The 3 biggest mistakes you might be making in your current hair-care routine.

Welcome to the first installment of the NIH 2023 Hair Blog. I want this year, to be all about your hair health; it's care and healthy hair growth. So this year can be, your healthiest hair year yet! And, as a hair professional, I want to help clear up the confusion on how to properly care for your hair and its needs, which we will uncover throughout the year.

It's hard to know what's right and what's wrong in the world of hair-care. There are so many contradicting pieces of advice floating around the internet, and sometimes the advice even differs from stylist to stylist. So this year, together, we will work through the main guidelines to follow for healthier hair-care and start to figure out your perfect routine, for your hair.

Starting with the 3 biggest mistakes that you might be making:

NOT DETANGLING BEFORE WASHING

Did you know that hair is at its weakest when it is wet?

This is why it's important to detangle your hair prior to washing, start detangling from the ends and slowly move your way up to cause the least amount of stress. Do not pull when you find a tangle, work on detangling that section, with patience, before moving on to the next area.If you are struggling to detangle, a small amount of oil or leave in moisturiser might help.

During your hair wash routine, it's important to keep your hair as detangled as possible. Try not to ruffle and tangle your hair during your shampoo. When conditioning, make sure you comb through with a wide toothed comb/or a wet brush, again detangle from the ends first and move your way up.

After your final rinse, squeeze the water out and squeeze with a towel. Do not ruffle. Keeping your hair detangled during the washing and styling faze will result in much smoother and less frizzy finished looks. Over time, you will see your hair change, Even when drying naturally.

NOT USING ENOUGH OIL OR OILING OFTEN ENOUGH

Oil is a bit of a taboo hair care product. I've found over the years when talking to my guests about their hair care, that it's commonly assumed using an oil will make your hair oily - (tip: when you use a high quality oil designed for your hair need, the oil will be happily absorbed by your hair strands and not sit on the top)

Applying oil can be done both wet and dry - wet: just after washing before styling, dry: to seal ends and de-fluff after styling. You can also use an oil daily to protect your hair strands. I recommend a small amount (1-2 pumps) before heading out for the day - after styling, and then at night a little more (2-3 pumps) before putting your hair into your protective nighttime style.

You can also apply an oil on wash day - Apply a few drops, with intention, through your mid-lengths to ends, comb through and leave for around 20 minutes. You can then continue with your wash day as normal.

NOT PROTECTING YOUR HAIR WHILST YOU SLEEP

Did you know that cotton is one of the most abrasive materials when it comes to your hairs fibre? Not only is cotton abrasive to the hair strand, but it also wicks away the moisture from your hair. Healthy hair needs the right moisture levels to remain flexible, soft, and shiny.

Putting your hair in a protective style will help reduce the negative effects cotton can have on your hair. The best styles are a loose plait or a messy bun up on-top of your head with a silk bobble or scrunchie.

A silk pillowcase or a silk hair bonnet are the best protective tools for your hair, the material is soft enough and not abrasive on the hair fibre, it also allows the hair to breathe without wicking the moisture from it. Leaving your hair healthier and smoother with every sleep.

Making these 3 initial changes in your hair-care routine will make a surprising difference to your hair's overall health. You will see overtime that your hair will become easier to style, less tangled, softer and also shinier.

So before we begin, let's set your intention for this year:

Setting an intention works by voicing your goals out loud - repeat 3 times:

Make a full sentence starting with the words 'This year' followed by whichever of the following you tick.

What are your healthy hair goals for 2023

• I will have healthy, shiny, silky soft hair.
• My hair will tangle less.
• My hair will hold a style for longer.
• My hair will to grow long & healthy.

You can vote for more than one answer.

E.g - if you tick all 4:

This year I will have healthy, shiny, silky soft hair that will tangle less, hold a style for longer & will grow long and healthy.

That's all for this installment of 'your healthiest hair year yet'. I can't wait to see how your hair improves over the coming months. I promise, by following these small changes and you will begin to see a difference.

By the end of February the changes you make now will have become a habit ready for March's installment.

Want to be the first to know when the next one releases:

Until next month

Nicola xx