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.
🙂
When I read you wash your hair 4-5 times a week, I thought oh that’s so often. I’m a runner too and I often run daily or almost daily and I only wash my hair about 3 times in 14 days. Yikes! So I realised my hair needs washing today since I last washed it 4 days ago and went running twice inbetween – and yes I just didn’t come to the idea I should wash my hair more often. Not that it’ll look awfull but aften washing it feels so much nicer! And I watched the clock – I needed about 5 min to dry and have very similar hair to yours. Btw. I love your hair (and mine too) 😉
I sent you a friends request on FB – so that you know which Damjana wishes to be your friend 🙂
LOL well it’s less in the winter… but in the heat, you gotta wash your hair after every run. I think I sweat as soon as I get outside in the Tx summers!
And lol silly girl, we already ARE friends on facebook :).
i just bought that coconut shampoo! i was out and loved the idea of coconut smelling shamp/conditioner! and it was on sale at whole foods yay! it smells awesome i love it
What detangler do you recommend? I am looking for something that really works and does not have tons of bad ingredients.
Thanks!
I use a volumizing one by “Big Sexy Hair.” I dunno about the ingredients, but I do know the company has a “no animal testing” policy.
I need to take care of my hair more. right now, I just try to get it out of my way… pony tail daily!
You have beautiful hair, a lovely natural honey blond shade too. I will try this shampoo based on what your hair looks like alone.
Wow, thank you SO much!!!
I know this is an old post but I just discovered your site a couple weeks ago. Hallelujah! I have been soaking up each post since!
First of all, your hair looks, as many have already commented, beautiful and super healthy! Secondly, since having my two babies, my hair has become quite similar to straw and dull as can be. So, I just purchased some of the shampoo and conditioner you suggested and I’m anxiously awaiting their arrival in the mail!
Due to my hair’s incredible dryness, I only wash it every other day and sometimes less but have to use dry shampoo on the roots for in between days. I was wondering if you use dry shampoo and if you had any recommendations. Lately, I’ve been too cheap to actually buy any and just using baby powder but I feel like it contributes even more to the straw-like consistency. :p
Oh I hope the shampoo works for you! I try not to wash my hair every day either… I wish I could (because it feels healthier on days I wash it), but I’m afraid it would just dry it out too much!
I love how you mention how important it is to eat healthy fats. Many people get the misconception that if they eat dietary fat then they will have body fat. Wrong! I can’t live without peanut butter, coconut milk, and many other nuts!
You inspired me to try the coconut shampoo/conditioner. Did you know Vitacost.com has lots of Desert Essence products for cheap? Around $4 each for the shampoo and conditioner right now with shipping about $5.
Oh wow, thanks for letting me know!
Katie!
I received my order of the Desert Essence shampoo/conditioner, and so far I love it! The shampoo lathered very well, so I did not have to use very much (not typical with natural products), so this makes up for the cost. I love the coconut scent too! When I got out of shower, I applied my usual dab of jojoba oil, and when my hair dried my waves were bouncy and soft!
Usually my hair dries frizzy and my waves do not fully curl so I have to straighten my hair to make it decent, even with the jojoba oil. Now I don’t have to use as much jojoba either! I have tried many different (and more expensive) natural shampoos and conditioners, the no ‘poo method for a while, and the conditioner wash method, and this is quite amazing.
So thanks a bunch for the recommendation!
I think you’re right Katie … diet is key 😉 No matter what product you use. If your health and diet is not up to par your hair and skin will definitely be reflective of that. I love the poo and cond you recommended. I also like Giovanni products and switch around. I have super frizzy curly hair so I have had an extremely hard time finding the right products. I have to use a gel with my curls and the only one that works for me has been Ouidad Climate Control (not organic but oh well). My 9 yr old daughter has beautiful long straight brown hair (she got most of the straight hair genes from her dad and not me, lol). She gets the greasies pretty easy so I can’t use the coconut stuff on her. She gets her hair washed once or twice a week with a tea tree based shampoo/cond … I’m using Giovanni’s lately with good results. Her hair could be a little smoother and shinier but her metabolism and nutrient absorption is off due to her autism.
Love your blog and how you incorporate gluten free and dairy free ideas in there too 😉
Katie, you look GORGEOUS! Seriously, I should start making your chocolate desserts JUST to look half as fabulous as you do. Starting with the brownies. Yum!
Aww Gina, thank you so so much!
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.