Healthy Hair How To : Indespensable Tips The Experts Swear By

Remember when I talked about my main goal this year was to be good to myself too? Need a little inspiration for yourself on that, just read this post and download this free wallpaper for your devices! Anyway, when we take care of ourselves we have a better version of us to give to others, to our family, to our kids. Part of that for me is my health, and part of my health includes healthy hair!      

I feel like I’ve been asked so much about my hair lately (and really, all I can think of are the people with truly amazing hair, hello Amber Fillerup and  Eleni McMullen!!) But honestly, I’m just in a phase of really trying to take care of it, and hoping that with this pregnancy and my vitamins, I’ll get some good growth and length out of it too! I don’t want to go the extensions route, although I know that is how so many achieve that long, full, voluminous look…. however, I’ve been able to manage some good results as of late, and most of it has to do with hair care (mask + scalp massage about once a week!) and my new best friend, the curling wand (keep reading for an amazing giveaway!)

Recently, I also had my hair taken back closer to it’s natural color, okay, so maybe just a little darker than it’s natural color. Along with a trim, this darker color has really brought my hair to a better color for my skin and also a much healthier look and I think that has helped a lot! I went with Aveda for color since their products boast a high percentage of naturally based ingredients, and thought it would be the safest way to go during pregnancy. While in the chair at my favorite local Aveda salon (Which, by the way, you’ll be treated like a queen while there and always get a hand and neck massage too! Tell them I sent you!) with friend and amazing colorist, Ashley, we also chatted about some top tips and healthy hair how to’s! 

Don’t Shampoo Every Day

Stretching your hair wash day or blowout to every 3-5 days is something that women with great hair have learned to do. This doesn’t mean to add dry shampoo every day either, as this can dry out your scalp and hair. If it seems counter-intuitive for more oily-haired types, your scalp will level out once you’re not stripping it of oils with a daily wash (which results in over producing oils). You can always add moisture by conditioning on days that you don’t wash, just condition and rinse. Overall, hair usually has a better texture when it’s a little dirtier, too. 🙂

 

Switch Out Shampoos Every Couple of Weeks

No, this doesn’t mean that you need to buy a new shampoo every two-three weeks. What it does mean is to have a couple of shampoos (and conditioners as well) that offer different benefits, and just rotate out every couple of weeks. This will keep you hair from growing dull and “used to” the same product, giving you better results with each wash. 

 

Rinse In Cool Water

Once you’ve shampooed your hair, wring out your hair as much as possible. The less wet your hair is when you apply conditioner, the more your hair will soak it up. Let it set for a few minutes and rinse. Always follow up with a cool rinse to seal the hair shaft.

 

How To Comb Your Hair

Use a large tooth comb (not a brush) and detangle your hair in the shower when there is conditioner on your hair to evenly coat the strands. Plus, you’ll avoid pulling through tangles and causing breakage since the conditioner acts as a glide. 

 

Use The Power Of Steam

If you’re using a hair mask or deep conditioner (recommended about 1X/week!), comb through your hair and put on a shower cap. This allows the steam to penetrate and really let’s the product saturate, adding moisture.

 

Avoid Heat Styling (At Least a Couple Times a Week)

If you’re having a hard time avoiding heat tools, try letting hair air dry on the weekend or find some tricks for taming hair without the heat. Maybe you want to braid it before you sleep on it, or this might be the time to wear braids or messy buns… but let your hair have a break every now and then. 

 

Sleep On It

Towels and pillow cases make a difference, if you can get your hands on silk pillow cases, they allow hair to slide instead of causing friction while you sleep. Or wrap hair in a silk scarf before bed to draw moisture in.

 

Ease Off The Towel Drying

Don’t rub your hair with a towel as it can cause damage and create dull hair. Instead, squeeze out excess water and allow to air dry if possible.

Now… for styling, let’s chat about that curling wand. I’d been hearing about this curling wand via other bloggers I follow and even used one on a cruise with a friend of mine, that’s when I fell in love with it. For the longest time I used a curling iron “like” a wand, and figured it was giving me the same results, but for some reason it just doesn’t compare. What I love about this wand and the results are the different types or curls or waves you can achieve with a single wand AND the fact that the curls last, like really last. I ended up finally giving in and getting a set of three so that I could have the different sized wands, although I pretty much just stick to the 32MM for day to day wear. Go ahead and head HERE to check it out. (You can select the “curling wands” drop down to see the individual wands and look at the Classic Wand 32MM for the tourmaline and ceramic wand that won’t damage hair resulting in a nice shine, or look at the “sets” drop down to see the bundles.) Use the promo code TOOLSS40 for 40% off the tool of your choice PLUS free shipping! I’ve heard really great things about all of their tools, although I have yet to try the straighteners or blow dryers.

I’ve also been giving myself a hair mask treatment once a week (okay I forgot to bring it with me on my last trip, so it’s been a couple of weeks now and I can SO tell the difference!), and it’s been so good for my hair and is also just making me take some time aside for myself. You know how you just feel different when you take the time and effort into caring for yourself, this is such a part of it for me. Sometimes I’ll take a little coconut or jojoba oil and massage my scalp for a few minutes (GREAT hair begins with a healthy scalp, and a massage can help stimulate hair growth as well), and then follow up with a hair mask. Usually this is done in the shower after I’ve shampooed (the routine is oil massage, leave hair for an hour or so before showering and then in the shower shampoo, then hair mask, comb while still in shower with mask on hair, at the end of shower rinse our hair mask followed by a cool rinse). It may seem like a lot, but really it’s not… just a little pre-planning is all. I’ve been loving this Aveda damage remedy treatment lately, and usually will follow with the damage remedy repair leave-in or It’s A 10 Miracle Leave-In once I’m out of the shower (they both protect from heat tools as well!).

 

What hair care tips do you use on a regular basis? Have some that aren’t mentioned, share them with us in the comments, I’d love to hear!

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Sources: 

Level Salon Spa, phone: 813.254.0404

720 S Village Circle
Tampa, FL 33606

NuMe Products

Ashley Hernandez, phone: 615.438.5160