We attach a lot of visual identity to our hair. More than many other features, hair just seems to feel important, like it’s saying something about who we are, and in some cases it is. We just have this innate understanding that someone who is taking care of their hair and has those luscious locks is someone that is taking care of themselves, and that’s no small thing. Unfortunately, many of us end up getting stuck in spirals of bad hair days and missed upkeep, and before we know it, our hair is not looking as lustrous as it once was. Luckily for us, there are options.
There are many ways to improve the look, feel, and indeed, the overall condition of your hair. But most importantly – for long, flowing, luscious locks that shine and glow – you must look after the health of your mane from the inside out. This includes maintaining a healthy diet and having a good hair care routine, as well as the haircare products you use to care for your hair.
Understandably though, navigating the best ways to enhance your locks can be confusing! With so many different haircare products, lotions and potions on the market, it can be difficult to choose the best one. Likewise, when it comes to establishing a healthy routine to treat your locks, it can be challenging to know where to start! Not to mention that establishing a healthy haircare routine can seem overwhelming to some. Of course, good hair care differs for every individual, as we all have different hair types. But regardless if your mane is oily, dry, greasy, or dull, keep reading for some of our top tips on how to improve the look of your hair!
Caring For Your Hair: Choosing the Best Products
One of the most important elements to ensuring that your locks are well cared for and maintained lies in choosing the best products to look after and treat your hair. Of course, it can be very tempting – not to mention, a lot more cost-effective – to reach for cheap and nasty drugstore or supermarket shampoo, conditioner, and hair treatments. However – user beware! Often these cheaper hair care options are no better than detergent. As these products usually contain many harsh chemicals and toxic ingredients, by choosing to use cheap, no-name shampoo, you may even be damaging your hair as you wash it.
To combat this, try opting to utilize a good quality shampoo from a trusted haircare brand instead. For instance, you can rest assured that if a hairdressing salon trusts a haircare brand enough to stock it in-salon and use it to treat their clients, it will do wonders for your locks! Kevin Murphy shampoo, for example, is stocked in many reputable hair salons around the world. Better yet, it is also available to purchase online! Of course, the best thing about choosing a good quality shampoo brand is that you can trust the ingredients that their products contain. As such, making this active choice to switch to branded shampoo is an essential first step in improving both the look and condition of your hair!
Looking After Your Locks: Establishing a Healthy Haircare Routine
Looking after your hair takes more than washing, rinsing and repeating. There is so much consideration that can go into developing the perfect washing routine, and whilst this provides a fantastic range of customisation opportunities, it won’t mean much if it’s not something you can stick to. While choosing good quality products will go a long way, it is also important to establish a healthy haircare routine. And of course, one that is manageable, easy to follow, and most importantly, gives you good results! Follow these haircare steps, and your locks will thank you:
Step One: Pre-wash Hair Repair Treatment
If your hair is damaged, dry, or lackluster, it is essential to place a treatment through your locks before washing it. A hair oil or creme masque will work well here, as these will provide a solid protective barrier for your hair while also giving it some extra shine and moisture in the process. Try to leave the pre-wash treatment in your hair for as long as you can – even overnight if possible. This will create optimal shine, and revive a dull mane to its former glowing glory!
Step Two: Double Cleansing
Next, it’s time to wash your hair! Using a popular method known as ‘double cleansing’, start with a clarifying shampoo that will remove all the dirt, pollution and other toxins from your locks. Next, do a second cleanse with a hydrating and nourishing shampoo that prepares your mane for conditioning.
Step Three: Deep Conditioning
After you’ve thoroughly cleansed your locks, it’s now time to apply conditioner. Once applied, leave the conditioning product to soak into your hair for at least 3 to 5 minutes. This will maximize the deep conditioning effect, and provide optimal nourishment to your hair.
Step Four: Leave-In Treatment
When your hair is clean and dry, the very last step is to apply a leave-in treatment. This will essentially lock in all the moisture and nourishment from the previous steps and will leave your hair shiny, smooth and glowing.
A Balanced Approach: Healthy Hair From the Inside Out
Just as important as good quality hair care products and a healthy haircare routine is the diet you choose to consume. Eating healthily does wonders not just for our internal well-being, it also helps improve our external appearance. This includes the quality of our hair! For the best results, include oily, fatty fish and omega-3 in your diet. You should also aim to include leafy green vegetables, as well as other high protein sources. That way, you can eat your way to shiny, healthy-looking hair!
Caring for your hair takes a multi-faceted approach. But by maintaining a balanced diet, choosing good quality hair care products, and establishing a healthy hair care routine, you can improve the look of your hair. You’ll have shining, flowing locks in no time, and be the envy of all of your friends!