Who doesn’t want perfectly groomed, glossy, healthy hair? Just like we want glowing skin and a healthy, fit body. To achieve the latter two, we have skin care regimes with potions and lotions, exercise regimes, and consider our dietary choices carefully. So, it makes sense that, if you are going to achieve that perfectly coiffed look, you will need to put some thought into your hair care as well. Below is a list of top tips to keep your mane looking as fabulous as the rest of you!
Long or short, wild and wavy, or poker-straight, your hair will benefit from some love and attention
Who doesn’t want perfectly groomed, glossy, healthy hair? Just like we want glowing skin and a healthy, fit body. To achieve the latter two, we have skin care regimes with potions and lotions, exercise regimes, and consider our dietary choices carefully. So, it makes sense that, if you are going to achieve that perfectly coiffed look, you will need to put some thought into your hair care as well. Below is a list of top tips to keep your mane looking as fabulous as the rest of you!
1. Get to know your hair!
It may sound simple (and silly), but it’s the first step in getting to grips (pun intended) with your hair. Do you know your hair type? Is it thin or thick? Fine or course? Because there is a difference between thin and fine hair! It’s relatively straightforward, but if you are unsure, ask your hairdresser for help next time you see them.
Also, have a look at how your hair is ‘acting’. Is it dry and brittle or on the oily side? This will often vary throughout the year, as your hair is affected by climate, diet, medicines etc.
2. Tailor your hair care to your needs.
Again, it sounds simple, but once you have worked out your hair type and what is going on with it at the moment, make sure you are using products designed especially for your needs.
3. Consider your cleansing.
No doubt you put thought into your cleansing routine when it comes to your face. Show your hair the same consideration. You may have heard that washing your hair too frequently is detrimental to the health of your hair. To some extent this is true; shampooing can dry out your hair, but with shampoos and conditioners created specifically to moisturise, you are fine to wash away as often as you please. Find a routine that suits you!
4. Protect your hair.
Excessive heat (blow drying and styling irons), as well as UV rays, and pollution are all your hair’s enemies. To give your hair the advantage over these nasties, protect it with leave-in products designed for your hair type. Other major antagonists, out to damage your hair, are chlorine and salt water. Your individual hairs are like sponges – they will soak up whatever liquid they are submerged in. To minimise damage, wet your hair with fresh water before going for a swim, it will then be saturated before coming into contact with chlorine or salt water. Hair 1, Evil liquids 0!
5. Treatments!
Just like your skin, your hair will appreciate deeply nourishing treatments every now and then. Like their face-counterparts, hair masks are an excellent complement to a regular cleansing and moisturising routine. To stimulate hair growth, try a leave in treatment. As our hair grows in cycles (read more here), you can encourage growth by stimulating the hair follicles in certain phases of the growth cycle.
6.Easy does it…
Your hair is at its most vulnerable when it’s wet. Detangle using a wide tooth comb to minimise breakage. Using a detangling leave-in conditioning product is also always a good idea. Wait to brush your hair until it’s completely dry if possible.
7. Turn to magic.
It’s not really magic, it’s about restoring the PH value of your scalp. A favourite of ours: raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. The results and benefits however, are truly magical: it will cleanse your hair without stripping natural oils, remove build-up from chemical products, help your hair retain moisture for better conditioning, has antibacterial and antifungal properties to help with flaky and itchy scalps, and closes the hair cuticle allowing for shine and fewer tangles. How to benefit from this miraculous concoction? Either use it as a rinse: 1 part raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to 2 to 3 parts water. Shampoo as normal and then apply the apple cider vinegar hair rinse and leave it on the hair for at least 3 minutes. Apply some of your normal conditioner on the ends of your hair if you wish, before rinsing. Alternatively, use as a leave-in conditioner: one part apple cider vinegar, diluted with 5 parts water. Using a spray bottle, distribute evenly on towel-dried hair (the smell will disappear when your hair dries). Comb through and dry as normal with your usual products.
So, bottom line: show your hair a bit of love and affection, give it the care, nutrients and attention it deserves, and you will have a marvellous mane in no time.