How do you keep your hair so long and healthy ?

Jul 20, 2011

Nichelle R.

i keep my hair long and healthy by washing it every other day , using all the hot tools to a minimum . . i also apply hair oil to the ends of my hair (i gather my hair like its a ponytail and i apply the oil from where my hand is holding my hair , and down) . how do youu keep your hair so long and healthy ? and what are good shampoo and conditioners for long hair ?

(: 

Jul 20, 2011

Alicia B.

I wash my hair every 2 or 3 days and I also rotate out my shampoos and conditioners (my stylist gave me this tip...it's worked wonders for me). I rotate between John Frieda's root awakening shampoo and conditioner, and Organix's coconut milk shampoo and conditioner. I HAD been using TIGI's S Factor Diamond Dreams before the coconut milk and I LOVED it hardcore...but it's quite expensive. I also try to use the least amount of products that I can and avoid blowdrying my hair. (Thank goodness the beachy waves are so in this year hehe)  

Jul 21, 2011

Alexis B.

besides the basics everyone does, i never forget about my scalp. a lot of people dont condition it properly and that's where your hair is growing from so i always find it very important to massage a deep conditioner in it atleast once a week (helps with my dandruff too)

as for shampoos/conditioners.. im a fan of the biolage matrix bc they are healthy compared to most brands. i love the strengthening one especially. i have hair down to my waist and ive been using that for a year now.

also, ive recently become a fan of the organix line bc they are sulfate free and inexpensive!

Jul 21, 2011

Nichelle R.

yeahh i have the coconut oil serum by organix and it makes my hair feel so soft ! i put it in my hair when its damp from showering . and yeahh , never forget the scalp . (:

Jul 21, 2011

Michelle H.

I do a number of things that help:

* Protective styling so the ends are not exposed (5 times a week no less)
* Wash and deep condition once a week - no sulfate products
* Seal hair with oil
* Moisturize daily
* Henna every 3 weeks
* No heat styling!

Jul 27, 2011

Nancy H.

never hear about rotating out my shampoos and conditioners, but sounds like a great idea im going to try it! my hair is super dry =/ hope it helps alittle

Jul 27, 2011

Soma S.

^Rotating out shampoos and conditioners helps get rid of the buildup from sticking w/ the same shampoo over and over again. =)

My favorite is just to eat healthy, and things rich with good protein and good fatty acids do wonders.  

Jul 27, 2011

Jacki C.

I really hate to promote myself and be one of those girls but i just did my first video ever on reviving unhealthy hair! how ironic huh?!! so if anyone is interested here is the link!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YoQs-Q8qlA

thanks lovelies <3

Jul 27, 2011

Theresa G.

deep conditionaing once a week. No heat and regular trims : )

Jul 28, 2011

Kimberly M.

No sulfates - that's really the key. I am in LOVE with DevaChan No-Poo and One Condition. I cleanse my hair once a week - but if I need a re-style, I wet it down and condition it first. But cutting sulfates is key.

Jul 28, 2011

Kimberly M.

PS @ Michelle H - not to argue, but oil, over time, can actually dry out your hair worse than a silicone serum. Once that oil or silicone coating is there, your hair essentially "chokes" and dries from the inside out. Try raw shea butter instead - it's water soluble and high in fatty acids and really helps maintain hair health.

Jul 29, 2011

Justyne L.

I do a few things like hair food every 2 weeks, replenishing mask once a week, heat protectant if I use any hot tools which I try not to to have it grow more, try to wash your hair every other day to have the natural oils help it grow. Hope this helped! 

Jul 29, 2011

Kristin R.

My hair is so thick my stylist told me I should wash my hair maybe once or twice a week. The natural oils help my hair and because of the thickness my hair a week after washing doesn't even look dirty. Since I started wearing my hair naturally (curly lions mane as I affectionately call it) I don't use any curlers, straighteners, blow driers, which helps. I don't get my hair cut often either and it still grows like a weed, last time I went in my stylist was like "I've never seen your hair healthier!" because before I'd go in and straighten my hair all the time, dye it... it looked semi healthy but was very frizzy from breakage.

Jul 30, 2011

Michelle H.

Hey Kimberly, I get what you are saying but black hair is very different. Our hair thrives off of natural oils such as coconut oil. Using oils to seal moisture in is key for retaining our length.

Any woman of color in the natural hair community will tell you the same. Some use Shea Butter though. I use it at times as well but Jamaican Black Castor Oil does wonders for sealing my ends so they don't split.

Check out this post if you are interested: http://www.curlynikki.com/2011/04/art-of-sealing-natural-hair.html

Jul 30, 2011

Giselle G.

Main key is to not wash everyday! I go 2-3 days with out a wash and always deep condition the ends. I flat iron after every wash so I use Chi Silk Infusion to help...its also conditions. Get a trim every 4-6 months, earlier than that itll take you forever to grow it out!

Jul 30, 2011

Kimberly M.

Hey Michelle!

I have worked with ethnic hair before, so I get the oil thing - but when I hear "oil" from a client, I automatically think of the cheap, pink stuff that is commonly used - which is a combination of heavy oils, petroleum, chemicals - blech. Good to know you're on the coconut oil kick - I use it to cleanse my skin!! I'm a big fan!

I've looked at curlynikki - she's got great tips - if you want more, check out naturallycurly.com - even more natural hair guides.

Jul 30, 2011

Michelle H.

Hey Kim,

I’m on naturallycurly.com too! I am just wrapping up the Kim Coles Grow Out Challenge :-)

Oh and for the pink stuff (we’ll keep the major brand nameless lol), never!
I used to use this brand (when I knew squat about hair) that would dry my hair out like hay. I couldn’t understand how a “moisturizer” could do that. Now I know.

Now, you know you opened another can of worms with the facial oil cleansing! Using oil to cleanse my skin causes me to get milia! I can use it as a moisturizer but not a cleanser.

Off to pre-poo my hair :-)