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Every girl dreams of having long, healthy hair that flows down her back. It’s not just a beauty standard – healthier hair can be more manageable and less costly to maintain over time. While there are some tricks you may have heard about, some are myths, some are too time-consuming to keep up with, and others simply don’t work. We’ve done the research and found that these tried and true hair care hacks actually work!
Haircare tips and tricks every girl should know
1. Brushing your hair
When you brush or comb your hair, it stimulates the scalp and increases blood flow to your roots, which can help further prevent dryness, breakage and frizz over time. While doing this before bed helps train your hair to lay flat on your head while you sleep instead of frizzing up, you can brush your hair in the morning too! Brushing is a great way to start out your day and prepare for styling. Make sure you have a good brush with bristles made from either boar or nylon hair, not plastic.
2. Switch up your shampoo
Even if you’ve found a shampoo that works well for your hair type, you shouldn’t rely on the same shampoo every day. Shampoo washes out dirt and buildup in your hair whether it comes from sweat or natural oils. The more often you wash your hair, the more frequently these oils will be stripped away – which can contribute to dryness and breakage. Using a moisturizing shampoo once a week and a clarifying shampoo once a month can help keep your hair clean, healthy and shiny without over-drying it.
3. Skip the heat styling products
Relaxers, curling irons, flat irons – these are just a few of the heat styling tools that can dry out your hair. The heat from these products can cause major damage to your hair and scalp, which will lead to breakage and frizz over time. If you simply must use a heat styling tool, make sure you’ve completely let your hair cool before running your fingers through it. The less contact your hair has with the heated tool, the better!
4. Braid it up
Braid your hair before bed. When you sleep on wet hair, it can cause major frizziness and dryness due to lack of circulation. Braiding your hair keeps the strands together so they don’t tangle into one big knot overnight, preventing breakage when you take them out in the morning.
5. Oil mask
Washing your hair every day can be harsh and strip it of natural oils. If you have dry, coarse or curly hair, washing it too often can cause even more damage and frizziness because the water in your shower is not enough to completely rinse out all of the excess sebum oil naturally produced by your scalp. An easy way to combat this is to make a quick hair mask once or twice a week. Heat 1 tablespoon of virgin coconut oil until it’s completely liquified, then massage it thoroughly into your roots. Wrap your head in plastic wrap and leave the oil on for at least half an hour before washing it out with warm water. For best results, perform this treatment before bedtime so that your hair can soak up the moisture overnight.
6. Protein treatments
Protein treatments are a great way to keep your hair strong and healthy, especially if you’re frequently coloring or heat styling it. Protein helps rebuild any dry spots in your hair and strengthens the entire strand, preventing breakage and allowing you to restyle your hair before its next wash.
7. Conditioner only washes
Conditioner is great for your hair, but it doesn’t do much to distribute oil at the scalp. Swapping out shampoo for conditioner can actually strip your hair of its natural oils, which are then replaced by the build-up from the conditioner you used. If you want shiny locks, washing your hair with conditioner every other day is a great option. If you have oily hair and want to use the no ‘poo method, try adding a teaspoon of baking soda to your conditioner before lathering it into your roots. Since baking soda will strip your hair from any excess oil, this little trick should take care of the oiliness without drying out your hair.
8. Vinegar rinse
If you’re trying to go for that Victoria’s Secret model hair, a vinegar rinse will help clarify your locks and remove any product buildup. Dilute apple cider vinegar with water in a 1:1 ratio, then pour it over your hair after conditioning. This step is even more effective if you leave the mixture on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing it out.
9. Saltwater rinse
Saltwater is great for your scalp because of the anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties found naturally in sea salt. It deep cleans your hair, removing product residue, dirt, and any smelliness that might be lingering. Mix 1/2 cup of warm water with 1/2 cup of sea salt, then pour it over your hair after conditioning. Leave the mixture on for 10 minutes before rinsing it out with cold water to seal in moisture and prevent frizziness.
10. Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a natural moisturizer, so it makes for a fantastic hair mask. It can be used in place of coconut oil if you’re vegan or have an aloe plant at home. Apply a thin layer to your roots and wrap your head with plastic wrap before going to bed. Wash out with warm water in the morning, and your hair will feel strong and smooth.
11. Baking soda
If you’re using a natural shampoo or conditioner that doesn’t lather as much as traditional sudsing products, baking soda is a great way to help it clean your hair better. Mix 1 tablespoon with your regular shampoo before lathering it into your roots, and rinse out with warm water.
12. Essential oils
Essential oils are a great way to add moisture back into your hair while preserving your color. Rosemary oil is especially effective at getting rid of buildup caused by hairspray or other styling products, so it’s great for girls who use a lot of these chemicals to hold their style. The lavender essential oil has strong moisturizing properties that help prevent frizziness, so it’s great for girls with wavy or curly hair that gets dry easily. Patchouli oil is a great choice for dark hair as it prevents fading and brassiness from the sun, while also adding shine to dull locks.
13. Sleep on satin pillowcases
Satin pillowcases are great for your hair because they help prevent breakage and split ends. Satin actually prevents tangles, so there’s no need to worry about waking up with a nest on top of your head. They also reduce bedhead, so you can wake up in the morning and not have to deal with tangled strands before washing and styling it.
14. Hair ties
Hair ties and other similar materials (elastic bands, scrunchies) can damage your hair if they’re not properly cared for. To keep them in good condition, soak them in coconut oil for an hour before washing with warm water and detergent. This removes any product buildup while conditioning the fabric so that it won’t cause breakage.
15. Oiling before showering
If you want shiny locks, one of the best things you can do is oil your hair before washing it. This helps to lock in the moisture from whatever products are still in your hair after styling it. It also keeps your strands pliable for the next time you style it, preventing the split ends and breakage that can result from heat damage.
16. Drinking water
Water might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to maintaining healthy hair, but it’s actually very important. Hydration is essential for keeping your body and scalp healthy, and without enough H2O, you could start showing signs of dry scalp, which can lead to flaky patches and a lack of luster.
17. Vinegar
If you notice your hair is getting dull, vinegar can help restore health and shine. Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar with 2 parts water to rinse out after shampooing. This restores pH balance to your scalp, removing product buildup so that your hair looks healthy again.
we hope it has given you some new hair growth hacks that will help your hair grow in the best possible way.