Do you like your hair?
Even though I receive a lot of compliments, I still complain about mine!
My strands are stick-straight, don’t hold a curl, and are nowhere near as thick as my sister’s hair.
Then again, her hair takes 45 minutes to blow dry, while I can do mine in 3 minutes flat. And regardless of how straight my hair is, it does have one thing going for it: shine! It also grows super-fast:
I credit my healthy, shiny hair to three things: shampoo, babying, and diet.
How to get Shiny, Healthy Hair
1. Use a high-quality shampoo. I can’t say enough good things about Desert Essence coconut shampoo and conditioner.
Initially, I bought this because—well, hello! It’s coconut! But it truly is the best shampoo I’ve ever used. Prior to trying this, I would buy the cheapest shampoo (of the brands that don’t engage in animal testing). I have “normal” hair (not too dry, not too oily), so I wasn’t picky about brands.
This shampoo normally sells for about $8, but I buy in bulk at a grocery store called Sprouts, when they have a 20%-off-all-vitamins sale. That helps. Plus, sometimes quality products are well-worth the extra cost.
2. Don’t over-process your hair.
I only wash my hair on days I run (4-5 days a week), and my hair-care routine is pretty minimal (basically because I am lazy and don’t want to spend the time with a curling iron or round brush!) After washing, I spray in a detangler. (Long hair can get knotty!) Then I comb the knots out, blow dry it for three minutes (or less), and I’m done.
In the past, I’ve done highlights a few times, and I’ve had three perms (only one of which actually worked; the other two fell out!). But the last time I did anything chemical-y to my hair was in high school. I like my natural color, so why dry it out by adding highlights? (I’m not ruling out another perm, though. Being a curly-top is fun!)
3. Make sure you’re getting enough healthy fats in your diet. Low-fat diets might be good for calorie control, but they wreak havoc on hair and skin! I prescribe large doses of the following:
Ok, maybe not large doses… but seriously, if your hair and skin are super-dry, consider adding healthy vegetable-based fats (nuts, nut butters, olive oil, coconut, etc.) to your diet. Even in the dead of winter, my skin is still soft.
Step Four: Embrace your hair, whether curly or straight! (I need to remember to take my own advice on this one. Do as I say, not as I do!)
Do you like your hair?
And what’s your hair-care routine?
P.S. Click the link for a picture of me with permed hair.
🙂
this may seem like a joke to some but i find eating jell-o any flavor but i use the sugar free.delish!!
my hair grows better and looks shiny, i am 67 with red hair.
Jello is not vegan.
You should list your sister’s “routine” btw. 🙂
Katie, I read your blog almost everyday and lately whenever I see a photo of you, I can picture you with a short bob. Like Katie Holmes had for a while. Your hair is so shiny and full of life I’m sure you’d make that haircut look gorgeous!
I’ve thought about it! Maybe someday…
The great thing about having hair that grows really fast (yes I’m in that club too) is that it allows you to experiment! I’m sure that if you do try out that style, you’ll make a very entertaining post to tell your readers about it 🙂
Katie, how is it that your Sprouts has 40% off sales?? The one’s around here only do 20% off vitamin sale! 🙁
SOO pretty!!
Personally my favorite shampoo is Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo and Sleek Matrix Conditioner. I got it because that’s what my salon would use to wash my hair and it came out so nice every time I finally called up and asked them. Its simply the best…
Wow, by this point you have so many replies to this post, that I am too lazy to read them all before I comment, so forgive me for that.
1.) I can see why you posted about this, as it is something I’m sure many people have noticed and asked about you!
2.) Have you ever donated hair to Locks of Love? especially such gorgeous hair, they would love, and since your hair grows fast, maybe it would not be such a hardship for you, since it will grow back quickly to your desired length. I donated 3 times, 2 years between each, because my hair grows so slowly, and they asked for at least 10 inches.
3.) My shampoo is running out, and I have put off buying something new, because I did not know what to buy, so now with your suggestion, I do!
I haven’t… I was going to at one point, but I chickened out of cutting off so much hair! I’d still love to do it some day.
I love oiling my hair at least an hour before i wash it! Even better if i oil it the night before! I usually warm the oil in the microwave so it’s warm to touch and apply it liberally all over and give myself an awesome scalp massage! Olive oil is my favourite for conditioning these days but coconut is amazing for shine and growth! To wash it out I just shampoo the excess out and don’t add extra conditioner!
So… question.. because of health reasons.. I can no longer eat – nuts, seeds, berries.. and no fat… I have found that coconut oil does not bother me… but at this point I am not willing to do the seeds or nuts… so do you have any other suggestions for the chocolate cake???
I actually put olive oil in my hair or coconut if i have any 🙂 It might sound like it would get oily but it really doesn’t. I have thick curly hair and it used to be sooo dry and frizzy. For the past few months i only wash my hair with conditioner and after my shower i towel dry, and aply a quarter size amount of olive oil in the palm of my hand, kinda get it all over my hands and apply in my hair, then i put mousse. That’s it, and my hair has never felt or looked better in ….well never!
I am super low maintenance with my hair! I don’t even own a blow drier. I wash it 3 or 4 times a week, run a comb through it, and go. Sometimes I don’t even remember to brush it after it dries…