Today I'm excited to share my most requested blog post! It seems like the most common theme of the DM's I receive on Instagram is always about my hair... What shampoo and products do you use? How often do you wash it? How do you keep your hair from looking burned when you have to use hot tools so much for concerts? etc... So, I thought, I would dedicate an entire blog post to my
10 Tips for Healthy Hair... All of the hair products I use and outfit details will be linked at the bottom of the post.
1. I color my hair as little as possible
Last year I got my hair dyed for the first time ever. I'm 26 and finally made the plunge. In my 20's, my hair has darkened up significantly and I had really been missing the vibrant blonde color I always had through my teenage years... Since I don't get a chance to just bask in the sun very often anymore (ain't nobody got time for that!) I decided to get balayage highlights. My sweet hairdresser friend, Carmen Wagner, did it for me (Nashville ladies you can check her out
HERE). I got it done in October of last year and just got it done again in August (almost a year later). Balayage is much less damaging to your hair than using foils! Since they don't use heat to lighten your hair color, the result is much less damaging for your hair, and the color is beautiful since it is just going to lighten your natural hair color. What I love most about balayage is since it is hand painted on your hair you can let it grow out completely and it doesn't leave a harsh line. It's a very natural way to brighten up your hair without a drastic change, and you don't have to get it done very often (or ever again) if you don't want to. Once or twice a year is plenty if you want to keep up the lighter look without over-processing your hair.
I use
Loreal Paris' (red bottle) Color Vibrancy Shampoo and
Conditioner to keep the color vibrant as long as possible. It always helps to use shampoo for colored hair if your hair has been colored. If you don't have colored hair then I highly recommend
THIS SHAMPOO and
THIS CONDITIONER instead... I used it before I started coloring my hair. The best part is it's only around $10 for the shampoo AND conditioner!
3. I wash my hair 4-5 times a week
Now, I know everyone is on the "only wash your hair once or twice a week" kick since it's healthier for your hair... but I prefer to wash more often to keep my hair looking bouncy. When I am on the road I wash my hair every day (usually a few hours before our concert). At home I usually go every other day or MAX 3 days (and I'm usually wearing a top knot (tutorial coming soon) or hat on day 3! HA). I also wash my hair in a very specific way to give my hair shine and bounce...
4. I let the conditioner sit in my hair for my entire shower
When I get in the shower I immediately shampoo my hair, focusing mostly on the roots. I use whatever product is left and lightly run it over my ponytail, then rinse thoroughly. I then use a large handful of conditioner and rub it into both hands. I use one hand to smooth conditioner on the top my hair. Don't scrub it into your roots, you don't want it to weigh it down, but using conditioner on the surface of the top of your hair will give it lots of shine! (I have super thick hair, but if you have thinner hair then don't use the entire handful). Then, I use the other hand and saturate my entire ponytail in conditioner. Now, here's the key.... DON'T RINSE IT YET! While you are finishing up your shower let the conditioner sit in your hair for 5-7 mins (or until you are finished with your shower). At the end of your shower thoroughly rinse the conditioner out of your hair. Your hair should feel extremely soft at this point!
5. I always use a Wet Brush on my hair to prevent breakage after showering
After you get out of the shower, rough dry your hair with a towel. Be careful, towels can be damaging on your hair. If my hair is wet, I always brush my hair out with a Wet Brush! I really love
THIS ONE that folds for travel. It is my absolute favorite brush for wet hair! Do yourself a favor and run to the store and buy one! Make sure you never use it while you are blow drying though. The bristles are made of plastic and can melt into your hair! This is only to be used for wet hair without heat.
6. Wash your hair at night and let it air dry when possible
If I don't have an event to be at for a few days and I'm just spending time at home, I like to wash my hair at night before bed. I usually brush it out, put it into a low bun, and let it air dry while I sleep. My hair is super thick, so my bun is usually still wet when I get up. I usually will put it in a ponytail in the morning to allow it to dry more. You can never go wrong with not using heat. I do this on days I don't have to go anywhere important since it's definitely not as sleek looking as blow drying.
7. I always use heat protector spray
I use
Loreal Paris Sleek It Heat Protector Spray immediately after I brush out my wet hair to protect it if I'm going to blow dry after my shower. I spray it pretty liberally throughout my hair and then brush it out to distribute the product.
8. I let my hair air dry for at least a half hour before blow drying
I usually let my hair air dry while I'm brushing my teeth, getting dressed, or washing my face, then I will blow dry. My hair is usually about half dry by the time I blow dry it. This helps keep your hair much healthier since you only have to blow dry half as long. I also have a pretty specific way of blow drying my hair. I always use my favorite
LONG HAIR REVLON BRUSH... Since it's made for long hair it keeps your hair from tangling and breaking while blow drying. I also use
THIS BLOW DRYER with the styling tip. I always blow dry the front first. I brush my hair the entire time I'm blow drying. I blow dry it straight down to keep it from frizzing (and looking like a lion's mane). I then flip my head upside down after the front is dry, and repeat the brushing and drying. Brushing while you dry helps your hair to be much more sleek when you are finished...
9. Use that heat protector TWICE!
After I have finished blow drying I always lightly spray my hair with the
Loreal Paris Sleek It Heat Protector Spray again to make sure my hair is protected from heat styling. It dries super quickly so don't worry about it making your hair wet after you just dried it. I run the brush through my hair to evenly distribute the product. I usually go on to either straighten or curl my hair, so I want to make sure my hair is double protected. You'll notice that this protector spray keeps your hair super shiny, but not greasy!
10. Only use heat tools ONCE on each piece of hair!
In my teenage years I never used protector spray and if a piece of hair was frizzy or wavy I would go over the piece of hair multiple times with a straightener until it was perfectly straight. It left my hair much thinner in the front and lots of broken and damaged ends. I started noticing it was taking a toll on my hair and made a rule for myself to only straighten or curl each piece of hair ONE time. It has made a drastic difference in my hair. It is much thicker, shinier, and bouncy! Heat tools make your hair look "better" for the time being unless you abuse them. Try the "only once" rule and you will see a big difference in the health of your hair!
I've linked all of my exact hair products and tools above. They're all super affordable!
I've linked my exact outfit below. Use the code YAY50 on the cardigan to get 50% off! It's available in six colors and I'm wearing the S/M.... My exact tee is only $10! It is so comfy and soft and it's perfect for layering for Fall! It runs true to size! If you use the code YAY50 the exact knit skirt I'm wearing is only $4.50! It comes in tons of colors. I have 3 of the colors. They are a true midi length so I had a few inches hemmed on them, but they are great staples! Also, they run about two sizes too small. I normally wear a 6 and have a 10 in mine... You cant see the sneakers I was wearing with this outfit, but I linked them for you as well.
