All About My Hair!

I always get questions about my hair. Let me tell you though, it took me four years to grow my hair out when I cut it at my ears. Yes, it was the worst mistake of my life. Recently, I just cut quite a bit off. Here's a before and after. 

My hair was at my hips and just a little out of control and too much for summer so I decided to cut some off a couple days ago. I'm still getting used to it and still a little sad but it's super healthy and a lot more manageable. 

Here's a quick rundown of the steps I've taken to keep my hair long and healthy:

Growing It Out

Growing my hair out, I hardly cut it. My hair is dark so when I had dead ends it was noticeable since they're white. I tried to get a trim every six months and only trimmed the smallest amount. 

Coloring My Hair

I don't. I would box color my hair darker but stopped two years ago. The beginning of this year I tried to go lighter but I didn't like it so I went back to my natural color. Not coloring your hair will keep it a lot healthier than if you do. Embrace your natural hair color!

Washing My Hair

I only wash my hair twice a week. Yes, only twice. If you wash your hair every day you're stripping your natural oils. Think of your hair like clothes, if you wash the same blouse every day it's going to end up looking dull and falling apart. It's the same thing with your hair. Because of the climate where I live, my scalp sometimes becomes dry. So I'll use T-Gel from Neutrogena to control that and it works really well. It's tar, so it smells like tar which isn't pleasant but after a few washes you get used to it. I'll only use that if it's a little out of control though. I'll usually wash my hair on Sunday and Thursday. On Sunday I'll shampoo (twice) and then use the Macadamia Natural Oil Hair Masque. I usually leave the masque on for 30-45 minutes. I'll put my hair in a bun on my head and just watch tv or something. If you want a more intense repair you can always put a shower cap on. Then on Thursday I'll just shampoo (twice) and condition normally.

FYI: If you're using a sulfate-free shampoo, which are better for you, it won't lather up as well. Some do though. But rule of thumb, if you're using a regular shampoo and it doesn't lather up, it means your hair is still dirty and you need to shampoo again. That's why I shampoo twice regardless.

After Washing

When I get out of the shower I put my hair up in a towel for about 15 minutes. Then I'll go in and spray It's a 10 or Sexy Hair Soya 22 in 1 and comb it through with a wide tooth comb. I'll then use Macadamia Natural Healing Oil on my ends. I almost always let my hair air dry. 

TIP: ONLY use a wide tooth comb when combing your hair when it's wet. Your hair is extremely fragile when it's wet so if you take a brush and brush through it you'll pull your hair out. 

Using Hot Tools

If I do blow dry my hair I'll use a blow-dry heat protectant. I use either use Redken's Prepping Blow Dry Lotion or Kenra's Blow Dry Spray. If I'm going to be curling or straightening my hair, I'll still use another heat protectant. I used Got 2 Be Guardian Angel and I liked it. I switched to Paul Mitchell's Hot Off the Press and Kenra's Hot Spray though. My straightener goes to 450* but I only use it at 410*. 

Oily/Greasy Hair

Because I only wash my hair twice, it does get somewhat oily. Dry shampoo will be your best friend. Most dry shampoos have a white cast which sucks for people who have dark hair like myself but don't fear, Batiste actually has one for dark hair. It also has a dark tint to it so you won't look like you have dandruff. Dry shampoo will also give you texture to help style it. 

*All the products mentioned can be purchased at Target and Ulta Beauty!

From my healthy hair to you,

Amanda :)