I don’t know about you, but I never thought I would become overwhelmed when it comes to hair care products! Between Instagram pictures, media ads, and the aisles and aisles of hair products at the drugstore – it’s no wonder how people could get confused about what to purchase. There are hair products literally everywhere, all claiming to be the best and give you the greatest results imaginable. But, do you really need all of these products to see incredible results? In today’s post, I am highlighting the 8 healthy haircare essentials every girl needs to own! And only the essentials! So you can stop the stress and the constant overspending on products you really do not need!
1. Shampoo + Conditioner for your hair type
Hair Type
This one is obvious, but I decided to make this tip #1 because, in my opinion, a good-quality shampoo + conditioner is the ultimate foundation for healthy hair. And purchasing one that works for your hair type is very vital for the overall health and appearance of your hair! Since we all have different hair types, one product may not work the same for you as it does for someone else. This is why you want to do some research on your hair type and choose your products carefully. With that, there are several things to keep in mind!
Firstly, take a look at your scalp. Do you tend to have more oily or dry scalp? If you are prone to oily hair than I would suggest buying a shampoo and conditioner that is not overly moisturized. That way, you do not cause any added buildup. On the other hand, if you have dry or itchy scalp, I would recommend looking into a shampoo and conditioner that has a moisturizing formula that will combat any inflammation or irritation that could be causing dry and itchy scalp.
Texture + Washing
Additionally, the texture of your hair should also be taken into consideration. If you have very fine and thin hair that tends to fall flat or look dull by the end of the day, a volumizing formula shampoo + conditioner will most likely work great for you! If you have thick, coarse hair (like me) a volumizing formula probably won’t work the best. Therefore, I suggest trying out a smoothing shampoo and conditioner to get your desired results!
Lastly, the frequency of washing your hair is also very important! If you are one to wash your hair every day you won’t want to use an intense clarifying shampoo. Simply because you could be stripping the natural oils/moisture of your hair. Especially if you are prone to having irritated scalp and have drier hair!
2. Scalp treatment
Healthy hair 100% starts at the scalp! Throughout the entire summer, I had been experiencing issues with the overall texture of my hair and very dry, irritated scalp. And I had no idea how to solve it! It was so bad to where even simply blow drying my hair would cause my scalp to burn and become incredibly dry. Although it has been ruled out that my hair was changing due to my hormones, I still wanted to find a healthy, organic scalp toner or treatment to aid in the overall strength and condition of my hair.
Not to mention, many of us walk around with product buildup on our scalp. It is perfectly normal, however, we need to make sure that we are treating our scalp the same way were are treating the rest of our hair! This is because product buildup on the scalp can affect hair growth, cause irritation, and throw off its natural cycle of producing oil.
That is why it so important to give your scalp a good cleanse or nice, toning treatment! Personally, I have been loving the OGX Refreshing Scalp + Teatree Mint Scalp Toner! Not only does this product deeply cleanse and remove built-up residue without stripping the strands of your hair, but it also gives your scalp a cool, refreshed feeling without leaving an oily or wet appearance to your hair! So far I have been amazed by my results!
3. Healthy hair mask/Deep conditioning mask
Just like our facial masks that leave our skin soft and glowing, hair masks/deep conditioning masks are just as important for overall hair health! I personally love to repair any hair damage and prevent next-day frizziness by using an overnight conditioning treatment at least once a week. Leaving in heavier treatments overnight allows your hair to absorb the product, and helps to keep the strands of your hair moisturized and strong. All while preventing damage, split ends, and dryness!
My favorite of all time has to be the Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque! I’ve used this product overnight before, but you can also leave it on for simply 10 minutes before rinsing out! For another great option, I also love using coconut oil on a weekly basis! It is a wonderful, all-natural, and chemical-free hair conditioning treatment that you can find at any grocery or health foods store! Take is from the infamous beauty guru, Lauren Conrad who used coconut oil on her hair once a week for a month!
4. Leave-in treatment
Did you know that your hair is at its weakest and most fragile state when it is wet after washing it? Making it a prime-time for breakage! Before combing it out, always be sure to use a multipurpose leave-in treatment like the popular and constructive It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product! Not only does it help to detangle your hair before styling, but it also provides heat protection, repairs dry & damaged hair, adds shine, controls frizz, and prevents split ends! Along with 4 other added benefits for healthy hair!
Another product I have been loving lately is the Ouai Leave-In Conditioner! It is a multitasking leave-in mist that works all day to smooth, soften and detangle hair. All you do is mist the leave-in conditioner throughout your damp hair prior to combing and/or styling to add extra conditioning and create smoother, softer hair!
5. Heat protectant spray
Heat protectant spray is definitely a MUST-have haircare essential every girl needs to own! Anytime that you apply heat to your hair whether that be a hairdryer, curling iron, straightener, etc. you always want to use a heat protectant spray on your hair FIRST! Not only does a heat protectant prevent split ends, damaged hair, and dryness, but many heat protectants also help to control frizz and add shine. My personal favorite has been the Drybar Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist!
6. Dry shampoo
Every girl, especially us busybodies, workout junkies, or college students who frequently wake up late, all know the importance of dry shampoo! This is definitely a staple and a lifesaver for many when you need to freshen up your hair quickly or when you’re in a pinch/running late. It’s no wonder why many keep it on the go with them!
However, just like your other hair care products, you want to make sure you are reaching for your dry shampoo sparingly, to make sure you are not causing too much build-up on your scalp. Speaking of that, if you have a very sensitive scalp like me, I would personally opt for an all-natural, organic dry shampoo! This is why I LOVE Primally Pure’s Dark Locks Dry Shampoo! It doesn’t leave my hair looking greasy or give off that powdery look. Plus, it provides amazing volume as well!
Even better, this dry shampoo contains all-natural, non-toxic ingredients, and is made with organic essential oils! Such as grapefruit (has natural cleansing properties), lavender (which soothes the scalp) and peppermint (to stimulate hair growth). This has become my new on-the-go best friend!
P.S (From a friend to a friend!) You can even SAVE 10% on your entire order at Primally Pure using the code “CM10” at checkout! 😘
7. Hair oil
Hair oil is a product that I feel is underrated by many – and more people should be using it! According to hairstylists, nothing is better for damaged/dry hair than applying an adequate layer of hair oil to the bottom 3/4 of your damp hair. This is essential whether you are using heated styling tools or not since it keeps your hair looking healthy, shiny, and moisturized! Lately, I have been using Ouai Hair Oil and I love it!
It is a multitasking oil that smoothes frizz and seals split ends for a high-gloss and super-smooth finish. It does not fade color if you dye your hair and it does an incredible job at protecting your hair from heat damage! The best part is that you don’t even need to use a lot of oil to reap the benefits! Just one pump will do the trick!
8. Healthy haircare tools to avoid breakage
In addition to having all the right hair care products, we cannot forget about the all right tools! Because the type of pillow you sleep on, the type of hair ties you use, and the brush you use to comb out your wet hair are all very important for the overall health of your hair! If you are one to wear your hair up frequently (to bed, the gym, in a messy bun, etc.) then you will definitely want to invest in some damage-free hair ties. My personal favorites are the Invisibobble and silk scrunchies!
The reason I love the Invisibobble is that its coiled design gently, but effectively, grips your hair without leaving creases or pulling on your hair. That way it doesn’t cause any damage to your hair as you’re keeping it up. Like the scrunchie, they come in tons of different colors and, on a side note, I feel that they don’t get lost as easy as other hair ties! But, maybe that’s just me. 😉
Another very important tool that I believe every woman should have in her haircare collection is a Wet Brush! These brushes are specifically designed for out-of-the-shower, wet hair (hence their name!), but they work great on dry hair as well. The reason why I recommend a wet brush is because, as mentioned tip #4, your hair is most susceptible to breakage when it is wet. This is why you want to use a wide-tooth comb or wet brush as opposed to a regular brush. The wet brush has soft bristles that detangle your hair without tugging or causing breakage! P.S. Remember to work the wet brush from the ends of your hair on up to the root!
Avoid Breakage at Night!
To avoid hair breakage at night, I highly suggest investing in a good-quality silk pillowcase, specifically designed for your hair! Just like the silk scrunchies, a silk pillowcase prevents breakage that rough fibers in regular pillowcases can cause. You’ll be able to rest with ease knowing that you’re helping the quality of your hair just by sleeping on a soft and cozy silk pillowcase!
Related Post: “6 Healthy Skincare Habits For Glowing & Clear Skin”
What are some of your must-have healthy haircare essentials?
Let me know in the comments!
xo, Cydney
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