The beauty industry is overwhelming and confusing – what product should you use? What works best for your hair type? There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but there is something you can do: Tailor your haircare routine to your individual needs. We are here to help you in understanding your hair type and provide tips on how to customize your haircare for maximum benefits.
1. Get to Know Your Hair: An Introduction to Hair Types
When it comes to hair, one size definitely doesn’t fit all; everyone has different hair types, textures and needs. Get to know your locks and learn how to take care of them with the right products and techniques.
- Curly Hair: Curls can take on many different shapes, from tight corkscrews to gentle waves. Heat and humidity can make it go into wild, unmanageable territory.
- Straight Hair: If you have straight hair, your strands are likely going to lay down flat and resist curling and styling. Heat styling can turn frizzy strands into sleek locks.
- Wavy Hair: Wavy hair falls in between curly and straight. The waves it creates can range from loose, beach-tossed strands to tight ringlets.
- Coiled Hair: Coiled hair has a springy texture and creates tight spiral curls. It tends to extremely dry and can be quite difficult to manage and style.
Depending on your hair type, there are several points to pay attention to when it comes to hair care. To start keeping your tresses healthy, make sure you’re always using the right products for your hair type, such as shampoos and conditioners. For curly hair, using a shampoo specifically made for curls is important. Otherwise, you might get weighed-down ringlets. Avoid over-washing your hair since this will strip away your hair’s natural oil. For straight or wavy hair, find a shampoo formula with lightweight conditioning agents to give your strands shine without weighing them down.
If you have dry hair, look for moisturizing additives such as oils, butters and glycerin to strengthen and nourish your tresses. Those with oily hair should opt for a light volumizing shampoo. When it comes to styling, look for products that contain heat-protective additives. This will help protect your hair from damage.
2. How to Determine Your Hair Type
Having an understanding of your hair type is necessary before you can begin to make an informed choice of hair care products. It’s also important to consider that your hair type can vary depending on the elements, age or even medication.
So, how can you determine your own hair type? Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Take a close look at your follicles: Your hair follicles play an important role in determining your hair texture and type. Take a magnifying mirror in a well-lit area and observe the diameter of each strand. Fine and thin strands are characteristic of straight hair, whereas, for curly hair the diameter of the strands will be equal or bellow that of a sewing thread.
- Pay attention to the hair pattern: Using your hands, come through your hair to note your hair type’s overall pattern. Is your hair pattern more uniform, or is it flowing in all directions? Take a look at the pattern of other family members for comparison.
- Record your observations: Gather your observations in a written form. Note down the length, texture, patterns, and hair color either to your journal or to your phone. This data can help you to better understand and describe your hair type when you go for shopping for the hair care products.
Discovering your hair type might take some practice and you might have to go through a few failed attempts before you get it right. It can help to bring photographs that show your hair type on different days to the salon, so your stylist can also help you figure out your hair type. Once you’ve identified your hair type, you can find the haircare routine and products that will work best for you.
3. Customizing Your Hair Care Routine Based on Your Hair Type
Everyone’s hair is unique and requires different levels of care. To ensure your hair looks its best and stays healthy, it’s important to customize your hair care routine to your specific hair type.
Curly Hair: If you have curly hair, it’s best to go sulfate free when you shampoo. This helps prevent the natural oils from stripping the ends, making them more prone to breakage. When you condition, it’s important to pick an oil-based product that will act as a barrier from the outside elements. To finish off, use a light leave-in conditioner for extra hydration.
Straight Hair: Straight hair can be more prone to dryness, so it’s important to use hydrating shampoo and conditioner. Aim to use formulas with natural oils to help restore your hair’s moisture. To determine the right products for your hair, you can look for ones that contain argan oil. This oil helps add extra nourishment to the strands. Additionally, avoid heat styling and let your hair air dry whenever possible.
Colored Hair: Colored hair requires extra tender love and care because of the frequency of hair dyeing that takes place. The best routine involves the use of sulfate-free formulas and, if desired, deep conditioning hair masks weekly. After washing, apply a nourishing mask that contains natural ingredients. To help preserve the color, add a UV protector to your routine.
General Guidelines: No matter your hair type, there are a few tips to keep in mind. Start by brushing your hair from the bottom up, being sure to untangle any knots as you go. Before you wash, use a wide-toothed comb to remove any excess tangles. When you’re done, ensure your hair is partially dry before you apply any product to it. This way, you won’t overload in one area. Finally, follow up with a nourishing serum to keep your hair healthy and shiny.
4 Rocking Your Hair Type – Tips and Tricks
Having the perfect hairstyle that works with your hair and face type can often be difficult – unless you have the right tips! Here is a list of four tried and true tips to help you better rock whatever type of hair you have.
Create Texture – Curly hair can be difficult to style, and if you don’t know what you are doing it can look like a frizzy mess. The key to rocking curly hair is to create texture. Start by running a diffuser through your strands, for added definition and texture. You can also add hairspray to reduce frizz and create a shinier finish.
Maximize Volume – Straight hair can often look flat and dull. The solution here is to create more volume. Applying a volumizing mousse to your roots can help provide a lift and make your hair look more vibrant. For extra oomph, use a round brush and a hair dryer to add waves to your strands.
Rock a Wet Look – Fine hair can often be easily weighed down by products, so you don’t want to add too much to it. Instead, go for a wet look. Use a small amount of conditioner and water, to slick down your hair and create a wet, yet sleek look. Finish off with a light-hold hairspray.
Try Braid Styles – Thick hair can be difficult to maintain, as it often becomes heavy and can lack shape. To better style thick hair, it is best to play up its natural texture with braids. Try experimenting with French braids or waterfall braids. Adding volume with mousse can also help create control and shape.
By exploring your hair type, you have taken the first step toward customizing your haircare routine. Now that you understand how to care for your hair type, you can watch it grow with confidence and enjoy the strong, beautiful, and healthy hair you deserve.
