10 Easy Tips for Healthy and Beautiful Hair

Healthy and beautiful hair doesn’t happen by accident. People with great looking locks are doing certain things right, even if they don’t realize it!

Not only is it fairly easy to have gorgeous hair, but you don’t have to break the bank in the process. In fact, sometimes you actually save money while getting better results.

This article focuses on what I have found keeps my tresses looking their best.

1. Don't lather up daily.
2. Avoid shampoos with sodium lauryl sulfate.
3. Use conditioner.
4. Rinse your hair in cold water.
5. Skip the blowdryer.
6. Opt for a microfiber towel.
7. Use a wide-tooth comb.
8. Eat a healthy diet.
9. Color your hair less often.
10. Use scrunchies.

Many of us have been led to believe we should shampoo daily.

Depending on your hair type, not washing it often enough may cause problems such as dandruff and irritation. However, washing it too often—which many of us are guilty of—can dry it out and cause an increase in oil production.

I now wash my hair every 2-3 days, even if I work out most of the week. If it's super greasy, I definitely lather up. Otherwise, I use dry shampoo between wet washes as needed. I apply the dry shampoo in the morning before I go to work and my hair looks fabulous. My favorite is Kevin Murphy Fresh Dry Cleaning Spray. This stuff is amazing.

If your shampoo lathers easily, you may feel like it's doing its job, but it could be doing more harm than good.

Sodium lauryl sulfate is a popular ingredient in shampoos but is very drying and damaging to your tresses. Although this ingredient does effectively clean your hair, it also strips it of the natural oils it needs to be healthy.

Talk to your stylist about shampoos that don’t contain this harmful ingredient. Ask her if she can recommend a shampoo specific to your hair type that will help it look its best. Consider shampoos with organic ingredients. I use Eufora Nourish Hydrating Shampoo.

Hair conditioner is essentially moisturizer. It helps restore your hair's moisture after some of it is inevitably stripped away by shampooing. Conditioner also fortifies your hair shaft's cuticle—its protective layer—so that your hair strands don't break easily. In addition, conditioner makes your locks smoother, shinier and helps prevent detangling.

Make sure you gently squeeze the excess water out of your hair after you shampoo before you apply the conditioner. Too much water will dilute the conditioner so the ingredients won't absorb into your locks as well. Gently apply your conditioner onto your hair in downward strokes and leave it on for about 2 minutes. If you're using a deep conditioner, leave it on an extra few minutes.

Did you know that rinsing your hair in cold water after rinsing out the conditioner leaves your locks shiny and soft? This is because the cold water closes the cuticles in your scalp which seals in the moisture.

You don't need to use cold water to rinse out your conditioner, but as a final quick rinse after you rinse out your conditioner. A few seconds will do.

You may cringe at the thought of cold water on your hair at the end of your shower, but if you're lathering up only a few times a week, it's pretty painless and definitely worth the results of smooth and glowing hair..

One of the easiest and most common ways to damage your hair is by using a blow dryer. This hot air device dries out your tresses, especially if you use one regularly. Many of us feel we need to blow dry our hair in order to style it more attractively. I really think we need to get over this. Your locks will ultimately look much better when they're not being damaged by the ongoing use of this device.

Aillow your hair to dry naturally. If you wash it at night, place a microfiber towel on your pillow before you go to sleep. If you lather up in the morning, get up early enough to allow your locks to air dry or, if you can, go to work with slightly damp hair.

Microfiber is a material that absorbs water more quickly than the material standard towels are made of. With microfiber towels, you don't need to rub or wring your locks to extract the water from them, so you avoid hair breakage as well as frizziness. Simply wrap your hair in a microfiber towel after you wash it until you're ready to comb it. Gently pat it dry with the same towel to take in that extra dampness.

Microfiber towels are especially effective if, like me, you have thick locks. Thick hair holds in more moisture so there's a greater need to absorb that excess water.

These towels are also very light on your head, so they don't weigh your tresses down. I purchased a set of 2 YoulerTex microfiber hair towel wraps for under $12.

A wide-tooth comb allows for easy detangling after you wash and condition your tresses. Because this comb's teeth are spread out widely and evenly, your hair strands are less likely to get caught and tugged at, which often occurs with a bristle brush or a fine-toothed comb. Wide-tooth combs help prevent your hair strands from damage and make combing your locks easy and painless.

Start from the bottom of your hair and gently work your way up to avoid pulling and damaging your tresses.

These combs can be purchased at beauty salons, over the counter and online.

We all know how important it is to eat healthy foods, but sometimes we forget the direct impact this has on our tresses. Unhealthy hair is often a sign of a poor diet, but the good news is this can be reversed by adopting better eating habits.

Salmon, sardines and mackarel are packed with omega-3 fatty acids which will keep your locks shiny and full. Eggs, berries, Greek yogurt, spinach and other green vegetables are loaded with vitamins and minerals that will keep your hair looking its best.

An easy and quick way to pack nutrients into your daily diet is by making vegetable and fruit smoothies.

If you color your hair, you probably already know that hair dye contains chemicals that damage your locks. Try coloring less often and spray your roots in between salon visits (or home coloring).

I use Magic Root Cover Up Concealer by L'Oreal and couldn't be happier. Since I discovered this amazing product, I visit my hairdresser much less frequently than I used to and put the extra money into my savings account. This spray comes in a range of shades so it's easy to find one that matches your hair color.

If you work out, you likely wear a ponytail to stay cool and comfortable. Perhaps you even like putting your hair up for work or around the house. Make sure you're not using ponytail holders that pull and damage your locks.

Scrunchies are fabric covered elastic hair holders. They're gentle on your locks so they won't pull or damage them. They come in a wide range of colors and styles. Whether you're exercising, on the job or attending a party, your tresses will be safe and attractive tied up with a scrunchie.