Momma Told Me: Use it or lose it.
My hair and I have been through a lot. Ever since Momma threatened to, and did, cut my long locks off for a bowl cut in the third grade I've championed the cause of healthy hair. As a little girl I took my golden brown tresses for granted and often skipped proper shampooing and brushing techniques out of laziness. Momma's tactics might have been unconventional, but you can bet, as my hair grew back, I never shirked those beauty regimens again. People like to counter that, because I color my hair and blow dry religiously, I do not take proper care of my hair. I like to argue that you can have style and color without doing excess damage to your hair. Naturally, everyone's hair and scalp is different, so your care mat vary from mine, but I have always had medium-thick hair with a normal scalp. When you are born with healthy locks and good skin, it does make things easier- but having certain styling challenges don't have to mean damaged hair or frizzy styling.
I am constantly on the lookout for new tools and treatments to keep my hair looking, and actually being, it's healthiest. While I have always had a full head of hair, I have also equally fought the 'hair on the brush' scenario. I like to style my hair straight, and in the humidity we often get through our heat waves, this often means my hair will puff and even frizz without warning. I habitually brush my hair morning, noon, and night to encourage natural shine and style maintenance. If your styling routine doesn't involve a carefully chosen brush then that is the first investment you should make. In general I recommend a paddle style hair brush that is wide and helps distribute oil while keeping your cuticles lie flat. Paddle brushes often have a nice pillowy cushion beneath the bristles that allow them to contour to your head as you brush.
Paddle brushes are great for hair care and daily brushing, but combing your hair directly after showering is often when your locks are under the most stress. Water not only weighs down and binds weaker strands of hair but can also create a tangling effect. For this I suggest a brush solely for de-tangling and managing damp hair. Brushes like the Knotty Girl by Coolway Products offer an innovative approach to de-tangling. The
Knotty Girl has a unique Soft Flow bristle design that allows the bristles to bend and flow with your hair to help de-tangle as each bristle meets a knot. This naturally prevents less strain on your hair and decreases breakage such as split ends. I did find myself wishing this brush was wider, and more paddle style, but found brushing vertically also maximized the brush head space.
Because I color treat my hair I am very aware of the impact of heat during the styling process. Any time you lighten your hair you are removing layer, or more, which cannot be replaced. This tends to make hair thinner and less strong against breakage. Many people do not understand exactly how heat, ins styling damages hair- simply that it can and does. If you are a straight hair addict like me (or even a habitual curler) styling is held and trained by the gradual heating of strands being melted and stretched. Now that doesn't sound very friendly, does it? Our hair can stand up to a it of treatment and heat, but, over time, it is prone to cracks and wear that eventually impacts the hair's cuticle and core strength. I've recently begun using
Coolway's True Smooth heat treatment spray and Boost Repair Mask to counteract the impact of heat and blow-drying.
While I have been using the products together (the mask every third wash,) I have been most impressed by the conditioning and appearance of my hair after coating it with the True Smooth formula prior to styling. The product is very fine and bit oily, but goes on light thanks to the fine mist nozzle, and brushes in without weighing my hair down. There is no offensive or lingering odor, and my hair seems to blow dry faster and more even. Typically my scalp seems to dry slower, so I have been especially interested to note how uniform the drying process has become. The results, even after one treatment are undeniable. My hair, which was chemically lightened just a month back, is much more pliable and shiny.
How do you fight the effects of heat and styling on your hair?
What Daughter Says: Styling doesn't have to equal hair loss. Smart styling can actually strengthen your hair and make it appear healthier.
One Momma Told Me reader will win a Coolway Products haircare bundle featuring the Knotty Girl Brush, True Smooth spray, and Boost Repair Mask.
