Women on the go (as many of us are) find ourselves rushing out the door, to work, to tend to our children, to get errands done and even more.  But are we lacking when it comes to taking care of our hair, according to our OWN specific hair type? I mean, we all wash our hair to ensure its squeaky clean, but are we really using the proper tools that cater to our specific grade of hair?

To answer that question, we are going to have to break down the different types of hair that each of us has.  You may or may not know, but there are different regimens that you should be using in order to keep your hair at its best.  One person’s red fine hair cannot compare using the same shampoo and conditioner regimen for a brunette with curly hair prone to frizz.  Make sure you’re using the appropriate shampoo/conditioner combo to ensure that you get the best results out of your hair and you won’t regret it!

Fine, oily hair- this type of hair usually needs to be washed daily to ensure that there is no oil build up.  Due to the naturally oily tendencies, you’re going to want to use a clear, not a creamy shampoo, as the creamier the shampoo, the more residue will be left behind.  If you’re going to use a conditioner, it should be a light water based conditioner for fine hair and should never be put directly on the scalp, but only applied to the ends to seal in moisture and then rinsed well.

Fine, dull and dry hair- This is the mirror opposite of the fine oily grade noted above.  Fine, dry hair will not need to be washed daily as it will over dry easily and will be prone to breakage.  You’re going to want to use a gentle shampoo when treating dry and limp hair.  Conditioner is a must, but because the hair is fine, you have to assure you’re using a mild conditioner for dry hair
and rinsing well to remove any film or residue from settling.

Curly/wavy hair, prone to frizzing-

Follow the guidelines noted above on fine hair as to whether your hair is dry, or oily.  Usually, curly hair tends to be on the drier side due to the natural frizzy tendencies and the fact that you’re likely to use a lot more product.  Use moisture rich based shampoomoisturizing conditioner daily (even when not washing, just in the shower) to keep your hair moisturized and deep condition it at least once a week.   This will prevent your hair from over drying which will minimize frizz.  Also, use a leave in conditioner after washing to assure that the moisture balance will be retained.
and make sure to rinse thoroughly.  Your best bet is to use a

Dry/ethnic hair, prone to tangling -

This grade of hair tends to be dry and brittle and prone to breaking and excessive tangling.  Moisturizing shampoo is a must.  Rinse the hair before beginning the shampoo process and focus on the roots only to assure that the ends don’t become overly dry.  After rinsing well, apply a conditioner that is made specifically for ethnic/African American hair or dry hair.  It’s best to leave the conditioner in a while if possible, applying a plastic cap or even sitting under a dryer to get a full deep conditioner.  If possible, deep condition the hair at least 2x a week to prevent excessive drying.  Comb through the hair with a large tooth comb while the conditioner Is still in to work through any tangles before it becomes dry.

Permed/Relaxed/Color Treated Hair-

When your hair is chemically treated, it needs to be washed must less often than usual because it is going to be easily susceptible to breakage and excessive drying.  Again, a very hydrating moisturizing shampoo is necessary and you’re going to want to follow the concept of shampooing the roots and letting the suds work their way down to the tips to keep those fragile ends moisturized.  Follow the conditioner tips for dry and ethnic hair using a hydrating conditioner which includes keeping a leave in conditioner in your hair.  Remember, the lighter the hair color and the darker your natural color, the more your hair has been stripped.  In order to regain natural moisture, following the conditioner process is a must to protect your hair from preventable breakage, over drying and frizz.

If you follow these tips closely, you’ll find that caring for your hair is easier than you thought and you will be able to get the look that you desire and find that if you treat your hair right, it will treat you right.

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