My grandmother always said that “a woman’s hair is her greatest treasure” and really, there is something to be said about the way we nurture our hairs. For decades, women have been known to go astounding lengths to strengthen and lengthen their hairs such that when a woman cuts her hair, it’s generally perceived as a sign of deep courage in the things to come. Straight, wavy, curly, dry and kinky-haired girls always have to be on the hunt for the hacks that help maintain their natural texture throughout all the seasons. And most of us can at least agree that as a result of the weather differences in our societies, our hair routines often must be adapted and re-adapted to keep up with the temperature levels.
Summer is gone and the fall season has come knocking. I will not go so far as to say that good hair care is a full-time job, but if you want to protect your hair from severe hair breakage this fall, you’d best work at it using these easy tips.
Introduce Honey Into Your Regimen
Honey is an emollient which means it seals moisture in your hair, keeping it conditioned. This, in turn, reduces severe hair breakage, which is often a cause for slower hair growth. It has rich antioxidant properties which prevent damage, keeping your scalp and hair healthy. Honey also cleans the hair follicles by getting rid of impurities, so why not incorporate honey into your hair routine this fall? Now applying honey alone can get very sticky, so you will need to add a little olive oil (or any essential oil) to help smoothen and coat the hair shaft. The basic procedure for this treatment is simple; Mix a half cup of honey and about two tablespoons of olive oil together, and then warm the mixture over the stovetop or in your microwave for a few seconds. Apply from scalp to end and leave on for 10-20 minutes before shampooing. Depending on your hair porosity level, you can apply this homemade mask at least once in two weeks.
Perfect The Art Of Towel Drying
Using a hairdryer to dry your hair too often can cause it to become dry and brittle. To protect your hair from severe hair breakage this fall, you’d best use a towel to squeeze out the moisture, and then let your hair continue air drying. There is a subtle art to towel drying and if you employ it well, your hair will stay strong, beautiful and vibrant this fall. When you’re towel drying your hair, use a very soft towel or even an old t-shirt instead of a coarse, nubby towel. When you use a soft towel, your hair cuticles lay flat, so they dry in nice, glossy waves or curls; but a coarse towel makes your hair more likely to frizz. Right after you turn off the shower, very gently gather your hair into sections and squeeze out the extra water. It’s best to do this while you’re still in the shower. Grab a section of hair and gently blot (don’t rub) and squeeze it with the towel, working from the roots all the wall to the tips. Keep doing this with each section until your hair is totally towel-dried. Then as you go about your day, let the air do the rest.
Use Your Oils Wisely
Essential oils are your hair’s best friends but they can turn into bitter enemies when you use them unwisely. Whether light (say coconut and carrot oils) or heavy (say olive oil), your hair oils are not meant to moisturize your scalp. They are supposed to help seal in the moisture whether from your bath or from your hair moisturizer. Sometimes, applying these essential oils to your hair and scalp would help with the itchiness but without moisture, it would also seal in the dirt and dryness you already have and in the long run, this buildup would lead to severe hair breakage. So this fall, use your oils wisely. Make sure your hair is moisturized before you seal in with your favorite oil.
Try Rice Water For More Shine And Stronger Hair
If you haven’t heard of the magic of rice water for hair growth and strength, where have you been hiding all this while? Rice water for increased shine and longer stronger hair is an ancient regimen passed on through the years by women of all hair types the most notable of which are the Yao women of Japan. If you haven’t tried rice water before, this fall is the perfect time to check it out. I have found that the fermented rice water recipe works wonders for severe hair breakage and luckily, the procedure for it is very simple. Measure out two tablespoons of raw rice, whether brown or white and wash it thoroughly. Then add two glasses of water, seal off in an airtight jar and let sit for a minimum of 24 hours. At the end of the wait, strain out the rice and dilute with about a glass of water. Then use either as a co-wash, as a conditioner before shampooing or as a final rinse before sealing off with your essential oil. Refrigerate the remnant to stop fermentation and use again when required.
For Bedtime, Use Satin Sleep Caps
I admit this takes some getting-used-to but, going to bed in a silk sleep cap or hair wrap just much be the best thing you ever did for your hair this fall season. A night time routine is vital to protecting you from severe hair breakage while preventing your hair moisture from seeping away as you slumber. It is a well-known fact black women tie up their hair at night whether relaxed or natural because satin scarves keep hairstyles intact, smooth, and ready for morning styling. Traditionally, satin will have both a glossy side and a dull side. It is made using combinations of other fabrics like nylon, rayon, polyester, and even silk. A satin scarf provides the same benefits as a silk scarf but is more affordable and durable with its floating appearance that drapes well. The satin pillowcase or scarf will maintain the natural oils in your hair allow for less friction between your hair and other surfaces such as a cotton sheet or pillowcase and save you from severe hair breakage this fall. I wouldn’t be doing you all any justice if I didn’t add that we’ve got the most beautiful patterned satin sleep caps and scarves on our online store. Use code GIRLILY20 for 20% off. All US orders ship free 🙂
Wrap Your Hair In Protective Head Wraps As Often As Possible
With the fall season already upon us, dryness is a force to be reckoned with for most women. Putting your hair up is guaranteed to cool you down and adding a head wrap to your routine has several benefits. First off, a head wrap is downright head-turning. Just look at all the ways head wraps are making waves this year. You can rock various interpretations on any occasion, be chic and still save yourself form the stress of severe hair breakage. Another perk is the protective nature of head wraps: Choosing a full-coverage style creates a shield between your hair and the damaging rays of the sun. It saves you from severe hair breakage and prevents your hair from getting frizzy. Run a nourishing leave-in conditioner through your hair strands before wrapping. You could also just spritz a little water and seal with your favorite hair oil and your hair will maintain its softness all day long. Girlily has a line of branded headwraps in beautiful prints you can get here. Happy wrapping, ladies!
Finally, load up on moisture as often as you can. It doesn’t have to be something fancy; a little water in a tiny spray bottle will go a long way. Fit this in your purse and spritz a little when you feel the dryness coming on.
Have you tried any of these and do you intend to? let us know how it works out in the comment section.