5 Secrets For Healthy And Shiny Hair

Tangled, dry, frizzy, oily, frustrating, uncontrollable…have you used any of these words to describe your hair? Don’t worry-learning to maintain our coveted strands and produce the look we want is entirely possible with a little work, research, and dedication. That being said, I’ve complied a set of five “secrets” to achieving healthy, shiny hair, which, if followed, will be sure to produce amazing results!

1. Say “No” To Heat

Step one in attaining gorgeous locks, surprisingly, what not to do. Start by taking a look at your styling tools. If you own a straightener, curler or both at www.thatsfoxy.com/category/curling-wands/you may be damaging your hair. Using these tools is okay, as long as you avoid using them regularly. No, I’m not trying to rob you of those perfect waves or straight strands; however, applying heat to your hair regularly will cause breakage, and has especially damaging consequences in the long-run. If you rely on these tools for your daily routine and look, it may seem scary to put them away, but the results are definitely worth it! Read on to find out how to tame and style your hair without using your beloved heating tools.

2. Have A Routine with Good Products

Maybe you already have a vigorous routine and have researched all the best products. Or, maybe you use whatever shampoo happens to be around and don’t give much thought to having a strict routine. In either case, if you’re still at a loss as to what works for your hair, this routine may just be the miracle you’ve been looking for.

• Wash your hair regularly. Begin at the roots of your hair by massaging shampoo against your scalp. After rinsing, apply a moisturizing conditioner and let sit for a few minutes. Rinse, then immediately comb while your hair is still wet. This will get rid of any remaining knots and prevent tangling from happening. Depending on the texture and volume of your hair, finding the perfect product can require some trial-and-error, but here are a few brands that have proven to produce amazing results. Suave is affordable yet highly-effective and will be sure to leave your straight hair soft, shiny, and smelling great. Garnier Fructis is a great option for wavy hair, and curly-haired curls should try co-washing with As I Am Coconut Co-wash.

• Adding additional products after washing again varies based on the type of hair you have. If you have straight hair, products that help with volume rather than hold are going to be the best option. Hairspray, such as L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Lock It Weather Control, gives your hair a full look without adding weight or stickiness. If you have natural curls, gel and mousse will be your life-savers. For thin curls or wavy hair, mousse provides a light hold and bounce, such as TRESemme Flawless Curls. Gels, like Garnier Fructis Wet Whine Gel, are great for thicker curls that need extra hold.

• If possible, try to avoid blow-drying hair for the same reasons that we avoid using straighteners and curling irons. However, if you do choose to blow-dry, use a lower setting, or, in the case of curly-girls, use a diffuser. Letting your hair air-dry is the best method though, and will help your hair remain strong and smooth.

3. Get A Haircut

Even if you are looking to grow your hair out, getting regular haircuts is still vital to your hair’s health. For both straight and curly hair, getting a trim every 2-3 months is recommended to get rid of split ends, which allows your hair freedom to breathe and grow.

Having the right haircut is also very important. If you have straight hair, consider getting layers. This will add volume and bounce, and the regular trims to maintain your layers will strengthen your hair even more.

Layering for curly-girls can make a huge difference as well, but it’s important to find a stylist who specializes in curly hair. Experiment with different lengths and styles-bobs can look super cute with natural curls, but make sure your curls will work for that kind of cut first!

4. Stay Healthy

Staying healthy doesn’t only have a positive impact on your body and skin-it also benefits your hair! Stress can cause hair-loss, so keeping your stress level down is extremely important. Exercising regularly and getting at least 6-8 hours of sleep each night will reduce the amount of cortisol (stress hormones) in your body, which will leave you feeling and looking amazing.

Eating healthy food is important as well, and consuming enough iron, vitamins, amino acids, protein, and fatty acids will give you healthy, shiny hair.

5. Be Confident

Finally, being confident in yourself and the way you look is key to having beautiful hair. Straight-haired girls long for curls, and vice-versa, but falling into this habit only makes you feel worse about the hair you have. If you have straight hair, rock it! Experiment with different products and hair-dos, and have fun! For my Curlies out there, having curly hair requires a lot of work, but is so worth it, and following a routine with the right cut and products can make a huge difference. Just remember, whether your hair is straight, curly, or anywhere in between, don’t be afraid to flaunt your strands and let everyone know that you are proud of your hair!