Every woman wants to have strong and healthy-looking hair. Some people have their genetics to thank for their luscious locks but for others, healthy hair means a lot of time invested in picking the right products and the right hair treatments. So, if you’re clueless about what works and what doesn’t, take a look at the following must-have hair care products that promise amazing results.
How to Pick the Right Shampoo?
Picking the right shampoo can be daunting knowing how many different types and brands there are, each boasting a different “magic” feature. But you need to go past the beautiful packaging and beautiful words in order to find something the one that suits your hair.
The most important part is knowing the type of scalp you have. There are three main scalp types: oily, dry and combined. For an oily scalp, you’ll need a less moisturizing shampoo. You can try a shampoo that has a double-cleansing formula that can fight the oiliness.
For a dry scalp, you need to go in the complete opposite direction and pick a hydrating shampoo. Also, try to shampoo and massage your scalp for at least 3-4 minutes to encourage blood circulation.
Extra tip: Always read the labels on shampoos. Usually, shampoos tend to contain many silicones that only weigh your hair down. So try to pick one that has natural ingredients included in the mix like essential oils and botanicals.
Moisturize Your Hair with a Hair Conditioner
The second step, after you’ve properly washed your hair, is the application of a hair conditioner. Conditioners do what shampoo fails to do – moisturize, detangle and add volume to your hair leaving it looking healthy and shiny. But same as shampoos, conditioners need to be picked according to the type of hair and scalp you have. The wrong hair conditioner can leave your hair feeling heavy or dry and brittle.
You should also pay attention to the ingredients the conditioner has. A hair conditioner that contains natural extracts is better for your hair since it will provide it with the much-needed nutrients while making it soft to the touch.
Pick something that contains spirulina and plankton extracts as these ingredients are known for their powerful moisturizing features. Soy proteins and shea butter can also be found in some conditioners. This blend is great for strengthening your hair while at the same time making it more elastic. Along with a special combination of detangling agents, you’ll end up having smooth and intensely shiny hair.
Panthenol is another important ingredient that your moisturizer should contain. Panthenol will penetrate deep into the hair and add volume to it while at the same time repairing the damaged cuticle layers. This is especially important if you regularly use a blow dryer and a hair straightener. The addition of tea tree oil, peppermint and lavender in some conditioners creates an amazing fragrance that you will feel on your hair long after you’ve washed it.
For a naturally dry hair, you should try a conditioner enriched with aloe, Echinacea and currant extract. This blend hydrates dry hair and additionally protects it from heat and UV rays. Macadamia is also a very popular ingredient found in conditioners. Conditioners that contain it are recommended for extremely damaged and chemically treated hair because the cold-pressed Australian macadamia oil nourishes and revitalizes the scalp and hair.
Repairing Hair Masks
Just as you use face masks for your skin, you should be using hair masks that refresh and keep your hair healthy and strong. You have plenty of options when it comes to hair masks – from commercial ones to those you can make at home with natural ingredients only.
Depending on the condition of your hair, you can use hair masks weekly or monthly. You can find hair masks for all hair types just like shampoos and conditioners. Think of hair masks as lotions. You use lotion to keep your skin smooth and hydrated, so you should use a hair mask for the same reason. You need to take care of your hair the same way you take care of your skin.
Usually, commercially bought hair masks contain a number of natural oils, vitamins, proteins, fruit and plant extracts, glycerin and butter. They have a special formula that repairs damaged hair and gives your hair a boost making it look healthy.
If you choose to make a hair mask at home, make sure you add the following ingredients that are known to be beneficial for your hair: olive oil, coconut oil, banana, avocado, honey, milk and egg yolk. For dry and dull hair, combine olive oil, banana and a spoon of honey. After you’ve thoroughly washed your hair, apply the mask, wait a few minutes, rinse and that’s it. You can use coconut oil on its own even as a replacement for a conditioner since it can soften and hydrate the hair. Plus, it has antimicrobial properties and boosts hair growth so it’s a win-win with this one.
Many women who have weak and thin hair try to “repair” the damage with the help of hair extensions. The purpose of hair extensions is to only make your hair look nice and long temporarily. If you want better and more permanent results, try taking proper care of your natural hair and making it stronger. Regular use of hair masks can help you with that.
The Best Hair Styling Products
There are tons of different hair styling products that promise to make your hair look otherworldly. Some work, some don’t. In order to avoid picking the wrong product, stick to the basics.
The most important product is the heat protection spray. Using it should become your routine. Hair gets damaged mostly because of all the heat applied to it and a heat protecting spray can prevent that kind of damage. Additionally, it makes the hair soft and shiny.
Next, to maintain the volume of your hair, you can start using a hair mousse. It’s a product that looks like foam and works both on wet, dry and damp hair. It’s a very versatile product that you can use for daily styling.
And for a quick retouch, try the sea salt spray. It can refresh your hair in just a few seconds and it’s compact enough so that you can carry it around with you anywhere. The addition of salt makes your hair look effortlessly wavy and keeps it from drying out.
