Life is busy, but that shouldn’t mean we can’t spend the time looking after our hair. Hair care is an incredibly diverse practice, depending on many factors. Here are some tips on maintaining a good hair care routine for you.
Look At Your Hair
Initially, when devising your hair care routine, you will need to look at your own hair. There are three things you should look at when looking at your hair: hair type, how your hair has been processed, and the way in which you style it every day.
Hair Types
These are: straight, wavy, curly, and kinky. Each of these hair types has its own type of behavior that excels under different environments. For example, curly and kinky hair requires more moisture or oil than straight or wavy hair. Although similar in temperament, caring for natural wavy hair is different than caring for straight hair. For instance, washing and conditioning routines will differ depending on hair type, as will frequency of use of heat tools.
Hair Processing
Any chemical treatments that have been done to the hair such as dying (adding pigment) or bleaching (removing pigment), or perming (chemical curling or straightening) will also impact how you care for your hair. Colored hair will not be washed every day- as overwashing can lead to your color fading too quickly. Processed hair may also require some additional treatments such as deep conditioning to prevent premature breakage.
Styling
Flat irons and curling tongs emit heat, which will damage hair over time- as will using a hairdryer every time you wash your hair. Using heat protection spray can help to prevent this damage and also ease styling over time. Certain types of hair tie- particularly those with metal in them, can damage your hair when used. They can cause split ends and will require extra trims. How else you care for your hair may depend on other complaints you have such as: itchy scalp, extra frizz, or hair that gets greasy more easily.
What makes a good hair routine?
Most hair care routines have similar steps but will vary in regularity, washing and conditioning. This will need to be done in order to remove build ups of dead skin, oils and hair products. Other times hair should be washed are after swimming, as water from swimming pools and/or the sea can damage the hair. You should always use shampoo on the roots of your hair only. Lathering your scalp thoroughly and rinsing twice before using the conditioner. Conditioner should only be used on the lengths and ends of hair as too close to the scalp will further encourage build-up of products.
Moisturizing
For hair that needs a little more help with moisture or that is very dry following over processing, or if the hair is kinky or coiled, adding moisture and sealing is a very important step in the process. This will involve using a moisturiser and oil in the hair to lock the moisture in place.
Detangling
Tangled hair is a nightmare regardless of hair type. Failing to detangle your hair will result in breakage and damage if not taken care of properly. Use a wide-tooth comb to gently pull apart any tangles. This will help to prevent breakage.
Hair Hints
Following a basic hair care routine will soon become second nature, but certain additions to your routine will really bring it over the edge making your hair the most beautiful it has ever been.
Here are some of them:
- Wash your hair in water that is as cold as you can stand. This works to seal in shine and will prevent color fade due to the fact that hair follicles will close up and create a beautiful shine.
- Hair oils go a long way. Do not overuse, as this can make the hair greasy. As with conditioner, make sure to keep oils away from the scalp/
- Wash your hair less than you feel you need to- ie. not every day. Your hair needs the natural oils formed in the scalp for optimum health.
- Wet hair will break more easily, so always use a wide-tooth comb if detangling when wet.
- Try to limit the use of hot hair tools. For example, try to blow dry hair straight or curly to prevent having to use additional heat following drying.
A good haircare routine will help to bring your hair from drab to fab!
