Who hasn’t had a bad hair day? I know I have, and nothing is right with the world on that unfortunate day. I guess it’s not reasonable to expect perfect hair every day. Sigh! There are things within our control to ensure that our bad hair days happen less frequently, however. Keep your mane glamorous with these 10 tips for healthy hair.
Table of Contents
Tips For Healthy Hair
1. Match your conditioner to your hair
While you can skimp a little when it comes to shampoo, a good conditioner is a must. Look for professional products that are customized for your particular hair type. For instance, if you color your hair or have a perm, choose a conditioner that is designed for chemically-treated hair. You can find conditioners in convenient sprays that you leave on your hair, that not only condition, but tame frizz and fly-aways, and improve texture. Or opt for an all-in-one shampoo and conditioner combo.
2. Choose a cut tailored to your face and body shape
The number one mistake people make when choosing a new hairstyle is to pick a style based on popularity, rather than if it will be flattering to their features. Always choose a cut based on how it will enhance your facial features and body build. For instance, if you have a round face that makes you self-conscious, don’t go for a pixie cut.
3. Protect your hair
Just as you protect your skin from the wind and sun, you should also protect your hair. Look for finishing products such as mousses, cremes, gels and sprays that protect your hair from heat and UV radiation. Wear a cute hat if you’ll be out in the sun for prolonged periods of time.
4. Be consistent with your trims
Trimming your hair encourages hair growth, and eliminates broken or split ends. Neglecting periodic trims may lead to further damage as these split ends move farther up the hair shaft. Get a trim every couple of months to improve the look and feel of your hair.
5. Leave chemicals to the professionals
There’s a reason beauticians go to school. They learn about different chemicals, how to handle them, and how they’ll react with your hair. The last thing you want to do is damage your hair – don’t mess around with chemicals you’ve had no experience with. You’ll end up having to visit a salon, anyway for damage control. (Note: Some stylists charge double the rate for corrective color than they do for normal color processes.)
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6. Match your color to your skin tone
A little color can do wonders for your look – not to mention your mood. The correct color for your skin tone can add depth and dimension to your cut. Whether you opt for a subtle, or a more dramatic look, color has the ability to add interest and volume to your hair.
Choose a stylist that understands the nuances of skin tone, and can determine if your tones are cool, warm or neutral. Highlights, low lights, or coverage for gray hair will give you a new lease on life! The same rules apply if you color your hair yourself from home. This is the brand of hair color I use.
7. Condition weekly
Even healthy hair needs to be pampered. Weekly deep conditioning treatments and hair masks can help protect your hair from the elements. If you swim in chlorinated pools wear a swimming cap to protect your hair.
If that doesn’t sound appealing, at least wet your hair before exposing it to chlorine. Dry hair is more absorbent than wet hair so just taking this precaution can lessen the damage induced by chemical exposure. You can also use a leave-in conditioner. This will coat the hair, providing a barrier of sorts, against chlorine.
8. Ionic ceramic flat irons are less damaging
Professional flat irons with ceramic plates are less damaging to hair than are conventional metal-plated flat irons. Ceramic plates distribute heat more evenly, minimizing damage. Choose a flat iron that is pure ceramic, and not just ceramic coated.
If a flat iron is labeled ionic, it typically means that it generates negative ions leading to smoother, shinier hair. If you can style your hair without the use of heat, even better!
9. Clarify to remove build up
Avoid products that leave a build-up on your hair. This can lead to limpness, breakage, and the inability to hold a curl. Clarify you hair periodically to gently remove residue caused by shampoos, conditioners, or other styling products. Clarifying shampoos also eliminate mineral deposits from hard water which weigh hair down.
Fun fact: your hair color will deposit better if you use a clarifying shampoo beforehand. Baking soda is an effective clarifier. I mix 3-4 tablespoons of it with my shampoo, and leave on for two minutes while it does its magic.
10. Be gentle
Instead of vigorously rubbing your hair with a towel after washing it, gently scrunch the towel around your hair. Being rough can cause split ends, and static electricity, which is really annoying. I like using hair towels.
Key Points
Be kind to your hair – you’ll wear it every single day! Spend a little time, and do what it takes to keep your lovely locks luscious…What do you do to keep your hair healthy? Let me know in the comments:)