Whether you style your hair everyday or prefer to throw it back into a pony tail,
here are some daily hair care tips especially for us girls that can keep you away
from unruly hair dilemmas.
Clean It Up!
It’s always good to start with a good base of clean and shiny
hair. Keep it clean by washing it regularly, which can mean several times a week
or every day. Shampooing cleans the scalp and hair by removing dirt, oil and product
build-up, but it can also take out the natural oils that make your hair shiny, bouncy
and easy to control. It’s best to use a shampoo specifically designed for your type
of hair; Whether your hair is curly, straight, frizzy, flat, stressed out or colored,
there’s a shampoo for every hair type. Also consider special shampoo made for swimmers
if you’re in the pool or at the beach a lot. Follow the directions on the product
and know when your hair needs a good wash.
How to Shampoo
Soak hair in water. Apply shampoo designed for your hair
type. Use just enough to work up a good lather all over. Rinse well.
Moisturize It!
Conditioner is used to add moisture to the hair, so it becomes
tangle-free and easier to comb. Read the descriptions of the different conditioners
before you buy, and choose one that fits your hair needs. Follow the directions
on the product and use the right amount for your hair length.
How to Condition
After shampooing, rinse well and squeeze extra water from
your hair. Place the appropriate amount of conditioner in the palm of your hand.
Put your hands together and rub them a little bit to get the conditioner on both
hands. Begin at the ends of your hair and work upward to apply the conditioner.
For best results, follow the directions on the product, including the amount of
time to leave the conditioner in your hair. Rinse your hair under cool or lukewarm
water until the sliminess of the product is gone.
Go Curly
If you have naturally curly hair, embrace it! After washing
your hair, don't rub it dry with a towel. It will break up the curls and make it
frizzy. Instead, scrunch it gently in a towel to squeeze out the extra water. Put
in products you like to use, and then
let your hair dry naturally. If you want to use a hairdryer, use a diffuser attachment
and turn your head upside down, scrunching your hair with your fingers as you go.
If you have straight hair and want to achieve a curly look,
use a towel to gently blot out any extra water. Add gel or mousse. Then twist small
sections of hair into little ringlets. Hold them in place with bobby pins, or wrap
sections of hair in cushioned rollers. Sleep on it overnight or use a hair dryer.
When hair is completely dry, spray with a light hairspray. Take out the pins and
curlers and shake out your hair. Comb through your hair with your fingers. Try this
a few times, taking different size sections and making curls in different places
to see what works best.
If you have naturally wavy or slightly curly hair and want
it to be straight, gently squeeze out the extra water. Next, apply a heat protectant
and use a dryer with a nozzle attachment to help you concentrate heat on one area
at a time. Divide your hair into eight sections, and dry one section at a time.
Gently pull hair straight with a brush while you dry it to create a smooth, even
finish. If you are looking for an extra smooth finish, you can use a flat iron to
smooth over any frizzy pieces.
If you have very curly hair and want to make it straight,
you can follow the same tips above or you may need to use a relaxer or straightener.
Talk with your parents first to get their approval, and to see if they have any
recommendations. They may take you to a salon where a professional can help your
hair stay straight for a few months.
Be Healthy and Protect Your Hair
Hair is a reflection of your health. If you take care of
you by eating a well-balanced diet, exercising and getting enough sleep, your hair
will show it. If you're not healthy, your hair won't be either.
To take care of your hair, you also need to be gentle and
protect it. From the water you use to wash your hair (not too hot or too cold),
to combing in small sections to detangle carefully working from the ends in a downward
direction, and from using hot air from a blow dryer to other styling tools like
curling irons or flat irons, these can all take a toll on your hair and dry it out.
There are special products to use before using styling tools to minimize the damage.
Also consider the environment: wear a hat, cap or scarf if you can protect your
hair from over-exposure to the sun, salt or chlorinated water, wind and air pollution.
With these hair tips you will learn how to keep your hair
healthy and strong, and you will be rewarded with a great-looking mane that's easy
to tame!
