When you look after your hair properly and provide it with the moisture, nutrients, and care it needs, you’ll notice a difference unlike no other. For many of us, our hair is an important part of our identity. It’s how we express ourselves and show off our style. However, when your hair is dull and damaged, it’s difficult to get excited about showing it off. 

Nevertheless, there is always a solution when it comes to damaged hair (and it doesn’t involve spending thousands of dollars at the salon). By developing a hair care routine that is unique to your type of hair, you can witness noticeable results in a matter of months. All you need is some guidance in the right direction. 

If you’re ready to wave goodbye to dull and uninspiring locks, you’ve come to the right place. Here are nine ways you can elevate your hair routine and increase shine. Keep reading to find out what they are… 

Learn Your Hair Type 

Before you can develop your unique hair care routine, you’ll need to identify what kind of situation you’re dealing with. Do you have low-porosity or high-porosity hair? Is your hair straight, wavy, or curly? Once you have a rough idea of your hair profile, you can find the right kind of methods and products. 

Brush Before Showering 

Brushing your hair can cause a great deal of breakage, especially if the strands are wet. That’s why hair care experts recommend that you use your hairbrush before you shower rather than during. However, curly haired girls might not be able to brush their locks without some water. 

Avoid Excess Heat 

Heat can seriously damage your hair and leave it looking fried. Therefore, you should try to use as little heat as possible. If you are going to use a hair straightener or curler, we recommend you do so on the lowest possible setting. Similarly, coat your hair with a heat-protectant to avoid damage. 

Wash Your Hair Less Often 

Although a daily body shower is essential, you only need to wash your hair every three to four days. Once your hair feels oily or your scalp starts to itch, it is a better indication that you need to wash your hair. Washing your hair everyday gets rid of natural oils and causes your hair to dry up. This makes it more prone to breakage so make sure to space out your wash days.  

Start an Oiling Routine 

Oiling is a hair-growth technique that has been around for centuries. This method involves massaging oils, such as rosemary and jojoba oils, into the roots of your hair. Ideally, you should massage your roots for around ten minutes and leave this to penetrate for a minimum of two hours. 

Use Intensive Hair Masks 

As a rule of thumb, you should apply some sort of intensive hair mask two to three times a month. However, you need to make sure you choose the right kind of mask for your hair. For example, you could opt for a mask specifically designed for colour-treated hair. 

Opt For High Quality Shampoo 

One of the easiest ways to get a noticeable difference when it comes to your hair is by investing in high-quality shampoo and conditioner. Although these products are significantly more expensive, they’re incredibly good at restoring shine and breathing life back into your hair. 

Protect Your Locks While You Sleep 

While you toss and turn, the strands in your hair get caught and end up breaking. That’s why it’s always a good idea to go to sleep with a protective hairstyle such as a loose braid. Alternatively, you can invest in a silk pillowcase as it’s gentler than linen or cotton. 

Eat a Balanced Diet 

The saying “you are what you eat” is incredibly popular because it’s true. When you eat healthy and nourish your body with vitamins, your hair and skin will reflect this. To increase hair growth, you should follow a balanced diet that includes plenty of protein and biotin, such as eggs, berries, spinach, and oily fish.  

Don’t give up on your hair routine because you aren’t seeing results within the first month. When it comes to repairing your hair, you’ll need to be as patient and consistent as possible. We recommend that you take monthly progress pictures so that you can truly begin to see a noticeable difference. This will encourage you to keep up with the process and treat your hair with the utmost level of care.