There’s no other way to put it — hair is important. We all know that we have an extra spring in our step when our hair is looking great and that we’d rather hide away when it’s not quite looking its best.
While you’ll have a bad hair day on occasion, there are ways to keep those days to a minimum. It’s all about knowing those all-important hair tips! In this post, we’ll run through every hair tip you need to know to have a gorgeous, flowing mane. Take all of the tips onboard, and you’ll be well on your way to having hair that turns heads for all the right reasons.
Wash Every So Often
You should use body wash every time you step into the shower. Shampoo? Not so often. You don’t need to wash your hair every time, and, what’s more, you shouldn’t. Overwashing will remove the natural oils your hair produces, making it look more lifeless. How often you should wash your hair depends on your hair time, but there’s no reason to wash it more than three times a week unless you’re engaging in a lot of physical exercise. If you feel like lightly cleaning your hair between washes, then use a dry shampoo, which will keep things in order.
Stop Touching Your Hair
It’s tempting to touch your hair, sure, but should you? The experts say no. Rummaging your hands through your hair can feel nice, but in the process, you’ll be compromising its quality. Hairdressers typically say that they find a lot more breakages in areas that people frequently touch. So it’s best to keep your hands to yourself if you want your hair to look its best. If you have a bad habit of touching your hair, then take a look at this article, which outlines some handy strategies for putting the problem behind you.
Stick to Lukewarm Showers
There’s no denying that a piping hot shower can feel great, especially in the dead of winter when it feels like warmth and comfort are hard to come by. However, while your senses may appreciate the hot water, your hair won’t — and your skin won’t thank you, either. It’s best to wash your hair in lukewarm water. If you’re really brave, then you can wash your hair while taking a cold shower. The jury’s still out on the benefits, but a lot of influencers — especially those with great hair — seem to swear by it, so consider giving it a try. Maybe it’s best to wait until the warmer months have arrived first, though.
Use the Right Conditioner
Shampoo will clean your hair; conditioner will make it sparkle. An important tool in your hair routine, it’s essential to find the conditioner that’s right for you. They may all have conditioner written on the front, but that doesn’t mean that it’s suitable for your hair. So take a look at your hair type, and find a product that has been specially formulated with that type in mind. If you have curly hair, for instance, then you’ll find it much easier to keep your hair looking its best if you use a conditioner for curls rather than a generic product. Take the time to find the conditioner that’s right for you, and you’ll have a friend for life.
Be Gentle With the Towel
Nobody wants to spend longer than necessary waiting for their hair to dry. However, some things, you just can’t rush. Dragging a towel across your hair may get it dry, but it won’t leave your hair looking its best. You’ll be much more likely to cause breakages, and it’ll also make your hair more difficult to style. Instead, take your time with it — gently pad your hair rather than scrubbing. There are also hair-specific towels you can use, which are much gentler on your hair. Of course, you can avoid this problem by investing in a good quality hair dryer and using the right setting. Indeed, with that, you’ll find it much easier to attain salon-worthy locks.
Minimize Use of Radical Products
There are plenty of fun things you can do with your hair, but it’s best to keep the use of intense products to a minimum. Any process treatments should be only done periodically, and it’s not recommended to go from one to the next. Your hair will need time to recover. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint, so if you want to have great hair later in life, use those chemicals sparingly.
Protect From the Sun
Is there anything better than spending a day in the sunshine? Not in our book — it’s when life reaches its full potential. However, keep in mind that you should take steps to keep your hair protected, much in the same way that you would keep your skin protected. Those harsh sun rays will cause havoc with your hair, so keep it under a hat. Also, if you’re planning to hit the beach or swimming pool, taking some precautions with your hair will do wonders. Applying a leave-in mask or a little bit of conditioner will keep your hair looking its best, especially if you’re swimming in chlorine water.
Invest in a Good Brush
Did you think all brushes were the same? Think again. They may look the same, but there can be key differences that impact how they interact with your hair. You’ll pay more money for a high quality brush, but you’ll use it every day, so it’s worth it. As well as having a salon-worthy brush, it can pay to learn the right way to use it. It’s best to be gentle and to brush up from the tips, and only when it’s dry — brushing your hair when wet will be more likely to result in damage. Not sure how to brush for your particular hair type? Check out some YouTube tutorials — there are plenty of informative how-to guides on there that’ll give you the correct form.
Caring For Hair When Asleep
If you’re going to go to great lengths to ensure your hair looks its best when you’re awake, then you won’t want to undo your good work while you’re asleep. Of course, you can’t prevent yourself from tossing and turning throughout the night, so it’s inevitable that you’ll wake up with bed-head. However, you can prevent any actual damage to the hair, so all you’ll need to do is style your hair to get it back looking its best. There are two effective methods for caring for your hair when asleep. One is to upgrade your pillows to a better material — silk, for example, is very gentle on the hair. You can also use an overnight mask from time to time, which will deeply nourish your hair. Think of it as an overnight spa treatment for your locks.
Schedule Those Regular Cuts
You can do all you can for your hair, but you can’t do everything. At some point or another, the ends will begin to fray. It’s recommended not to let too much time pass between cuts. How often you should pay a visit to the salon will depend on the length of your hair. In general, it’s best to get a haircut every 4 – 6 weeks if you have short hair, every 9 – 12 weeks if you have curly hair, and every 12 weeks or so if you have long hair. In the process, you’ll be helping to get rid of split ends and will preserve the shape of your hairstyle. Of course, if you can afford it, then you could always visit the salon once a week; that’ll give you celebrity-worthy hair. It’s pricey, though!
Care For Your Hair From Within
You can help your hair be the best that it can be by feeding it the stuff it needs to be healthy. There are some foods and drink products that are great for your hair, and others that are not so good. The good news is that the ones that are good for your hair also tend to be delicious, so it’s kind of the best of both worlds. If you’re looking to incorporate foods that promote hair health into your diet, then focus on berries, spinach, fatty fish, sweet potatoes, avocados, and nuts. They’re jam-packed with nutrients and minerals that your hair needs to thrive.
Stay Calm
You know how stress can cause outbreaks? Well, it’ll also do some damage to your hair, too. If you’re a naturally stressed person, then look at finding ways to lower your stress levels. Yoga, meditation, and exercise can all keep your stress levels in check, and also promote healthy skin. By adopting a healthy lifestyle, you’ll ensure that your skin and hair look great — and you’ll likely be happier, too.
Conclusion
Hair isn’t everything, but it’s nice when it seems to be looking its best. While the odd bad hair day is inevitable, taking the simple, easy to follow steps above will ensure that you’re happy with your hair more often than not.