It’s usually quite easy to spot a successful woman. Her attire is perfectly pressed, nails masterfully manicured, and makeup expertly applied. She oozes self-confidence, walking with her head held high. And, upon that head, rests a mane of healthy, shiny hair. Yes, this is a woman who takes the time to care for herself from the tips of her toes to her luscious locks…
Is your hair not quite living up to your expectations? It may need a health boost. Unfortunately, when it comes to a self-care regime, we lovingly slather our bodies and faces with soothing creams and ointments, we are far less kind to our hair. Blasting it with heat, ripping apart tangles, and subjecting it to a huge array of impossible-to-pronounce chemicals. If we truly want to a mane of success, we need to learn how to get healthy hair. And this means treating our tresses.
Here are 10 habits for highly successful hair.
1. Regular Trims
Snipping your strands will help conquer your follicles’ number one enemy: split ends. After all, split ends not only make your hair look brittle and uncared for, but they also lead to breakage. Regular trims will keep your ends healthy, while giving the illusion that it is growing faster.
2. Slumber on silk
Your current cotton pillowcase is not as innocent as it appears. In fact, it wreaks havoc on your tresses every single night. New York physician, Jesleen Ahluwalia, explains that silk helps prevent tangles and breakage, enabling your hair to retain its healthy appearance and long length. Plus, nothing will make you feel more successful than a night ensconced in the luxuriousness of silk.
3. Brush brush away
If you have ever wondered how to get thick healthy hair, you must look to the Disney princess for advice. How do they achieve their thick, lustrous locks? It’s all the brushing they do. Brushing regularly will ensure that your hair’s natural oils will be more evenly distributed throughout your scalp, preventing possible damage. Lucy Flora, stylist at Frederic Fekkai in New York City, warns against using plastic brushes as they can break your hair strands. Plastic is also non-conductive, which means your hair will have much more static. A ceramic brush or boar-bristle option is preferred.
4. Show your scalp some love
It is impossible to achieve healthy hair without a healthy scalp, so it is important to use products that keep your scalp moisturized, especially if you are a fan of hats. Scalp massages are perfect for stimulating blood flow and boosting follicle health. Another option is investing in a scalp massager.
5. Take a deep breath and de-stress
Stress takes a toll on your whole body, including your hair. In fact, too much stress over a long period of time can actually make your beloved follicles start to fall out, leading to rapidly thinning hair.
6. Loosen up those tresses
When it comes to wearing your hair up, never ever use a rubber band. And clips with metal fasteners are a big no-no too. Instead, opt for a scrunchie or a material-covered band that won’t pull at your strands. Redken also recommends eschewing tight ponytails, braids, or buns as these can weaken hair. A looser updo is much more follicle-friendly.
7. Oil is your new best friend
Introducing your mane to a hair-healthy oil is great for both moisturising your follicles and your scalp. Whether you opt for an oil of the olive, coconut, argon, or almond variety, your hair will absolutely thank you. Make sure you spread it evenly throughout your locks, ensuring that the tips get their fare share. Just remember, don’t use too much or you’ll end up using a gallon of shampoo to get it out, which defeats the whole purpose.
8. You are what you eat
If you want your hair to exude good health, you need to eat the right nutrients. Protein, omega-3, and biotin are all necessary to achieve long, thick, healthy hair. Consuming lots of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, and drinking water are all important in promoting strong hair. It is also important to ensure that you are getting enough vitamins and minerals, paying special attention to vitamins B, C, and D, zinc, and iron.
9. Hair Masks au natural
If you have ever wondered how to get hair healthy naturally without relying chemicals, you need only look to your pantry. Applying mashed bananas to your hair for about 15 minutes helps repair damaged follicles, mayonnaise can provide deep-conditioning within an hour, butter will add much needed moisture, mashed avocado can add shine, and washing your hair in beer will make locks more lustrous.
10. Keep your cool
Have you ever felt the top of your head mid blow dry session? it feels hot and frazzled. Cosmetic Chemist, Ni’Kita Wilson, recommends hitting the cold-shot button on your hair dryer to cool your hair down instantly after a blow dry session. This will not only make your head feel better, but it will prevent ongoing follicle damage.
Now that you know how to get healthy hair, it’s time to spring into action. Follow our top 10 tips and give a big hello to glorious locks that let everyone know who you really are: a highly successful woman with highly successful hair!