The Stylist’s Guide To Having Great Hair

Hair is the very first thing people see when you walk into the room and it says a lot about you. Needless to say greasy, dirty, messy and unrefined hair doesn’t speak very highly of you. Here are some of my tips to having great hair: 

1.      Having great hair starts with keeping up with your personal hygiene up-to-speed and give your hair the fresh, clean and healthy look it deserves. Don’t forest your scalp. A healthy scalp is as important for healthy hair as healthy gums are for healthy teeth.

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2.      Take Your Vitamins! Having great hair is essential with the help of vitamins. Although a nutrient-rich diet is key for healthy hair, supplements can help boost strands’ beauty as well. Biotin, a B vitamin, has been found to promote hair thickness and strength as well as increase shine. The Omega-3 fats found in fish oil capsules can improve the health of the scalp and promote shine and a healthier texture. Silica, a trace mineral often lacking in Western diets, may help strengthen hair and reduce the likelihood of damage. I would recommend the XTC Hair and Growth System. It has DHT inhibitors and is a total hair nutrient. It includes all the above and more and you just take one pill two times per day.

3.      Get Healthy for great hair. Bad habits like smoking, skimping on sleep or overdoing it with alcohol and processed foods compromise your health— and can be reflected in your scalp and hair. Make an effort to lead a healthy, balanced life and you’ll see a difference in your overall appearance. 

4.      Also, steer clear of stress. Stress can lead to a number of health problems, including hair loss. Regular exercise, deep breathing and other relaxation techniques help keep your stress levels low—and your follicles intact!

5.      Hands On—and Off. Running your fingers through your hair, twirling it and other forms of constant handling is a nervous habit that can severely stress out your tresses. The repetitive pulling and friction causes breakage and might even lead to hair loss. Great hair needs a rest and since you may not notice yourself doing it, make a conscious effort to keep your hands away from your hair. On the other hand, a scalp massage is good for locks since it boosts circulation and helps distribute natural oils throughout the hair.

a.       Here’s a how-to: Spread your fingers over your scalp, and, applying gentle pressure, make rapid circular movements over your entire head (think of making a “spider” with your hands). Begin at the front of your head and move toward the nape of your neck, then back again. Extra credit: add Xtc scalp prep to dissolve scalp sebum build up and it helps aid in the penetration of hair loss products.

6.      Beach Beauty. We all know chlorine can do a number on your hair color, but it can also affect strands’ integrity. But there’s no need to swear off swimming to get your great hair. Before heading to the pool, work a small amount of color nourishing conditioner into the mid-length and ends of hair. It will help ward off some of the damaging effects of chlorine. Try: XTC Extreme hair strengthener. It’s a nice leave in spray.

7.      Styling Smarts. One of the biggest threats to hair health? Over styling. Daily use of hot appliances like flat irons, curling irons and blow dryers can compromise locks, leading to breakage. You’ll notice signs like overall dullness or short, unruly pieces that didn’t come from your stylist’s scissors. To minimize damage, blow dry locks on a warm—not hot—setting and use a product formulated to protect strands from heat (I like Brazilian smoothing cream to smooth out frizz and protect the hair from heat). It’s also important to give your hair some days off each week, even great hair needs a rest. By allowing it to dry naturally or putting it up in a chic up-do rather than styling it helps. To strengthen worn-out locks, try products from the XTC Hair growth system line. They have a 5 step program that includes vitamins you take orally.

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