Turning thirty has been a bewildering experience for me, but let’s be honest – it’s a great place to be, and although I may not always feel “thirty, flirty and thriving” (I’m a millennial after all, so bear with me), I’ve got to admit it: I have learned a thing or two whilst enjoying the journey.
Now, the one thing you may not expect to read on this blog, is that I spent my childhood fighting with the boys in my neighbourhood, trading Pokemon cards with them, scratching my knees on the floor during intense football matches, and spending countless hours in front of video games. And then, moving to my teenage years, I grew fond of (and tried) every sort of alt-fashion that I could get my hands on – meaning that I bleached, cut and backcombed my hair a lot – and spent a fortune on stuff that would make a 2009 Lady Gaga’s music video look tame and mundane.
Not exactly the type of person you would trust with hair advice, right? Right.
The truth is that I now know better, way better than that. Not only about hair care of course, but if there was something I could tell to my former self, one of the top five would certainly be: leave your hair alone and take notes, kiddo: here’s a list of 10 hair facts I wish I knew when I was younger.
Embrace Your Natural Hair
Limit Your Use of Heat Styling Tools
After reading the first point, you’ll probably know why I say this. Heat will damage your hair, and abusing heat-based styling tools such as hair straighteners, wavers, curling irons and curling wands will fry your ends. Period. There is no sugar-coating the truth! If you can’t resist the temptation and you’re going to try something different for a special occasion, make sure you use some heat protectant spray, and keep your heat settings on low, especially if you have fine hair. The same goes for remy hair extensions, especially since they don’t receive any nourishment from your scalp – unlike your natural tresses. Try to limit your usage of heat on hair: if you use a flat iron, curling iron, or blow dryer every day, you’ll be causing more harm than good. Look into heatless styling techniques, such as using hair rollers or a curling ribbon. You can read more about these methods on our dedicated blog: How To Get Heatless Curls In 12 Easy Ways.
Don't Wash Your Hair Every Day
This is a trap it’s easy to fall into, especially as a teenager – when your hormones are all over the place, causing sebum imbalances and an excess of oil production in your scalp and face. And as if funny sweat production and blackhead explosions weren’t already quite a lot to deal with, greasy hair became my number one battle, too. Washing my hair every day seemed the most sensible thing to do, but the truth is that there are so many ways to give your tresses a break if you’re struggling with greasy hair. From fancy ponytails to the magic of dry shampoo, there’s plenty of methods that can help you reduce your washing days, helping you keep your hair healthy. Find out more in this post curated by yours truly: How To Get Rid Of Greasy Hair Last Minute With 5 Hair Hacks.
Get Regular Trims
This point is honestly so underrated, but trims are a real life-saver – especially if you have bleached hair. Split, dry and brittle ends are such a buzzkill, and no quantity of miracle oil and expensive products can give you the sensation of silky, plump and healthy tresses. But one thing can: scissors. Cutting your hair regularly may seem scary and counterproductive, especially if you’re trying to make it grow longer – but the reality of things is that small trims, usually once around every two or three months, can go a long way – and help you achieve long, healthy tresses.
Sleep on a Silk or Satin Pillowcase
I discovered the world of sateen pillowcases and mattress covers last year, and I can’t believe I haven’t done this before. I mean, of course I knew they existed – but I simply shrugged it off as something that only rich people would be able to afford. Silk (or sateen) bedwear isn’t completely unachievable, and it’s such a game changer for skin and hair! Goodbye frizz, goodbye wrinkles (or at least, see you later), and welcome, silky-smooth freshness! Sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase can help prevent hair breakage and frizz, as it doesn’t have the same tangling, damaging friction that you get from regular cotton bedwear. Also, the feeling of glossy and smooth sateen sheets is simply unmatched. Try it before you deny it!
Be Aware of Changes in Your Hair
Ageing, pregnancies, menopause, even birth control: all these factors related to your hormones can have a huge impact on how your hair looks and feels. Its texture and type can change over time, and you could also develop a new type of hair such as baby hairs (or edges), a fairly common phenomenon known to many new mothers! This means that the hair care routine that worked for you in the past may not work for you now. Be aware of changes in your hair and adjust your routine accordingly; this may mean using different products, trying new hairstyles, or getting more frequent trims. Find out more about hormone-related changes in our blog: Can Your Hormones Affect Your Hair?.
Reduce Stress
Ah, well, this one is easier said than done, but yes: stress doesn’t just affect mental and physical health, it can also be taxing on the beauty of your tresses. When I was growing up, life wasn’t always easy – although in hindsight, it wasn’t all that bad – but surely nervous tics, poor nutrition and just generally feeling uneasy and constantly worried about things made my hair go through lots of unnecessary stress. And guess what? Among other nasty symptoms (both physical and mental), stress is also one of the most common causes behind temporary hair loss and other issues. Practising stress-reducing techniques like meditation, yoga, or exercise can help keep your hair healthy. Taking care of your mental health can also improve the overall health of your hair.
Try Hair Extensions
Back then getting real hair extensions wasn’t a thing among people my age, but now that I have unlocked the door to this world, rest assured I am never going to go back. Those glamorous hairdos on my favourite actresses? Extensions. My favourite singers? Wigs and extensions. Pretty much every model with great hair? I mean, I don’t think I need to repeat myself any further. Hair extensions can be a great way to add length, volume, and texture to your hair, creating bounce and dimension where natural tresses don’t quite cut it. Perfect ponytails, bangs hairstyles that come and go whenever, and big bouncy blowouts like a 90s superstar – all in the palm of my hand. Do I need to add anything else? Whether you're looking for a temporary change with the help of clip in hair extensions or a more permanent solution to transform your look, such as tape in hair extensions or nano ring extensions, there are many different types of hair extensions to choose from. They can help you achieve any hairstyle you desire and boost your confidence.
Be Gentle When Detangling Your Hair
I get it, sometimes brushing can be a frustrating experience. Your hair may have changed in texture, or perhaps you just tried that new conditioner that promised you the world and gave you nothing. Either way, even if your hair doesn’t feel silky smooth for your comb to seamlessly glide over it, remember to be gentle and to use the right products. Over-brushing your hair can cause damage and breakage. When working on wet hair, make sure you use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush, and be gentle. Start at the ends and work your way up to the roots, and resort to a quality leave-in conditioner to make the process even smoother.
Take Care of Yourself
Your hair is a reflection of your overall health and well-being, so take care of yourself and your hair will thank you. Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and practice self-care to keep your hair healthy and beautiful. When you take care of yourself, you'll feel better and your hair will look better too. Interested in knowing more about eating the right things to achieve a flawless mane? Have a read at this: Can Your Hormones Affect Your Hair?
Conclusion:
I owe my hair a long series of apologies for everything I’ve done to it – from patchy bleach jobs done in the bathroom of my aunt’s house to lousy, uneven, self-made haircuts – but what I can do now, is to share my new knowledge and remind you, my dear reader, to give your tresses all the TLC you can. Remember, your hair is a part of who you are and it deserves to be treated with love and care! With the right tools and techniques, you can achieve any hairstyle you desire, and feel confident in your own skin. So go ahead and experiment with different styles, embrace your natural beauty, and let your hair shine!
