Healthy Hair Tips
Hello friends and happy almost Friday! Today's post is coming at you at the request of several of you for some healthy hair tips. One of the questions I seem to be getting asked the most lately in my inbox is about my hair and hair care tips. I will admit that when it comes to my hair I definitely do a few things to keep my locks long and shiny and healthy.
As someone who's been highlighting/coloring my hair for nearly 15 years I definitely do a few things to keep my strands looking healthy and I've picked up a few tricks over the past few years especially as I've kept my hair long and blonde so today I thought I'd share a few of those tips + a giveaway! Some of these tips cost absolutely nada and a few of them include some products I've come to use and love on the regular but they're all easy and simple enough to incorporate into your routine so take a read through and let me know your thoughts! And if you have any of your own healthy hair tips, let me know!
Tip #1 - Find The Right Hair Guru For You!
When it comes to keeping your hair healthy and happy I truly believe that begins with finding the right stylist. I go see Chantelle at Black Fox and I've been seeing her for years! When I first started seeing her my hair was not in the greatest shape but over time we've worked together to get to a place where my hair is long and strong and waaaaay healthier than when we first started. I also think it's important to find a stylist who will be honest with you and set the right expectations.
I always joke with Chantelle that I can never be blonde enough (lol) but when we chat about how often I'm willing to go see her (I get my hair cut/colored probably 2-3 times a year, and she still gives me shit that I should get it trimmed more which is totally true so do as I say, not as I do! haha), she set more realistic expectations for my hair color (AKA not white blonde dyed, but major blonde foilyage). She also has helped educate me on better products to use which takes me to my next tip.....
Tip #2 - Use The Good Stuff
Quality is so important when it comes to the products you use and as I get older, I realize that it's worth investing in yourself and using good products. Also, better quality doesn't always mean more expensive! I swear by my Wet Brush that Chantelle got for me a few years ago. It's way gentler on your wet hair and helps to detangle while reducing breakage and damage to your hair. It's pretty great and if you have long thick hair like me, it's definitely a game changer and totally affordable.
I also started using hair elastics that don't snag such as these ones. As a bonus in addition to not tangling and snagging your hair, they also don't leave that annoying elastic line you usually get with traditional elastics which is a major win if you ask me!
Also, let's talk about the products you use in your hair. To be honest, I usually wash my hair once a week (more on that below) so I don't use shampoo and conditioner often so when I do, I feel like it should be the good stuff that helps my hair. One of the things I like in a shampoo is one that helps keep my blonde looking fresh. I've only been using this now for about a month but I've been loving Joico's Blonde Life products. I've been using their shampoo and conditioner and I love how smooth and silky it leaves my hair. I've noticed a big difference in how my hair feels and how my hair is WAY less tangled after I wash and condition it with these products than before. After I wash and condition my hair, I've also been towel drying it then using the Joico Blonde Life Veil which helps protect against heat and environmental and chemical damage and keeps frizz at bay while boosting shine. I've been really really impressed with these products so if you're blonde like I am, I highly recommend them!
Lastly, a great miracle treatment that Chantelle introduced me to is Olaplex. Again, especially for us blondes who color and highlight our hair, the bleach can be so damaging. Olaplex is an in salon treatment that your stylist performs when you're having your hair colored and it helps to strengthen and protect your hair and since using Olaplex (I've been using it for over a year now when I go see Chantelle), I've noticed a big difference in how healthy my hair looks and feels. So next time you're at the salon as your stylist if they can use an Olaplex treatment for you!
Tip #3 - Go Ahead, Be Lazy
This tip is probably my favourite because it appeals to the laziness in all of us! haha Like I mentioned above I usually only wash my hair once a week. *gasp, shock, cries* - I know. I used to wash my hair every other day and I would constantly be bitching about how annoying it was to blow dry and style all the time. Then a hair stylist I was seeing at the time (this was about 8 or 9 years ago) told me I was washing my hair WAY too much. She told me to start delaying my hair washing by one day then slowly stretching it out longer and longer. My longest stretch has been 10 days and I wont' lie, by 10 days it's definitely not pretty but it gives your hair a break. Using the right shampoo like I talked about above can make a big difference in ensuring you're not stripping away your natural oils and leaving behind build up and chemicals but even still, you definitely do not need to wash your hair every day or even every other day. If you're an every day washer, start stretching things out a bit. I started by washing my hair ever three days and I did that for a long time, then I started stretching it to four, and five, etc until I'm now in a place where unless I've sweated profusely or have an event or photos where I have a particular style in mind for a certain day and my 'washing schedule' doesn't line up with that - I wash my hair once a week. And let me tell you it is joyous. I've had a few people ask me how I manage so here's how that typically works
Day 1 - 3 hair down and usually curled. Day 3-5 hair in half top knot or low ponytail or ponytail. Days 4-5 is where a bit of dry shampoo comes into the picture. Day 5-7 hair is up and usually in a top knot. I try not to use a ton of dry shampoo so I try to only bust that out between days 5-7 when it's really necessary.
A lot of people ask me how I avoid the greasy look and probably my best tip for avoiding that is by using a claw clip to keep my hair out of my face as often as I can. I usually have one of these in my purse at all times and when I'm at home or sometimes even in the car I clip my hair up and out of my face. The clips don't leave marks in your hair and they keep it up and away from your face and I don't know about you but if my hair is down, I tend to play with it and I'm convinced that the constant touching and playing adds grease and takes away volume. So, by clipping up your hair when you're at home or even at your desk at work or driving, you'll be able to stretch out how long you can wear it down without it looking greasy!
Tip #4 - Healthy Hair From The Inside
Phew! So much info! haha Clearly I take my healthy hair tips very seriously ;) My last tip is to help your hair from the inside. You might remember earlier this year I partnered with Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies. When I tell you guys I only partner with brands I truly love I mean it so over this past year I've continued to take these gummies and love them. They contain Vitamin E, C & Biotin which is known to help with hair growth and health.
Biotin is vital to cell proliferation, which is why it is a valuable tool in hair growth. When ingested, biotin reacts with cell enzymes and plays a vital part in producing amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. Hair itself consists of keratin, which is a form of protein. Therefore, consuming foods that contain biotin helps to contribute to hair growth. *
So, if you're trying to grow your hair out, taking supplements such as these with biotin can help speed up the growth process. I'm convinced they've been working wonders on my hair not to mention that when I am regularly taking them, I notice a big difference in my skin as well. They're great for your nails too and because I get my nails shellac'd regularly I'm not sure I can fully speak to if I notice a difference or not but I will say that my nails never chip (although I'm not sure if that's because they're really strong from these supplements, because Jen is amazing at doing nails or if it's a combo of both! haha)
A few weeks ago Nature's Bounty reached out just to find out if I was still loving the vitamins and taking them. When I emailed back saying YES, they offered to partner on a giveaway! So, today on my IG I'm giving away a bottle of Nature's Bounty Hair Skin and Nails Gummies + essential oils for you to try for yourself! Head to my IG page to enter - good luck!
