We don't know of any woman who doesn't want handfuls of beautiful, touchable hair. And we believe that nature shouldn't be the reason to keep us from it! Move over Mother Nature, we're making the rules now.
To get thick long hair, you have to understand how hair grows and how to manage it. One important thing to understand about your hair is it's 'terminal length'. Everyone's hair grows at a different pace, and will 'settle' at different lengths, meaning the longest length your hair will grow to (based on your hair follicles growth cycle--we talked about this is the last blog entry in reference to lashes).
On average, hair grows at a rate of 1/4" per month and during your growth cycle, will turn on and off, showing different growth rates at different times. Some people believe climate and water quality can also affect growth. You may have noticed that woman in many countries with warmer climates often wear their hair longer than others... this is most evident in Indian culture and Hawaiian culture. Others swear by vitamins and supplements that promise faster growth and healthier results.
Feed your hair. Just as you need to eat, your hair needs to be fed as well. Your follicles produce something called sebum... a naturally occurring oil at the root of each hair shaft. Sebum's main purpose is to create a waterproof protective barrier to keep hair from drying out. It also feeds the hair as it grows. A hair myth that many people seem to glaze over is the fact that hair grows from the root and not from the ends. So it is important to maintain a balanced and healthy scalp for your follicles to feed your hair. Frequent shampooing, although it leaves hair looking fresh, will also strip hair of its sebum. Over time, hair will feel dry and brittle. Washing every other day is sufficient. Those with oil-rich hair: On the off days, utilize the ever sexy tight pony tail. This will keep hair off the face, and camouflage slick roots. Finish it off by tying looping a portion of your ponytail around the hair tie to conceal. Simple and elegant while giving your locks a break!1) This is the DL preferred way; for the patient Deux Luxe Bride.
Time period: 3-6 months
Start off with a fresh canvas. This may pain some of you, but its an absolute, no way around it, neccessity. If you have any damage to you hair, it is critical to get a proper hair cut to remove all damaged ends. NOTE: Damaged hair is not repairable. If your ends begin to split, they will continue to all the way up the hair shaft. Go to a professional stylist and have them give you a trim/haircut, whatever it takes to remove the dry, split ends. From here, you will have perfectly healthy hair to work with. Trims will be necessary every 6-8 weeks.
Hair seldom has one personality. Many women will say they have dry fine hair, or oil-rich and unruly curly hair. This means it is important to find shampoos that will treat different symptoms, which can also mean buying more than one shampoo. You'll notice when switching shampoos, your hair will have a new found bounce and life. This is because your hair can begin to get over saturated with one product. A nice way to keep your hair from looking droopy and tired, alternate between your shampoos. A volumizing shampoo one day, and a moisturizing one the next!DEUX LUXE On The DL Tip #1: Hair is made up of layered cuticles looking much like shingles on a roof. They layer and overlap on the shaft of each strand. A healthy strand, all cuticles will sit flat against the shaft (see figure 1)... when hair is damaged, the cuticles will begin to lift--ultimate losing protein from within (see figure 2).
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| Figure 1- healthy hair |
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| Figure 2 - unhealthy hair |
Shampoos that treat Damaged hair contain ingredients that place 'proteins' back under the 'cuticles' of your hair. You do not need to have damaged hair to try this trick... putting 'more protein' back into hair giving each hair shaft a fuller feel, resulting in thicker textured hair. However, too much protein being introduced to the hair will often result in overly-textured locks. This method is best when used alternately with another shampoo such as a moisturizing shampoo or 'color treating' shampoo. DL's most favorite Shampoo for Dry Damaged Hair: Aveda Damage Remedy - Restructuring Shampoo & Conditioner. $24 each.DEUX LUXE On The DL Tip #2: Do you ever find your fine hair super dry, yet you don't want to weigh it down with conditioners? A neat thing to try is a 'color treated hair' hair line, regardless of if you have color treated hair or not. By default, these shampoos & conditioners offer the most moisture with the least amount of weight. DL's most favorite Shampoo for Color Treated Hair: A Tie! Aveda Color Conserve Shampoo & Conditioner, $21 each; L'Oreal Professionel Vitamino Color Shampoo & Conditioner $21 each.
Take care of your hair from the inside and out. Feed your hair by allowing the sebum to nurture, then protect and treat your hair with professional products that cater to your hair symptoms.Stay tuned for the continuation of this blog series...
'Luminous Shiny hair in 20 minutes!'
