The tale of two hairs.

Recently I went back to Missouri to do makeup for a wedding and while I was back I saw a few friends and they were quick to notice the change in my hair compared to how it looked three years ago when I lived there. Curious to know what I’ve done, I decided to write a blog given that this isn’t the first time I’ve had this question. So here is my new hair routine, start to finish. I am not a hairdresser but these are the steps that worked for me. If you do this, I can almost guarantee you will see positive results as soon as a month from the start. First of all, I started off giving my hair a break from all of the intense bleaching I used to have done. I gave my hair over 12 months to recoup from that. I still had highlights but they didn’t use bleach, I only had my hair done every 3-4 months and I had fewer highlights. 1. Wash and rinse with cooler temperatures; hot water will strip and dry out the scalp and the hair strands. 2. Use only sulfate free shampoo and conditioner. I use L’Anza Healing Color Care but I also like Moroccan Oil brand (not great for thin hair) and Healthy Sexy Hair for fine, thin damaged hair. 3. Only condition from the mid-shaft (nape of neck) down. Don’t condition your scalp as it will clog your pores. 4. Use a detaingler if necessary. In my situation I only use the detaingler on the top of my head, opposite of what I did in step 3. Use a wide-tooth comb to gently comb your hair from the ends up. 5. Apply your styling mousse according to the directions. 6. IMPORTANT!! Apply a heat protecting oil/serum. Do not miss this step unless you don’t use heat tools on your hair. Only apply a SMALL amount – ½ a pump, or one drop. Rub the serum in your palms and apply from the ends, working your way up to the top. I use Redken All Soft and I also like Moroccan Oil Treatment Light for fine and thin hair. 7. Also very important; get a better hair dryer. I have an Amika hair dryer which has ionic and infrared properties which I do not understand, but I do understand that I my hair is not frizzy and dry. 8. I use a ventilated hair brush WITHOUT the heat element to get my hair mostly (and quickly) dry and then I use a boar bristle round brush to get a smooth rounded finish. 9. I don’t use a flat iron and I rarely curl my hair. 10. I almost forgot one of the most important steps – there seems to be a lot of them – I sleep with my hair in a braid every single night. I also run with my hair in a braid and I rarely ever put my hair in a ponytail anymore. 11. I get trims fairly regularly and I don’t highlight my hair as much or as often as I used to. 12. I take prenatal vitamins approximately three times a week. But to start I would take them 5-7 days a week. After you finish your first bottle knock it down to three. Never buy generic vitamins. I always buy a good brand that has gone on sale, they quality is better and you get what you pay for. That’s it. Good luck!