Healthy Hair Care

The Importance of Healthy Hair

Your hair is one of your most important accessories, because you always have it with you! It is so crucial to take care of it. I know that when my hair feels good, I feel good!

I’ve had long has for as far back as I can remember. Actually a couple of weeks ago, it was even longer! I just had three inches cut off to refresh it! Having long hair comes with the responsibility to take care of it. I’ve tried almost everything to get soft and smooth hair, from washing only with baking soda and apple cider vinegar to all the homemade avocado and egg yolk hair masks recipes I could find online. Finally, I’ve found a routine that doesn’t take too much effort and has been leaving my hair feeling healthy and strong.

Today, I’m sharing what has been working best for me! Just as a little disclaimer, I have very fine, fairly straight hair. It also takes quite a bit of damage, as I get balayage color treatments to add a little bit of lightness and I use heat tools on my hair several times a week. I aim to use gentle, yet nourishing products to combat damage.

My Routine

After everything I’ve tried over the years, the one thing I’ve found that has the biggest impact on the quality of my hair is to spread out my washes. I aim to wash my hair about three times per week, but I think every other day is totally fine. The longer you can go between washes, the better (dry cleaners are your best friend – my favorites are listed below)! Shampoo strips hair of natural oils that are so necessary to keep hair healthy. Although we rely on conditioner to replace those oils, it is better to let your hair do its natural thing for a day or two if you can in between washes. I found my hair to actually be the healthiest when I only washed it with baking soda and vinegar for a few months. I know this sounds crazy, and I don’t necessarily recommend it, but doing that did help my learn a lot about my hair in the long run.

We all know to switch up our products from time to time, so I actually aim to wash my hair three times per week with three different shampoos. I make sure to use a deep conditioner once a week and a coconut oil treatment every other week. Keep scrolling for all the details.

Product Details

1x per week:
Clarifying shampoo: Bb Sunday Shampoo
Deep conditioner: Living Proof Restore Mask Treatment
For those of us that use lots of hairspray, dry shampoo and other products throughout the week, a clarifying shampoo is critical. Hair feels lighter, cleaner and fresh after use. I love the Bumble and Bumble option because it is effective, yet gentle. After clarifying, a deep conditioner is good to use for nourishment. I just comb the Living Proof option through my hair in the shower and leave it in for about 5-10 minutes.

1x per week:
Sulfate-free color protecting shampoo: Shu Uemura Color Lustre Shampoo
Sulfate-free color protecting conditioner: Shu Uemura Color Lustre Conditioner
This shampoo + conditioner duo is the best. My hair has never felt softer after using these products. I love how gentle Shu Uemura products are. Plus, they add a little extra volume. This is the shampoo I like to use when I’m aiming for a little extra oomph.

1x per week:
Sulfate free purple shampoo: L’Oréal EverPure Blonde Shampoo
Sulfate free purple conditioner: L’Oréal EverPure Blonde Conditioner
As a blonde, I use a purple shampoo once a week as well. Since I get my hair lightened a bit with a balayage treatment, I need to make sure to keep the color bright and avoid brassiness. This L’Oréal option does the trick, is affordable, and can be found at the drugstore.

Blow dry/air dry spray:
Shu Uemura Wonder Worker
Always use protection before blow drying to maintain healthy hair! I love the Wonder Worker because it adds extra moisture, but doesn’t leave hair feeling funky if you decide to just let it air dry. I spray this on my hair after every shower. Just be careful – it’s easy to go overboard with this one. You only need about 4 spritzes.

Dry shampoo: 
Shu Uemura Dry Cleaner
Verb Dry Shampoo
The Shu dry cleaner is my faaaavorite! It does a great job absorbing oil, but there is actually NO residue. The one thing I dislike the most about dry shampoo is the fact that running my fingers through my hair afterward leaves a not-so-pleasant residue on my hands – gross! The Verb shampoo is an actual powder, so it does leave a bit of a residue. However, it does the job really well if you are going multiple days in between washes.

1x every other week:
Coconut oil hair mask
I coat my hair with coconut oil and comb it through really well. I also make sure to massage my scalp with it. After about an hour, I will wash it out. Sometimes, 2 washes are necessary to get all the oil out. The Bb Sunday shampoo mentioned above comes in handy for this.

Brushes:
Tangle Teezer
This brush has made a huge difference in my life. I know that sounds dramatic, but it’s true! It is so gentle for detangling snarls, and it is the only brush I’ve been using these days because it is great for wet or dry hair. Brush your scalp with this as well – it feels amazing and stimulates hair follicles for healthy hair growth.

What are your healthy hair care secrets?
xo L