Haircare has recently become something I’ve been putting a lot more time and effort into. In the past, I would be totally fine with throwing my hair into a messy bun and heading out the door as is. However, my college graduation is approaching quickly so I need to kick myself into high gear and go on some professional job interviews. In order to look a little more mature and polished, I decided to chop off about 6 inches of dead hair to get a fresh start. This was by far one of the best decisions I have made because, yes, I miss my long locks but now I can actually run my hands through my hair without tiny bits of split ends appearing on my fingers. To ensure my hair never returns to its previous brittle, straw-like state, I decided to change my hair routine to keep my locks soft, shiny, and manageable. Here are my go-to products and tips for maintaining healthy hair.
1) Wash Your Hair Less
Contrary to popular belief, shampooing every time you shower is actually damaging your hair by stripping it of its natural oils. Try washing your hair 2-3 times a week to avoid dulling, breaking, and drying out your locks. Another tip is to use only about a quarter-size amount of shampoo otherwise you risk drying out your hair with unnecessary chemicals. My favorite sulfate-free shampoo is OGX’s Extra Strength Damage Remedy + Coconut Miracle Oil Shampoo.
2) Use Dry Shampoo
Everyone knows the struggle of greasy hair, and if you follow my first tip, then you’re probably going to notice your hair’s natural oils a little more than before. Your new best friend is going to be a high-quality dry shampoo that will absorb all that oil and give you a much cleaner, fresher appearance. I highly recommend the Perk Up Dry Shampoo by amika. This product retails for $25 and is worth every penny. It’s talc-free formula instantly soaks up oil and — here’s the best part — does. not. leave. white. residue. This is amazing news for people with darker hair like me because I can quickly spray the product in my hair, rub it in, then run out the door knowing I don’t look like I have some weird Cruella De Vil hair color-scheme. Perk Up also smells fantastic and isn’t at all overpowering like many dry shampoos I’ve used in the past.
3) Use a Hair Mask
On the days you do use shampoo, using a hair mask or deep conditioner will help rejuvenate your hair and keep it looking silky and luscious for the next few days. amika comes in clutch again with the Soulfood Nourish Mask. You can buy Soulfood for $28 and this stuff was a total godsend. My new shorter hair was tough to style when I first got it cut, so my only solution was to straighten it about twice a week. Putting any amount of heat on your hair obviously causes some degree of damage, so to combat this, I apply a generous scoop of Soulfood onto the ends of my hair and let it sit for about ten minutes while I finish up whatever else I need to do while showering. I also cannot emphasize enough how fantastic this product smells even after your hair dries. My hair has never felt healthier, despite using hot tools on it several times a week.
4) Use Silk or Satin Pillowcases
I switched over to using satin pillowcases about a year ago and I have noticed a massive difference in my hair. Regular pillowcases made of materials like cotton can actually cause split ends as you roll around in your sleep and apply friction to your hair. If you shower at night like me then this is a tip I highly recommend because your hair is even more prone to breakage when wet. Silk pillowcases can be found in tons of stores, but I found a set of two satin pillowcases for a very reasonable price on Amazon.com.
5) ALWAYS Use Heat Protectant
This is a tip that most people probably already know but I can’t stress how important it is. Using hot tools on your hair is totally fine, but if you’re someone that likes to straighten or curl your hair on a daily basis, then you absolutely need to use a heat protectant to keep your hair from frying. My go-to spray is the TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray. This product is super affordable and works great for both curling and flat irons.
If you’re on a mission to keep your hair healthy and happy then try out some or all of these tips and watch your tresses come back to life!
Images 2 and 3 provided by author