wrapping up your hair and sitting under a hooded dryer for 5 minutes. You should use a conditioner that is specific for fine, thin or damaged hair. This can help add volume back into thin or lifeless-looking locks and fight off those pesky split ends. If you don’t already have a go-to brand that works well for you, try out samples until you find one you love! Remember though, not all expensive brands are better than drugstore ones; sometimes we just want what we think is good instead of what actually is good.
Add Shine and Volume to Your Tresses
There are so many products on store shelves that claim to make your tresses healthy and shiny. But if you ask a stylist, they’ll tell you that much of it is marketing over substance—just a bunch of chemicals designed to get you through another shampoo cycle or two. To truly have glossy locks, we recommend you try an organic shampoo, conditioner or chemical free hair serums with no parabens, sulfates, silicones, or artificial fragrances and colors. You can find these in most health food stores or order them online (look for vegan brands). Why go natural? Products with chemical additives strip out essential oils from strands; removing moisture makes your mane look dull.
Do Not Overuse Heat On Your Hair
The heat from blow dryers, flat irons, curling irons and other styling tools all cause stress on hair, which can lead to breakage. When you choose to style your own hair at home, use one of these tools sparingly and avoid them entirely when possible. If you’re getting ready for a special event or going out for a night on the town, put some effort into a classic hairstyle like a ponytail or twist-out—it will be worth it in terms of stress on your strands. And remember that products with harsh chemicals can damage any kind of hair if used incorrectly (i.e., if too much is applied), so opt for all-natural options whenever possible.
Take Care Of Split Ends
Split ends are no joke. They can make even healthy-looking hair look damaged and unattractive. To avoid split ends, try a trim every six weeks or so. And opt for a cut that doesn’t split (i.e., blunt instead of angled) whenever possible. If you already have split ends, invest in a pair of shears and learn how to snip them off yourself (or ask your hairstylist if they’ll do it for free). Trim away only what you see, though—hair that splits doesn’t just grow faster than other strands, it also gets thinner over time. So snipping too much off can cause more breakage in the long run!
Protect The Color
Hair color can be expensive, so you’ll want to look after it. To keep reds and blonde looking vibrant, use best hair color shampoos and conditioners that are specially formulated for colored hair. Also, steer clear of products with proteins like wheat or soy. They can strip your color—meaning it won’t last as long on your head. If you can’t help treating yourself from time-to-time (aren’t we all guilty of that?), make sure you use a color-protecting product afterwards. This will help restore some vibrancy in between coloring sessions (every 4–6 weeks). And don’t forget heat styling tools; they’ll leave even more damage in their wake if you’re not careful!
Brush Correctly!
You may think that brushing is a simple, straightforward process, but did you know that brushing incorrectly can break strands of hair and cause further damage to your locks? Brush away from your face when using a wide-tooth comb or brush. Use one that’s labeled as anti-static, since those reduce friction against hair. Properly hold it in between your thumb and forefinger with equal amounts of pressure on both ends. Starting at behind the ears, brush forward towards your ends—but not directly downward on any part of scalp or strand. This will prevent breaking hairs and pulling out roots along with them. Remember these tips for healthier, better looking hair!
