Maintaining healthy hair can be a tedious process but a few, simple changes in your haircare routine can surely make a difference! Here are 5 tips that will help make any hair routine much more effective:

1) Oil your hair and scalp

When it comes to promoting hair growth, moisture is a must! A great way to nourish and hydrate the hair is to apply oil at the roots and massage it gently onto the scalp. Oiling the hair can help with dandruff prevention as well as dryness and itchiness. Some great oils to use include: castor oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, argan oil, neem oil and jojoba oil. These oils are natural and packed with essential vitamins that help restore shine and softness into the hair strands. For best use, oils can be applied sparingly to the ends of the hair throughout the day or can be applied generously to leave on overnight.

2) Use a natural shampoo and conditioner

Choosing a shampoo and conditioner free of harsh ingredients is vital in order to maintain healthy hair. Although many brands label their products as “organic” or “all natural”, a quick glance at the ingredients list can immediately reveal otherwise. For example, many shampoos are made of sulfates, chemical detergents that produce a foamy lather, that strip the hair of dirt and natural oils. The lather sulfates create is usually associated with a cleaner scalp, but really sulfates make the hair prone to breakage, dryness and frizziness. Some common sulfates to avoid include: sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate and ammonium laureth sulfate.

Additionally, silicones in conditioners are the notorious culprits for dull hair. Any ingredient that ends in ‘cone’ such as cetearyl methadone, dimethicone and stearyl dimethicone, is to be avoided! Silicones are used in conditioners because they give the hair the illusion of a smooth feel and shine. However, they work as sealants and prevent moisture from entering the hair shaft. As a result, build-up can accumulate and cause the hair to lack volume.

When shopping for shampoo and conditioner, it is best to select products that contain 100% natural and organic ingredients, like our very own Real Hair Smoothie. Throwing out any items containing harsh ingredients will drastically improve hair growth!

3)  Use a wooden brush

Most people overlook the quality of the tool they utilize to brush their hair, but choosing the right hairbrush can make a huge difference. Plastic brushes are great for detangling the hair, but they are also great for damaging it, which is why opting for a wooden hair brush is best. The bristles on a wooden brush help condition the hair, as they absorb the natural oils on the scalp and evenly distribute them down the hair shaft. Wooden bristles also massage the scalp, increase circulation and prevent breakage and static. To purchase a wooden brush, a visit to a local Whole Foods store or Amazon can do the trick!

4)  Apply a hair rinse

Adding a rinse to your haircare routine can help maintain healthy hair. Raw, organic apple cider vinegar can be used as a rinse in the shower after conditioning. This rinse has proven to help with dandruff and adding shine to the hair. In addition, applying a rosemary rinse can help soften hair texture and promote hair growth. To make this rinse, boil rosemary in a pot then let it cool until it is ready for application. Rosemary extract is in all Real Hair Smoothie products and is proven to seal moisture and alleviate a dry scalp.

5) Wear protective hairstyles

Letting the hair down may be fun and all, until split-ends and breakage happen. One of the best ways to prevent damage to the hair is to place it in a protective style. Braids, buns, twists, and cornrows are just a few protective styles that ensure the hair does not undergo unnecessary breakage. Protective styles are easy to create and are very low maintenance!

What are your favorite hair tips? Comment below to share!