Seriously, the idea of ‘healthy, beautiful hair’ doesn’t just happen, it’s a routine and a range of products that suit your hair type and requirements. If you’re starting on day one as a complete newbie or if you’re just looking to renew your existing routine, it is important to understand some basics about haircare. With this beginner’s guide, you’ll learn what to use, where to spot specific ingredients, and tips to help make the best scent choices that work for you. We’ll guide you through choosing the right shampoos and conditioners, and how to incorporate essential oils and styling products to get the best results.
Ready to start your haircare crusade? So let’s jump into the essentials!
Understanding Your Hair Type
It’s important to understand your hair before you choose products or create a routine. The products and techniques that work best for you are dependent on your hair’s unique characteristics.
- Straight Hair: This type is generally smooth, and oil has a tendency to travel easily from the scalp to the hair shaft, frequently giving the user grease. Try out lightweight shampoos, and steer clear of heavy conditioners as these will always weigh down your hair.
- Wavy Hair: Straight or curly hair is more likely to be given a good balance between moisture and volume. Choose advanced wave-creating and frizz-taming products.
- Curly Hair: Curly hair can be drier because the natural oils from the scalp don’t travel quite as far as they do to the ends of straight hair. Key to keeping curls defined and moisturized are hydrating shampoos, conditioners, and leaving-in treatments.
- Coily/Kinky Hair: This is a shrinkage-prone type that is typically very dry and needs deep moisturizing and strengthening types to keep it elastic and keep it from breaking.
Deciding your hair type will allow you to work out the haircare routine that is best for you.
The Basics: Shampoo and Conditioner
Whatever your hair type, shampoo and conditioner are the basic building blocks of any haircare routine. The hair type and problems you have are the main determiners as to which of these products you should select.
Choosing the Right Shampoo
It cleans your scalp and hair away from dirt oil and also product buildup. Here’s how to choose the best one for you:
- Clarifying Shampoo: Use this once a week to give your hair a deep clean and rid it of any last-minute product buildup you might have picked up. Perfect for oily hair or after wearing heavy styling products.
- Moisturizing Shampoo: Great for dry, curly, or oily hair. It helps prevent brittleness and frizz, with additional hydration.
- Volumizing Shampoo: It’s perfect for fine or limp hair since it gives body without weighing the hair down.
- Color-Safe Shampoo: If you dye your hair, pick a shampoo to protect color and keep your hair healthy.
Picking the Right Conditioner
A great conditioner is important to add moisture and protect your hair from damage. Here’s what to look for:
- Moisturizing Conditioner: This is best for dry or damaged hair to add in needed hydration for soft and manageable hair.
- Lightweight Conditioner: This is perfect for fine or straight hair but still gives some moisture without the weight.
- Leave-In Conditioner: After washing, they are left and add extra moisture and detangling properties.
- Deep Conditioner or Hair Mask: Rinse the dry or damaged hair every week to restore it. Regular conditioners penetrate no deeper than split ends, but this one penetrates deeper to repair and provide shine.
Hair Health Essential Oils
Haircare can be as easy as a spritz (or two) of a natural essential oils haircare routine. While you can surely use HBO essential oil in your shampoo or you can make some DIY hair treatments, all essential oils would help to nourish your scalp, strengthen your strands, and help in hair growth.
HBNO Lavender Essential Oil: Lavender is known for its calming properties and is also known to stimulate hair growth and fight dandruff. A few drops in your shampoo or conditioner for a fresh soothing scent.
HBNO Rosemary Essential Oil: This oil is known for stimulating hair follicles and growing hair. It also works to help prevent thinning or hair loss. Add a couple of drops in with a carrier oil like coconut oil and rub onto your scalp.
HBNO Peppermint Essential Oil: Peppermint oil is excellent for promoting circulation to the scalp, aiding in hair growth, and soothing irritation. It is also refreshing in your morning shower.
HBNO Tea Tree Essential Oil: Tea tree oil is antibacterial and antifungal and good for cleaning up scalp conditions such as dandruff. If you have an itchy scalp, it’s also a good one.
HBNO Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil: Ylang-ylang helps you make up for lost natural moisture if your hair is dry. Would be best suited for oily or curly hair types that are prone to dryness.
Essential Oil Uses for Your Haircare Routine
The good news is – you can add a few drops of your favorite HBNO essential oils into your shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask and get an extra boost. Alternatively, try these beginner-friendly methods:
- Scalp Massage: Gentle massaging of rosemary or lavender essential oils with a carrier oil (such as coconut or jojoba oil ) into your scalp. That helps stimulate your hair follicles and increase circulation.
- DIY Hair Treatment: Make a hydrating hair mask with honey or avocado together with HBNO essential oils. Take the mixture and have it on for 20-30 minutes and then the hair will be very soft and shiny.
Hair Treatment and Styling Products
Then, take time to investigate hair treatments and styling items to get the outcome you want most healthily.
Heat Protection
However, if you often use heat-styling tools, such as flat irons or curling wands, your hair requires some protection from damage. Heat protectants form a barrier between your hair and heat, thus preventing your hair from getting split ends or broken.
- Heat Protectant Sprays: Before using any hair heat tools, these lightweight sprays should be applied to your hair to protect it from high temperatures.
- Serums or Creams: Heat-protectant creams or serums will protect against heat damage for thicker or curly hair, and help add moisture and shine.
Hair Masks and Treatments
You can really change the whole look and feel of your hair by including hair masks and treatments in your regular routine.
- Protein Treatments: Protein treatments are ideal for damaged or color-treated hair, and help strengthen and rebuild hair structure. Too much protein is stiffening, Use these sparingly.
- Moisturizing Hair Masks: A moisturizing mask can help if your hair is feeling dry, brittle, or both. Or look for ingredients like argan oil, avocado oil — and essential oils, which add an extra hydration boost.
Styling Products for Different Types of Hair
Styling products can help shape and hold your hair in place, but first, you have to find the right ones for your hair type.
- Lightweight Mousses: They work great for giving your hair volume if it’s fine or straight without feeling greasy or weighed down.
- Curl Creams: Curl creams help boost and define your natural curl pattern, keeping frizz at bay.
- Texturizing Sprays: For short hairstyles or long ones, these sprays offer perfect texture and grip for that ‘effortless’ style.
- Hairsprays: To lock in your style and protect your hair from humidity, you need hairspray. Pick flexible hold for everyday use, or stronger formulas for updos, and elaborate styles.
Beginner Haircare Tips
That being said, now we know the basics let’s look into some beginner haircare tips so you can get a routine established to work for you.
Tip 1: Don’t Overwash Your Hair
However, too much washing of your hair can strip away your hair’s natural oils and make your hair look dry and break easily. How often you wash your hair depends on your hair type, 2-3 times a week should do.
Tip 2: Always Condition, Immediately After Shampooing.
Conditioner helps to keep the moisture in and to protect your hair from damage. No matter how much shampoo, always remember to condition as well, especially on the mid-length and ends.
Tip 3: Detangle Gently
Stay away from breakage when detangling wet hair, using a wide-tooth comb or fingers. Work from the ends up so that you don’t tug on the roots.
Tip 4: Trim Regularly
Trimming your hair regularly will help prevent split ends and help maintain healthy hair. You should trim your hair every 6 – 8 weeks to keep it looking neat and to avoid breakage.
Tip 5: Avoid Excessive Heat Styling
Heat styling tools can give you beautiful results, but if you use them too often, you can risk your hair. Use a heat protectant whenever you use hot tools and try not to use hot tools too much.
Conclusion
It doesn’t have to be overly overwhelming to build your haircare routine from scratch. By using some beginner haircare tips and making use of essential oils, you’ll soon be well on your way to having healthier, stronger, and more beautiful hair with a few of the haircare basics. Remember, consistency is key. Keep up a routine, pay attention to what your hair asks for, and don’t be afraid to try various products and methods so you discover what suits you finest.
Happy haircare journey!
