Beautiful hair for free
12 hair care tips for shiny, healthy hair that will cost you absolutely nothing
If you’d believe social media, you’d need to buy expensive shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, hair oils or other products or pay a lot of money for hair salon treatments to get beautiful hair. While good hair care products (not only the expensive ones are the good ones!) are crucial for nice and shiny hair, there is a lot you can do to take care of your hair that costs absolutely nothing. All the following tips will prevent damage and help to get beautiful shiny and healthy hair at zero costs.
Never sleep with wet hair
Sleeping with wet hair is probably the worst thing you can do to your hair and your scalp (and it's not great for your pillow either if it gets damp). Wet hair is ultra-sensitive because when wet, it is prone to damage and breakage. A wet scalp can be a breeding ground for bacteria and healthy hair can only grow from a healthy scalp. Therefore, always dry your hair well before going to bed.
Brush your hair before washing
Detangling hair before washing makes it easier to brush after washing. While you should avoid brushing wet hair at all – when it is its weakest – sometimes it is necessary. Brushing hair before washing removes product residues, which makes it easier to get the hair clean and – as said – it will be easier to detangle after washing.
There is no need to buy expensive products for beautiful and shiny hair. There are ways and method to get your dream hair without spending any money, However, I love the cruelty free, vegan, plant-based, products by Rahua.
Wash your scalp
Instead of washing hair, we actually should wash our scalp. Pay attention to cleansing your scalp with a good scalp massage. The suds will then run through your hair and cleanse your strands. Shampooing the ends can dry them out, making them more prone to splitting and breaking. However, this does not work for some people or if you used a lot of product that you need to get out of your hair.
Condition your lengths
Conditioner should only be applied to the mid-lengths and ends, avoiding the roots. The mid-lengths and ends tend to be drier and more prone to damage than the roots. Applying conditioner to the roots can make your hair appear greasy and weigh it down. By avoiding the roots, you help to maintain the volume and lift of your hair, especially if you have fine or thinning hair.
Avoid super hot water
Avoid very hot water for hair washing because it can strip away natural oils, leading to dryness, frizz, and breakage. Hot water can also damage the hair cuticle, making it more susceptible to damage and promoting color fading. Hot water can activate the sebaceous glands, leading to overproduction of sebum and causing oily hair more quickly. This can also strip away essential oils that keep hair hydrated and healthy, resulting in dry, brittle, and frizzy hair. Wash with lukewarm or cool water. Rinse your hair with really cold water at the very end. Cold water helps close the hair cuticles, which can help smooth the hair surface and trap in moisture, leading to shinier and smoother strands.
Be gentle with wet hair
Being gentle with wet hair is crucial because it's significantly weaker and more fragile than dry hair, making it more susceptible to damage and breakage. Wet hair is more elastic and prone to stretching, and its cuticle is lifted, increasing the likelihood of damage from brushing and handling. Gently blot or squeeze your hair to remove excess water, rather than rubbing vigorously. I use a sikly turban to wrap my hair in and get rid of excess water. Avoid touching or manipulating your hair while it's drying to prevent frizz and breakage.
Wearing protective hairstyles with the ends tucked away prevents split ends and breakage.
Wear protective hairstyles
Wearing protective hairstyles at night and during the day, like braids, twists, or buns can significantly reduce friction, moisture loss, and tangling, leading to healthier, more manageable hair in the morning. It also helps preserve your hairstyle and protect hair extensions from damage. It will also be easier to brush your hair in the morning. Make sure to tuck your ends away so that they are extra protected to prevent split ends and breakage. Here are more tips how to take care of your hair at night.
Gently detangle your hair from bottom to top
Brushing hair gently minimizes damage, detangles effectively, and promotes hair health. Rough brushing can cause breakage, split ends, and irritate the scalp, while gentle brushing distributes natural oils, stimulates blood flow, and reduces friction To brush hair gently, start at the ends and work your way up to the roots, using a comb or brush with flexible bristles. This prevents breakage and ensures a smoother detangling process.
Never pick at split ends
Picking at split ends can lead to further hair damage, weakening the hair shaft and causing breakage. When you physically pull at a split end, you are not only separating the two ends but also damaging the cuticle and core of the hair, making it more vulnerable to breakage. Instead of picking, cutting off the split ends with sharp scissors is the best way to prevent further damage and maintain healthy hair.
Change your hairstyle frequently
Wearing the same hairstyle for extended periods can lead to weight and breakage, particularly if heat styling is involved. Switching up your style distributes stress on your hair, minimizing damage. Change the position of your bun, your ponytail or your braid. Fix your braid at the end at a different length each time to avoid split ends due to too much friction of the hair tie.
Keep heat styling to a minimum
Keeping heat styling at a minimum protects hair from damage. Excessive heat can strip natural oils, causing dryness, brittleness, and breakage. It can also weaken the hair's structure by breaking down protein bonds, leading to split ends and a rough texture. Minimizing heat styling allows hair to recover and rebuild its strength and moisture. When heat styling, use heat protection.
Stay healthy
Avoid stress, sleep enough and hydrate your body by drinking a lot of water. These are all factors that help to get strong, healthy and shiny hair. I know that this is might be hard to put into practice because of external factors, however drinking enough and eating healthy is not only benefical for your hair but for your whole body. To support healthy hair growth and strength, prioritize a diet rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals like biotin, zinc, and selenium.
Talking about nutrition…
Try my mango lassi recipe! Lassi is a healthy drink made with yogurt and mango. Yogurt is rich in proteins and mango adds vitamin C and A. Vitamin A aids in cell growth, including hair follicle cells, and vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that supports hair health.
