10 WAYS TO GET HEALTHIER HAIR... NATURALLY
1. Finally, stylists are recommending the easiest way to improve hair health: Wash less frequently. Start by washing every other day for a few weeks, then stretch it to three/two/three/etc. Your scalp will adjust, and produce less oil.
2. Hand-in-hand with washing less frequently is using less heat when styling. Let your hair air-dry as long as possible before styling to limit the amount of time applying heat. Or, bun it on humid and rainy days.
3. Before getting in the shower to wash your hair (or better yet, the night before), spend a few minutes massaging the scalp. This will help distribute your scalp's natural oils to the rest of your hair.
4. Treat your hair with unrefined coconut oil, which has amazing properties and smells fantastic. Take a fingertip amount, rub between your hands, and smooth over dry, styled hair, starting from the ends. Note: When cool, coconut oil is solid--but still easy to use--and liquifies when the temperature reaches mid-70s.
5. The skinny on silicones (the ingredient in most styling products and conditioners) is: while protecting and smoothing the hair shaft, it builds up and requires harsh removal. You can stop using silicones altogether, eliminating the need for shampoo made with detergents. Or, use products with silicones, but remember to clarify every week or two (and follow with deep conditioning). Look up the "no poo" method if choosing the former.
6. Deep condition:
<>Keep olive oil in a small plastic container (think bottles from the travel-size bins) in the shower. Add a drop in your palm, rub hands, then spread conditioner in your hands before applying to hair. Beware: Things get slippery if you don't have a pump on your conditioner.
<>Sounds strange, but adding a few drops of honey to your conditioner helps your hair absorb moisture. It cuts down on frizz, and is not sticky.
<>Rub a dime-size amount of pure jojoba oil in hands and smooth onto your dry hair, focusing on the ends. Leave overnight and wash out in the morning. Remember to protect your pillowcase.
7. Whether or not you have scalp issues, a brown sugar scrub feels amazing. Mix a tablespoon or two of brown sugar into a handful of conditioner and rub into your scalp, drawing little circles. It rinses out fine, but you can follow with another application of conditioner and rinse out any stray granules.
8. Create a hair mask. Whisk 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 teaspoon honey with one beaten egg yolk and apply to dry "dirty" hair. Cover and leave for a half-hour. Then rinse, wash, and condition.
9. Pure, raw shea butter is excellent for smoothing frizz and fly-aways as it moisturizes. It can be difficult to work with, and take some muscle to warm up a pea-size amount in your palms. Starting from the ends, lightly swipe over your hair, working toward roots.
10. Saving the best for last, apple cider vinegar makes hair super shiny. Add a tablespoon or two to a large cup of warm water, and pour over your hair. For best results, don't rinse out. Even if you choose to rinse, you will still smell like a pickle. Thankfully, the scent dissipates from the hair after drying.
by Allison Tevald
