16 Great Hair Care Tips

It gets said time and time again that a woman’s hair is her crown. If your crown is looking a little less than shiny, or you’re struggling to get a look that works for you, then your crown can feel more like a flat cap. When your hair is not helping you to feel your glorious best, you need some hair care tips that are going to help restore your confidence as well as your locks. In this post  we'll take a look at 16 of the best hair care tips out there and how you can use them to restore your crown to its natural, shining beauty.

1. Turn Down The Heat
If you want to keep your hair in tip-top condition and help the health of your scalp as well, then think about turning down the heat when you wash your hair. While there’s not much that beats a hot shower, too hot and you run the risk of damaging your delicate hair and of scalding your scalp, which can lead to dryness and itching. Instead, opt for lukewarm which won’t strip the hair of essential oils and might even bring back a little shine.

2. And That Applies to Your Hair Tools Too
Same for your hairdryer and straighteners. Excessive heat can leave your hair dry, damaged and dull. Use a hair dryer that can change heat and force and always, always use a protective spray or serum on your hair before you use a drying or straightening product.

3. Don’t Do The Towel Rub
You step out of the shower, grab a towel and dry off and that includes rubbing your hair to get the excess moisture out. But that towel could be damaging your hair, which is made the cuticle more fragile and prone to breakage when wet. Experts suggest that an old cotton t-shirt can be a far more effective and gentler approach to hair drying and doing this gives an old item new life at the same time.

4. Target Your Shampooing
If you always give your hair a thorough shampooing, think again. Hair care gurus argue that the best place to target your shampoo is the scalp. Because your scalp and roots are the areas that really need cleansing and not the tips of your hair which are probably dry already and don’t need any more of their essential oils stripped away. Give yourself a relaxing scalp massage and leave the lengths and tips to their own devices when it comes to shampooing

5. Conditioning is a Different Story
Not so when it comes to conditioning. The role of conditioner on your hair is to improve the texture of your hair and not the scalp and roots. So, in contrast to your shampoo, apply the conditioner to the mid length and tips of your hair. You should be thinking about replacing the essential oils that get stripped away. Your scalp and roots produce their own oil so avoid this area. Spread the conditioner through evenly with a wide-toothed comb but remember to comb gently as it’s easy to break hair when wet.

6. Use Tools Carefully
The first thing to consider when using hair straighteners is if your hair is completely dry. You will damage your hair if you attempt to straighten or curl your hair when it’s wet, so don’t even try. Instead give your hair a blast with a hairdryer, using a protective serum before you start of course.

7. Give Your Hair a Break
If you always tie your hair back, you might want to think about leaving your hair down now and again. Giving your hair a break from being tied up and the strands pulled tight will lessen pressure on the roots and help your hair to feel bouncier and fuller. The same goes for your part. If you feel like you’re beginning to see a little more scalp than you used to, think about just shifting it over a little way and you’ll see more lift in your roots and a bit less scalp on display.

8. Treat Your Scalp
You’ve got your deep conditioning for your hair, you’ve got scrubs for your face but did you know you can get one for your scalp too? Dirt and dead skin can easily build up on your scalp over time, so you should consider giving it a regular deep cleanse scrub to remove all of that and get a fresh start at least once a month.

9. Dry Shampoo Is Great
If your hair is looking a little greasy, dry shampoo can help to soak up that oil. If your hair is looking a little flat, dry shampoo can help restore some volume. Buy the best quality dry shampoo that you can afford, one that doesn’t leave behind any residue and consider carrying in your purse or gym bag to give you that lift and feeling of clean when you need it most.

10. Go Deep
Whatever the length of your hair, you want to make sure that you are regularly using a deep condition treatment to boost strength and shine. Try to do this once every other week to help keep your hair in top shape.

11. Go Natural
That’s right, ditch the mousse, the serum, the hairspray and the hair ties and let your locks loose. Giving your hair a break from the chemicals and constraints you put on it will help keep it healthy and restore any balance that gets upset when you use harsh chemicals or heat. Let your hair air dry after a wash and restore some natural shine.

12. Trim Regularly
Split ends can be a nuisance but you can keep them in check with a regular trim. If you’ve got a steady hand or have someone you trust, then trim them regularly before these become too plentiful. Your hair growth will benefit and you’ll get rid of that dry frizz at the ends of your hair.

13. Source Natural
While there are some great hair care products out there from the big names, it’s can be worthwhile to go with more natural products that clean and moisturize your hair. Hit up your local health and beauty shop or take a look online and find some recipes that are simple to make but give your hair a natural beauty boost. Lower cost, kinder to your hair and you know exactly what’s going on to your body with no harsh chemicals.

14. Don’t Ignore Damage
If you’ve been coloring your hair for years, or if you’ve just noticed a deterioration in the quality of your hair and it’s shininess, then don’t ignore these warning signs. It might be a simple case of switching up your products to more skin and scalp sensitive alternatives or it might point to something bigger. The health of your hair can be an indicator of your overall well being so if you spot changes in your skin, hair or nails then consider going to a doctor for a check-up. Take a note of any other physical symptoms that you’ve noticed too.

15. Live Well
Health is so much more than weight and appearance, Your body and hair react to the food and the liquid you put into it. It is reflected not just in what you eat, but the quality of what you eat. No one has the perfect diet and nutritional balance but when you can eat fresh, eat a good mix of foods and of course drink plenty of water.

16. And Finally
Don’t stress about your hair. If you’re stuck on what to do, if you feel it needs a little extra help then do just that, get help from a hairdresser’s you trust. Ask for advice on style and on products and get a cut that fills you with confidence in your look. Your hair may be your crown but we all need a hand in polishing it sometimes. Think simple, regular routines that keep it in a healthy state. Choose products that are suitable for your particular style and condition and think about swapping in some natural or home made products once in a while. Have those ends trimmed regularly and treat your scalp to an exfoliating rub every now and again. Turn down the heat and protect your hair with serums that prevent heat damage and make sure to go for a deep condition at least once a week.

Then all that’s left to think about is your style. Switch up that part, go for a new color or a new cut and find a look that’s easy, fun and reflects your unique style. Hair care doesn’t have to be complicated. 

This is a contributed post.

Photo: W Korea