Blog: Healthy Tresses for Daily Stresses

Times are tight and it can be tough to maintain gorgeous, healthy looking hair on a beyond than slim budget! I have to wash that "southern belle" (which I NEVER wanted to be) out of me.

I have still have memories of my mom putting on lipstick (and we are talking deep red) (no gloss here) before my dad came home. She would also take the hairspray and glaze her hair with it about three times in a circular motion. I thought, "is she for real?" All she was going to do was cook dinner. Furthermore, considering the humidity, everything goes flat anyway. Regardless, this was her ritual -- daily.

It is true; I do completely feel that you have to be at peace within yourself for beauty to shine. Although, there is nothing like having good skin and hair in order to enhance the inner -- to a certain point.

Therefore since I believe healthy hair is a sign of inner and outer beauty, it is very important to take care of your hair. Unfortunately I turned out to be a complete hair junkie: I curl, cut, color, flat iron and diffuse. It definitely takes a toll. I was checking out my girlfriend's hair the other day and noticed that it is actually stunning. She has slightly below the shoulder length hair, a natural light brown color and it is full but overall, straight hair. She adds a few highlights now and then but that is it. Anotherwords: Perfection! I thought, "how did I cross to the other side?" I never even wore makeup or went to the hair salon until late college years.

My friend also uses great products but her coloring and overall salon visits are quite minimal. Her hair tips were actually fascinating and I could not believe that we had never actually discussed them in depth before! I guess I was in a salon trying out a new color. So here is my (I mean her) healthy hair list -- which basically adds up to Less IS More:

• Drink plenty of water -- Drinking a good amount of water per day makes hair shinier and less dry and brittle. It also makes your hair grow longer faster. Bring on the water then!!
• STOP going to the salon for color treatments and/or highlights -- Not only is it cheaper but your hair will love you for it. You can even do your own highlights!! How can this happen without damaging your hair? Lemon is the most common because it has natural acid components; mixing lemon juice with a bit of water, rubbing that all over your hair and letting it sit for a few hours (then rinsing it off), will eventually (within several days) give you a natural looking highlight --- without the harsh chemicals! 
• Do a hair mask treatment at least once a week.You DO NOT need to visit a salon for this.Your hair is very similar to the rest of your body, it requires moisture and products that help give your hair some "water" when its thirsty. Yes, there are some wonderful treatments at salons but can also consider a budget friendly alternative (a DIY) hair mask --- by mixing honey and plain yogurt together, then applying it to your hair for 3-5 minutes (then rinsing it off). The honey, which locks in moisture and yogurt which is packed with nutrients, helps tame frizziness, and also gives your a boost of shine.
• Eat the foods that promote healthy hair. Not my favorite, but apparently, carrots, beans and nuts help out a lot. Not only does junk food damage your body but apprently, also your hair! Hair needs vitamins from specific food sources. Beans give your hair protein and as a result promotes hair growth. Nuts contain Omega-3 that helps prevent hair becoming dry and brittle. Finally carrots assist in making your hair shiny.

The grand total of these tips (from the water to the carrots is $13.00). Realistic? I am not sure. Obviously if you have already started the coloring process, then you have to add that in. I just know that if I made this shift, my husband might have that sparkle in his eye again. 

Funny enough...my next blog will be on coloring hair on a budget. This blog will feature Alisha Martin (a colorist for 25 years)

Any questions, concerns or fabulous folicle topics that you would like to see covered, please email me at apageofstyle@gmail.com

April will be on accessories and clothes for spring, while May will cover the latest makeup colors heading into summer. (Think matte and pastel colors)