Although a lot of things determine how we feel about ourselves walking out the door every day, like our outfit, choice of makeup (or lack thereof), and whether or not we woke up with a zit on our forehead; one thing remains a major influence: the way our hair looks on that particular day.
Everyone wants a healthy-looking, shiny, and bouncy hair. Unfortunately, we weren’t all lucky enough to be born with effortless locks that naturally look like that.
In addition to genetics, other factors (inside and outside) happen to play an important role in determining the kind of day your hair will be having. Heat, extreme cold, humidity, saltwater, and many other aspects of life just take their toll on your precious strands. If you want to say goodbye to bad hair days, you might need to make some essential changes.
Below are some tips on how.
Feed Your Hair
Nourishment starts with what you put into your system, so if you want to give your hair a healthy boost, don’t resort to products for nutrition, but rather eat your nutrients.For vitamin C and antioxidants, have some berries; for vitamin A, folate and iron, add spinach to your daily salad; for beta-carotene, consider some sweet potatoes for dessert; for vitamin E, avocados should be on your list; for fatty acids and zinc, snack on a handful of unsalted nuts; and for protein, include beans in your dinner.
Don’t Overdo the Washing
Washing your hair daily is a horrible habit, and you should quit it immediately. Shampooing essentially strips your hair and scalp off of their natural oils that keep your locks shiny, moist, and elastic. Washing daily means leaving it perpetually dry, prone to breakage and split ends.While washing your hair, always remember to use your fingertips to massage your entire scalp gently. This stimulates blood flow to the hair roots, providing them with the nutrients and oxygen they need to thrive.
It’s also good to know that washing with lukewarm water is recommended over using hot water. Many experts recommended closing with a cold water rinse before finishing your shower.
Use the Right Conditioner
Conditioning is a habit you have to adopt, granted, we’re not here to debate that. We are, however, talking about using the right conditioner for your hair type. Knowing your hair well before investing in your next bottle of product will save you a lot of money, time, effort and bad hair days! Hair stylists at Hairy Carrie think anyone should get to know their hair better, and so, find the right products to use. Once you have a better understanding of your hair type, deciding on a conditioner shouldn’t be a problem.Dry Without Frizz
If you suffer from frizz, consider investing in a microfiber towel to dry your hair; it’s more absorbent, and can significantly reduce the blow-drying time. When blow-drying your hair, point the blow dryer downwards to avoid frizzing up your hair and use your fingers to untangle while drying instead of a brush.To combat heat damage, try using a natural deep conditioning treatment at least once a week. A tried method is to measure one teaspoon of coconut oil and massage it into your hair, starting at the ends and working your way up to the middle of your locks.
Help Your Hair Shine
- While artificial shine sprays may work in the short run, they do tend to dry your hair out if used for long. That’s because they rough up the shafts of the hair, rendering them brittle and dull for months to come.
- All is not lost, however, because you can get the same results by using argan oil— an all-natural alternative that can give your hair an effortless, healthy shine, with the bonus of a great texture. If your hair is relatively thin, start with a tiny amount first to avoid it looking too oily, and gradually increase if needed.
- While hair comes in a rainbow of types, colors, textures, thicknesses, and weights, there are still some ground rules for dealing with it.
If you provide your body with foods rich in hair-boosting nutrients; go easy on your locks with the shampooing; choose the right conditioner that will give you the perfect balance between volume and texture; dry your hair kindly; and add the final touches using natural oils, then you should be off to a good start.
Where to go from here? Read up on your hair type, try one trick at a time for a week or two before judging whether or not it works for your hair, and always remember to minimize heat damage.
