It's usually quite easy to spot a successful woman. Her attire is perfectly pressed, nails masterfully manicured, and makeup expertly applied. She oozes self-confidence, walking with her head held high. And, upon that head, rests a mane of healthy, shiny hair. Yes, this is a woman who takes the time to care for herself from the tips of her Jimmy Choo shoes to the part in her glorious coif.
Is your coif not living up to your expectations? Is it failing to exhibit an air of success? It may need a health boost. Unfortunately, when it comes to a self-care regime, our parts are not treated equally. While we lovingly slather our bodies and faces with soothing creams and ointments, we are far less kind to our hair. Blasting it with heat, ripping apart tangles, and subjecting it to a huge array of impossible-to-pronounce chemicals is just a regular day's work for your frazzled follicles. But, if we truly want to exemplify an image of success, we need to learn how to get healthy hair. And this means treating our tresses to a tad more tenderness.
Here are 10 habits for highly successful people hair.
1. Run to (but not with) scissors
While snipping your strands may not seem like an act of kindness, doing so will help conquer your follicles' number one enemy: split ends. After all, split ends not only make your hair look brittle and uncared for, but they also lead to breakage. Regular trims will keep your ends healthy, while giving the illusion that it is growing faster. And let's face it. We all want know how to get long healthy hair and now we know the answer is simple. Snip it.
2. Slumber on silk
Your current cotton pillowcase is not as innocent as it appears. In fact, it wreaks havoc on your tresses every single night. It's time to relegate this follicle foe to the linen closet and adopt a slippery silk one, instead. New York physician, Jesleen Ahluwalia, explains that silk helps prevent tangles and breakage, enabling your hair to retain its healthy appearance and long length. Plus, nothing will make you feel more successful than a night ensconced in the luxuriousness of silk.
3. Befriend your bristles...but not the plastic ones
If you have ever wondered how to get thick healthy hair, you must look to the Disney princess for advice. How do they achieve their thick, lustrous locks? It's all the brushing they do. Your 100 brushstrokes each night—with or without an ensemble of singing cartoon animals perched on your shoulder—will ensure that your hair's natural oils will be more evenly distributed throughout your scalp, preventing possible damage. Lucy Flora, stylist at Frederic Fekkai in New York City, warns against using plastic brushes as they can break your hair strands. Plastic is also non-conductive, which means your hair will have much more static. A ceramic brush or boar-bristle option is preferred.
4. Show your scalp some love
It is impossible to achieve healthy hair without a healthy scalp, so it is important to use products that keep your scalp moisturized, especially if you are a fan of hats. Scalp massages are perfect for stimulating blood flow and boosting follicle health. If your significant other is an excellent provider of back rubs, you may want to ask them to move their hands north and give you a scalp massage, instead. Another option is investing in a scalp massager. They are, after all, always present and willing to perform.
5. Take a deep breath and de-stress
Stress takes a toll on your whole body, including your hair. In fact, too much stress over a long period of time can actually make your beloved follicles jump ship, leading to rapidly thinning hair. It is important to ensure that you learn stress management techniques such a meditation, yoga, taking a personal day, or spending time with loved ones. Your hair will thank you.
6. Loosen up those tresses
When it comes to wearing your hair up, never ever use a rubber band. They are for holding broccoli spears together -- not delicate follicles. And clips with metal fasteners are a big no-no too. Instead, opt for a scrunchie or a material-covered band that won't pull at your strands. Redken also recommends eschewing tight ponytails, braids, or buns as these can weaken hair. A looser updo is much more follicle-friendly.
7. Become acquainted with oil
Introducing your mane to a hair-healthy oil is great for both moisturizing your follicles and your scalp. Whether you opt for an oil of the olive, coconut, argon, or almond variety, your hair will absolutely thank you. Make sure you spread it evenly throughout your locks, ensuring that the tips get their fare share. Just remember -- don't use too much or you'll end up using a gallon of shampoo to get it out, which defeats the whole purpose.
8. Go grocery shopping...for your hair
If you have ever wondered how to get hair healthy naturally without relying on drugstore brands and multisyllabic chemicals, you need only look to your pantry. Applying mashed bananas to your hair for about 15 minutes helps repair damaged follicles, mayonnaise can provide deep-conditioning within an hour, butter will add much needed moisture, mashed avocado can add shine, and washing your hair in beer will make locks more lustrous. Yes, there is no need for a factory-made hair treatment that costs a small fortune when you have the perfect hair solution collecting dust in your cupboard. Be warned: hungry people may be tempted to lick your head.
9. A healthy diet = healthy hair
If you want your hair to exude good health, you need to give it the right building blocks. Protein, omega-3, and biotin are all necessary to achieve long, thick, healthy hair. Consuming lots of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, and drinking water are all important in promoting strong hair. It is also important to ensure that you are getting enough vitamins and minerals, paying special attention to vitamins B, C, and D, zinc, and iron. If your diet is lacking, you may want to turn to supplements from your local health food store.
10. Keep a cool head
Have you ever felt the top of your head after a long blow dry session? It's almost as hot as pavement on a July day. Your poor hair has, basically, been sizzled up and left to simmer. Cosmetic Chemist, Ni'Kita Wilson, recommends hitting the cold-shot button on your hair dryer to cool your hair down instantly. This will not only make your head feel better, but it will prevent ongoing follicle damage.
Now that you know how to get healthy hair, it's time to spring into action. Whether you opt to slather your head in mashed bananas, beg your spouse for a scalp massage, or simply opt for a set of hair extensions, your hair needs to be treated with love. Say goodbye to a mane that's merely "meh" and give a big hello to glorious locks that let everyone know who you really are: a highly successful woman who is poised to conquer the world and make her dreams come true.
Written by: Kimberley Laws
