LONGER, HEALTHIER HAIR – MY TOP CARE TIPS

Who doesn’t want beautiful hair? Whether it’s long waves, a cute bob, or somewhere in between- we all want our hair to be healthy. I’ve had quite a journey with my own locks over the years. From haircuts that were too short to damaged blonde hair, I have seen my hair at its worst. Thankfully, all that is behind me and each day I get a little closer to reaching my hair goals.  Today, I want to share some of my top care tips for how I achieve longer, healthier hair.

The Products:

Shampoos and Conditioners. Find a quality brand that addresses your concerns. If you have color treated hair, go for something that maintains your color and protects your hair.  Or, maybe you want something with keratin to really push your hair growth.  This is the route I was planning on taking after researching, but decided to go for a repairing serum for damaged hair. My brand of choice? Matrix’s  Biolage line. They have so many options of products and have been a tried and true brand for years! But, if you want something at a lower cost, I’ve always felt that TRESemme has good quality products that help foster longer, healthier hair. If I’m not using Biolage, I’m probably using TRESemme.

Deep Conditioning Masks. It’s been almost 10 years since I walked into Ulta and picked up my first deep conditioning mask, Macadamia Deep Repair Masque. It’s still my go-to product! Damaged hair, tends to be dry and more prone to get knotted after showering.  So instead of having a constant battle with the comb, a mask will set in your hair for a few minutes in the shower and after rinsing will help to re-nourish your hair and make combing through you locks a breeze. Use a conditioning mask a couple times a week per the bottle’s instructions.

Clarifying Shampoos.  Our hair can go through a lot – hair products, chlorine, and other chemicals can all build up in our scalp.  I’m addicted to dry shampoo on the days I try to make my hair last, so after making a routine of it I quickly realized I needed to purify and cleanse my hair.  Clarifying shampoo is the first step in my hair washing routine. Regular shampoos tend to moisturize and add shine, but clarifying shampoo really cleans your hair. In fact, if you live in an area that has hard water- a clarifying shampoo could be your best friend.  My go-to is Redken’s Hair Cleansing Cream Shampoo. Unclogging your hair follicles and stimulating circulation, clarifying shampoo can be an awesome addition to your healthier, longer hair care routine.

Heat Protectant. To repair damaged hair and achieve healthier hair, try to avoid adding heat to your hair as much as possible.  I stuck to this rule as much as I could at the beginning of my journey two and half years ago, but have since reincorporated heat styling a few times a week with a few limitations. If you do need to blow-dry or flat iron your hair make sure you always use heat protection.   Heat protectant products create a barrier over your hair to limit heat damage, which can help reduce split ends and as a result help keep hair healthy and promote hair growth.

Tip: I hate going to bed with wet hair and most times I do have to blow dry my hair, but I try to limit the duration (love the efficiency of my Drybar), set the heat to a lower setting, and use my favorite blow-dry lotion or heat protectant spray as a barrier.

The Diet:

Avocados. Yes, get excited! This is your excuse for more avocado toast at brunch. Avocados are high in vitamins B & E which help protect and repair your hair. In turn, these vitamins promote hair growth and assist in healing damaged hair. After going blonde repeatedly, my hair was extremely damaged. I was looking for all the right products. However, what I didn’t realize was since my diet had changed, my hair was slowly getting better.  Everyday I packed my lunch for work and included: one mashed avocado with a little seasoning for taste. Within a few months, I was no longer noticing damaged hair every time I went to style it.

Hair, Skin, & Nails. I’ve used many versions of this multivitamin blend, but the VitaFusion Gummies are my favorite! Biotin, Niacin, Folic Acid and many other vitamins plus the sweet treat of a gummy- make this daily ritual a favorite of mine. Plus, the results are amazing! I saw a huge difference when a friend of mine shared her story and it was absolutely something I thought was worth trying. Of course, check with your health care provider first and find the brand/supplement form that works best for you.

These top care tips for longer, healthier hair are some of my absolute favorites and must do’s. I remember looking at my hair wondering if I could ever get it back to being healthy.  Letting the blonde grow out naturally (talk about an ombre effect!), creating a hair care routine, and incorporating important nutrients has given me healthier hair and set me on a path for continued hair growth. I know that everyone’s hair is different, but I hope these tips gave you some ideas and inspired you to update your hair care routine.

I’d love to hear your recommendations for longer, healthier hair – make sure to leave them below!

♥ Jocelyn

In case you missed it, check out my last post, Believing In I Can – seeing your true potential and reaching your goals!