(FYI I did not take this photo) :)
Hey ladies!
We LOVE having beautiful hair, so we do what we can to make it look gorgeous. But all of that primping can leave our hair dull and lifeless and THAT is NOT beautiful!
There are a few tips I've learned for myself as a hairstylist for 8 years that has helped gain healthier hair for myself AND for my clients.
1. NEVER brush your hair wet. It will break off your ends, giving you frizzy, split ends. You will never grow luscious locks that way! Instead, make sure you are using a wide tooth comb and start at the ends and work your way up to the top to avoid pulling and breaking off those luscious locks. Apply a tiny dab of conditioner if needed. In fact, you can comb it out in the shower.
2. Wear less pony tails if you can. I know, I know. Life is hectic and sometimes the only option you have is to pull your hair back and go. But did you know that ponytails can cause breakage? It's okay to do it once in awhile but don't get into the habit of doing it everyday, especially wet :)
3. Don't wash your hair. That's right. You heard me. Don't wash your hair everyday! "But it gets greasy" you say? There are some GREAT dry shampoos out there. I use they dry shampoo from Sexy Hair. The thing is, when you wash your hair everyday you strip the natural oils right out of your hair, which are essential for healthy hair.
4. Condition your hair everyday. Even when I don't shampoo my hair (which I do every 2-3 days) I always condition my hair because the daily wear and tear tends to give you dry, lifeless hair.
5. Blow dry your hair but don't torch it! If you use ANY sort of hot tool device (curling iron, flat iron, etc) always make sure you protect it with heat protecting spray! Again, I use Sexy Hair heat protecting spray (see a trend? I love Sexy Hair products!) :)
6. Scrub your scalp. Take a few extra minutes while shampooing to scrub that scalp and get that circulation moving! Scrubbing will give your follicles the nutrients it needs to have strong, healthy hair.
(again, I did not take these photos either) :)
Ok so let's talk about FOOD. Awww yeah. Food! I love food. BUT the food I love (like most Americans) aka french fries, pizza and chicken nuggets do NOT produce healthy hair. Sorry :)
Did you know that there are certain kinds of food that give you strong and healthy hair. Not only do they give you gorgeous hair they actually help GROW your hair. Which, if you are anything like me you are usually doing what you can to grow out your hair, especially if you've had a bad crop job! (Just have to throw it out there that I am happy with my short cut and have no plans of growing it out again just quite yet) :)
1. SALMON
Salmon is very rich in Vitamin D and Omega-3 which are key for growing strong and healthy hair. About 3 % of the hair shaft is made up of these fatty acids. Omega-3's are also found in the membranes of your scalp and the natural oils in your scalp that help keep your hair hydrated. Fish person or not. Eat it! It's good for your skin, too :)
But if you absolutely can't stand to eat fish try some avocados or pumpkin seeds.
2. WALNUTS
These also have a significant amount of fatty acids. They are also loaded with biotin and Vitamin E which helps protect your hair from DNA damage. This is great especially in the summer time when your hair rarely gets protection from the sun. They also have copper which helps give your hair a deep, rich and vibrant color. Who wants dull color? Not me!
3. SWEET POTATOES
I have to admit that I LOVE sweet potatoes. Try them mashed. They are great! Sweet potatoes have a great amount of antioxidants in them, which turns into Vitamin A. It helps protect your scalp and give you the natural oils you need to stay away from ichy scalp resulting in dandruff. And nobody wants that. Yuck!
Don't like sweet potatoes? Try these other beta carotene packed foods: carrots, mangoes, apricots, pumpkins, and cantaloupe.
4. EGGS
I am a HUGE fan of eggs. Eggs are a GREAT source of protein. They are also loaded with iron, which helps carry oxygen to the follicles. Did you know that too little iron contributes to hair loss? Loosing to much hair? Check to see if you are anemic. You may very well be!
You can also try chicken, pork or beef which are packed with protein as well.
5. SPINACH
Spinach is another great source of iron, beta carotene, folate and Vitamin C. It helps keep your scalp oils circulating and your hair follicles healthy.
Also try other green veggies such as broccoli or kale. Kale chips are amazing!
6. LENTILS
This is great for vegetarians. Lentils are packed with protein, iron, zinc and biotin. You can also drop some kidney beans in soups as well. I use the bagged beans. They are cheaper and probably a little healthier!
Not only do these foods give you healthier hair, they also give you a healthier mind AND body. So eat up!
For more tips please visit my Blooming Tree facebook page! I post anything hair, beauty, fitness and photography related :)
