This post was written in partnership with Waterl<ss Haircare. As always, thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own and based on my own experiences.
Is your hair feeling limp, dull, lifeless, or dried out? I’ve been there! While I may be partially known for my golden locks, it takes work to keep my hair looking and feeling healthy.
For years I battled with split ends and breakage—which led to extremely choppy and stringy layers. It took quite a bit of experimenting and figuring out what works best for my hair to get it to its current state. Does this sound like you? Here are my tips for growing healthy, longer hair!
Whether you’re wanting to grow your hair longer or just looking for ways to improve the integrity and overall health of your hair—here are my “hacks” for healthier hair!
Don’t Wash Every Day
First things first: you don’t need to wash your hair every single day.
When you wash it, it strips your hair of natural oils that help coat the hair follicle and keep it healthy. However, if you’re like me and struggle with fine, oily hair that doesn’t look so cute when the roots are greasy—dry shampoo is a lifesaver!
Washing less will significantly help the overall condition of your hair.
I’m a big fan of the Waterless Dry Shampoo No Residue! The fast-absorbing formula absorbs oil instantly and keeps my roots looking fresh. Plus, the light + airy scent is absolutely lovely!
Made with Tapioca Starch, along with Pro-vitamin B5 and Vitamin B-3 to moisturize hair, this formula is ideal for fine + oily hair. It’s also free of sulfates, parabens, and dyes!
Dry Condition Between Washes
You use dry shampoo to absorb the excess oils from your scalp and keep it looking fresh…but what about the ends of your hair?
Did you know that you can also dry condition your hair? Yep! Dry conditioner is one of the best-kept secrets when it comes to hair hacks.
Pumped with Omega 9 (Oleic Acid) nutrients that lock in moisture, along with Pro-vitamin B5 and Vitamin E to nourish your hair, Waterl<ss Dry Conditioner goes a long way to de-frizz your locks, as well as adding softness and shine.
Here’s what my usual wash routine looks like:
- Day 1: After I wash my hair, I usually wear it down and straight (and let it dry naturally without heat)
- Day 2: A little bit of dry shampoo goes a long way! It gives my roots a bit of lift and I usually wear it straight or run a low-heat curling iron through it
- Day 3: My hair is greasy, there is no way around it at this point. I hit my roots with dry shampoo and then apply a dry conditioner on the ends to keep them from getting brittle. A braid or some sort of updo is great for the third day.
- Day 4: Hats and scarves are my best friend on day 4—and then I repeat the wash cycle.
My go-to solution for extending the days between washes? Waterl<ss Dry Shampoo & Dry Conditioner!
You can find both of these and more from their collection online or in-store at Sally Beauty.
Re-Learn How to Wash Your Hair
This may come as a shock, but it took me nearly thirty years to learn how to wash my hair correctly—or at least the right way for my hair type!
As my hair is both fine and lightened, my stylist instructed that I should always wash just my roots and then only condition the ends. For me, this has been a game-changer and has seriously reduced breakage.
So the major hair hack here? Consult your stylist to figure out what washing routine is best for your hair type.
Brush Your Hair Correctly
What are your hair brushing habits like? Did you know that if you can optimize both the way and time you brush your hair to prevent breakage?
Hello, hair hack!
To brush correctly (as in to prevent breakage), work from the ends to your roots, and don’t pull too much at tangles! The best time to brush your hair is with conditioner in the shower and while using a Wet Brush.
One thing to note: If you have chemically treated fine hair like yours truly, NEVER brush it when it’s dry. You’ll instantly cause tons of breakage.
Be Careful with Hair Ties
Avoid hair ties as much as possible, or opt for non-damaging options (think scrunchie-types!). While I’m a big fan of fun updos and braids—especially when it comes to no-heat hairstyles, the small elastics almost always cause breakage…which is no good!
Years ago, someone gave me this sage hair advice: treat your locks like a delicate silk scarf—this means realizing that it can be permanently damaged by everything from tiny snags to intense heat.
Helpful Tip:
I usually bring a silk pillowcase with me when I travel, because they make that much of a difference.
Opt for a Silk Pillowcase
One thing I swear by is sleeping with a silk pillowcase!
Silk pillowcases are healthier for your hair than cotton ones. Why? Cotton tends to “grab” or hold onto your hair which causes it to twist at the root throughout the night. The result? Damaged hair and serious bedhead in the morning. Cotton also tends to draw the moisture out of your hair.
However, silk pillowcases are more delicate on your hair and avoid both stripping your lovely locks of essential oils and don’t cling—meaning way less breakage.
Helpful Tip:
Minimize Your Heat Use
I’m all for opting for no-heat hairstyles as often as possible. Fun fishtails, sweeping French braids, or messy Dutch braids—I’m a big fan of the no-heat looks.
However, sometimes I can’t get those mermaid-esque waves without a bit of heat. So, the best way to keep your hair healthy while still applying a bit of heat?
Use a heat protectant!
The Waterl<ss Heat Shield Protect and Re-Style is my go-to when I’m using heat on my hair.
Helpful Tip:
Find an At-Home Hair Mask
How often do you get your hair treated? And I don’t mean just color!
In between highlight and cut appointments, I like to pop into the salon for a professional strengthening treatment. While they are a bit of an investment, it helps my hair in the long run! However, if going to the salon isn’t an option—you can find excellent hair masks to use for at-home treatments!
Look for ones that repair and strengthen your hair.
Avoid Overprocessing Your Hair
I get highlights every few months to make my hair *pop* but for me, I’ve found a sweet spot where it’s quite close to my natural color, and I’m able to space out my appointments to help keep the integrity of my hair intact.
The truth of the matter is that any kind of processing to your hair will damage it—essentially, you have to choose between extremely healthy hair or over-processed hair. If you are a natural brunette but lighten your hair to white blonde, there is no remedy to that much damage.
You can do hair masks and get cuts to prevent split ends, but your hair is much, much more susceptible to damage. My suggestion is to find a happy medium with your hair color—something close to your natural hue, or try to get it colored less often.
Take Supplements
Hair hack #10: take supplements! Some folks swear by certain vitamins to help their hair, skin, and nails.
What hair “hacks” do you have to help make your hair healthier? I’d love to hear in the comments below!
Here are some great tips for healthy hair! Besides these, drinking loads of water also helps to prevent hair loss, hair fall, dry hair, brittle hair, and itchiness.