Hair is our crowning glory and one of the things that can really make or break a vintage look. I’ve spent years learning about how to properly care for my hair to make sure that it’s as healthy as it can be. As a curly girl (my hair is type 3B), I’ve gone through many trials and errors with styling products and techniques, and it’s taken me years to really learn what my type of hair truly needs to be happy.

A lot of what I’ve learned about my own hair care can be translated to most hair types and textures, so whether your hair is curly, straight, or anywhere in-between, these tips can help your tresses be happy and healthy. Because, for most of us, the way our hair looks directly affects our confidence level, which makes it a pretty important part of our beauty ritual.

Since you always see my hair when it’s set in vintage styles, I thought it would be fun to show you my natural curl, if anything to show you what I’m contending with 🙂

Here are my 6 tips for healthy hair

1. SHAMPOO 101

No matter what your hair type or texture is, cleansing your hair is essential. Shampoo is simply meant to cleanse your hair and scalp. However, frequent shampooing causes dryness which is the number one cause of frizz and dullness. The solution: stick to washing your hair once or twice a week.

If you aren’t used to washing this infrequently, you probably wonder how someone can go a week between hair washing without becoming an oil slick. Well, it does take some time to “train” your scalp not to overproduce oil. Shampooing your hair daily strips the natural oils and perpetuates the cycle of continually producing oil to hydrate the scalp and hair. With washing your hair less frequently, your body will regulate over time, and you won’t produce as much oil. Wear a turban, snood, or hair net to get you through those extra days before washing again.

2. WATER TEMP & MINERAL CONTENT

Like any type of heat, hot water blows up the hair’s cuticle (aka the outer layer shaft, which directly affects hair growth), increasing frizz, so always rinse with cool water versus hot.

Hard water (heavy mineral content) produces a film on the hair, making it difficult for moisture to penetrate. As a result, the hair is left dry and prone to breakage and frizz. The simple solution is to add a water softener to your shower head. I recently added one, and it’s made a big difference with my hair. Check out the model that I use here.

3. INGREDIENTS MATTER

There are many cheap ingredients that not only don’t do a lot to help your hair but can actually make your hair worse. Watch out for sulfates in your shampoo. They are added simply to make the product foam up, but they are incredibly drying to the scalp and hair.

Silicones are often used in shampoos and serums to give your hair a sleek and shiny look. They act like a sleeve covering each strand in a protective sheath, locking out humidity and locking in moisture. However, silicones can weigh hair down, making it look limp and lanky. And because several silicones aren’t water-soluble, they can result in a hard-to-remove layer of buildup over time.

4. DITCH THE HEAT TOOLS (OR AT LEAST LIMIT THEIR USE)

Heat causes significant damage to the hair cuticle, causing breakage and leads to split ends. Hot tools can make styling a little faster, but repeated use can really make your hair dry and dull-looking.

Opt for overnight wet sets instead to get the most authentic-looking curls. But if you absolutely can’t avoid using heat tools, use a good heat protector to prevent as much damage as possible.

5. DON’T SKIP YOUR TRIM

Many people skip trims to avoid sacrificing length but trims actually help increase hair growth since damaged ends lead to breakage and split ends.

If you want to grow your hair out fast, without sacrificing length during each trim, ask your stylist for a dusting (so as little as possible is taken off) versus a trim.

6. USE THE RIGHT PRODUCTS FOR YOUR HAIR TYPE AND TEXTURE

Using products formulated for your hair type can do wonders for the health of your hair. Giving your hair the right ingredients and support can make all the difference in having lush, brilliant, and shiny hair.

Check out some of my favorite hair care products here.