via GoodHairDiaries
If you are one of those women that say they moisturize religiously but still have dry and brittle hair, you want to have a seat and take some notes. You may just be doing it wrong.
1. You Shampoo But You Don’t Condition
I know what you’re thinking. Where the hell do people do that? But I can tell you that I have spoken to plenty of women that wash their already very dry hair with a stripping shampoo, and then neglect to follow-up with a rinse-out/instant conditioner or deep conditioning treatment. Shampoo cleanses product and dirt from the hair, but it’s imperative that you follow up with a moisturizing conditioner. A deep conditioner would be even better!
2. You Haven’t Switched To A Sulfate Free Shampoo Yet
Sulfates are extremely drying to the hair, and usually the second ingredient in most commercial shampoos. Now that we have sulfate free shampoos out on the market, there really isn’t a reason to be stripping your hair of all its natural oils during your weekly wash. Get your scalp and hair clean and keep it moist with a sulfate free shampoo.
3. Butters and Oils Are Not Moisturizers
I said it! With the exceptions of coconut, jojoba and a few other oils that can penetrate the strand of hair – oils and butters will sit on the outside of the hair as sealants. They don’t add any moisture to the hair on their own, they just help to hold in what you’ve got! Try spraying your hair with water first, and then you can apply your butter or oil on top to seal in the moisture.
4. Your Hair Has Too Much Product Buildup
I’m a silicone girl. I use them as a heat protector when I straighten and I like them in my conditioners for easy detangling. The issue with this is that eventually the products buildup on the hair, and without an effective shampoo to remove it, moisture is unable to penetrate the hair shaft. Also, gunky hair has the tendency to tangle, mat and impede length retention. Clarify your hair once a month to remove product buildup as necessary. Clarifying shampoos are easy to find and while many contain sulfates, just be sure to follow up with a moisturizing deep treatment with a gentle heat source. You need a blank slate from time to time!
5. You’re Not Feeding The Ends Of Your Hair
I feel like a broken record since I say this all the time. The ends of your hair the oldest, driest and most fragile part of the hair. You have to place your moisturizer directly at the ends of the hair and seal in that moisture with a butter or oil. Tuck them away when your done for added benefit of length retention.
