The Basics of Hair Care
Most women long for a head full of beautiful, manageable
hair, and are willing to do plenty to learn how to get it.
The good news is that with a few basics in the hair care
department, you can sport a beautiful mane every single day.
The key is in knowing the right products to use and the best
methods for keeping your do healthy and shiny. You can find
the best ways to care for your hair by talking to your
stylist about your individual needs and preferences, and to
research online and in magazines the most effective ways to
shampoo and style. There is plenty of information available
on hair care; you just need to take the time to educate
yourself on the best products and routines for you.
Keeping Your Hair Clean
Shampooing is the first step to a healthy style, but did you
know that there is actually a right and wrong way to perform
this step? According to some professional stylists, there are
a number of common mistakes that are made during this
preliminary step. Before heading to the shower with a bottle
of shampoo, you must decide what your hair type is to ensure
that you are using the best products for you. One way to
determine this is with the spray bottle test. Fill a spray
bottle with water and lightly spritz your dry hair. If the
water absorbs immediately, you probably have dry hair that
would respond well to a moisturizing shampoo. If the water
droplets bead up at first, you probably have an oily hair
type that requires a deep cleansing shampoo designed for an
oilier scalp.
Once you have selected the correct products, you need
to know the right way to shampoo. Many stylists will agree
that most of us will use too much shampoo, and will not
thoroughly rinse after the cleansing process. For longer
lengths, a quarter-sized amount of shampoo in your palm
should do the trick. Shorter styles only require the
equivalent of a nickel-sized amount. Once you have lathered
your hair, rinse well, which means until the water from your
head is running clear. Follow the same rule of thumb with
your conditioner, using more for longer lengths and less for
shorter styles. Again rinse your head well to ensure that you
will not be dealing with any residue on your scalp once your
hair is dry.
Getting Your Hair Dry
Another common mistake that people make is to towel dry their
heads too vigorously after shampooing. Keep in mind that wet
hair is fragile, and needs to be treated with plenty of TLC.
Before removing your towel, wrap it around your head and
leave it for at least fifteen minutes if possible. This will
allow much of the moisture to be absorbed without a need for
any manhandling. Towel dry your wet hair gently, and then
comb it out with a wide toothed comb. Never run a brush
through wet hair since this will cause the ends to break and
snap. By using these guidelines when caring for your hair,
you will greatly increase your odds of enjoying a healthy and
easy to manage style.