For many of us, our hair is our pride and joy. Whether you prefer long, luscious locks or a short, choppy bob, our hair is often as impactful on our style as the clothes we choose to wear.
Clothes require adequate care to keep them looking good, so it makes sense that our hair does too. Today we're showing you how to take care of your hair on a daily basis to keep it looking and feeling healthy. We'll also be sharing some natural hair care tips to give it an extra boost from time-to-time.
How to take care of your hair
Think you know how to take care of your hair? You could be making some BIG hair care mistakes!
Many of us have bad habits that can contribute to damaged hair. Make sure you heed our advice if you want strong, healthy hair that looks and feels amazing.
1. Don't sleep with wet hair
Are you guilty of rolling into bed with wet hair on those nights where anything other than watching TV seems too tasking? We know how you feel, but you could be making a big mistake!
Sleeping with wet hair may save time in the short run, but it can really damage your hair in the long run. It can cause bacteria growth, acne, and even hair loss.
2. Avoid tight styles
Are you never without a high, tight ponytail for work? It may be worth rethinking your hairstyle.
Tight styles can put pressure on hair follicles and, over time, lead to hair loss. It's best to avoid repeating the same hairstyle too often, as it will cause repetitive strain on your scalp and will also cause breakages.
Along with varying your hairstyle, try using bobby pins instead of hair ties wherever possible as these are much more gentle.
3. Pat not rub
Another haircare mistake many of us make is when it comes to drying our hair.
It's important to remember - no matter how tight for time you are - to always pat your hair dry and to never aggressively rub it with a towel. Rubbing, along with the texture of the towel, are a match made in hell for hair. It'll cause split ends and frizz as you're working in the opposite direction of hair growth.
Patting might take longer, but it'll save you time (and inches!) in the long run.
4. Avoid over-styling
When you throw a piece of meat onto the grill, the heat changes it significantly. Whilst our hair doesn't respond in exactly the same way as a sausage, it also experiences changes when hit with heat.
Over styling with heat tools can dry hair out and cause breakages, making it dull and brittle over time.
To prevent your hair from looking lacklustre, stay away from styling tools as much as possible. Air dry your hair instead of using a hairdryer, use plaits and braids to create waves or, best of all, leave it completely au naturel!
5. Use heat protection spray
If you really do have to style your hair, we'd recommend investing in a good quality heat protection spray to create a barrier between your hair and the heat source.
Whilst this isn't as good as avoiding heat entirely, it will go some way to protect your hair from damage. Whether you're drying, straightening or curling, never be without your heat protection spray - you'll be amazed at what a difference it makes.
6. Cold water rinse
Your skin might not particularly enjoy showering in cold water, but your hair sure will!
Before you jump out of the shower, give your hair a rinse with cold water. It will help seal the hair cuticles so hair lies flat, giving it a sleek, shinier appearance.
All that, without a single product!
7. Balanced diet
We can't emphasise the importance of a healthy, balanced diet enough when it comes to beauty.
Everything from our toenails to our hair benefits from the nutrients found in food, which is why our diet is so important for hair health.
For best results, eat a varied diet of natural foods, including:
- Eggs - Zinc and selenium
- Berries - Vitamin C
- Fatty fish - Omega-3
- Nuts and seeds - Vitamin E
- Sweet potatoes - Vitamin A
- Wholegrains - Biotin
8. Stay away from dye
Remember when your mother always used to warn you about the dangers of bleaching your hair? Well, it turns out she was right!
Dyeing our hair isn't as simple as colouring a piece of paper in with a pen. In order for the hair dye to take, the cuticle must be broken. Ammonia is used to lift it and then, usually, peroxide is used to strip the hair colour. The longer your cuticle is lifted (i.e the amount of time the dye stays on your hair) the weaker the strands become.
Every time you dye, your hair gets weaker - something to bear in mind next time you fancy a change of aesthetic.
9. Proper brush technique
Turns out you could even be brushing your hair incorrectly.
There are a surprising number of mistakes to make when brushing your hair, including:
- Using the wrong tool - round brushes are for styling purposes only. A boar bristle brush or a comb with staggered teeth are best for brushing.
- Starting from the scalp - this can create more knots and damage hair. Start a few inches from the end and brush downwards, slowly working your way upwards as hair becomes smooth.
10. Wash less
Another common mistake we make is washing our hair too frequently. Although this may seem like a good idea at the time, every time we wash our hair, we strip some of the natural oils out of it.
Not only this but the more we wash our hair, the more we need to wash it. This is because the lack of oils makes the scalp dry, prompting the production of more oil, which results in greasy hair.
Natural haircare tips
If you've only just learnt how to take care of your hair properly, it's worth checking out our natural haircare tips too. They'll help give you hair a welcome boost to improve overall health and appearance.
We'd recommend using some of the natural products below intermittently as and when you have the time to keep hair healthy.
1. Eggs
Eggs are full of nutrients, and egg yolks are particularly beneficial for hair health.
Containing Vitamins A, E and also biotin, using eggs on your hair will help it build up a barrier and prevent it from being damaged so easily.
TRY IT: Mix 2 egg yolks with 2 tbsp olive oil and massage onto hair. Leave to sit under a shower cap for an hour before rinsing.
2. Bananas
Bananas contain both Vitamin C and potassium, both of which help to keep hair in good condition.
TRY IT: Mash 2 ripe bananas with 1/2 cup raw honey and massage into hair from roots to tip. Leave for 20 minutes under a shower cap, then wash with lukewarm water.
3. Mayonnaise
It may sound like a weird one, but mayonnaise can actually be highly beneficial for hair health. Common ingredients include lemon juice, vinegar and oil which contain fatty acids to nourish hair.
TRY IT: Apply mayonnaise to wet hair and massage in from roots to ends. Pop on a shower cap and leave to sit for 20 minutes before washing off.
4. Coconut oil
Coconut oil has been hailed as an amazing natural beauty product for a while now and for good reason.
It's a wonderful alternative to other fats not only for cooking but for our appearance too. Coconut oil moisturises dry hair, helps the scalp to fight bacteria, prevents breakages and splitting and also adds shine and softness to hair.
TRY IT: It's easy to reap the hair benefits of coconut oil. All you need to do is massage the oil in your hands until it melts, then apply to dry hair from root to tip. Leave for at least half an hour (and a few hours if possible) before washing out with warm water.
5. Honey
Honey isn't just delicious on yoghurt - it both attracts and retains moisturise making it an ideal conditioner, especially for dry hair.
TRY IT: Mix 1/4 cup honey with a little water until it's thin enough to spread over the hair. Massage it in from root to tip and leave to sit for 30 minutes before rinsing off.
6. Fenugreek
Fenugreek seeds - otherwise known as methi seeds - have some amazing hair-health boosting properties. Full of protein, iron, potassium and Vitamin C, it's wonderful when used as a conditioner to renourish hair.
TRY IT: Soak 15g of fenugreek seeds in water overnight. Drain, and grind into a paste the following morning. Apply to your hair and leave for at least 30 minutes before washing out.
7. Strawberries
These bright Summer berries can do wonders for your hair. Full of magnesium, omega 3 fatty acids, copper, ellagic acid, folic acid and B Vitamins, they promote shiny and silky hair whilst preventing hair fall and dandruff.
TRY IT: Purée a handful of strawberries and massage into hair. Leave for 15 minutes before washing out.
8. Beer
Taking a break from alcohol? Use those last beer bottles on your hair instead. Vitamin B and the protein found in malt and hops can repair hair damage, add shine and even give hair more body.
TRY IT: Once beer has gone flat, pour it over wet, clean hair and massage it in. After 15 minutes or so, rinse the beer out with tepid water.
9. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another one of the most popular products used by lovers of natural beauty. It's extremely cheap, versatile and beneficial so it's easy to see why.
With regards to hair health, apple cider vinegar contains anti-fungal properties that keep the scalp bacteria-free and prevent things like dandruff from forming.
TRY IT: Make a solution of equal parts water and apple cider vinegar and slowly pour it over wet hair, massaging it in as you go. Leave it to sit for 10 minutes then rinse.
10. Aloe vera
Aloe vera isn't just for sunburn! Not only does it have antiviral and antibacterial properties, but also proteolytic enzymes which work to repair dead skin cells on the scalp. An aloe vera treatment will leave your head healthy and your hair looking and feeling amazing.
Want to know more uses for aloe vera? Check out our handy tips.
TRY IT: Cut an aloe vera plant and squeeze out the gel. Apply it to hair after shampooing as you would a conditioner, leaving for a few minutes for it to work its magic before rinsing.
11. Avocado
Avocado is another supposed superfood that can also be used for hair. The fatty acids are particularly good for calming dry, frizzy hair and the antioxidants can help prevent it from becoming damaged.
TRY IT: Mash a ripe avocado then mix with 1 tbsp or 2 of olive oil until a thick paste is formed. Lather the paste onto your hair, starting at the roots and working it down to the tips. Pop on a shower cap, then cover your hair in a warm damp towel to help the nutrients penetrate your scalp. Wait 20 minutes before rinsing off.
Now you'll have the most beautiful, natural hair around! What are your biggest hair dilemmas? Share them with us in the comments below and we'll do our best to help.
I am intolerant to gluten but instead of paying out for GF shampoos, I decided to just wash my hair in warm to hotter water, no soaps, just water. Everyone comments on how fantastic it looks! I do not use anything to style it except a brush. My husband decided to follow my lead and his hair is looking brilliant despite being 60 this year. Loved the article, really interesting. Keep them coming!!
That would be much better for your hair! Apparently, after it gets used to not being washed with soap it starts to self-clean anyway.
Hair will never “self clean” all this will do is lead to severe build up in the hairs’ follicle and cause balding. Some have to learn lessons the hard way I guess, never resort to not washing any part of the human body. It will result in worsening the problems you are trying to cure!
It is not recommended to avoid washing your hair altogether, as buildup can clog hair follicles and potentially lead to hair loss or thinning. However, it is also true that our bodies have a natural process of producing sebum, an oil that helps moisturize and protect our hair and skin. Over-washing can strip natural oils and cause dryness or damage, so finding a balance is critical to maintaining healthy hair.
Hi I have a lot of breakages and so lose a lot of hair Do you have any advice on thinning hair?
Hi there, Sonya. What have you tried so far?
That's very true - JO 5. It may sound a bit odd but I've been washed my hair with rain water and it stops frizzing and is much healthier looking. Shampoo no matter what it says it does, is rubbish! Shampoo is all the same all it does is remove dirt and grease. Biotin tablets are very good too though must admit it makes my nails more than my hair grow.
Washing hair with rainwater may be beneficial as it is softer than tap water. While shampoo primarily removes dirt and oil, some may contain harsh ingredients that can strip the hair of natural oils, and biotin supplements may promote hair growth and health, but consulting a healthcare professional is essential before starting any new supplement.
My granny always used the water from her water butt to wash her hair and it was like silk.
How interesting, Jo! I wonder why that is?
I recently died my hair blond to the root my natural hair colour is dark brown and when I try to dye it it has turned green and I have already tried professionally dying it again and it has went back to the same color I do not want to risk dying it again. How can I make it grow faster and how long will it take. I want my hair to be nice and healthy. Have you got any tips.... Thanks x
Hi Paige! Have you tried using a special shampoo to help with the colour?
My hair falling
hy iam sofia iam loss my hair day by day can you have any sultion about it tnx
Hi Sofia! Which areas are you losing hair from and how long has this been going on for?
Sleeping with wet hair is the worst. It is so hard to undo the form or shape it takes the next morning. I wish I were strong enough to rinse with cool or cold water. I know it will help my hair tons but I love a hot shower! As a silk scarf designer for hair care I have to mention sleeping on a silk pillowcase (satin polyester for a more cost effective option although not natural). An effortless way to reduce breakage and maintain hair's moisture balance.
Very true!
Since the quarantine I decided to cut my hair by myself and it’s just not it and my hair takes forever to grow I will be trying some hair masks to see if that helps how many times a week do you recommend to do the remidiese
Hair masks can be used once a week for optimal results, but overuse can weigh hair down. However, hair growth is primarily determined by genetics and overall health.
Hi I’ve recently bleached my hair twice (not at the same time) to get to my natural blonde and I’m keeping it that colour now so I don’t have to ever touch it again. My hair is just naturally short and always has been due to me straightening it 3 times a day EVERY day but it was really really short this time last year due to hair extensions and bleaching about 7 times but has grown drastically compared to how short it was last year (front parts were as short as up to my eyebrows when they used to be down to my shoulders so you can imagine) and I haven’t straightened or applied any heat at all in 6 weeks An have no hair extensions in for 2 month and my hair feels so much healthier, also had a trim too, it is still short however, not as short as front bits up to my eyebrows and the rest is a decent length and isn’t a stupid short. My front bits have grew an are now touching just below my chin, but I’m wanting it to grow, I’ve been taking vitamins and doing Deep treatments e.g. leaving coconut oil in over night (as I’m doing right now lol) and this has made my hair feel so so nice and smooth and not frizzy or dry, my ends feel perfect. I was just wondering if everything I’m doing is right? I have not been putting any heat on it, don’t go to sleep with it wet have to let it air dry first, not too harsh on it when brushing and not drying with a towel and not washing it everyday? so I was just wondering if everything I was doing is correct and was wondering if all there is left to do now is the waiting game? Or can you recommend anything aswell as just waiting and doing all the things I have listed? xxxxx
To promote healthy hair growth and maintain hair health, avoid heat styling tools and use a wide-tooth comb. Eat a balanced diet, consider taking hair growth supplements, and use a silk or satin pillowcase. Remember that hair growth takes time, and regular trims can help promote healthy growth.
the inversion method really works on my hair I love it, I need a clearer explanation on avocado and olive oil do you wear a shower cap then cover it or
To use avocado and olive oil on your hair, mix equal parts of both oils, apply the mixture to your hair and massage into your scalp; cover your hair with a shower cap, leave on for at least 30 minutes or overnight, then rinse with warm water and shampoo.
hie i gad a lot of breakage during the monsoon and my hair looks super frizzy i want to grow them really fast
To promote healthy hair growth and reduce frizz, eat a balanced diet, keep your hair clean and moisturized, avoid using hot tools, use a wide-toothed comb, protect your hair from the elements, get regular trims, and consider using hair growth products with caution.
Hallo. Because I have a terminal lung condition, it is very difficult for me to have water on my face - the thought of it makes me panic about not being able to breathe. I tried a special shower cap with some sort of cleaning agent inside, but, apart from being rather expensive, it left my hair with the most awful feeling. So for the past 9 months I haven't washed my hair at all. I haven't coloured it either and now I have lovely (I think) silver hair down to my bra strap. No split ends and it's strange, I thought it would smell sweaty and hairy but it doesn't. No one's complained about it anyway!
Thanks for sharing!
Hi, I went through your blog, it is really nice, the tips you have shared are really helpful. Hoping for some more content in future . Keep sharing more information like this.
Thanks for the kind feedback, Abdul!