Crunchy curls got you down?
Hydrating your hair can feel like a bit of a balancing act. Too much extra moisture and your hair could wind up looking and feeling greasy. But, not enough hydration can leak breakage and frizz.
Fortunately, while striking that perfect balance isn’t rocket science, it can take a little experimentation to find the best hair care routine to transform your magnificent mane from crunchy to smooth.
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry. We’re here to help. Here’s everything you need to know about how to hydrate your hair.
How to Hydrate Your Hair
Remember that every scalp is different. So, a hair care method that may work for one person may not necessarily work for you. That said, here are a few ways to help boost your hair’s hydration levels that work for most lovely locks.
Wash Right
How often do you wash your hair? Depending on your hair type, there’s a good chance you only need to give it a good scrub once a week. Washing your hair too often or with the wrong shampoo can strip your scalp of the natural oils that help keep your hair soft and healthy.
While every hair type is different, you can start finding your perfect hair washing schedule by washing every other day and slowly extending the amount of time between washes.
You may also want to consider swapping out your shampoo. The parabens, sulfates, and fragrances hidden in many shampoos can strip and damage your hair, leading to dryness. Before buying another bottle of shampoo, try to take some time to do a little research and carefully read the label before you wash your hair.
Don’t Skimp on Conditioner!
While shampoo is necessary for cleaning extra oil, dirt, and other debris out of your hair, even the most gentle variety can strip your hair of the moisture it needs to stay healthy, soft, and strong. And that’s where conditioner comes in.
Conditioner helps replace a little of the moisture lost when you wash your hair and can even help strengthen and repair damaged locks.
That said, conditioner only works if you use it properly. You should always start conditioning your hair at the tips and work your way up to your roots. Once you apply your conditioner, try to leave it in your hair for at least 3-5 minutes.
Add an Oil
While your scalp’s natural oils are all your hair needs to stay hydrated and healthy, nature occasionally needs a little bit of a push.
Adding a hair oil, such as argan oil, almond oil, or coconut oil, to your hair care routine can help give your hair the added hydration boost it needs to stay soft and manageable.
While you can add a drop of hair oil to your hair whenever you feel you need it, it’s most effective on damp hair. So, the best time to apply it is right after you wash your hair.
When applying hair oil, it’s best to treat it a little like conditioner. Start at the tips of your hair, and work your way up toward the roots. And remember not to use too much, or you could wind up with greasy hair!
Puttin on the Spritz
Do you ever use a hydrating spray on your face? Well, you can do the same thing to your hair! A quick hydrating spritz is an excellent way to moisturize your hair, cut back on frizz, and make your locks a little more manageable of easy styling.
While there are dozens of hair spritzes on the market, you don’t have to spend a fortune to find an effective one. You can even make a hydrating hair spritz by yourself at home.
Combine half a cup of water with a quarter of a cup of aloe juice in a spray bottle. Then add in a teaspoon of melted coconut oil and jojoba oil, a splash of rose water, and a small squirt of your favorite conditioner.
Whenever your hair needs an extra boost, shake up your spray bottle and give it a few quick spritzes, and you’re good to go.
Put on a Mask
Another fantastic way to give your hair a quick boost of moisture is by using a hair mask before you wash it. Whether you want to use a store-bought mask, coconut oil, or even your regular conditioner, the key to getting the most out of a hair mask is time.
Try to leave your mask in your hair for at least an hour before washing it out.
Keep It Cool
Heat is one of the most notable enemies of healthy hair, which is a shame because we are heat-generating machines. So, we have to be extra careful about exposing our hair to any unnecessary heat.
While hot showers may feel good to us, they can wreak havoc on our hair and leave it dry and damaged. So, next time you wash your hair, make sure you turn down the temperature a bit.
Staying away from hot styling tools like curlers and straighteners is also a must if you have dry hair. Fortunately, there are plenty of simple, heatless ways to style your hair — if you’re willing to p[racice a little.
Feed Your Hair
Your hair, like every other part of you, is a living thing. If you want it to look good on the outside, you have to put good stuff on the inside.
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A and C are vital for promoting healthy growth and keeping your hair healthy and hydrated.
That said, many adults are well aware that eating right is easier said than done. And, if you need a little extra help getting the nutrients your hair needs, you may want to consider adding a hair vitamin to your daily beauty regimen.
Need help picking a good hair vitamin? Check out this SugarBear Hair review.
Sick of Dealing With Thirsty Locks?
Now that you know a bit more about how to hydrate your hair, it’s time to get to work putting together your new dream hair care regimen.
Are you looking for a little more advice on how to keep your newly luscious locks looking and feeling their best? We’ve got you covered. Check out the rest of our blog for more helpful articles, tips, tricks, and hacks today!
