My hair is thick. Thick and long. So thick and so long that whenever I call my salon to make an appointment I have to remember to tell them that I need an extra 20 minutes. In law school when I got my hair cut at the Aveda school I made a poor new hairstylist cry when she had to blowout my hair. All of that to tell you that I’ve got a lot of hair to take care of and I’m sharing a few of my hair care tips!
Tip #1: Don’t sleep in a ponytail
It’s going to break your hair and cause damage. Just leave it down or put a soft headband on. If you must sleep with it up – I have to in the summer, it’s just too hot – then use a scrunchie or soft hair tie so your strands don’t get too damaged.
Tip #2: Go to the Kitchen
I will do a rice water rinse about once a month. Take one cup of uncooked white rice and rinse it. Then, pour in 3–4 cups of water and let sit for 30 minutes. I usually make a double batch because I have so much hair. Strain the rice out. Wash your hair with your regular shampoo, then saturate your hair and scalp with the rice water and massage. Leave it in for at least 30 minutes, rinse, and you’re done. Only condition if you really need to.
Tip #3: Use the Sun
This one is probably the one out of all three hair care tips I tell people the most! Anytime I get in the pool or go to the beach I bring coconut oil in a bottle. I put it in a ziplock baggie to protect the rest of my beauty products because the one time I didn’t it got everywhere! I slather coocnut oil on my hair, comb it through, and let the sun bake it in. If you have light hair it also saturates your hair shaft so chlorine can’t get in a ruin your color. Remember to shampoo twice or use a detox/clarifying shampoo afterwards. You won’t need to use conditioner.
