Shampoo Less
If you haven’t heard by now, shampooing less often is actually GOOD for your hair. When you shampoo, you are stripping your strands of the natural oils that you need to help maintain the color and health of your hair. Try to wash your hair every other day if you can. If you can hold off on shampooing your hair even longer, go for it. But still don’t forget to condition those strands to add moisture!
Redken Chemistry Shots
Some salons offer a shot phase formula by Redken that is everything you’ve ever needed for your hair. What many people don’t know is that you can now purchase the Redken Shot Phase and Shot Phix online, or, if you’re really lucky, from a hair salon or stylist. So what is a chemistry shot? It’s a deep treatment that comes in two steps, the Shot Phase and Shot Phix. Step one is the Shot Phase, which “contains specialized ingredients that compensate for missing components in the hair due to chemical or mechanical distress” (http://www.redken.com). The Shot Phase is available in six formulas: Extreme (for distressed hair), Color Extend (for color-treated hair), Clear Moisture (for dry hair), All Soft (for when softness is needed), Smooth Down (for dry, frizzy hair), and Real Control (for dry/dense/sensitized hair). All you have to do in this step is apply a few pumps to your hair after you shampoo and leave it in for five minutes. Don’t rinse. Then you move on to the Shot Phix, which helps lock in the specialized ingredients in the Shot Phase. What you need to do now is spray 10-15 pumps over the shot. Work in, rinse. You should only get a chemistry shot once every two weeks. And I promise, if you keep it up you will have Blake Lively level of hair within no time.
Lay. Off. The. Heat.
You have definitely heard this before. If you use hot tools too much, your hair will end up frizzy, dry, dead, brittle, and tacky. Do yourself a favor, get on Pinterest, and try out some new hairstyles that don’t require applying heat. Sure, perfectly curled mermaid hair is most likely going to attract more compliments than a simple braid. But what if you save the heat for days when you really should use it? Like a formal event or first date, for example. Your hair will look soooo much better on those days, which hopefully is your end goal. Not to mention the confidence boost you’ll have when you see what your hair looks like all done again after a week of not touching it. Slay, betch.
Coconut Oil
This is a simple trick that is way too underrated. Coconut oil has so many more benefits than using it to cook with when you are on that two-week diet that happens every other month. It’s good for your facial complexion, body, moisture in your lips, and, of course, hair. You can add just a small bit to your hair if you want to add a natural shine. But don’t add too much or you’ll have hair like a greasy car salesman. Or, as I like to do, create an at-home hair mask. I prefer to make a mixture of coconut oil, honey, and a touch of conditioner. There are definitely more variations of coconut oil hair masks if that doesn’t appeal to you, so find something that works for you.
Silk Everything
Sleeping in silk can be sexy. And I’m not talking lingerie. If you sleep on silk pillowcases, it’s less likely that you will wake up with heinous bed head. Silk also helps reduce the friction on your hair that causes damage and split ends. Just make sure what you purchase is real silk, not polyester. Also, let’s talk hair ties. They often cause major damage to your hair. Luckily, silk hair ties exist. Just like with the pillowcases, silk hair ties help prevent friction and damage. So when in doubt, choose silk.
Sure, what goes on in your head is important or whatever. But what’s on the outside can be of high importance for a lot of us too. You might as well take care of it while you still have it.
Click below if you want to check out the chemistry shots!
