Maintaining Long, Straight Hair

Hair is an important part of a person’s appearance, and at times it can be difficult to maintain and keep perfect.  Long hair can be especially difficult to take care of, so here are some tips to help people maintain their long hair. Natural oils and high quality shampoos are the best ways to support your hair. Though some natural ingredients may be difficult to find, using them is the best way to protect your long hair from damage. Many people are curious about the difference between shampoo and conditioner. Shampoo is generally used as a cleaning agent to clean grease out of your hair and scalp. Conditioner is used as hair care, as it creates volume and, in some cases, can make combing your hair easier. The perfect shampoo and conditioner can be incredibly difficult to find and sometimes, the wrong ones can end up damaging your hair even more. When searching for shampoos, look out for Sulfates, Parabens, Formaldehyde, Hexachlorophene, and Phthalates in the ingredients list. These components will not only negatively affect your hair, but may also damage your skin. 

There are also some ingredients to search for in shampoos, such as sulfate free ingredients like sultaines and disodium, as well as natural ingredients like organic oils and herbs. I would recommend using any organic oils you can find; however, experimenting to find what works is best. The same goes for conditioner, although it depends on whether you would like to thicken or deep clean your hair. For my hair I use Trader Joes’ Tea Tree shampoo. Many people also recommend Total Results Dark Envy Hydrating Conditioner for Dark Hair. For a cheaper drugstore shampoo and conditioner, Aveeno Kefir Probiotic Blend Shampoo & Conditioner is highly recommended, and even won an award due to its efficiency. All these hair products contain natural ingredients and are free of parabens and other detrimental chemicals. Aside from shampoos and conditioners, natural oils are also incredibly important. Throughout my life, I have used a concoction of almond oil boiled with Indian curry leaves, jojoba oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, and sesame oil boiled with numerous herbs (bacopa monnieri, eclipta prostrata, red hibiscus flower, phyllanthus emblica). This oil blend has always worked well for me.  

Everyone’s hair is different and before anything, I would recommend that you do your own research and figure out what works best with your hair.