Anyone can achieve long and luscious hair with a few changes and additions to their hair care routine. The first step to really achieving long and healthy hair starts from within, by drinking lots of water and eating healthier. Do that, and you'll see results right away! But for those of you who already do this step, you might need some extra ideas to really maximize the look of your hair.
1. Don't wash your hair every day.
Overwashing your hair can really dry it out. For those of you with oily hair, that may seem like a nightmare, and I myself struggle with oily hair. I used to shampoo and condition my hair every single night, but I've slowly gotten away from that and started doing it every other day. My hair wasn't used to this in the beginning, and I needed to use a dry shampoo in between washings. This really worked for me. After awhile, I noticed that I was able to go longer without having to wash my hair. What happens when you wash your hair is that you strip your hair of all of its natural oils, and if you overwash it, your hair starts to overwork itself and produce more oils. After you break this cycle, though, you'll be able to go longer without your hair producing an excessive amount of oil.
2. Use a wide-tooth comb.
Don't brush your hair while it's still wet. When your hair is wet, it's at its weakest and it is more prone to breakage. If you absolutely must brush your hair, make sure to use a wide-tooth comb! This comb is more delicate on your hair. A good idea is to swap out all of your brushes with this comb to avoid as much breakage as possible. I have thick, long hair, so I understand that this might scare you, but if you use a leave-in conditioner before you comb, then you won't have any problems.
3. Wet your hair before swimming.
I was on the swim team for many years, and I still continue to lifeguard and coach today. Chlorine can be really damaging on the hair. I have a spray bottle that I mix with water and conditioner, and every day before I go to the pool, I get my hair really damp with this and then tie it in a tight top bun. This ensures that your hair won't be soaking up any of the chlorine water.
4. Use a deep conditioning hair mask.
Once a week, you should use a deep conditioning mask to help hydrate those dry ends. Designate one day out of the week to do this to make it routine, so you won't forget.
5. Get regular haircuts.
This is the part that we all struggle with, especially myself. Once our hair gets long and we're starting to like it, we dread the thought of getting a trim. But a trim will actually keep your hair growing long. If hair is left too long without a cut, the split ends will make their way up the root. Also, the extra dry ends will weigh down the hair, making it appear lifeless. Getting a trim every few months can help keep your hair healthy and happy.
6. Use a hair oil.
Take a walk down the hair product aisle at the store and pick out a hair oil. I find that they all pretty much work the same way. So pick one out that you like and is in your budget. Use a small amount of this on the ends of your hair every day to help keep them from drying out.
