Achieving the hair of your dreams comes down to much more than what shampoo you’re using. In fact, my philosophy is really about ensuring the health of your hair long term, not just its appearance. Trust me, there’s a difference. I put together a few non-negotiables that should be part of your own hair philosophy in order to optimize your hair health while gaining the confidence you’ve always wanted. I mean let’s face it, if we feel good about our hair, it makes a big difference.
So, let’s start with your scalp. If you haven’t implemented a scalp routine before hair wash day, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity! But let’s be honest, sometimes I barely have time to wash my face at night so a scalp routine can feel a bit overwhelming. That being said, it doesn’t have to be complicated, and it certainly doesn’t have to take long. For me, doing a thorough scalp brushing alongside a scalp oil massage the night before I plan to wash my hair works perfectly. That way, you’re planning for it a couple of nights a week so that it’s not too daunting and you’re not overstimulating your scalp. This is simple and effective.
I’m sure you’ve heard this before, probably from me, but lived in color is the way to go when it comes to optimal hair health. And luckily for us, it happens to be on trend. Trade your 6-8 week hair color routine to a 12-16 week routine or ask your stylist not to lift your hair past 2-3 levels above your natural color. This coloring technique keeps the cuticle strong enough to withstand heat styling which allows you to still blowdry, straighten or curl your hair occasionally with less damage. Embrace the change and you’ll have noticeably healthier hair before you know it!
Okay, I want you to walk over to your bathroom counter, grab your flat iron and metal round brushes and put them in drawer where you won’t see them on a regular basis. While lived in color will allow for occasional heat styling, we still don’t want to be using them on a regular basis. To put it simply, they are way too hot for your hair and they’re causing breakage, weakening the cuticle and making your hair very brittle. Clean up your hair tool game with safer options for your hair. A curling iron is much easier on your hair than a flat iron and boar brushes will absorb the heat rather than exude heat. These simple switches can make a big difference.
Lastly, too much of anything usually ends up having the opposite effect and, in this case, I’m talking about keratin. Lately it feels like this ingredient has been added to everything! If keratin shows up in every product that touches our hair, it becomes overwhelming and leaves our hair more brittle instead of making it stronger. If you’ve been loyal to the same keratin heavy products for years, it’s time to switch it up! For me, I have a one product at a time rule when it comes to keratin. If you want to achieve the same effect as keratin, ensure you’re getting at least 100 grams of protein in your diet and add a collagen supplement. I guarantee you’ll see results in no time.
Hair care doesn’t have to be all consuming. Sometimes it’s a few simple hacks that can make the biggest difference. Comment below and let me know which of these you’ll be trying this week!
