Ask Belle: Suggestions for Healthier Hair
Aug 10, 2015
Dear Belle,
Can you talk about how you take care of your hair? Specifically how you keep it healthy. I think this is something of a universal problem and might be good for a lot of women.
xx, Hayes
Healthy hair starts on the inside. If you’re not getting enough vitamins and nutrients, your hair, skin and nails will show it. I take a daily multi-vitamin. I also add a pre-natal with folic acid when I’m trying to grow out a lackluster haircut.
For soft, shiny hair, skipping the occasional wash is a good idea. Many women can get away with washing every other day. If you can’t, try a sulfate-free shampoo like this black-vanilla shampoo from Carol’s Daughter. Also, just taking a one-day break from heated styling can be very beneficial.
I rotate shampoo and conditioner to keep my hair soft and buildup free. I like Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day products and Pureology’s Hydrate line.
For more intense conditioning, I still think Aussie’s 3-Minute Miracle deep conditioner is the best $5 hair care product on the market. Work it into the ends for a quick fix or use it all over once-a-week. If you prefer a leave-in, both my Mom and I are obsessed with It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Spray. The product softens and conditions for manageable, shiny hair.
Lastly, keep a pair of good scissors on hand to clean up any split ends before they spread out of control. I like an eyebrow scissor because the tiny blades make it hard to screw up. This tutorial will show you how to trim your split ends the right way.
If you have a favorite hair product or helpful tip for keeping your coif in check, leave it in the comments.
I like the Moroccan Oil Intense Hydrating Mask: https://www.moroccanoil.com/usa/h_us_en/intense-hydrating-mask-1204
I don’t use it often, but it makes a noticeable difference in the health of my hair right after use. Much softer.
My hair tangles easily and I try to avoid brushing when I can – my solution to bed head and night time tangles has been to sleep with my hair in a loose bun on top of my head secured with clips. It keeps my hair from tangling as I toss and turn in my sleep and gives me great 2nd/3rd (with the help of dry shampoo) hair.
Recently, I saw a friend who I had shared this tip with a few years ago. She said that doing the night bun has made the most difference to her hair care routine of all the advice she has received. She is also very kind and could have been laying it on pretty thick…
I use Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Night Cap once a week or so at night and really like it. I have super fine hair so I am always weary of leave in treatments but it doesn’t weigh my hair down (I don’t put it on the roots at all – though I probably should)
https://www.sephora.com/perfect-hair-day-night-cap-overnight-perfector-P394222?om_mmc=ppc-GG&mkwid=spWM62Qx8&pcrid=66330617692&pdv=c&site=us_search&country_switch=us&lang=en&gclid=Cj0KEQjwl6GuBRD8x4G646HX7ZYBEiQADGnzuj3CtGf1JFJ40_oAVQ65fAEzQgbSi_KVnOS_rxg3W2EaAp4S8P8HAQ
I can’t seem to find a sulfate free shampoo that doesn’t irritate my scalp. Paula Begoun (She was Oprah a lot when I was in high school and I was OBSESSED with her massive books) has written that sulfates are the best or the worst ingredients in hair care.
https://www.paulaschoice.com/cosmetic-ingredient-dictionary/definition/sulfates
The biggest improvement I’ve experienced is when I moved away from hot tools, especially the flat iron. I try to “cool style” curls (my hair is naturally stick straight) whenever I can.
One of my tricks is rinsing with a mix of 3 tbsp or so of organic apple cider vinegar and a cup of purified once a week (after shampoo and conditioner). This really helps remove buildup and makes my hair shiny. I rinse well after with water to get rid of the smell. A few months ago I also started doing a final rinse in the shower with purified water and it has made a huge difference in my fine hair. Of cities, you could also install a shower filter.
Purified water*