The Best Thing I've Done For My Hair..

is strip back.


One of the reasons I started tying my hair up was because I would always end up disgusted and picking at my split ends. I think at one point in high school, I had a hair that was split in over - apologies for the gory details - 30 places - 30. Places. This led me into a frenzy of haircare products, none of which really ever worked.

Then came last September when I started controlling my monies and stopped spending money on hair masks, hair oils and treatments. I stopped straightening my hair because I was tying it up anyway, and most days I didn't (and still don't) brush my hair when it's dry. I probably picked up the blowdryer 10 times in this past year, straighteners about twice, and curling tongs perhaps a few more. And I learnt about parabens and SLS and started avoiding these.

These are the best things I could possibly have done for my hair at that stage.

 Although I'm not a hairdresser, I'm also not trying to sell you the products I've got stocked in my imaginary salon. I also realise everyone has different hair types and lifestyles. So take this with a pinch of salt, but I think this has really helped my hair over the past year. At the moment my hair is the healthiest, strongest and glossiest, and least split-end ridden it's been since I dyed it for the first time when I was 12 (idiot child).


It might sound scary but,
Here was my golden rule: Stop buying anything and everything (hair care) except shampoos, conditioner, and get yourself a wide-toothed comb.
*Treatments for one may not work, two they cost a lot of money, and three take up a lot of time.

I'm by no means preaching, but here are tips if you'd like to have a go..

a) Have one heat protectant and one hairspray - use the latter only for up-do's. It makes your clean hair last longer.

b) Wash your hair in the evenings or on the weekends as much as you can to avoid blow-drying. 

c) When you step in the shower: shampoo as usual, and for conditioner, apply it on your hair then brush through with a wide-toothed comb or a Tangle Teezer - this helps to not brush your hair when it's dry - when it's dry it's easier to tug and snap hair, especially without an emollient. Tie it up in a bun, and get on with your business. Washing out the conditioner is the last thing I do in the shower (I have been known to walk out forgetting about it but that was just once.. or twice..).

d) Find an up-do that you like so you stay away from straighteners and curlers as much as possible. 

e) Don't wash your hair everyday - make it last as long as possible, 2 or 3 days, especially if you live in an area with hard water.

f) Try to use nasties-free products. My favourites are Dr. Organics Virgin Olive Oil Range (around £5), Australian Native Botanicals (£7.50), Leor* (£9) and Naked* (around £4).

1g) And of course.. try not to dye your hair.


And that's generally what I did! Again, I'm not a professional, there are other hairtypes, and I'm not as style-conscious as most people, so this is probably extreme for some but I think these are good guidelines if you wanna give this stripping-back thing a go! Cut and paste perhaps. I'd thought my hair was beyond repair!

What are your haircare tips?
Any favourite hair products?

<3yu

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Comments

  1. I'm really happy for you that your hair is at its healthiest and strongest :D I have very frizzy hair naturally and it takes a lot for it to 'settle'. I'll have to try some of your suggestions and techniques. I've just been through hell and back w/my hair :/

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    1. Oh no, I really hope it works! My hair was definitely quite unruly, and would tangle like a madman at my neck but none of that anymore :) I really hope it works!

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  2. Your hair really does look lovely and healthy! A wide toothed comb in the best thing I've ever done for my hair! x

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    1. Thanks Nicola! Yes, it's changed everything - even that one comb could make a huge difference! :)

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  3. I feel like I'm really lucky that I actually like my natural hair without using heat! I use heat around 4 times a year and it's worked wonders for the condition of my hair.

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    1. Ah that's very lucky! I only like mine natural cuz I had a perm put in a few years ago and it's lasting quite well and in a good shape :) That's really impressive, your hair must love you! ;)

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  4. You hair look gorgeous! I'm trying not to straighten my hair so often! Kisses

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    1. Thank you! I bet it'll do wonders Andrea, keep at it! :)

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  5. I wish I could get away with not washing my hair every day. I've tried so hard. I even spent 3 months washing it every other day in the hope it would stop getting so greasy if I stopped washing it so often. Nope. I just spent a long time looking disgusting every other day... Luckily my hair also doesn't damage too easily and it isn't too long so as long as I get it cut fairly often I can do what I like with it. Xo

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    1. Ah that's good that your hair doesn't damage, very lucky! I'm sure not washing isn't the only way you can keep your hair healthy ;)

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  6. Well, your hair is definitely showing the benefits of your hands-off approach - stunning :D

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    1. Aww thanks Sarah! I know you have the same approach to skin - I just can't bite the bullet for that, but I think I should try harder considering it's worked for hair! How did you go about it?

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  7. Great advice and your hair looks amazing! It's definitely working for you <3 xo

    Amy
    www.theprettyvain.blogspot.com

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  8. Funny that I'm reading this because I just made a post about/video about my haircare routine. And looking at it, I realized I've began to cut down on my products as well. I've been pretty faithful to my JOICO and left it at that. Plus I'm just not that maneuverable with a hair brush and blow dryer...hello tangled mess. The less is more routine worked pretty well for my skincare as well!

    www.pbunniep.com

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    1. I've heard amazing things about Joico! HAHAHA I'm the same with a hairbrush and blowdryer, completely kack handed! ;) Sarah S. (who commented above) always encourages me to do the same with my skin and I know I should listen cuz her skin is gorgeous - but I find my skin gets worse, but I know I need to persist instead of giving up.. lol it's hard!

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  9. Amazing tips, I have been thinking of writing an article of the like too! Unfortunately, I'm addicted to hair dye as I get bored so easily of my current hair color!

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  10. I completely agree with most of the things you mentioned here; giving up the flat iron/hair dryer was one of the best things I've ever done for my hair! I enjoy having my (slight) natural wave anyway, and once I brush it dry it vanishes!

    Natural hair FTW :) xx

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    1. Ahh natural waves are the best - I wish I had those, mine are old perms from 2 years ago! ;P Very jealous!

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  11. I have never dyed my hair and I'm quite glad as it is in fairly good condition, I just need to DO more with it... I always thought you had really nice hair, it always looks so glossy!

    Maria xxx

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  12. I totally agree with you on the straightening thing. two years ago, i straightened my hair like everyday and it stated looking dead. i layed off the straightener for almost all of last year and jsut embraced my natural waves and my hair got a lot softer and shinier and less frizzy :D just like you i suppose~~

    this is gonna be kinda funny but also awesome but I have the same first name as yu (pun intended) :D I've never met someone else named Yu too ^____^

    misshulijing.blogspot.com

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