Have a beauty question you'd like answered? Leave a comment, email, or Tweet me. Here's this week's question:
Jax, "I wash/blowdry/straighten my hair daily. As a result it's dried out, thin, and disgusting. Would it be less damaging to just go out and get a chemical straightening?"
Here's my -long- answer:
- Don't shampoo every day, if possible. The more you wash, the more your hair will be dry. I can only wash mine 1-2 times a week, on average.
- Get a sulfate-free shampoo, like L'Oreal Eversleek Intense Smoothing Shampoo. It's around $6 and is great. Sulfates are akin to detergents, which strip hair.
- I know Jax likes to use several different shampoos, but this is affecting the hair in a negative way. Try just 2 shampoos, sulfate-free, preferably.
- Condition hair from ears down. Use a conditioning mask weekly.
- Don't rub your hair with your towel to get the water out. I squeeze the water out. Don't brush it while wet either.
- Try to air dry as long as possible, until your hair is about 70% dry. Use the nozzle to direct air flow--this will help with frizz and cause hair to dry faster=less damage.
- I love It's a 10 Miracle Leave In. It makes my frizz, dry, coarse hair soft. Any of their products are good.
- Use a heat protectant every time heat is near your hair. Avoid products with alcohol in them--these dry out hair!
- If you'd like the drugstore straightening route, there are options, however, I've not tried any of these and cannot vouch for them, so use with caution: John Freida 3-Day Straight Styling Spray, Garnier Sleek & Shine Hair Perfector, and Suave Keratin Infusion. I don't like the idea of the formaldehyde in the expensive Brazilian Blowout, but they do work.
- To get thicker hair, I recommended these supplements last week.
- Finally, consult your Dr. if none of the methods work. It could be stress, hypothyroidism, etc.
I can't wait to hear your results. And go ahead and visit her blog. She's funny and I adore her!
Leave a comment below with your own suggestions or beauty questions you'd like answered!
I try nori to shampoo daily either (though I rinse after each gym visit). Thanks for the recs!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips, especially for the sulfate-free shampoo!!!
ReplyDeletekisses
Jelena
glamfabchameleon.blogspot.com
I've always wondered that. It's interesting to read your take on it!
ReplyDeletefantastic tips! my hair is nasty because i shampoo everyday. i was told to cut down... lol. have a great day!
ReplyDeletexoxo
jasmine
Great tips! I try to do a mask weekly and that really helps my hair.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy these Beauty Q&A's. I always learn so much from you!
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! So true that daily shampooing has adverse effects.
ReplyDeleterolala loves
Girl, I love all your tips!! I guilty of almost everything negative above. I blow dry right after the shower and then iron it out until it's perfectly straight. I also dye my hair every other week to keep some red in it. Awful!!
ReplyDeleteAt the root its thick, but once you get to around ear legnth it thins out from all the chemicals/heat products. :(
Thanks so much for the tips!
and I adore you too!! xo
Great tips! And you're just the girl I would go to for secrets of beautiful hair. :) xoxo
ReplyDeleteI have so many friends that complain about this and I try to tell them to stop with the shampooing everyday, but it's so hard for them, they feel "dirty." Not me, I love when my hair is dirty -it does more. Well until that last day and then the hair is up and washed the next day. I wash about every three to four days. Take care,
ReplyDeleteShauna
Really good tip on the sulfate free shampoo - I'm going to have to look at the labels next time!
ReplyDeleteThe not shampooing everday is really a good tip. Helped me a lot!
ReplyDeletei started using the signature whole foods shampoos... their very well priced and biodegradable
ReplyDeleteI only use sulfate-free shampoo! Great recommendation :) xo
ReplyDeleteGreat tips - can't wait to try them! I also don't ever rub my hair with a towel and almost 80% of the time I air dry it first
ReplyDeletegreat rules to live by. i have a very different type of hair texture, but i tend to condition once a week and shampoo once a month.
ReplyDeletealso, i don't towel dry. instead, i dry with a t-shirt.
Thanks for the tips! I need to check out those supplements you listed!
ReplyDeleteUsing a heat protectant is such an important step. I learned that one the hard way.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips! I wash my hair every other day, but I'd like to go every three days. Maybe this will help!
ReplyDeleteI totally can't shampoo every day!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips, I used to wash my hair everyday but now every couple of days...
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I blow dry/straighten my hair more than I'd like as well, but luckily it's not in too bad shape. I try to use as much heat protection as I can.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! Since I got my new hair cut (and flat iron), I've been using heat on it more often, so these are going to be helpful in keeping my hair from drying out even though it's in pretty good shape, I still worry.
ReplyDeleteAwesome answer Elle! Thanks for you comment on my post the other day. Blogging is definitely NOT easy. HAHAHA They just don't know. Have a great day girl.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.averysweetblog.com/
What do we do if we have to shampoo daily...like not an option?!
ReplyDeletei always try to avoid sulfate free, but I go through these phases where I say forget it and buy cheap shampoo - it's a terrible cycle! Lol at least I don't shampoo every day, though <3 hautepinkpretty.com
ReplyDeleteTotally agree about not washing the hair too much. I shampoo my hair about the same number as you, Elle, and it has helped a lot. And now, I really have to try It's a 10...have just read a great review on it, and now that you mentioned it, it's on my wish list.
ReplyDeleteAll thse tips are great.
ReplyDeleteWhat saved my hair that looked like that is the Macadamian deep condioner/deep repair masque, it's great stuff. And also the Keratin Complex Infusion Therapy, before drying your hair, helps a lot.
Give more Keratine to your hair to help it restore.
Wonderful tips. I have been growing my hair out. (I want to wear updos). So I have been trying to practice healthy hair tips.
ReplyDeleteI really needed to hear this. I've heard that about the conditioning only from the ears down before, I try to do that as much as possible :) Thank you, Elle, for the great tips!
ReplyDeleteThanks also for your sweet comment on my dear journal post!
SoUtHeRnPiNkY.bLoGsPoT.cOm
Great tips to thicken and build healthy hair! My hair has definitely suffered damage from styling over the years, so I need to take these tips under advisement! xo style, she wrote
ReplyDeleteGreat tips for the hair. I have had some damage done to it over the years due to color change.
ReplyDeleteFantastic tips Elle! I love hot oil treatments at the salon. A must for me.
ReplyDeleteThis is some really good advice. I'm glad you were able to give to her such expert help!
ReplyDeletehttp://stylespotlighted.blogspot.com
I am definitely going to try the condition from your ears down tip you provided. I will save SOOOO much conditioner going forward.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips, I'm a firm believer in these rules!
ReplyDeletegreat tips and after seeing your amazing hair- you definitely have the cred to talk about it! I don't wash my hair that much either- usually 2 - 3 times a week.
ReplyDeletei like your hair tips! i try to shampoo every other day and always air dry my hair. now to find a great shampoo and condition from the ears down :)
ReplyDeleteI picked up some heat protectant after reading a previous post here and it really makes a big difference.
ReplyDeleteOff to find some sulfate free shampoo.