Wednesday, May 1, 2013

12 Tips for Healthier Hair

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of John Frieda. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's worth it to take a little extra time and thought into your hair care, to get great results. Here are some ways that I've found, through personal experience, the advice of a stylist, or a great magazine article to achieve stronger and healthier hair.
12 Tips for Healthier Hair

1. Let your hair air dry as much as possible. Even if you use a hair drier to dry your hair, let it air dry or as long as possible before you start. Wet hair breaks and stretches much more easily than dry hair, plus your hair drier does some damage to your hair each time you use it. Letting your hair air dry a little bit before you start to blow dry it also minimizes this damage. Gently wrap your hair in an absorbent towel while you do your make-up, get dressed, and eat breakfast, and then come back and dry your hair as the last part of your routine.

2. Avoid the sun. Sun damages your hair and makes it more brittle and breakable. Put on a hat, or a scarf if you're planning on spending all day in the sun. If you're laying out in the sun at the beach, lay a small towel over your hair to protect it. You can also purchase special products that help protect your hair from the damaging UV rays of the sun.

3. Use quality shampoos and conditioners. Even if you don't use high quality products each time you wash your hair, using salon quality products some of the time will boost the health and vibrancy of your hair. I've started using John Frieda Brilliant Brunette shampoo and conditioner, and my hair feels and looks so much healthier, smoother, and more vibrant.

Brilliant Brunette Shampoo and Conditioner

4. Get the most from your conditioner. The best way to use conditioner, is to start by applying it to the tips of your hair, and gradually work it up towards your roots. Don't apply any conditioner directly to your roots because it will make your hair look greasy. Once you've applied the conditioner, let it sit for 2 - 3 minutes before rinsing.

5. Rinse your hair with cold water. Right before you get out of the shower, rinse your hair with cold water. It will make your hair visibly shinier and healthier.

6. Wash your hair less. Everyone's hair is a little different, and some women can't get away with not washing their hair every day. However, other women have gotten into the habit of washing their hair every time they shower, and end up washing their hair every day, even when it's not dirty. Consider washing your hair a little less often when it isn't dirty for healthier overall hair.

7. Know your hair type. I have very thick, brunette hair with a lot of volume and body. It's generally straight, but it tends to be poofy and frizzy. So for me, it wouldn't make sense to use a volumizing shampoo. Instead, I've started using John Frieda's Brilliant Brunette shampoo and conditioner, as well as the John Frieda Frizz Ease Fresh Start Smoothing shampoo and conditioner. I've been surprised at how quickly my hair has started to feel smoother and healthier, plus my brunette color has never been more vibrant. (Visit John Frieda hair care products for more information about your hair and for some useful video tutorials.)

John Frieda Hair Care Products

8. Use a good quality brush. Avoid cheap plastic brushes that can break and damage your hair. Boar bristle brushes are the most healthy and natural way to brush your hair. (source: stylist Edward Tricomi via SHAPE) Also consider using a wide toothed shower comb to run through your hair after you shower, when your hair is wet and most vulnerable to breaking and stretching. 

9. Get regular trims. Split ends can end out doing a lot of damage to your hair, not just your ends. Getting your hair trimmed about once every 6 - 8 weeks helps prevent split ends and promotes healthy growth.

10. Use a deep conditioning cream about once every 2 weeks. I've started using John Frieda Full Repair Deep Conditioner (a salon quality product you can conveniently purchase at WalMart), and it is amazing. After the first time I used it, my hair felt so soft and smooth, I couldn't stop running my fingers though it. 

Deep Condition - Soft Shiny Healthy Hair
11. Eat healthy foods. Vitamins D and E, and Omega 3 fatty acids are especially beneficial to your hair. Hair healthy foods include: salmon, walnuts, oysters, sweet potatoes, eggs, spinach, lentils, Greek yogurt, blueberries, and poultry. You could also add daily vitamins to your diet. (Source)

12. Don't over dry or over straighten your hair. You don't need to dry your hair until it is 100% dry. Stop at about 90% for healthier hair and a more natural look. When you straighten your hair, be careful to not hold the flat iron too long in one spot or continue to straighten hair that is already straight. Any time your hair is exposed to this kind of heat it is much more vulnerable to damage. 

What do you do to keep your hair healthy? Do your prefer to wash your hair in the morning or at night? What kind of hair do you have, and what kinds of products do you find work best?


10 comments:

  1. I, too, have frizzy hair and have been using John Frieda products for 20 years. Back then, it was the only product available to tame the frizzies. Sometimes I wear my hair smoothed and other times, I scrunch it for a curly look. Even with the curls, I have to use the Frieda serum (mentioned in the John Frieda video) to keep my hair from GROWING as it dries.

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    1. My mom has super curly hair and she always used that John Frieda Frizz Ease serum too. Even though my hair is generally straight, it grows as it dries too :)

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  2. I have frizzy, dry hair. I wash my hair at night just because I like to sleep longer in the morning! So I really have to blowdry my hair and straighten it before bed, or it's poufy cowlick city!

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    1. I like to wash my hair at night for the same reason. I am not a morning person :)

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  3. Oh girl..great tips! With thick very curly hair these tips are a must! ;)

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    1. Thanks. It was great meeting you this week. BTW, I LOVE your hair. It is especially beautiful in person! My mom has very thick curly hair and I was always disappointed to have very straight hair.

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  4. You have beautiful hair!! Thanks for the tips. I'll be trying those out this week :)

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  5. I have really thick, color-damaged hair so I definitely need to start incorporating these tips into my routine. I'm going to try the full repair conditioner!

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    1. I love the full repair conditioner :) It really makes a difference!

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