Tips for Your Best Hair Ever!!

Now THAT'S some happy hair!!

There are SO MANY tips out there that it can get pretty confusing, can’t it? You don’t know if the tips that you’re reading apply to your hair type, or someone else’s. If I use this product, will my hair dry out? Will it frizz? Look weighted down?

This article isn’t a fix-all elixir. But knowing and getting the basics down can make all the difference in the world. Plus, once you have a good routine down, you can gently tweak until you get your perfect regimen!

1.       Keep it clean.

 Duh, right? But this is harder than it looks.  The kinkier your hair is, the less often you have to wash it. But that time period varies according to your lifestyle, what products you use, and how you style your hair. Here’s a general rule of thumb: if you have category 3 curls, or curly hair, start by washing your hair twice a week and adjust from there. If you have category 4 curls, or kinky hair, start by sudsing up once a week. If you find that this dries your hair out, wash less. If you experience product buildup, wash more often, or change your styling routine. Clean hair is key!

2.       Is your hair thirsty?

Another obvious one, right? But once again, knowing how often to moisturize your hair and with what can be tricky for curls and kinks. Too much and you have greasy product buildup. Too little and you have dry, hard to manage hair. But I have good news! The best moisturizer is water, which doesn’t build up! Whether you’re hair is category 3 or 4, it is a good idea to moisturize every night.  Start by spritzing your hair with water.  If you have product in your hair from the night before, you can get away with massaging your hair a little bit and a silk scarf. If your hair is drier, you may want to add a little bit of olive or coconut oil.

Some naturalistas favor Shea butter or butter-based products. If this is you, moisturizing nightly can cause buildup and frizz. Use the Shea once every few days or so, and water in-between times.

3.       Is your hair hungry?

Are you nourishing your hair? What about yourself? A diet rich in protein and biotin can yield strong hair and healthy growth.  Here are some more vitamins that your hair craves for:

Protein

Hair is made up of keratin, a hardened protein. Your hair needs a combination of essential amino acids (found in red meat and dairy) and non-animal proteins. Try these foods for a complete protein:

· Grains + dairy: yogurt topped with granola, oatmeal with milk.

· Grains + legumes: rice and beans, peanut butter on whole wheat bread.

· Seeds + dairy: sunflower seeds on cottage cheese.

Omega-3

Omega-3s nourish and moisturize dry, brittle hair and relieve an itchy scalp. The best sources of dietary omega-3 are fatty fish, flaxseeds and some varieties of nuts. Herring has the most omega-3 per serving, followed by mackerel, salmon, trout, and tuna.

Iron

Iron plays a starring role in delivering oxygen to all the body’s cells, including hair. Not eating enough of this mineral can cause iron-deficiency anemia, which can contribute to hair loss. If you rely on plant foods for iron, combine them with a vitamin C-rich food to promote absorption. Some prime examples:

· Bell peppers with lentils

· Broccoli with tofu stir-fry

· Stewed tomatoes with beans

· Orange juice with iron-fortified cereals, such as Total or Special K

Thanks to www.lifescript.com for these vitamin tips.

4.       Style with pride!

Whether you’re headed to the gym, class, or church, you should keep your hair fly! Of course, this means different things to different people. The key however, is that YOU feel good about your hair every time you leave the house! Here are some suggestions that can work for every natural:

Wash-n-Go

Wash, condition, and detangle hair.  Apply your favorite gel to dampened, small sections of hair. Use ponytail holders to separate gelled hair from hair that hasn’t been styled yet. Use your fingers to go throughout your entire head. Allow to dry completely before you manipulate. This style can last up to 3 days and only needs water to be refreshed!

Afro Poof

The more resistant your hair is this day, the better this hairstyle works! Using a wide-toothed comb, gently push hair back away from your face. Pick out the ends with a wide-toothed comb if you desire a larger poof. Use a nylon or elastic headband that is cut and wrap it around your head once, tying the ends but NOT knotting them. Pull on the ends to pull the nylon further and further back until you have your desired size. Use your favorite gel or pomade to control your edges. Slick with fingers or a boar bristle brush. Tie your hair down with a silk scarf to make your hair look smoother and remove before you leave the house. That’s it!

Afro

Use your fingers to gently tease and separate your hairs until you reach your desired thickness. For more stretch, gently pull on sections of hair and blow dry the roots. You can rock it without a part, part it in the middle, or add a cute accessory. Finish with oil sheen. Add a funky attitude and a smile and you are ready to go!

5.       And now we come to the end!

Or the ends, rather. Scraggly ends can make any hairstyle look like unhealthy hair. Make sure that when you moisturize that you concentrate on keeping your ends soft. Avoid over combing and over brushing. Don’t twirl your ends when you’re nervous! This is the KEY to splitting them! Trim your ends as needed. If clipping them every six weeks works better for you then do that. Just make sure that you keep them healthy. This is the key to neatness and health!

I hope that we’ve helped to lay the framework! Your hair is so unique already, and all you have to do it maintain the flyness! Remember, experiment and learn your hair until you come up with the perfect routine for you. Happy styling!

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