Well Groomed | Healthy Hair
As tempting as it might be to spend less time on your hair care, it can actually have a detrimental effect on the overall health of your hair. Looking after your locks during lockdown could promote growth and have a positive impact on your wellbeing, here’s how…
Treat your scalp…
Your scalp is often completely overlooked, but is essential for keeping your hair healthy. Sunday Riley Clean Rinse Clarifying Scalp Serum is infused with AHA/BHA to buff off product buildup, excess oil, dead skin, and pollution for a cleaner, healthier-looking scalp and refreshed hair. You can massage this serum into your scalp for up to 30 minutes, stimulating blood flow, delivering essential nutrients to your scalp, encouraging the production of hair follicles and in turn accelerating the growth of healthy hair. A scalp massage can also work wonders for your wellbeing by releasing the happy hormone serotonin and releasing tension that we tend to hold in our head and neck due to stress and bad posture.
Comb with crystals…
Inspired by Chinese medicine, combs made from Jade, Amethyst and Rose Quartz are increasing in popularity thanks to their physical and metaphysical benefits. Physically, the act of combing activates blood flow to the scalp which in turn helps to deliver essential nutrients to the hair follicles. The repetitive motion of combing from the front of your head to the nape of your neck will also relieve tension… we believe making this simple self-care ritual part of your bedtime routine may well promote a better nights’ sleep. Metaphysically we all know crystal have their healing powers. Jade, the traditional stone of beauty tools, is a well known symbol of purity and health, which, arguably, are the ideal vibes to be instilling in your hair. The Hayo'u Beauty Restorer Comb is made from 100% Xiuyan Jade stone.
Keep brushing…
This might seem like a no brainer but now we’re all staying home you might be tempted to skip brushing your hair. Leaving knots and tangles can cause more breakage when you eventually decide to pick up a brush, matted hair requires a lot of patience to pick apart, something we’re all lacking in at the moment! Brushing has other benefits for your hair and scalp, it distributes oils from your roots to the ends of your hair which is where it need moisture the most. This distribution of beneficial natural oils will stop your roots requiring a wash quite so often. Traditional brushes contain a lot of plastic, WetBrush Go Green Treatment And Shine has a handle made of biodegradable plant starch, meaning it will break down in a landfill within five years. Plus, the gentle boar bristles are infused with watermelon seed oil to replenish your hair with nutrients as you brush.
Mask it…
Masks should be part of your regular haircare routine, they work by locking in moisture from root to tip, making your haircut last longer than you thought possible. ‘Normal’ life doesn’t usually allow time for such indulgent self-care but our current stay-at-home sentence is perfect opportunity to put masks to the test. ESPA Pink Hair And Scalp Mud is an intensive mineral-rich treatment mask that deeply conditions, to leave hair soft and smooth, and the scalp nourished. Containing Vitamin C-rich Watercress and Red Clay to soothe the scalp, while Apricot Kernel Oil conditions to help promote stronger, healthy looking, manageable hair. Massage this mask into your scalp and comb through damp hair, leave for 20 minutes or overnight if you prefer.
Turn down the heat…
It’s the perfect time for using less heat on your hair and embracing your natural texture. But if you do fancy styling your hair to get in the right frame of mind for your next zoom meeting opt for a tool that will protect your hair from heat damage. The Original Iron from eco-friendly brand Cloud Nine has five heat settings from 100-200°C to reduce unnecessary damage, if your hair type doesn't require a huge amount of work be sure to turn the temperature down before you start. Infused with their signature healing mineral Sericite, these irons also seal the hair’s cuticle and lock in moisture, helping you to achieve a smoother, shinier and static-free finish.
Sulphate-free shampoo…
Sulphates found in shampoos create that foamy lather you see when washing your hair, they also remove dirt and oil to leave you with that squeaky clean feeling. Although these chemicals are effective at cleaning they can actually strip your skin and hair of more oil than necessary, causing irritation to sensitive scalps and leave hair feeling dry. A sulphate-free shampoo provides a gentler approach, keeping hair clean without any unnecessary damage. The organic formula of Cowshed Soften Shampoo contains absolutely no chemical sulphates, instead, a blend of lemon and carrot seed maintains a healthy pH balance and cleanses without stripping… the perfect recipe for silky, soft hair.
Don’t box dye…
As tempting as it might be to try and hide those grey hairs, colour matching without a professional eye has DIY disaster written all over it. Our first suggestion would be getting in touch with your colourist, they’ll be the one fixing your hair in a few months time so they'll want to make sure you get it right. The other option is a subtle toner to see you through till salons open, Evo has created Colour Boosting Treatments in eight shades to instantly refresh and extend the life of colour-treated hair in just three minutes. The temporary colour fades gradually with no harsh lines as your hair grows out, the perfect low-commitment home transformation.
Feed your follicles…
The condition of your hair is a result of your inside health and requires many essential nutrients to keep it looking its best. Whilst food should always be the first source of follicular fertiliser, supplements can be beneficial if you are recovering from illness or have been on a strict diet.
Protein is a crucial building block for strong, healthy hair. As our hair is made of protein it can become brittle and weak without enough in your diet. If you are vegan or vegetarian it is surprisingly easy to get enough protein from plant foods, sources include beans, lentils, chickpeas, quinoa, peanut butter, cashew nuts and pumpkin seeds.
Iron is required for the growth phase of hair as the hair follicle and root are fed by a nutrient rich blood supply. A lack of iron in your diet can disrupt this nutrient supply, resulting in undernourished hair. Iron-rich foods include dark green leafy vegetables, brown rice, nuts and seeds.
Vitamin C helps to increase the absorption of iron and stimulates the production of collagen, which helps to give hair lustre. Foods such as oranges, red and green peppers, strawberries and broccoli are all good sources of the Vitamin C.
Vitamin A aids the creation of sebum, which provides natural conditioning properties to the scalp and nourishes hair. Vitamin A can be found in orange and yellow coloured vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes and pumpkins.
Biotin is a particularly important hair nutrient, it helps break down proteins in your diet into amino acids and produce keratin, the substance that forms the bulk of your hair strands. Biotion-rich foods like wholegrains, egg yolk and yeast can help to strengthen brittle hair and encourage growth.
The Beauty Chef GLOW Inner Beauty Essential is a nutrient-dense powder that supports glossy hair, glowing skin, gut health and overall wellbeing. With 18 Certified Organic wholefoods including Vitamin C to help boost collagen production and zinc to support healthy hair and nails. Plus Vitamin A and naturally occurring B vitamins derived from sprouted quinoa, including biotin, which contribute to the maintenance of hair and skin. And finally, broad-spectrum probiotic, prebiotics and postbiotics to feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut… because a healthy microbiome is the secret to healthy hair.